2006 Mini Cooper Problems & Complaints

Electronic power steering pump issue/failure. The steering wheel was so stiff when I tried to go right that I physically could not turn the wheel. This is extremely dangerous & it happens without warning. No lights come on. You are left in a moving vehicle, without much of a way to control the direction you need it to travel in. From what I have learned, it seems an extended warranty was initially offered, & then a forced recall was issued on the, 1st Gen, 2002-2005 Mini Coopers. Only part of the vehicles with these issues were included in the recall. I have the same size 1.6 engine, & the exact same electronic power steering pump that comes with the issues & failures that I have in my 06. I have seen it on vehicles up to 08. This is absolutely unacceptable. This is a documented manufacturing defect & design flaw that has been continually allowed to endanger people’s lives. I am unsure how BMW managed to only recall part of the vehicles with these electronic power steering pump issues. I contacted BMW who told me there were no extended warranties or recalls on my vehicle.

Power steering pump grinding. This was a recall on the 2002-2005 model but not the 2006. The same issue is happening with this car that happened with the recall vehicles and I would expect bmw to fix this problem. Thanks

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

BMW issued a Recall 15V-205 Safety Recall, to cover the Airbag sensor in the passenger seat of my vehicle, a 2006 Mini Cooper S. The failure error was in the airbag sensor in the passenger seat, and the system warned of potential hazard with the passenger airbag. My car had a recall fix in 2018 for this fault. Now some 4 years later the same fault has arisen in the same sensor and system. I returned to BMW Mini who carried out the previous recall to have this fixed again. They said that while their repairs and parts generally carry an 8-year warranty, they do not warrant Recall repairs. They wanted over $2,000 to fix this issue. As this is a repeat of the original fault, and the car has under 100,000 miles I believe it should be covered, as their repair and or part has again failed. The date below is when I took it for the recall and was refused the warrenty repair.

Power Steering pump leaking failure

Power steering pump went out while driving the car. Car was extremely hard to steer. Almost hit a guard rail. Had the car towed home and then to a garage. This is a known problem with Mini Coopers from year 2002 to 2006. Websites and Mini Cooper Forums are loaded with Power Steering Pumps failing. No warning. Pump was confirmed to be the problem by an independent garage that only services high end german cars. Power Steering Pump was diagnosed to be bad on 8/04/2022. Car has a little over 60,000 miles on it.

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Coop S. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat occupancy mat had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist since the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,350.

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat occupant detection mat was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags) three years ago; however, the front passenger's side air bag warning light had been illuminating intermittently. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag warning light would illuminate whenever a lightweight passenger or a heavier passenger would sit in the front passenger’s seat. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Blindsided Drive side impact car ignited I was cut from my car suffering emence Injuries due to the malfunction of the airbags . No air bags deployed.

It is very difficult to turn my steering wheel. It takes more energy than any other car I have ever driven

The electro-hydraulic power steering system stopped working on my 2005 Mini Cooper. The was a recall for 2002 to 2005 mini power steering pump failures but the problem continued thru 2011 because the fix that mini Cooper came up with was inadequate. The essentially put a band-aid on the problem and left car owners holding the bag. I, in fact, had the auxiliary pump that mini came up with replaced and the power steering problem continued because their fix was no good. I have an appointment with the Mini Cooper dealership to look at my car in about 2 weeks. They've told me that I'm not covered by the recall even though they ordered a recall of 86,000 cars for the problem in 2015. Not having power steering in any vehicle is very dangerous. The problem first occurred and remains after 2 years. The problem was reproduced by an independent repair service that I have used for years.

Passenger air bag light went on and i took it to Mini dealer who diagnosed that ht passenger seat matt sensor failed and recommendedreplacement of seatmatt sensor I called Mini about safetyrecall NHTSA15V20500 of 4/6/2015, and they informed me my VIN/vehicle was not part of thatrecall

I DROVE THE CAR EARLIER AND IT WAS FINE. I RETURNED HOME AND THEN HOURS LATER TRIED TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO FIND I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN IT WENT OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. APPARENTLY AFTER READING ONLINE QUITE A BIT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO RECALL OR EVEN A CAMPAIGN OR BULLETIN. THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE ALONE I'M FRANKLY SHOCKED. APPARENTLY BMW DEALERS ARE CLEANING UP DUE TO THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIR. I'M LOOKING AT A MINIMUM OF $1500. APPORX 60% OF VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, FLAMES WERE PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE NEIGHBOR ASSISTED IN EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD STOPPED BLOWING COOL AIR. THEN WHEN I WAS PARKED, AND IDLED, MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE TRYING TO BACK OUT. AFTER WRESTLING WITH THE WHEEL FOR A MINUTE TO GET OUT OF A PARKING LOT AREA, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. THE MECHANIC SAID ONE OF MY COOLANT FANS DOES NOT WORK. THIS MAY BE PART OF A RECALL THAT AFFECT 2005 MINIS WITH COOLANT FAN/POWER STEERING, HOWEVER MY CAR WAS MADE JUST A FEW MONTHS PAST THE RECALL.

AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SOUTH BAY MINI LOCATED AT (18800 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE CA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE SEAT BELT AND CHECK-ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BROWN MOTOR WORKS (803-551-0991, LOCATED AT 4041 BROAD RIVER RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210) AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE SERVICES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160.000.

CAR ACCIDENT CAUSE PROBLEMS , HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH / FLYWHEEL WAS REPAIRED ONE TIME DRIVE SLOW WON'T MOVE FAST. NOT STEERING , HAS LEAKAGE , DAMAGE DENTS ON RIGHT SIDE FRONT END PAINT DAMAGES, NOT RIGHT COLOR. BACK BUMPER DAMAGE SCRATCHES , HATCHBACK LOCK NEEDS BE REPLACED. WHEELS DAMAGE LT RT . ABS SYMPTOM LIGHT ON, AIRBAG LIGHT ON, FRONT REAR HOOD LIGHT ON PROBLEMS NOT CLOSING. IN MOTION STREET .

POWER STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING. IT COME AND GOES FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS WHILE IN A WINDING ROAD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACE SOME LINES. A FEW MOTHS LATER IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVING AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN IDLE FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS. NOW THE POWER STEERING IS TOTALLY NOT WORKING AT ALL.

THERE IS A CONSTANT FUEL / GASOLINE SMELL IN MY CAR AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. NO VISIBLE LEAKS. THE SMELL IS CONSTANT.

INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILIURE DURING DRIVING, STIFF STEERING WHEEL CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT

THE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER A RECALL. AFTER 2 YEARS, IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS ONLY A TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON TEH PART. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAKES THE CARE UNSAFE AND UNUSABLE.

POWER STEERING PUMP PROBLEM FOR MINI COOPER R50 BOUGHT MY R50 PRE-OWNED 125000 KMS ON THE ODO FROM A DEALERSHIP(NOT A MINI DEALERSHIP) AS A PRESENT FOR MY DAUGHTER IN MARCH 2019. I ALREADY KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. OBSERVED A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. DEALER SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING SOME HOSES. AFTER A MONTH, I TRIED STARTING THE CAR UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS LUCKY TO STILL BE AT HOME THAT TIME. RECHARGED THE BATTERY AND STARTED THE CAR. TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND NOTICED A SOUND. TRACED THE SOUND TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP NOT TURNING OFF EVEN IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY SO IT WILL NOT DO A FULL DISCHARGE. BOUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE PS PUMP. DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A COMMON ISSUE RELATED TO THIS PUMP ALREADY AND BMW HAS OFFERED EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE PUMP AND PERIPHERALS LIKE HOSES AND RESERVOIR COVERING 2003 TO 2005 MODELS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC ISSUES A FAILED PUMP CAN BRING. I ASKED THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER IF I COULD AVAIL BUT THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE COVERAGE. I NEEDED THE CAR TO WORK AND I WANTED IT DONE RIGHT SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE PUMP. THIS COSTED ME 1500 CAD++ I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD STILL BE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME AND THAT THE PUMP IS CONFIRMED TO BE AN ORIGINAL BY THE MINI SERVICE AND MAY VERY WELL STILL BE THE SAME ONE FROM THE PREVIOUS MODELS AND BMW SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS.

STEERING PUMP TRANSMISSION WEENING NOT WANTING TO CHANGE GEARS RIGHT

THE STEERING FEELS VERY STIFF. THIS IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN I START IN THE MORNING. IT IS EXTREMELY STIFF TO TURN.

THE AIR BAG DETECTION WARNING REMAINS ACTIVE AFTER DEALER REINSTALLATION OF THE SEAT DETECTOR PAD.

2006 MINI COOPER S WITH 66000 MILES HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION DUE TO LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ALERTED TO THE ODOR OF SMOKE DURING THE NIGHT. THE CONTACT APPROACHED THE VEHICLE, QUICKLY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, AND ROLLED THE VEHICLE HALFWAY DOWN THE DRIVEWAY OUT OF THE GARAGE. THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HEAT FROM THE ENGINE, BUT THE VEHICLE COOLED DOWN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL PUMP AND MASSIVE REPAIRS WERE NEEDED, WHICH WOULD TOTAL APPROXIMATELY $3,500. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER THE $500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE MECHANIC TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO COVER THE CLAIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILING, CREATING A LOUD WHINE WHEN RUNNING (MOVING, AND STATIONARY).

UPON STARTING MY CAR, AFTER BEING IN A STORE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE A PASSENGER WAS IN THE SEAT. THE INDICATOR STAYED ON AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. I RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR A FAULTY PASSENGER AIRBAG COVERING MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL MINI DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO INFORMATION PERTAINING TO MY CAR AND THAT I NEEDED TO CONTACT MINI USA DIRECTLY. I DID SO AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ALSO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION PERTAINING TO MY CAR AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE STATUS OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS PURCHASED THROUGH AN OVERSEAS MILITARY PROGRAM THE SYSTEMS WERE NOT THE SAME AND THAT A SUPERVISOR WOULD HAVE TO TRY AND FIND THE INFORMATION AND MANUALLY ADD IT TO THE MINI USA SYSTEM. I WAS ALSO ASKED, REPEATEDLY, IF MY CAR WAS A CANADIAN SPEC VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT ORDERED AS SUCH. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF WAITING, I CALLED MINI USA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD ALREADY BEEN NOTIFIED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE. WHEN I INQUIRED AS TO WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE RECALL WAS ISSUED, I WAS TOLD THAT MY CASE WAS NOW CLOSED AND IF I HAD ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I NEEDED TO CONTACT MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE.

I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER S. AIRBAGS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL (2015 OR 2016) AT MINI DEALERSHIP. NOW, MAY 15, 2018, SEATBELT/AIRBAG RED LIGHT ON ON CONSOLE. NO AIRBAG LIGHT ON NEAR MIRROR. NOTHING ON PASSENGER SEAT - I AM BELTED WHEN I DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS AS I TURN ON IGNITION AND STAYS ON.

GOOD MORNING, I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER AND THE POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED. I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HEAVY (POWER STEERING FLUID WAS OK) THE UNIT JUST GAVE OUT. I READ THAT THE NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING UNIT FOR 2002 TO 2005 COOPERS RECALL 15V660000 (THE 2002 THRU 2006 ARE ALL FIRST GENERATION MODELS). MY QUESTION IS WHY WAS THE 2006 COOPER NOT INCLUDED SINCE IT IS ALSO FIRST GENERATION MODEL, AND IT IS THE SAME POWER STEERING UNIT USED FROM 2002 THRU 2006 ATLEAST ON THE BASE MODELS - NOT SURE ON THE COOPER S MODEL. COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE ADDED TO THE RECALL SINCE IT AFFECTS MY CAR ALSO,, IT HAPPENED AT 110K MILES FOR ME, I DONT DRIVE TOO MUCH THUS THE LOW MILEAGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON LOCAL ROADS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD A LOSS OF POWER AND STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER/TURN

MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAILING. IT WHINES WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. VERY SCARY TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL THRU 2005, BUT BMW SAYS THEY WONT HELP US 2006 OWNERS.

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING BOTH SLOWLY PULLING OUT OF CARPORT AND AT NORMAL 35 MILES PER HOUR STREET SPEED. STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. PERSISTED UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. HAPPENED SPORADICALLY AFTERWARD. ISSUE RETURNED AND NOW AFFECTS THE CAR MOST OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WILL HAPPEN UPON STARTING THE CAR, OR WHILE DRIVING. CAR ONLY HAS 50,063 MILES ON IT! LOOKS LIKE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE IS CAUSING THE LOSS OF STEERING. EXTREAMLY DANGEROUS!

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, THEY DID NOT RECALL THIS YEAR BUT THE PUMPS STILL FAIL

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED SUDDENLY ON THE CAR. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS YOU SUDDENLY LOOSE MOST OF YOUR ABILITY TO STEER! THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, AND WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. ONE OF THE TIMES WAS WHILE I WAS TURNING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A COMBINATION OF PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN, AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP ITSELF. NOW BMW/MINI HAS ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS THOUGHT THE MODEL YEAR 2005. HOWEVER FROM WHAT I'VE READ A LOT OF 2006 MINI'S HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. THEY SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL/REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE TO AT LEAST THE 2006 MODELS AS WELL.

2006 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DETECTION MAT FAILURE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, BUT WAS IN ACCIDENT BEFORE IT COULD BE COMPLETED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE,THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SKULL FRACTURE AND OTHER UPPER BODY DAMAGES. UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS

THE STREWING WHEEL GOT STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT, LEFT OR MAKE A U-TURN. WHILE RESEARCHING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED IT IS ON RECALL BUT THE NORTH AMERICA MINI COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMED ME TO CONTACT NATIONAL HIGHWAY INSTITUTION TO ASK FOR A RECALL LETTER TO BE ISSUED TO THE COMPANY.

VEHICLE RECALLED 2015 FOR FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR MAT (RECALL 15V205) STILL NOT REPAIRED. LOCAL MINI DEALER HAS SERVICED THE CAR SO THEY HAVE CONTACT INFORMATION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NICK ALEXANDER MINI (6201 ALAMEDA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90001) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, ALTERNATOR, AND RADIATOR COOLING FAN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,054.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FUEL SENSOR GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL, BUT THE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS 74 MILES LEFT IN THE FUEL TANK. TEMPE MINI, LOCATED AT 7855 SOUTH TEST DRIVE, TEMPE, ARIZONA 85284, WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL HOUSING, AND FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,455.

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT A LOW SPEED THIS MORNING WHEN I LOST THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2006 MINI COOPER. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY RIGID AND IT WAS HARD TO TURN. I TRIED TURNING MY VEHICLE OFF AND OFF AGAIN. I ALSO TRIED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOOSEN IT UP. NOTHING HELPED THE ISSUE. I CONTINUED DRIVING FOR ANOTHER 30 MINUTES. AT A LOW SPEED MAKING SHARP TURNS WAS VERY HARD, IF NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY IN MY LANE. IF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE OTHER LANE I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULD NOT MAKE THE TURN DUE TO THE LACK OF POWER STEERING WITH MY VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN ALL THE WAY. EVEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS (30 TO 40 MPH) THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND MAKE IT AROUND CURVES IN THE ROAD. STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. I COULD BARELY PARK MY VEHICLE IN THE PARKING SPOT IN THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SO HARD TO TURN MY VEHICLE AT SUCH A LOW SPEED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED IN MY VEHICLE DURING THIS MONTH. BUT THE OTHER TIMES THE ISSUE HAS GONE AWAY AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE TWICE. ONE TIME WAS TWO DAYS AGO IN THE MORNING. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND HARD TO TURN. THE OTHER TIME WAS OVER A WEEK AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS THIS TIME RESTARTING THE VEHICLE DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE.

I WAS A PASSENGER IN A MINI COOPER 2006, MY FRIEND WAS HIT HEAD ON BY A DRUNK DRIVER ON A CITY STREET. MY FRIEND'S MINI COOPER 2006 WAS TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS A RESULT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER MAT SENSOR DEFECT. I SUFFERED MULTIPLE INJURIES TO MY CHEST, HANDS, ARMS, AND NECK THAT ARE VERY SERIOUS.

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. VERY STIFF. HARD TO CONTROL. CAN'T TURN. SCARY!!!

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SLIPPING AND HARD SHIFTING. AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL. 70,000 MILES. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING. BMW TOLD ME TO SELL IT RIGHT AWAY. $9,000 TO REPAIR. SHOULD BE RECALLED. VERY UNHAPPY. PLEASE HELP. *TR

I REPLACED MY POWER STEERING PUMP FAN 2-3 YEARS AGO THEN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I HAD IT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW MY POWER STEERING IS COMPLETELY GONE WITH NO PRIOR INDICATION THAT IT WAS FAILING AND I HAVE TO PAY A $1,400 TO GET IT REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED SHOP.

A EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS ISSUED FOR THE COOPER S R53 TILL 2005 MODEL YEAR .... THE R 53 WAS PRODUCED INTO THE 2006 MODEL YEAR FOR THE NORTHAMERICAN MARKET .... HAVE REPLACED TO PUMP ONCE AROUND 40-50 K ON THE CAR , OUT OF POCKET, AND PUMP HAS FAILED AGAIN AROUND 95K . THE WARRANTY ON MODELS TILL 2005 WAS EXTENDED TO 13 YEARS AND/OR 150K ..... WHY ARE THE FEW REMAINING MODELS OF THE 2006 RUNOFF NOT COVERED.. FIRST PUMP FAILED ON THE MY WASHINGTON AUTO ROAD..... NOT A GOOD PLACE TO SAY THE LEAST..... THE OTHER ON THE WASHINGTON, D.C. BELTWAY DURING THE AFTERNOON RUSH.... MANAGED TO KEEP SAFE BUT WAS NOT A GOOD SITUATION FOR ANYONE ... STEERING PUMP WOULD SURGE ON AND OFF-ROAD CAUSING INCONSISTENT POWER ASSIST IN TURNS WITH A EVENTUALLY NO ASSIST WAS MUCH MORE DRAMATIC THE FIRST TIME WAS ONLY SAVED BY RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM AS IT OCCURRED THE SECOND TIME ... WHEN THE FIRST PUMP WAS REPLACED ALL LINES , COOLING FAN AND ITS DUCT WORK WERE REPLACED A WELL ......

STOPPED AT GAS STATION TO FILL UP. RESTARTED CAR AND BEGAN TO DRIVE...NOTICED EXTREME STIFFNESS IN STEERING AND PULLED OVER. SHUT ENGINE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED POWER STEERING RETURNED. LATER IN THE DAY...I WAS GOING FOR A DRIVE AND IT OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS TIME, IT WAS AFTER I HAD STOPPED AT THE GYM FOR AN HOUR, AND WAS RETURNING HOME. AGAIN, I PULLED OVER SHUT OF ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTED. POWER STEERING RETURNED.

MY '06 MINI COOPER S WITH ABOUT 87,000 MILES IS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID AND HAS BEEN DOING SO FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS OR 20,000 MILES. I'VE BEEN TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP. I BELIEVE MINI SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP UNIT BECAUSE IS LIKELY A FAILURE SIMILAR TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE DOCUMENTED AND COVERED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000. WHILE THE STEERING MECHANISM IS STILL FUNCTIONING, CAN A CATASTROPHIC POWER STEERING FAILURE BE FAR OFF?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION, WHICH CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT A DIFFERENT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

POWER STEERING RANDOMLY WHEN OUT WHILE IN MOTION. THANKFULLY, I WAS ON A LOCAL ROAD GOING SLOWLY WHEN IT HAPPENED. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON. POWER STEERING CAME BACK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. ONCE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN OFF WITH THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR HAD FAILED AND MELTED. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR, WIRES, BATTERY, PUMP, FAN, PRESSURE HOSE AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. AFTER REPAIRS, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE USING THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

WAS DRIVING TO SEE MY HUSBAND OUT OF TOWN AND MY STEERING WHEEL START GETTING HARD, I STOPPED TURN OF THE CAR AND BACK ON AND IT WORKED, BUT AFTER THAT IT COINTINUE TO DO IT MORE AND MORE OFTEN, TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE POWER WHEEL PUMP,

ONCE THE CAR WARMS UP THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LURCHES WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE ENGINE STILL ACCELERATES, HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION SIMPLY WHINES AND NO POWER IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE WHEELS. VERY UNSAFE WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. MINI ADVERTISED THESE VEHICLES AS NEVER REQUIRING TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGES. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. NO RECALL EXISTS, HOWEVER, THE ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON WEB FORUMS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING LINE AND PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000.(STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR A SECOND AND DIMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 54 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND LEAK OIL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

CAR HAD A BURNING SMELL THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETY OFF WHILE DRIVING . MINI HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MINI R53 FIRST GENERATION 2002-2005 BUT THE 2006 IS ALSO A FIRST GENERATION AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED .CALLED MINI AND AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDNT HELP ME AND I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD WARRANTY THE 2006 MODEL BEFORE A FIRE STARTS OR SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT EITHER THE MAT SENSOR OR CONTROL MODULES WERE DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 03/23/16.*JB UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ *JS *LN*AS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED WITH NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

BOUGHT VEH. USED ON 11/21/15 WITH 66,898 MILES. ON DECEMBER 30, 2015 DROVE VEHICLE AND PARKED, WHEN VEH. WAS SHUT OFF I NOTICED A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THOUGHT IT WAS A FAN. RETURNED TO VEHICLE APPROX. 6 HRS. LATER, BATTERY WAS DEAD. HAVE VEH. JUMP STARTED. DROVE HOME, HEARD HUMMING AGAIN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN VEH. WAS SHUT OFF. I DISCONNECTED BATTERY AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR. TOOK VEH. TO MY MECHANIC ON 1/6/16 (VEH. HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE 12/30/15) AND HE ADVISED ME THAT THE STEERING PUMP NEEDED REPLACING, VEH. WAS AT 67,747 MILES. PAID $1,154.17 FOR REPAIRS. MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO DO RESEARCH AS HE HAS HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER MINI OWNERS. RESEARCHED ON INTERNET TO FIND I WAS NOT THE ONLY 2006 MINI OWNER TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEMS. SAME PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED TO THE MINI'S THAT BMW HAS RECALLED AND EXTENDED WARRANTY. PLEASE DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE THEM INCLUDE 2006 MINI COOPERS AND FIX THE PROBLEM AND/OR REIMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE CONTACTED MINI USA, BUT THEY CLAIM MY VEH. IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, THOUGH I FEEL IT SHOULD BE SINCE THE PROBLEM IS THE EXACT SAME THING AS THOSE VEH.'S THAT WERE RECALLED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NO LONGER DETECTED THAT A PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

OUR CAR HAS ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT. WE ARE INFORMED BY 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION TOTALING $10,000. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS VERY ISSUE THAT SETTLED LATE LAST YEAR. BMW/MINI KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND SAID NOTHING. OUR CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE NOW AND IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. IT IS WORTHLESS ESSENTIALLY AFTER BEING MAINTAINED PER THEIR GUIDELINES. WHEN DRIVING IT LOST CONTROL AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEARS. WAS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR ONE TIME AND WAS HARD TO STOP. COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT WE WERE ABLE TO GET CONTROL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,700. UPDATE 01/15/16 MA;UPDATE 04/25/18*JB THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON NOV. 26, 2015 BY THE OWNER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V20500 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. THE 2006 MINI COOPER CVT TRANSMISSION HAS HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES. A CALIFORNIA JUDGE RECENTLY RULED IN FAVOR OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST BMW(MINI COOPER). WE JUST BECAME AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT IN OUR CAR. IT STILL RUNS AND SHIFTS BUT OUR CONCERN IS THAT IT COULD QUIT AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MINI HAS SHOWN NO MORAL OR ETHICAL INTEREST IN REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AT NO COST OR REDUCED COST TO THE CONSUMER.

70K AND ON MY THIRD SERPENTINE BELT ,BATTERY LIGHT GOES ON AND INCREDIBLY HARD TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT AND CAR DIES. WHEN THE BELT SHREDS OR BREAKS THE CAR DIES AND ONLY MOVES AT BELOW 5 MPH ,ONLY WARNING IS A BATTERY LIGHT ... PEOPLE BUYING THIS CAR FOR TEENS DONT ! HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 30 K ... IF YOU BUY THIS CAR USED WITH LOW MILEAGE GET THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED . NOTE : TRANSMISSION CHECK REQUIRES THE ENGINE TO BE PULLED OUT AND WILL COST $500.00 OIL PAN CONSTANTLY LEAKS. IF VW IS BAD BMW /MINI COOPER IS WORSE AND GETTING AWAY WITH HIGHWAY ROBBERY . SEAT BELTS ALWAYS GETTING TWISTED AND REQUIRE THE NEED TO PUL OFF ROAD TO FIX BECAUSE THEY TIGHTEN AND WON'T RELEASE TENSION. LOOK INTO DRIVER AND PASSENGER LEATHER SEATS FALLING APART ... WAITING FOR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG TO GO OFF BECAUSE OF POOR MATERIAL AND TEXTILE USE . IF IT'S RUBBER IT ROTS OR RATS EAT IT BECAUSE THEY CAN ENTER CAR ENGINE WITHOUT ISSUE. WITH THE CLASS ACTION SUITS ,SERVICE WARNINGS,AND RECALLS IT LOOKS LIKE MINI COOPER NEEDS A HARDER MORE INTENSE INVESTIGATION . IN REGARDS TO EXACT DATES I HAVE REPAIR BILLS ,CLASS ACTION INFO. REGARDING TRANSMISSION ...WORTHLESS AS I HAVE WRONG YEAR ,ALSO CAR IS ON A CONSTANT CYCLE OF MALFUNCTION ... BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEAD LIGHTS CONSTANTLY NEED BULB REPLACEMENT . PLEASE MAKE MINI COOPER RESPONSIBLE.

I HAVE HEARD FROM MORE THEN 3 DOZEN OTHER INDIVIDUALS OWNING BOTH THE MINI COOPER AND MINI COOPER S RANGING FROM YEARS 2006 TO 2010 THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS REGARDING THE AIR CV JOINT AXEL AND/OR POWER ARM CONTROL A CONSTANT PROBLEM REGARDING THE GENERAL MODULE ELECTRONIC COMPONENT. THIS ISN'T JUST A COINCIDENCE AND MAY END UP BEING THE CAUSE OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS IF ONE OR TWO OF THESE COMPONENTS ARE DEFECTIVE. FOR THIS MANY CONSUMERS TO BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, SAME SOUNDS AND REVISITED VISITS TO MINI DEALER SHOPS AROUND THE GLOBE SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I KNOW FOR ONE THING THIS CONTROL ARM IS A HUGE PROBLEM IF IT FAILS CONSIDERING IT'S LOCATION COULD BE THE CAUSE OF MANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS DEPENDING ON THE SPEED AND SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT WHEN IT TAKES PLACE. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT ON THE ROAD DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE NOISE AND REACTION TO THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING OPERATED AND IT IS A SCARY THING. THEY WANT TO CHARGE A ABSURD AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT QUITE FRANKLY MAY HAVE BEEN SOMETHING RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO, AND WASN'T BECAUSE A LOT OF CONSUMERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROCESS SUCH AS MYSELF UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN AN ATTORNEY FRIEND OF MINE STARTED TO DIG AROUND A BIT AFTER HEARING MY STORY AND THE STORIES OF MANY OTHERS I HAVE SPOKEN TOO.

SIGNS OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. WHINING NOISE RANDOMLY GOT LOUDER. FLUIDS TOPPED UP, NO LEAKS. THERE IS A RECALL FROM BMW THAT COVERS 2002-2005 MODELS. THIS PUMP ONLY HAS 82,400 MILES ON IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

RECALL NOTICE NO. 15V-205 WAS RECEIVED JUNE 2015 FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR. AS OF 24 SEPTEMBER 2015, DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE PARTS OR "INFORMATION" ON RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

I COMPLAINED WITH MINI COOPER BACK IN 2011 WHEN MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND DEALERSHIP SAID THAT REPLACEMENT WILL BE DONE OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR AT RISK; MORE OFTEN THAT NOT, I DO NOT DRIVE MY CAR WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. FAST FORWARD TO 2015 WITH RECALL BUT UNABLE TO EXECUTE THE RECALL DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE WHAT THE CAUSE OF DELAY AND SINCE THE ORIGINAL PART WORKS ALBEIT BAD DURABILITY, FORCE MINI COOPER/BMW TO PERFORM STOP GAP REPAIRS WITH OLDER PARTS, BYPASS SENSOR OR CHANGE SOFTWARE CODE TO DISREGARD BAD SENSOR INPUT. THE BURDEN IS TOO GREAT FOR ME TO USE MY CAR WITH NO PASSENGER OR PASSENGER AT RISK. STOP GAP REPAIRS, INCLUDING CHANGING THE SOFTWARE CODE AND ELIMINATE SENSOR INPUT TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG CAN BE A TEMPORARY REPAIR. HOW HARD IS IT FOR BMWQ TO SHORT OR "FAKE" THE SENSOR SIGNAL, SO THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT DISABLE THE AIRBAG; HENCE IT WOULD DEPLOY WHEN THERE'S A PASSENGER ONBOARD. PUT A STICKER ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAYS AIRBAGS ARE TEMPORARY ACTIVE AND CHILD SEATS NOT ALLOWED. MY SAFETY INSTINCT TELLS ME IT IS PREFERRED TO HAVE THE AIRBAG ACTIVE AND DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. THE NUMBER OF POTENTIAL CHILD SEAT IS MOST LIKELY A VERY LOW NUMBER THAT MOST OWNERS WOULD PREFER TO HAVE AN ACTIVE AIRBAG. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT THIS IS TAKING SO LONG, AND PUTTING THE OWNERS AT RISK WHEN THERE ARE STOP GAP MEASURES AVAILABLE. BYPASSING THE SENSOR AND HAVING THE AIRBAGS ACTIVE SEEMS TO BE THE MOST LOGICAL ONE EXCEPT NHTSA MAY BE THE PROBLEM FOR COMING UP WITH AUTO-SENSORS TO PREVENT CHILD SEAT ACTIVATION. NHTSA SHOULD MAKE A CHOICE AND DECIDE WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT, SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS, OR HAVING TO GIVE BMW INSTRUCTION AND WAIVERS TO ALLOW STOP GAP AND NOT PUT ME AND MY PASSENGERS AT RISK.

MY MINI COOPER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I NOTICED THAT 2002 THROUGH 2005 HAS BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE BUT NOT 2006? AND NOW I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY POWER STEERING?

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AS USUAL, I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN I FELT A JOLT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO SPUTTER AND AS SOON AS I SLOWED DOWN TO 30 MPH OR SO THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK UP TO THE HIGHER GEARS. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A QUARTER MILE FROM HOME SO I PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND DROVE VERY CAREFULLY INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND GOT OUT TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS DRASTICALLY WRONG ( ANY LEAKS, SMOKE, ETC.). NOTHING APPEARED TO BE MALFUNCTIONING SO I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND INSTANTLY STALLED THE ENGINE . I THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD NEED AN ENTIRELY NEW CVT TRANSMISSION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY AND RECALL PART WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED REPEATEDLY MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO FLASH FOR MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/06/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 2/2/2016*JS *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN APRIL 2015, THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. MA 10/5 UPDATED 10/06/15*LJ *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.UPDATED 10/19/15 *BF *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN JUNE OF 2015, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED ON, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE DETECTION MAT OF THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE PASSENGER . THE AIR BAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PANEL IS INTERMITTENT, PUTTING AT RISK OF NOT DEPLOYING THE AIR BAG DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE LIGHT WILL COME UP EVEN WHEN I HAVE A PURSE ON THE SEAT OR WITH A FULL GROWN ADULT (OVER 150 POUNDS). I RECENTLY CALLED 2 LOCAL MINI DEALERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (JULY 2015) REGARDING THIS AND BOTH STATED THE SAME: THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPARE PART REQUIRED FOR THIS RECALL AND CANNNOT PERFORM UNTIL MINI PROVIDES THEM WITH AN AUTHORIZATION LETTER. CALLED IMMEDIATELY THE MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE FOR RECALLS (1-866-825-1525) TO FIND OUT WHEN THIS WILL BE SOLVED SINCE THIS HAS BEEN ON ONGOING ISSUE SINCE MID 2014. MINI'S CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT WE NEEDED TO WAIT UNTIL A NEW RE-DESIGN OF THIS SENSOR IN THE DETECTION MAT IS AVAILABLE FROM THEM IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THIS SPARE PART TO THE DEALERS. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE PUTTING AT RISK ANY PASSENGER WHO WILL RIDE IN OUR CARS FOR AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN BY MINI FOR OVER A YEAR!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTAC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 10/27/15. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AT <64K MILES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. SUCH A FAILURE MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. MINI COOPER HAS KNOWN ABOUT SUCH ISSUES FOR YEARS! FIX THE PROBLEM MINI BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

I OWN A 2006 MINI COOPER S, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN OCTOBER 2006. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I NOTICED THAT AFTER SLOWING BY STEPPING OFF / RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WOULD JERK FORWARD - AT THE TIME, I DID NOT THINK IT WAS SERIOUS BECAUSE IT HAPPENED A FEW TIME AND IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AFTER LAST MINI SERVICE IN MARCH 2015 - LATELY, I NOTICED THAT IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES AFTER BRAKING OR SLOWING, THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME GETTING UP TO SPEED - SOMETIMES GRADUALLY STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL AS USUAL TO START OFF AGAIN, I HEAR THE ENGINE REV UP PRETTY LOUD SO I LET UP ON THE GAS PEDAL, AND THEN TRY TO STEP ON GRADUALLY AGAIN - SOMETIMES, IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE FOR THE CAR TO GET UP TO SPEED. ALSO, LATELY, AFTER I BRAKE AND SWITCH FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE TO BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR JERKS BACK WHEN I AM NOT STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL AT ALL. I TOLD THE MINI DEALER ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK WHEN THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START - THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE CAR DID NOT START DUE TO FAULTY CIRCUITRY IN A FUSE BOX, WHICH WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW FUSE BOX. THE DEALER SAID THAT WHAT I DESCRIBED SOUNDED LIKE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AND AFTER THE NEW FUSE BOX WAS PUT IN, THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR ON A TEST DRIVE TO SEE IF ANYTHING ELSE WAS WRONG. THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $9,000. MY CAR HAS AROUND 55,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WELL. IT IS UNREASONABLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME - THE CAR WAS BARELY USED IN THE FIRST YEAR - IT WAS DRIVEN MOSTLY WITHIN THE LAST 7-8 YEARS. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT MANY MINI COOPER OWNERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE, WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN COLLISIONS SINCE THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) IN JUNE OF 2015. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST OF 2015. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON CONSTANTLY NOW REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR OR NOT. BECAUSE IT IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT LOCATED ON THE CENTER PANEL WHERE ALL THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES ARE LOCATED RATHER THAN THE ONE UP BY THE REAR VIEW MIRROR THAT REFERS TO THE PASSENGER SEAT ONLY, I ASSUME THAT AT THIS TIME THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATIONAL. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON THIS CAR? IF SO, I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS MALFUNCTIONING ON MY MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. IT SAYS ON THE MINI COOPER COMPLIANT LIST THERE IS AN ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS ITS A SEAT PROBLEM, REQUIRING 1,800.00 FOR A NEW SEAT. THIS SITE SHOWS 14 OTHER CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL TRULY WORK IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. NO RECALL HAS BE ISSUED AS OF 5-28-2015. PLEASE HELP US GET THIS FIXED.

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. SEAT CANNOT DETECT PASSENGER AND DISABLE AIRBAG. THERE IS A RECALL GOING ON, BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN NUMBER. MINI USA REPRESENTATIVE GAVE NO ANSWER, NO TIMELINE, NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. JUST TOLD ME TO WAIT. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT'S BMW/MINI.

CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE SITING IN THE GARAGE.

I AM ON MY 4TH PASSENGER SEAT MAT SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW IN JANUARY 2007. IN APRIL I FOUND A MANUFACTURER RECALL PART 573 SAFETY RECALL REPORT 15V-205 THAT LISTED THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON NOV 18, 2006 WITHIN THE PRODUCTION DATE RANGE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RECALL AND CAN NO LONGER FIND THE RECALL ON THIS SITE. AS MENTIONED, THIS IS MY 4TH FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR. I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON WHAT THE PROCEDURE IS TO RECOVER MY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAST REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD MY I TURNED THE AC ON AND ABOUT 20MIN OF ME RIDING IN THE VEHICLE ME AND MY INFANT SON MY MY VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD HEAVY WHITE SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE 2006 MINI COOPER S. MY CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER WHILE ENGINE BAY STILL HEAVILY SMOKING I MANAGED TO GET CAR IN A NEARBY DEALERSHIP GET MY SON AND I OUT OF THE CAR I PUT WATER ON THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE THAT WAS BURNING TO KEEP THE REST OF THE CAR FROM BURNING UP.THE REST OF THE CAR I HAD TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY THE CAR WONT DO ANYTHING AT ALL THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM OR THE WIRES BURNT UNDER THE HOOD.

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINS ON. INSPECTION IS DUE 5/31/2015 SO I HAD IT DIAGNOSED BY MINI DEALER. DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAULT IN THE SENSOR SYSTEM IN A MODULE LOCATED IN THE DASHBOARD, BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX - REPAIR COST, $2,000+. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER BEFORE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN THIS PART. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL IN PROCESS, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT ITSELF (WHICH I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED, DECEMBER 2012.).

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON REGARDLESS OF THE SEAT OCCUPANCY. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE AIR BAG IS OPERATIONAL OR NOT.

ENGINE CRANKED BUT DID NOT START. AAA FLATBED TO MINI OF ALLENTOWN. RECEIVED CALL FROM DEALER POSSIBLE WATER DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL, CONTINUING DIAGNOSIS. VEHICLE FRM FAILURE.

FRONTAL AIR BAG LIGHTS STAY ON.

PARKED MY CAR WITH A VALET. RETURNED IN AN HOUR. IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS A SMELL AS IF SOMETHING HAD BURNED. THEY JUMP STARTED MY CAR. AS I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT TO MY CAR REPAIR SHOP. BY THE TIME THAT I HAD TRAVELED THE 2 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS HEAVILY SMOKING. MY CAR REPAIR SHOP SAYS THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP ELECTRICALLY MALFUNCTIONED - INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP CONTINUED TO FLICKER OFF AND ON EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 5/26/15*CN UPDATED 05/29/15*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 7/8/15*CN

SIMPLY DRIVING TO THE STORE ON MY DAY OFF THE POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY STOPPED, MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL. I TURNED AROUND AND HEADED BACK HOME SLOWLY. I PARKED IT AND RESEARCHED THE ISSUE. FIRST I FOUND OUT HOW EXPENSIVE A NEW PUMP WAS. THEN I HAD TO WAIT TILL I COULD AFFORD TO BUY ONE. BUT EVEN THE NEW ONE DOES NOT WORK. I INSTALLED IT YESTERDAY 18 APR 2015. I FOLLOWED STRICT INSTRUCTIONS AND MADE SURE EVERYTHING WAS CLEAN AND SECURED. BUT WHEN I LOWERED THE CAR AND STARTED IT THE NEW PUMP DID NOT OPERATE AT ALL, HENCE THE CAR IS STILL UNUSABLE. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CONSTANT ON AND DISABLED EVEN IF I HAVE PASSENGER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO TALK TO THE SAN FRANCISCO DEALER TO HAVE TO DEFECT FIX THE PREVIOUS OWNER NOT ABLE TO AFFORD TO GET IT FIX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED, MELTING THE POWER STEERING HARNESS AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE INCIDENT WENT LIKE THIS: WHEN WE RETURNED FROM AN EXTENDED VACATION, THE CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF A DEAD BATTERY. WE JUMPED STARTED IT USING JUMPER CABLES. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE AWAY, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD "MELTED INTO THE PUMP." BECAUSE OF THE "KNOWN DEFECT" IN SIMILAR MINI MODELS AND THE CAR'S LOW MILEAGE, MINI USA AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE POWER STEERING KIT AND THE BATTERY FOR NO CHARGE. *TR

STEERING BECAME CHOPPY , NOT SMOOTH,IT CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE TO A DANGEROUS STATE OF OPERATION. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. I PULLED LEFT TO CORRECT THE CAR AND IT BEGAN TO FISHTAIL SWERVING LEFT AND RIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. SUDDENLY IT WENT OFF THE ROAD, HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND DOWN A SMALL EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED OVER. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP UPSIDE DOWN WITH THE REAR WINDOW SMASHED AND SNOW IN THE CAR. I WAS MINORLY INJURED WITH A SMALL CUT ON MY FACE AND BRUISES ON MY RIGHT SIDE. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I WAS ADVISED BY AN AUTHORIZED MINI COPPER MECHANIC THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR IS BAD. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MINI COOPER USA IS NOT OWNING UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL AND REPAIR WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE A LIFE SAFETY PROBLEM. THE LEATHER SEAT IS PRACTICALLY NEW AND THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR THIS FAULTY AIR BAG SENSOR SEAT/EQUIPMENT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR BMW'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR STOPPED WORKING. NOW, EVEN WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED. THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT NEEDS TO WORK IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY-- AND ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS ARE DOWN DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR! *TR

MY 2006 BMW MINI COOPER S PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SPORADICALLY IS SHOWING THAT IT IS DEACTIVATED REGARDLESS IF THERE IS A FULL SIZED ADULT OR NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM/CONCERN WILL MY PASSENGERS BE PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH SINCE THE AIR BAGS ARE SHOWING THAT THEY ARE SHUT OFF WILL THEY STILL WORK? I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT AUTHORIZED MINI DEALER AND THEY SAID THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SEAT SENSOR WAS SENDING OFF FAULTY SIGNALS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS - $2000! I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS AND IT IS AN ONGING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. BMW HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR MODELS AND IT HAD TO BE RECALLED. THE SAME SHOULD HAPPEN WITH THIS CAR. THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLES LIVES AT RISK WITH THEY INSTALL FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSORS AND ARE CHARGING AN ARM AND A LEG TO FIX THEIR FAULTY PART. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *JS

VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES. LATEST IS TRANSMISSION WHICH SHIFTS ERRATICALLY FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE'S TACHOMETER TO RACE FROM 2,000 RPM TO NEARLY 8,000 RPM WITHIN A SECOND OR TWO. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATES/JERKS FORWARD ERRATICALLY. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT WOULD COST $10,500 TO REPAIR/REPLACE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT MINI COOPER S TRANSMISSIONS YET THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *JS

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND NOW STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME, REGARDLESS IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL MINI DEALER (INTERNATIONAL AUTOS, MILWAUKEE, WI) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A "FAULTED AIR BAG OC3 MAT" THAT COULD BE REPAIRED/REPLACED FOR $1163.00. AS THIS WAS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE UNRELATED TO THE AGE OR ACCUMULATED MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE, I FELT THAT MINI USA SHOULD AUTHORIZE A NO-COST REPAIR OR, AT A MINIMUM, PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT PART(S) AT NO COST. THE COST TO REMEDY OTHER WEAR-RELATED ISSUES NOTED DURING THE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE ARE CLEARLY MY RESPONSIBILITY. A SUBSEQUENT PHONE CONVERSATION WITH MINI USA ON 01/27/2015 DISCLOSED THAT, WHILE THIS WAS AN LEGITIMATE VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, THEY DID NOT FEEL THAT THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT I SHOULD PAY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE DEFECT. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. DEALER AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP SAY THE SEAT SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT IS LOCATED IN THE SEAT AND THE WHOLE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ESTIMATED COST $1200. TO 1500. US DOLLARS. THE PASSENGER SEAT IS RARELY USED. THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY. APPARENTLY ALL BMW'S WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE MINI COOPERS WHICH ACCORDING TO POSTED THREADS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON FULL TIME, AFTER A PERIOD OF INTERMITTENT ACTIVITY. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB. THE HIGH COST OF REPAIRS SEEMS TO HAVE RESULTED IN A THRIVING BUSINESS SELLING REPLACEMENT "EMULATORS" THAT IMITATE THE SENSOR PAD ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS. THIS IS THE SAME PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT FAILURE FOR WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE RECALLS FOR BMW VEHICLES MADE BY THE SAME MANUFACTURER. OWNER CALLED MINI, WAS STONEWALLED AND TOLD THERE WAS NO INTEREST IN HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, JUST TAKE IT TO A DEALER. ASKED DEALER SERVICE REP IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION, WAS TOLD "I'M NOT ALLOWED TO ANSWER THAT." THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT RISES TO THE LEVEL OF REQUIRING A RECALL, AS WAS DONE FOR EARLIER MINI YEARS. MINI DOES NOT OFFER THE SENSOR MAT AS A SEPARATE PART, INSTEAD REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT UPHOLSTERY, A $600+ BMW PART NUMBER WHICH IS BACK ORDERED WITH NO CERTAIN DELIVERY DATE OR PRICE. INCLUDING LABOR, THE COST TO REPAIR IS 10% TO 20% OF THE CURRENT SALES PRICE OF THIS YEAR MINI. PLEASE, THERE CAN BE NO EXCUSE FOR NOT RECALLING VEHICLES WITH THIS SIGNIFICANT AND EXPENSIVE SAFETY DESIGN FLAW. (TR

BLUE BLACK SMOKE FROM FRONT GRILL OF WARM (20 MILES) DRIVEN CAR. CAR WAS OFF AND PARKED IN HIGHWAY 40 MCDONALDS RESTAURANT PARKING LOT NEXT TO A 10,000 GALLON HEATING FUEL TANK. PARKER FUEL COMPANY EMPLOYEES PUT OUT THE FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT JUST BELOW THE ENGINE. NOTE THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE OPENING THE BONNET/HOOD AT WHICH TIME THE SMOKE AND VISIBLE FLAME WAS EXTINGUISHED 5 TIMES VIA 1 SMALL (DEPLETED) AND 3 TIMES ENDING VIA A 2ND LARGER PARKER FUEL COMPANY UNIT. HOWARD COUNTY FIRE AND POLICE VEHICLES ARRIVED AFTER FIRE HAD ENDED. CAR SEEMED NORMAL OVER 20 MILE PORTION OF TRIP ON HIGHWAY 70 + 40 @ 70 + 55 MPH SPEEDS. FLAME COULD BE VIEWED ORIGINATING UNDER ENGINE WHEN LOOKING DOWNWARD IN SPACE BETWEEN ENGINE AND FIREWALL BELOW EXHAUST MANIFOLD. NOT SURE IF FIRE WAS FROM POWER STEERING PUMP DRIVE (ELECTRIC MOTOR), POWER STEERING HOSE(S), PS FAN OR COMPROMISED OIL PUMP VOLUME CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE LEAKING OIL ON VERY HOT SUPERCHARGED ENGINE EXHAUST. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE 4 MINUTES I WAS INSIDE MCDONALDS ,THAT MULTIPLE PARKER FUEL COMPANY EMPLOYEES ARRIVING TO WORK HAD SEEN THE SMOKE AND HAD MULTIPLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND TRAINING TO PUT OUT FIRES. MY CAR WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY BURNED UP IN THE TIME IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE FIRE DEPT TO ARRIVE. THE 1ST PARKER FUEL COMPANY EMPLOYEE WAS ALREADY AT MY CAR WITH PLIERS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AS HE KNEW IT WAS NOT STEAM FROM A RADIATOR, BUT BLACK SMOKE FROM A ELECTRICAL, GAS, OIL OR RUBBER/PLASTIC SOURCES BEING DIFFICULT TO EXTINGUISH. *TR

FAILURE OF OC-3 WEIGHT MAT IN PASSENGER SEAT BASE, THUS DISABLING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM. COST TO REPLACE SEAT BOTTOM IS $1200. AS THIS PART IS COMMON BETWEEN MINIS AND BMWS, AND IS VERY PRONE TO FAILURE, BMW HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON BMWS IN THIS MODEL YEAR AREA, BUT HAS NOT YET DONE SO FOR MINIS. PERHAPS BMW NEEDS A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT TO ISSUE A RECALL? THIS IS A TRAVESTY. *TR

I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE CAME ON, I KEPT AN EYE ON IT AND AT FIRST IT WOULD GO ON AND OFF. THEN IT GOT WORSE, IT WOULD GO ON AND OFF WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. NOW ITS ALWAYS ON, I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND I FOUND THIS SITE W/OVER 130 COMPLAINTS ON IT. I SEE THAT BMW HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND DID A RECALL OF ALL AIRBAG ISSUES. MINI IS MADE BY BMW WHY WOULD THEY NOT COVER ANY YEAR THAT HAS THE SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM. I'M A TEENAGER AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THE ISSUE THAT'S APPROX $1,500-2,000. OR DO I WAIT TILL MY FRIEND OR SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT, OR EVEN WORSE DIES FROM THIS PROBLEM. FOR BMW AND THE COST OF THEIR CARS THIS IS SMALL POTATOES FOR THEM. FOR ME TO FIX IT MIND AS WELL BE A MILLION DOLLARS, OR THE COST OF A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER..GOD FORBID!!! IF THERE'S THIS MANY COMPLAINTS THEN SHOULDN'T THE MANUFACTURER BE HELD RESPONSIBLE? THEY HAD A RECALL UNTIL 05, OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM STILL CONT. INTO 06 AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. THEY MADE THE CAR, SO I GUESS THEY ALSO MADE THE MISTAKE..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND/3RD GEAR AFTER A TRAFFIC STOP. THE GEARS WOULD SHIFT ERRATICALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND WE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND A MESSAGE SHOWS UP "EP" WHICH MEANS TRANSMISSION IS ON EMERGENCY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WENT ON IN MY MINI COOPER. I NOTICED THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COMPONENTS IN THE MINI COOPER, WHICH AGAIN SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED REGARDING ALL THE AIR BAG RECALLS, BUT AT 1,7K TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT; THAT IS QUITE A BURDEN UPON A TIGHT BUDGET. I JUST WANTED TO USE THIS WEBSITE AS A PLACE WHERE I HAVE DOCUMENTED THESE ISSUES, SO THAT IF THERE IS A INSURANCE CLAIM DOWN THE ROAD, BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY ISSUE, I HAVE A DOCUMENTED COMPLAINT. *TR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR 3 MONTHS. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. IT HAS NOT TURNED OFF FOR 6 MONTHS AND WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE BATTERY WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO START THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE HAS IN A GARAGE THE ENTIRE TIME. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT SPONTANEOUSLY LIGHTED WITHOUT INCIDENT AND CONTINUES TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITH OR WITHOUT PASSENGER IN SEAT. MINI OF USA ASSISTANCE DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR WARRANTY, BUT STATES THAT" AIR BAG MAY NOT FUNCTION IN CASE OF ACCIDENT". THIS VEHICLE HAS 53,00 MILES ON ODOMETER. HAVE OBSERVED MANY SUCH COMPLAINTS ON RELATED INTERNET SITES. *TR

THE POWER STEERING DRAINED THE BATTERY AND VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. PARTS NECESSARY TO REPLACE WERE: POWER STEERING PUMP POWER STEERING PUMP FAN POWER STEERING FLUID PEN I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE ABOVE PARTS HAVE BEEN RECALLED UP UNTIL 2005. MY VEHICLE IS 2006 BUT I SUSPECT THAT THE OLDER PUMP HAS BEEN USED ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FAN HAS BEEN WORKING IN AN ODD WAY EVER SINCE I GOT THE CAR. MINI REFUSED TO PAY FOR THIS PART AND I AM ASKING YOU TO EXTEND THE RECALL IF THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE WITH ISSUES WITH THESE PARTS. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND SEAT OCCUPANCY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE- TOLD SEAT OCCUPANT MAT (FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) HAS FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED. REPLACEMENT IS COST PROHIBITIVE ($1700). SAFETY RISK PRESENT BECAUSE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN EVENT OF CRASH. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART UNDER ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THE BMW DEALER SAID THAT THE SEAT SENSOR WAS FAULTY. *TR

AIRBAG PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS BAD $1500 TO REPAIR AND NO GUARANTEE IT WILL WORK CORRECTLY IN THE FUTURE. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED??? BMW WHO OWNS MINI COOPER RECALLED THIS SENSOR FOR THEIR CARS BUT WHY NOT THE COOPERS? I'M SO ANGRY THAT THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT MY FAMILIES SAFETY. AUTOMOBILES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AIRBAG SYSTEMS BUT THEY AREN'T REQUIRED TO WORK PROPERLY?? *TR

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR WENT BAD. SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. $1,500 TO HAVE DEALER REPAIRED. CAR IS NOT REPAIRED YET. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

LA TRANSMISION ESTA FALLANDO,CUANDO LLEGA A LAS 2100 RPM EL SIGUIENTE CAMBIO O SEA LA 4TA CAMBIO NO ENTRA O TARDA EN ENTRAR LO Q PASA ES ENTONCES SUBEN LAS RPM Y SE ACELERA EST ES CONSTANTE ,EN LAS PRIMEROS MINUTOS TRABAJA BIEN LUEGO DE UNOS CUANTOS MINUTOS DE RODAR ESQUE COMIENZA A MOLESTAR NECESITA ARREGLO INMEDIATO. *TR

FEBRUARY OF 2014 DRIVING MY 2006 CONVERTIBLE ON CURVY HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH. LOUD SHRIEKING NOISE AND THEN STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. TOWED TO MECHANIC. HAD STEERING PUMP & FAN REPLACED. TOTAL COST $1,038.54. 2005 MINI'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT DEFAULT. CALLED MINI AND THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE MINE IS A 2006. HOWEVER, MY MINI WAS MADE IN 2005. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

RIGHT SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANCY PAD SENSOR CAUSES AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY ON. THE SENSOR HAS BEEN TESTED AND IS INOPERATIVE. BMW HAS A RECALL FOR ALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SENSOR. MINI COOPER NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS FAULTY DESIGN AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR AT NO COST TO THE OWNERS. THIS REPAIR COST AROUND $1300.00. IF THIS IS NOT REPAIRED IT COULD PREVENT THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. *TR

THE PASSENGER'S SEAT MAT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED IN MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW, THE FIRST TIME AT 28801 MILES AND NOW AGAIN AT 52300 MILES. I PAID $1200 FOR A FULL SEAT BOTTOM REPLACEMENT AT THE MINI DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND NOW, 3 YEARS LATER, THE NEW SEAT HAS FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. BMW HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE FOR THEIR CARS FROM THE SAME YEAR WHICH USE THE SAME MALFUNCTIONING PARTS AND MINI NEEDS TO DO THE SAME FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE AND RECURRING KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR. I HAVE HAD 2 DIFFERENT MINI DEALERSHIPS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN COUNTLESS 2005 AND 2006 MODEL YEAR MINIS, YET THERE IS NO OFFER TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE DESPITE THE FACT THAT I ALREADY HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET ONCE. *TR

BACKING OUT OF MY LONG RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SINCE MY MILEAGE WAS OUT OF STANDARD WARRANTY AND SINCE I DIDN'T PURCHASE EXTENDED WARRANTY, I USED THE "BENTLEY PUBLISHER'S" COMPREHENSIVE MINI COOPER SERVICE MANUAL TO INVESTIGATE THE TROUBLE. I TESTED THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN AND THE PUMP FOR OPERATION. THE FAN WAS OK, BUT THE PUMP WASN'T GETTING ANY POWER. I REMOVED THE 100-AMP FUSE FROM THE FUSE BLOCK ASIDE THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, INSPECTED IT FOR FAILURE, BUT IT LOOKED GOOD, WIPED IT CLEAN WITH ALCOHOL, AND RE-INSTALLED IT. AFTER EVERYTHING WAS RECONNECTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO FULL OPERATION. SEVERAL TIMES FROM 2008 TO 2014, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, USUALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS OR UPON START UP OF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS INTERMITTENT AND RETURNED TO FULL OPERATION ON ITS OWN WITHIN A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS. IT FAILED ONCE AGAIN ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, AND HAS NOT RETURNED TO OPERATION ON ITS OWN SINCE THEN. ALTHOUGH THE NHTSA WEBSITE SHOWS 122 COMPLAINTS ON 2006 MINI'S, OF WHICH ABOUT 25% OF THE COMPLAINTS ARE FOR FAILED POWER STEERING, AND SINCE I CAN'T LOCATE ANY OFFICIAL MANUFACTURER'S RECALL ON THE INTERNET FOR REPEATED 2006 MINI POWER STEERING FAILURES, I GUESS I'LL TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR GUY FOR A FUSE OR PUMP REPLACEMENT. *TR

I BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A 2006 MINI COOPER S A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. TODAY I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT TO WORK HERE AT FORT HOOD, TEXAS. A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR AFTER I GOT TO WORK I DECIDED TO GO GET BREAKFAST SO WHEN I WALKED OUT OF MY OFFICE I HEARD A CAR ALARM GOING OFF AND WHEN I ROUNDED THE CORNER I SAW MY DAUGHTER'S CAR BILLOWING SMOKE! I RAN INSIDE TO GET HELP AND WAS ABLE TO FIND TOOLS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. I RAISED THE HOOD AND WAS MEET WITH A LOT OF HEAT, SMOKE AND A STRONG ODOR OF BURNT PLASTIC. THE CAR WASN'T RUNNING AND LIKE I STATED, HAD BEEN SITTING FOR OVER AN HOUR. AFTER CONDUCTING RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND OUT MINI USA HAD RECALLED SEVERAL MINI COOPERS FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP THAT HAD THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS. AFTER CALLING THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP, AN HOUR AWAY, AND MINI USA I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL AND I AM LEFT TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR MYSELF. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME A COST OF $1000 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. DURING MY ONLINE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS WITH THE SAME YEAR MODEL THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT MINI USA ISN'T WANTING TO FULLY COVER THE REPAIRS. I AM GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED! *TR

POWER STEERING COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. STOPPED AND TURNED OFF CAR FOR A WHILE. STARTED CAR AGAIN AND POWER STEERING WAS OK. NOW POWER STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT UNTIL CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES. *JS

AS MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS HAVE REPORTED, MY SRS LIGHT IS ON AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS CONTINUOUSLY OFF (LIGHT STAYS ON). I HAVE NO IDEA IF I AM DRIVING WITH OR WITHOUT AIRBAGS. *JS $1,500 TO FIX AT DEALER. MINI DID A RECALL ON MODELS UP TO 2005.

LOUD NOISE/RATTLE AT IDLE. LOOSE CAMSHAFT TIMING CHAIN DUE TO TENSIONER FAILURE. IT WOULD APPEAR FROM SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM THAT DEALERS ARE REFUSING TO FIX SINCE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER, ABOVE REARVIEW MIRROR STAYS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, WHETHER THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. AFTER CALLING THE NEARBY MINI COOPER DEALER, AND TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER HE SAID YES WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THEM. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL OUT FOR 2006 MINI AIRBAG PROBLEMS BUT THERE HAS BEEN FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS. SAID THE SENSOR AND THE WHOLE SEAT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED, BRING IT IN AND IT WILL RUN YOU ABOUT $1200 TO $1600. I ASKED DOES IT MEAN MY AIRBAG WILL NOT FUNCTION IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER LAUGHED IN A CAVALIER MANNER "WELL YOU ALWAYS HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT." AFTER MONTHS WAITING FOR AN OFFICIAL RECALL, CALLED THE NATIONAL MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS WHO ACTED VERY NON CHALANT AND GOT NO WHERE. WENT TO A LOCAL EUROPEAN CAR REPAIR SPECIALIST WHO USED A COMPUTER SCANNER THAT SAID THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. HE THEN USED A BRAND NEW SCANNER AND THIS TIME IT SAID THE DRIVER SIDE IS DEFECTIVE. SAID GO ON THE INTERNET I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE MINI AIRBAG PROBLEMS. WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THOUSANDS, MANY WHO DID SPEND THE LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THE PROBLEMS KEEPS RECURRING. MINI NEEDS TO EXTEND THE AIRBAG WARRANTY TO 150,000 MILES AT LEAST FOR 12 YEARS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO SUFFER SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH IN A SMALL CAR THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS ALL THE AIRBAG PROTECTION AVAILABLE. $1600 IS LOT OF MONEY FOR A DEALER FIX THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK. *TR

MY OCCUPANCY SENSOR 2 MAT IS BAD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART, OTHERWISE IT WILL BE ABOUT $1400 TO REPLACE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS UNABLE TO READ WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. *TR

OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT BAD AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT ON. A KNOWN ISSUE AND BMW AUTOS AND SUVS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THE MINI PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IS THE SAME DESIGN AS THE BMW 3 SERIES AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG PUTTING A PASSENGER IN DANGER. THE BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN IS NO. 13V-564. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. I THOUGHT I WAS JUST UNLUCKY AND A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. NOW I THINK THERE WAS NOT A ROCK INVOLVED. DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR STOP WORKING- CAUSING AIR BAG IN PASSENGER SEAT TO SHUT OFF. NO WAY TO OVERRIDE AND SEAT SENSOR COST OVER $1300 TO REPLACE. I UNDERSTAND THIS VERY COMMON WITH COOPERS IN THIS DATE RANGE. VERY SIMILAR SEAT SENSORS FOR THE BMW MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT THE VERSION FOR THE MINI THAT IS FAILING. SEEMS LIKE DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

AIRBAG SENSOR FAILURE IN PASSENGER SEAT. PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. *TR

38,000 MILES: AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT STAYS ILLUMINATED. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON AFTER VEHICLE HAS STARTED AND DOES NOT TURN OFF. 54,900 MILES: AISIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED THEREBY MAKING THE CAR INOPERABLE. THE CAR SHOWED SIGNS OF GEAR CHANGE SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSIS, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF MANUAL VALVE BODY AND INTERNAL GEARS. REQUIRED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD. *JS

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER SMALL PASS USED THE SEAT AND DID NOT GO OFF. AFTER THAT THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF FOR A WHILE AND THEN COME BACK ON. I HAD IT LOOKED BY MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SEAT MAT. HE CLEARED THE LIGHT AND IT LASTED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE COST OF THE PART TO HIM WAS 1400.00 PLUS LABOR. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MY 2006 BMW. I RECEIVED ANOTHER LETTER FROM BMW AND MISS READ IT THINKING IT WAS FOR THE MINI COOPER. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MINI COOPER DEALER IN MY AREA (RALEIGH NC) AND WAS TOLD WHEN I SHOWED UP THAT THE PART WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. I DID NOT HAVE THE SEAT REPLACED AT MY COST SINCE IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY A FACTORY DEFECT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT CAN BE A COVERED DEFECT IN ONE BMW PRODUCT AND NOT IN ANOTHER WHEN IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR SHOWS AIR BAG DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY FULL SIZED ADULT (OVER 140 POUNDS). THIS MEANS MY PASSENGER IS AT RISK OF SEVERE INJURY IN CASE OF CRASH, AS THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, THE LIGHT IS OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. DITTO IF A 5 POUND LUNCH BOX IS ON THE SEAT. BMW/MINI REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY DEFECT IN MINIS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE MAKING FREE REPAIRS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN MANY BMWS OF SIMILAR YEARS, AND HAVE EVEN MADE AN WARRANTY EXTENSION OF MANY YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILES FOR AFFECTED BMWS. *TR

I AM CURRENT OWNER OF A 2006 MINI COOPER S. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AROUND APRIL 2006. OVER LAST 2 MONTHS, I HAVE STARTED TO SEE A PROBLEM WITH POWER TRAIN. THE CAR JERKS HORRIBLY WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN IT TRIES TO CHANGE TO HIGHER GEARS. THIS HAPPENS EITHER IN THE "DRIVE" MODE WHERE THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY CHANGES THE GEARS OR WHILE DRIVING IN "M/S" MODE WHERE THE DRIVER GETS THE OPTION TO CHANGE THE GEAR. OVER LAST 1-2 WEEKS, THE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN I SWITCH FROM PARK TO REVERSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $8500. MY CAR HAS AROUND 96,500 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WELL. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN ABOUT 2 TO 3 CARS HAVING PROBLEM (JUST WITHIN THAT DEALERSHIP) IN RECENT TIMES (THE PERSON I TALKED TO WAS RELATIVELY NEW). IT IS UNREASONABLE FOR TRANSMISSION TO REQUIRE A REPLACEMENT AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. IN ADDITION, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS SEEMS LIKE A SYSTEMIC ISSUE GIVEN JUST ONE DEALER HAS SEEN A FEW OF THESE AND A QUICK SEARCH INDICATES A NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS OF MINI COOPER S ENCOUNTERING THIS ISSUE OVER LAST 12 TO 18 MONTHS (TRANSLATES TO TRANSMISSION SYSTEMATICALLY BREAKING AFTER ABOUT 7 TO 8 YEARS OF OPERATION). THE PROBLEM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN COLLISIONS SINCE THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. DEALER AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP SAY THE SEAT SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT IS LOCATED IN THE SEAT AND THE WHOLE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ESTIMATED COST $1200. TO 1500. US DOLLARS. THE PASSENGER SEAT IS RARELY USED. THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY. APPARENTLY ALL BMW'S WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE MINI COOPERS WHICH ACCORDING TO POSTED THREADS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS FLICKERING ON AND OFF. THIS HAPPENS A LOT. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR SRS LIGHT FAILED WHILE ONE OF MY FRIEND WAS TRYING TO BE SEATED IN MY CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FLOOR SENSOR MAT. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON... AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. 700.00 TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE ISSUE (CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE) CALLED MINI USA, AND THEY WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A HIGH PITCHED WHINE WHICH INCREASED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH THE NOISE BECAME MUCH MUCH WORSE, LEADING TO THE FAILURE OF MY POWER STEERING PUMP. MINI ISSUED A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING PUMPS FOR THEIR 2001-2005 MODELS (13 YEAR, 150,000 MILES.) MINE IS A 2006, I STILL DON'T THINK THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED FOR THIS YEAR OF MODEL AS I AM FINDING MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS ONLINE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH 2006 MINI POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING A 35MPH. STOPPED AND RESTARTED VEHICLE NO CHANGE, AN HOUR LATER PUMP WORKED AGAIN. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING RETURNED AFTER PARKING THE CAR AND STARTING ON THE NEXT TRIP. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. IT COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS AT THE WRONG TIME. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED BY REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

MY POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAILING. VERY LOUD AND WHINY. READY TO FAIL AT ANY SECOND. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IN THE SEAT CUSHION. IT FAILED ONCE BEFORE AND WAS REPLACED BY THE CAR DEALER. NOW THE REPLACEMENT SENSOR MAT IS ALSO FAILING. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR ILLUMINATES AT ALL TIMES INDICATING NO PASSENGER EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS PRESENT, THEREBY PREVENTING THE AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS INCIDENT IS EXTREMELY WIDESPREAD AND FOUND ON COUNTLESS BLOGS ON THE INTERNET. AT THIS POINT, PEOPLE ARE COMPLETELY DISABLING THE SYSTEM THROUGH A DEVICE FOUND ONLINE JUST TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF - MEANWHILE PUTTING THEIR PASSENGERS AT RISK. BMW (MANUFACTURER OF MINI) HAS RECALLED THE SAME ITEM ON NUMEROUS BMW'S AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THOSE PARTS DUE TO THE INHERENT SAFETY CONCERNS. HOW THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET OR LOOKED PAST FOR THE MINI IS COMPLETELY BAFFLING. SOMEBODY APPEARS TO NOT BE DOING THEIR JOB! SO ALONG WITH THE OTHER MULTIPLE POSTS ON THIS PARTICULAR SITE, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MINE AND REQUEST PLEASE THAT SOMEBODY LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS REPEATEDLY COSTING MINI CUSTOMERS LARGE SUMS OF MONEY OR THEIR SAFETY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,200.

THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER IS LIT AT ALL TIMES AND MAKES THE CAR CHIME ALL THE TIME TOO. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THIS IS BECAUSE THE SENSOR MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO TELLS ME THAT ALL OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE CAR ARE DISABLED AS LONG AS THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON, PUTTING ALL PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE IN DANGER OF SUSTAINING GREATER INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THESE CARS ARE MADE BY BMW, WHICH HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE SAME PROBLEM IN THEIR OWN CARS, AND HAVE RECALLED OVER 200,000 BMW'S TO FIX IT . I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IN MINI COOPERS, TOO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT PAD SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILE WAS 67,000.

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH IS ILLUMINATED AFTER MOVING PASSENGER SEAT BACK AND FORTH. UNABLE TO CLEAR THE LIGHT. *TR

EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER STOPPED WORKING. I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE PAVEMENT. THE CAR LEFT THE ROADWAY, NARROWLY MISSING A HIGHWAY SIGN (WOODEN POST), AND STOPPED IN A GRASSY AREA OFF THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. MY WIFE AND I WERE SHAKEN BUT UNHURT. THE VEHICLE BODY DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE DAMAGED. HOWEVER, THERE IS NOW A LOUD RATTLE COMING FROM THE REAR OR UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING IS ALSO COMPLETELY GONE. THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SO. *TR

AN ELECTRONIC BOARD IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG TO BECOME DISABLED. APPARENTLY, FROM ALL OF THE COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET AND YOUR SITE, THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN IN THAT THE ELECTRONIC BOARD HAS A FLAWED COMPONENTS. A REPLACEMENT BOARD FROM MINI WILL ALSO FAIL WITHIN TIME BECAUSE NO MODIFICATIONS OR IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS BOARD. I HAVE REVIEWED THE COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA AND YET YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS FAILED TO REQUIRE A RECALL. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS TRIGGERED THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CURRENTLY I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE WITHOUT OPERATING AIRBAGS AS IT IS $1,000 FOR THE PART. IT WAS ALREADY REPLACED TWICE IN THE PAST UNDER WARRANTY. I READ THAT BMW JUST ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR FOR THEIR CARS BUT NOT THE MINI WHICH IS OWNED BY BMW. HOPEFULLY I AM NOT GOING TO FAST WHEN THE POWER STEERING MOTOR BURNS OUT... *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. PERSISTED UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. HAPPENED SPORADICALLY AFTERWARD, THEN DISAPPEARED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. ISSUE RETURNED AND NOW AFFECTS THE CAR MOST OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WILL HAPPEN UPON STARTING THE CAR, OR WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

MY 2006 MINI COOPER AIR BAG LIGHTS (PASSENGER SEAT LIGHT AS WELL AS DASH BOARD AIR BAG SYSTEM LIGHTS) ARE INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON AND STAYING ON WHEN I START MY MINI. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT APPARENTLY COMES ON WHEN A FAULT IS DETECTED IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, AND AS A RESULT THE SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS SINCE I'M NOW DRIVING IN A MINI COOPER WITH NO AIRBAG PROTECTION. THE SEAT LIGHT INDICATES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF DUE TO SOMEONE OF LIGHT WEIGHT SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS LIGHT IS NOW COMING ON WITH ANY AVERAGE ADULT OR NO ONE AT ALL SITTING IN THAT SEAT. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE INTERNET FOR THIS ISSUE AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. EVEN MORE SHOCKING WAS REPAIR COST FOR THIS ISSUE. DEALERS ARE CHARGING CUSTOMERS $1000 TO $2000 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE MOST COMMON CULPRIT. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE SENSOR ITSELF, THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. EVEN SAW SOME CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE REOCCUR 1 TO 2 YEARS AFTER THIS FIX. SPOKE TO MY LOCAL BMW/MINI DEALERSHIP WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT BMW HAD THE SAME ISSUE WHICH IS NOW UNDER RECALL, BUT MINI DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED ... SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BECAUSE OF IT! I LOVE MINI BUT AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW THIS ISSUE IS BEING HANDLED. MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO BUY A MINI ... I WILL STRONGLY RECOMMEND SHE DOES NOT. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE HEADED SEAT ONLY HEATS UP IN ONE SPOT AND BURNED MY LEG. I HAVE HAD TO DISCONTINUE USE OF THE HEATED SEAT AS I AM AFRAID OF IT CATCHING ON FIRE OR BURNING THROUGH THE SEAT INTO MY LEG. *TR

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMS VERY JERKY AND HESITANT. IT HAS DIED ON ME ONCE WHILE DRIVING AS IT STALLED OUT. I AM AFRAID THE TRANSMISSION IS CLOSE TO FAILURE. *TR

I HEARD A LOUD HUMMING/SQUEALING TYPE SOUND--UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR'S STEERING WITHOUT GREAT EFFORT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A SIDE STREET AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. I HAD WONDERED WHERE THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM AND HAVING TO MAKE IT HOME I STRUGGLED TO KEEP THE CAR IN MY LANE AND MAKE LEFT TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS--MAKING IT HOME I NOTICED A DARK STAIN WHERE MY CAR WAS PARKED AND CHECKED THE STEERING FLUID WHICH WAS BONE-DRY. I HAVE CHILDREN--AFTER READING THESE POSTS I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THEM AND AM AFRAID TO BE ON THE ROAD EVEN AFTER PUTTING MORE FLUID IN THE RECEPTACLE AM FINDING IT ON MY DRIVEWAY. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR IN NOVEMBER WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

THE SEAT SENSOR IS FAULTY. IT READS THAT SOMEONE UNDER 30LBS IS IN IT (DISABLING THE AIRBAG) THE DASH LIGHT VERIFIES IT IS OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT TO THIS DAY. SO IF A CRASH OCCURS THE SENSOR WON'T READ CORRECTLY IF ANYONE IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT, THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AND IF IT DOES WILL DO SO POSSIBLY WITH TOO MUCH FORCE. *TR

TRANSMISSION STARTING BUCKING AND CAUSING UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION THE ONLY "FIX" IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A $9,000 COST. *TR

THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IT WON'T GO OUT. THE MINI DEALER IN BIRMINGHAM SAID IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MINI USA SAID THE SAME THING. HOWEVER, BMW RECALLED THEIR 2006 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. SEVERAL OTHER MINI OWNERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE OWNERS' MANUAL STATES THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IF THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND MINI USA NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. *TR

THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER IS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THE REPAIR SHOP TELLS ME THAT THIS IS BECAUSE THE SENSOR MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE THAT IS UNJUSTIFIABLE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO TELLS ME THAT ALL OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE CAR ARE DISABLED AS LONG AS THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON, PUTTING ALL PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE IN DANGER OF SUSTAINING GREATER INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THESE CARS ARE MADE BY BMW, WHICH APPARENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER CARS THEY PRODUCED AND MADE REPAIRS. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IN MINI COOPERS, TOO, VIA A FEDERALLY MANDATED RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR

I HAD ISSUE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL PUMP A YEAR AGO, AND I REPLACED IT. BUT LAST NIGHT WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN AND I ALMOST GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS SLOW AND I WAS CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD FOR ME TO MAKE ANY TURN. I HAD TO CALL A TOWING COMPANY AND MY CAR IS NOW AT THE MINI DEALER IN CHICAGO. I ALREADY SPENT OVER 2 THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR AGO AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR IS HAVING THESE ISSUES AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

IN APRIL 2013 I WAS MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY I20 WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK OF MY MINI COOPER S 2006. AS I WAS SPEEDING UP TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE CAR COMPLETELY CUT OFF. I VEERED OVER INTO A MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF SIX LANES OF HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC. THE CAR HAD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, EVEN THE HAZARD LIGHTS. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE MEDIAN WAS THERE AND THAT I HAD NOT YET ENTERED THE MAIN STREAM OF TRAFFIC. THE POLICE CAME, THEN A FRIEND. AFTER ABOUT A HALF HOUR IT RESTARTED WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND HE WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE IT, AND HE FIXED A BELT THAT HE SAID HAD LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BLOWN OUT. ABOUT FOUR TIMES IN THE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS THE CAR HAD CUT OFF, BUT NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING; IT SHUT DOWN AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. NO ONE COULD EXPLAIN IT. AFTER THE APRIL INCIDENT I WENT TO THE MINI COOPER DEALER AND SPENT CLOSE TO $3000 TO ENSURE THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE FOR MY CHILDREN. HOWEVER, YESTERDAY, 11/5/13, I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS KIND OF PROBLEM AND COULDN'T HELP; FORTUNATELY THE CAR RESTARTED ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER. HOWEVER, I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND I HAVE HEARD FROM AN ACQUAINTANCE WHO ALSO HAS A MINI COOPER S 2006 WHO SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HER, THAT SOMETHING RANDOM HAPPENED WITH HER CAR AND IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. SHE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT I CALLED MINI CORPORATE TODAY, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED ME TO NHTSA. *TR

THE BMW MINI COOPER 2006 HAS THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08001, NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V384000 BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VEHICLE RECALL LIST. THERE ARE MANY MANY OWNERS HAVING TO PAY $1000 - $2000 FOR REPAIRS CONCERNING DEFECTS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE BROKEN CIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR LIGHT. THE REPAIR OF THE DETECTION MAT FORCES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY VEHICLE IS NOW ONE OF THE INCREASINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF MINI COOPERS WITH THE FAILED SAFETY SYSTEM. MANY STATES HAVE YEARLY SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND THE AIRBAG SAFETY SITUATION NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE THE INSPECTION PASSES. THE MINI COOPER "R" SERIES VEHICLES NEED TO BE ADDED INTO THE EA08-001 NHTSA RECALL 08V384000. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER CONV S, APROX 53,000 MILES, HAS A CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AT THIS TIME SHIFTING IN 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD GEARS HAS BEEN ERRATIC, WITH VERY JERKY SHIFTING AND SPEED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS OCCUPIED WHEN THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT MAT SENSOR BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY LIT ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER. INITIALLY THE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY ON; HOWEVER NOW IT REMAINS PERMANENTLY LIGHT. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER OC3 MAT IS FAULTY AND WILL BE REQUIRE A $1,000+ FIX. INTERNET SEARCHES HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES ON SOME VEHICLES, EVEN AFTER BEING REPAIRED WITH NEW PARTS. ADDITIONALLY, BMW, THE PARENT COMPANY OF MINI, HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR BMW VEHICLES AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED. MINI OFTEN USES BMW PARTS IN THEIR VEHICLES SO IT IS POSSIBLE AND QUITE LIKELY THAT SIMILAR PARTS WERE USED. THIS IS A GENUINE SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT IS WIDE SPREAD WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR TOWNHOME. THAT AFTERNOON, MY NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON THE DOOR TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THAT SHE HAD HEARD A LOUD POP UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE FIREFIGHTERS CAUTIOUSLY RAISED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT SOMETHING HAD CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THEY TOLD ME TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WHO WORKS ON OUR AUTOMOBILES, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY SENT A CLAIMS AGENT TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND NUMEROUS OTHER PARTS WERE DAMAGED. *LN *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED LATE AT NIGHT ON A LONG ROAD TRIP HOME. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL AND WELL KNOWN BY MINI/BMW. *JS

POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE. DEALERSHIP MECHANICS STATED FAN AND PUMP HAD SEIZED. *JS

ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER S COUPE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF SENSOR LIGHT ON THE ROOF CAME ON AS WELL AS THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT IN THE CENTER CONSOLE INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT COULD NOT DETECT THE WEIGHT OF A PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT ALERT THE AIRBAG TO TURN ON. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. WE THEN HAD A GARAGE THAT SPECIALIZES IN IMPORTS LOOK AT THE CODE, WHICH IS STATING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SEAT MAT SENSOR AND IT IS NO LONGER RECOGNIZING THE WEIGHT ON THE SEAT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND A COSTLY ONE AT THAT. THE SEAT CUSHION MUST BE REPLACED AND POTENTIALLY THE ENTIRE SEAT. I HAVE NOTICED THIS SAME COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE AS WELL AS OTHER SITES FOR MODELS DATING ANYWHERE FROM 2002-2006. THERE IS ALSO A TREND WITH THIS ISSUE OCCURRING WHEN THE CAR IS 7 YEARS OLD (2013 FOR 2006 MODELS) REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE. I HAVE CALLED MINI AND WHILE THEY WERE VERY NICE AND HELPFUL, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS FACTORY ISSUE. WHEN I CALLED OUR LOCAL DEALER THEY HAD MENTIONED A TYPE OF ASSISTANCE OR WARRANTY EXTENDED ON THE 2003-2004 MODELS, BUT NOT 2005 OR LATER. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS JUST NOW BECOMING AN ISSUE AND SHOULD NOW BE ADDRESSED OR ADDED TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY? IS THERE GROUNDS FOR A RECALL? THERE SEEMS TO BE A TREND OF HOW AND WHEN THIS MAT MALFUNCTIONS. PLEASE HELP THOSE OF US WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND ARE BOUND TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN THE NEAR FUTURE GET THIS FIXED! THANK YOU! *JS

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR INOP RENDERING AIRBAG UNSAFE. REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION WITH NEW SENSOR MAT. 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND SHIFTING HARD. OCCASIONALLY, RENDERS CAR POWERLESS AS IN NEUTRAL EVEN IF IN TRAVEL LANES MAKING UNSAFE TO OPERATE. REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF VALVE BLOCK. SERVICING OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID IS NOT REQUIRED BY MINI/BMW BUT SAME TRANSMISSION IN OTHER BRANDS DO. VW RECOMMENDS ATF REPLACEMENT AT 40K MILES AND DOESN'T HAVE PROBLEMS WITH VALVE BLOCK FAILURE.

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BROKEN. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MINI'S BEGINNING WITH THE 2002 MODEL, BUT ESPECIALLY WITH THE 2006. BMW WHICH OWNS MINI HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR CAR AND ISSUED A RECALL, BUT MINI NEVER DID. THE DEALER WANTS $1500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME CAR HAVE HAD THE PART BREAK AS MANY AS THREE TIMES. THE SENSOR IS TO DETECT THAT THERE IS A PASSENGER AND THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER SO THAT THE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG CAN BE REGULATED IF A CHILD OR CHILD CAR SEAT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT IS UNSCIONABLE THAT MINI WOULD JEOPARDIZE SAFETY AFTER THEY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT MINI USA WAS UNWILLING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

POWER STEERING LOSE THE POWER SUDDENLY, HARD TO TURN OR CHANGE LANE WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. CHECKED THIS CAR HISTORY, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS CHANGED AT BMW DEALER IN 3 YEAR AGO. THIS TIME THE STEERING LOST ITS POWER AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

IN ADDITION TO MY PREVIOUS POST, MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SITUATION, THIS NOTE SENT TO MINIUSA.COM, MY 2006 MINI COOPER HAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND IS GENERATING AN ERROR 71, PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAULT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR MAT UNDER THE SEAT. FROM MY RESEARCH I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE OC3 SEAT MAT SENSOR WHICH IS USED IN BMW AS WELL AS MINI MODELS. I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS SENSOR BE REPLACED IN MY MINI COOPER AS I FEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DOCUMENTED FAULTY SENSOR. THE RECALL IS STATED AT HTTP://WWW.BMWUSA.COM/STANDARD/CONTENT/CONTACTUS/VOLUNTARYRECALL.ASPX, *TR

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND DEALER HAS SAID THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS BAD AND THE PAD AND SENSOR MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1400. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A CAR THIS POPULAR HAS THIS KIND OF SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD EXPECT MINI TO AT THE VERY LEAST TO COVER THE COST OF THE PAD OR SENSOR. UNBELIEVABLE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

THIS IS MY 3RD MINI COOPER S. ON MY PREVIOUS 2 CARS, A 2004 AND A 2005, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK BRAKES. BOTH CARS HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON THEM. THE LINES ARE HELD IN PLACE BY "CLIPS" WHICH TRAP MOISTURE AND SALT. THIS CAUSES THE LINES TO RUST OUT AND FAIL, LOSING BRAKING ABILITY. SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH A 50K MILE CAR AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. LOOKING AT MY 2006 YESTERDAY. CAR WITH ABOUT 50K MILES, BRAKE LINES LOOK TO ME LIKE THEY ARE READY TO FAIL FROM RUST. IF THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ALL OF MY CARS, THIS MUST BE A COMMON SAFETY DEFECT CAUSED BY A BAD DESIGN. MINI DOES NOT OFFER ANY HELP WITH THIS MATTER. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM BUT THEY HAVE OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. ALL I ASKED THEM TO DO WAS TO REPLACE THE LINES AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN DOING SO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT COVER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,160.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

I WAS DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC (40MPH) WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY JERKED SO HARD IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I WAS FEELING THE JERKINESS SLIGHTLY AND INTERMITTENTLY (FELT LIKE DOWNSHIFTING). AFTER READING PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS IN MINI FORUMS, I'M STARTING TO THINK THIS COULD BE THE BEGINNING OF MY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT IF THIS CONTINUES, THERE COULD BE SOME MAJOR INJURIES INVOLVED. ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO, MY MINI STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I GET MY CAR SERVICED REGULARLY SO I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW MY WATER LEVELS AND OIL LEVELS GOT SO LOW TO OVERHEAT MY CAR. AFTER READING UP ON THIS, OTHER MINI OWNERS FACED SIMILAR ISSUES. SO NOW, I AM REQUIRED TO CHECK WATER AND OIL LEVELS AT EVERY 1500 MILES TO AVOID OVERHEATING. A LITTLE HIGH MAINTENANCE? TELL ME ABOUT IT!! *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN IN AN INTERSECTION. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2006 MINI COOPER FOR MY TEEN CHILD. WE NOW DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOTIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE ON. WE TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALER TO HAVE THIS LOOKED, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT'S DUE TO A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1700. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE SAFETY CONCERN, AND I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. I AM NOT SURE IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IF A PASSENGER IS SEATED. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED THROUGH A RECALL. MINI SHOULD EXTENDED THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM WARRANTY. *TR

I HAD TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE AIR BAG SENSORS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED LAST WEEK, BECAUSE I WILL HAVE A PASSENGER ON A TRIP TO UTAH SOON. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO ONE OF THE SERVICE PEOPLE, THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS RARELY USED, HE STARTED BLOVIATING AS TO HOW HEAT CAN BREAK DOWN THE MATERIALS IN THE SENSORS. *TR

2006 MINI COOPER S PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT (ABOVE REARVIEW MIRROR) IS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY (SEAT OCCUPIED OR NOT). LOCAL MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP SAYS THE PROBLEM IS THE SENSOR PAD, WHICH IS WOVEN INTO THE SEAT BOTTOM, AND THE WHOLE SEAT BOTTOM MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1650. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THAT MINI USA WILL NOT HELP WITH THIS, AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS 100K MILES. I USED AN SRS SCAN TOOL TO CONFIRM THAT CODE 71 (SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR II) IS SET AND COMES RIGHT BACK AFTER CLEARING IT. QUICK SEARCH THROUGH NHTSA COMPLAINTS AND ONLINE MINI ENTHUSIAST FORUMS SHOWS THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN THE 2005-06 MODEL YEARS. CLEARLY A SEVERE SAFETY DEFECT WHICH MINI USA (BMW) SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED. NO ONE CAN TELL ME IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IN A CRASH OR NOT. I ALSO FIND IT INTERESTING THE WIDE RANGE OF REPAIR COSTS THAT OTHERS WHO HAVE POSTED HERE WERE QUOTED BY THEIR LOCAL MINI DEALERS (SEEMS LIKE ANYWHERE FROM $1000 - $2000). SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THAT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON HWY 270 GOING SOUTH BETWEEN MANCHESTER RD AND DOUGHERTY FERRY RD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC SOMETIME BETWEEN 4:30 AND 5:30 PM MY 06 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE WAS REVVING UP AS I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR BUT YET BARELY MOVING. RIGHT BEFORE THE DOUGHERTY FERRY EXIT IT "KICKED" INTO GEAR AND BEGAN DRIVING AT ABOUT 40-50MPH. I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFTER AND PUT IT INTO SPORT DRIVE BUT WHEN I LOOKED THE GEAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. SO AS I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK IN ARNOLD, MO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REV UP AND THEN "KICK" INTO GEAR. WHEN I GOT TO WORK I EXPLAINED TO A CO-WORKER (INITIAL "J.R.") WHAT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WE WENT OUT ON OUR BREAK TO TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF I NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK SO ON MY LAPTOP I TRIED LOOKING IT UP TO SEE WHERE IT WAS LOCATED. WE LEARNED THAT'S THERE'S A PLUG UNDERNEATH BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS "SEALED FOR LIFE" MEANING IT SHOULDN'T REALLY HAVE ANY LEAKS. SO I CALLED HOME TO LET MY WIFE TO LET HER KNOW THAT I WAS GOING TO TRY AND MAKE IT HOME IN THE MORNING WHEN I GOT OFF AT 6AM. AFTER DRIVING UP TO HWY 270 AND MANCHESTER GOING NORTH AT ABOUT 630AM TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON 4/4/13 THE CAR BEGIN REVVING UP AGAIN WHENEVER I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. SO RATHER THAN GO HOME I HEADED STRAIGHT FOR THE MINI OF ST. LOUIS DEALERSHIP. I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE THEY OPENED AND DIDN'T HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SO THEY STATED THEY WOULD TRY AND SQUEEZE ME IN. SO I WENT TO DRIVE THE CAR UP TO THE ENTRANCE TO THE SERVICE BAY AND THE CAR WAS "BUCKING AND JERKING" AND BARELY MOVING. UPON TALKING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MINI I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS $8K BUT IF I WANTED TO THEY COULD GET ME INTO ANOTHER MINI RIGHT AWAY. ON APRIL 9TH MY WIFE PURCHASED A NEW 2013 FORD FIESTA IN PLACE OF THE MINI. *TR

FROM MY RESEARCH, THE 2006 MINI HAS A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER $1000. SINCE 2006 WAS THE FIRST YEAR FOR THIS REQUIREMENT, I BELIEVE THEY DID NOT PROPERLY TEST THE DEVICE BEFORE RELEASING THEM INTO PRODUCTION AS I HAVE RESEARCHED AND READ ON MANY FAILURES OF THIS DEVICE. I CANNOT DETERMINE CONCLUSIVELY IF THE AIRBAG WILL OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THIS SITUATION AND MINI WILL BE LIABLE IN A SITUATION IF IT DOES NOT DEPLOY THE AIRBAG PROPERLY WITH A PASSENGER SEATED. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED THROUGH A RECALL. MINI EXTENDED THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM WARRANTY ON THE 2002 - 2005 MODELS TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES AND SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR THE 2006+ MODELS. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON FOR NO REASON, IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR THAT MINI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT. I DON'T HAVE 1700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE PASSENGER SEAT - SO ALL PASSENGERS WILL BE AT RISK WHEN I DRIVE, AS THE AIR BAG WON'T DEPLOY OR WILL DEPLOY AT FULL FORCE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH IN FAR LEFT LANE AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THE BRAKE AND STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF AND WOULD NOT WORK RIGHT. THE AREA OF THE FREEWAY WAS CROWDED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET TO THE SIDE. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS ENTIRELY TO CLOSE AND IM SURPRISED I WAS NOT HIT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN BECAME TIGHT AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING PUMP AND PUMP COOLING FAN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH THE STEERING PUMP AND PUMP COOLING FAN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

MY CAR IS A 07/2006 MINI COOPER WITH ONLY 22,900 MILES AS OF 06/2013. WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT ARE INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE MINI DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE FAULT CODES INDICATE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR--WHICH SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE COST CITED FOR THAT OPERATION WAS $900. THE DEALERSHIP SPECULATED THAT, DESPITE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SHOULD STILL DEPLOY IF THE PASSENGER WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. HOWEVER, WHEN BMW, MANUFACTURER OF MINI, ANNOUNCED A RECALL IN NORTH AMERICA OF FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MATS INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 BMWS, AFFECTED OWNERS WERE WARNED THAT THEY SHOULD CONTACT THEIR DEALER "IF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG 'ON-OFF' LAMP ARE ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY." IN THAT SITUATION, BMW RECOMMENDED THAT CUSTOMERS NOT USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY, WARNING THAT "A POSSIBLE DEFECT MAY KEEP THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG FROM OPENING IN A CRASH." THUS, IT SEEMS EVIDENT THAT FAULTY SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSORS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. YET, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS, WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSORS IN THE MINI, BMW HAS NEITHER EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO FINANCIALLY COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT, NOR ISSUED A RECALL. THE NHTSA SHOULD COMPEL BMW TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MINI PASSENGERS. *TR

FROM MY RESEARCH, THE 2006 MINI HAS A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER $1000. SINCE 2006 WAS THE FIRST YEAR FOR THIS REQUIREMENT, I BELIEVE THEY DID NOT PROPERLY TEST THE DEVICE BEFORE RELEASING THEM INTO PRODUCTION AS I HAVE RESEARCHED AND READ ON MANY FAILURES OF THIS DEVICE. I CANNOT DETERMINE CONCLUSIVELY IF THE AIRBAG WILL OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THIS SITUATION AND MINI WILL BE LIABLE IN A SITUATION IF IT DOES NOT DEPLOY THE AIRBAG PROPERLY WITH A PASSENGER SEATED. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED THROUGH A RECALL. MINI EXTENDED THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM WARRANTY ON THE 2002 - 2005 MODELS TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES AND SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR THE 2006+ MODELS. *TR

DRIVING ON ROAD WENT TO TURN ,AND STEERING LOSS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT.L *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

AIR BAG LIGHT ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR ILLUMINATES WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, BUT HAVE NOT DISCOVERED A RECALL OR ANY INFORMATION TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. SEEMS IT SHOULD BE FIXED AS THEY DID WITH THE 2002 MODEL, COVERING THE REPAIR TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES. *TR

I HAVE AN '06 MINI COOPER AND NEVER HAD ANY ENGINE/TRANSMISSION ISSUES PRIOR TO TODAY. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS DONE BY THE MINI DEALER. TODAY LEAVING TO GO TO WORK, I STARTED THE CAR, PUT MY SEAT BELT ON, CHECKED THE MIRRORS, ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS, PUT THE CAR GEAR IN "D" AND STARTED MOVING FORWARD OUT A PARKING LOT, AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND CAME TO A STOP. THEN THE CAR WON'T REVERSE NOR MOVE FORWARD WHILE IN ANY GEAR. TOWED TO THE DEALER AND LATER WAS TOLD IT'S THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND IT WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE CVT TRANSMISSION. *TR

IN SEPTEMBER 2012 THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE AND THAT MINI SAYS IT NEVER NEEDS TO BE SERVICED OR HAVE THE FLUID CHANGED. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS IT GOT WORSE AND I WAS FINALLY TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORTUNATELY I NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILING TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TRADED IN BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD COST $10,000.00 TO REPLACE. *TR

PURCHASED CAR USED. WHEN PASSENGER SITS IN FRONT SEAT, AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF AND THEN STAYS ON. HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS LIKELY BROKEN AND IS A $1500 FIX AT THE DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG FAILED. SEAT PASSENGER DETECTOR FAILURE IS CAUSE. A REVIEW OF ON LINE TROUBLE SITES SHOW THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WHICH MANUFACTURER DENIES AND DELAYS REPAIR. THOUGH MINI HAS MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS, THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR AS THEY STATE "OUT OF WARRANTY". THIS IS A BASIC SAFETY FEATURE WHICH IS FLAWED AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE AND BROAD RECALL. *TR

DURING THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AT TIMES IT WOULD STAY ON FOR A LONG PERIOD, OTHER TIMES NOT AS LONG. THIS WEEK THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AFTER A PASSENGER LEFT THE CAR AND THE ALARM SOUNDED FOR APX. 10 MINUTES UNTIL I STOPPED AND SHUT OFF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ALSO CAME ON. I TOOK IT FOR SERVICING TODAY BUT THE GARAGE COULD NOT GET ANY CODES FROM THE SRS CONTROL UNIT. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY TRIP PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT. ADJUSTING WEIGHT ON SEAT WOULD INITIALLY EXTINGUISH; HOWEVER, PROBLEM IS NOW CONSTANT. COST PROHIBITIVE TO REPLACE. *TR

DRIVING ALONG AT 30 MPH WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND OVER HEAD PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF. HAD PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM REPLACED ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHT COME BACK ON 3 DAYS LATER. I HAVE HAD THE SYSTEM CHECKED 3 TIMES ( WITH LIGHT TURNED OFF WHEN RETURNED) ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHT COME BACK ON A FEW DAYS LATER. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WON'T GO OFF. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK IN A ACCIDENT. *TR

THE POWER STEERING WHEN OUT ON THE CAR. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. ALSO, BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, THE STEERING/CAR WILL NOT STRAIGHTEN ITSELF OUT AFTER MAKING A TURN. ONE HAS TO MAKE AN EXTRA EFFORT TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL OUT. I ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR BECAUSE OF THAT PROBLEM. I SEE CANADA MADE MINI DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE AN INJURY OR WORSE BEFORE THE USA MAKES MINI RECALL THE CARS ? *TR

WHEN YOU START THE CAR THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON, WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT. THE LIGHT STAYS ON, I VISITED THE DEALERSHIP THE FIX COST $1241. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING. DEALER SHOULD FIX THIS ERROR. *TR

PER MY RESEARCH, THIS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 MINI COOPERS. NUMEROUS BULLETIN BOARDS HAVE THE SAME QUESTIONS FOR A SAFETY CONCERN IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY GAVE US A REPAIR PRICE OF $1200.00 TO REPLACE THE LOWER SEAT FOR THE OCCUPANCY PAD IS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSES THE LIGHT TO COME ON FOR THE PASSENGER BAG AND ALSO THE MAIN LIGHT IN THE DASH. NOT SURE IF BMW CARES ABOUT SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLES BUT IT IS A BIT CALLOUS ON THEIR PART FOR NOT DOING A RECALL ON THE 2006 MINI COOPER SEAT SENSOR. I HAVE SEEN A REGULAR BMW VEHICLE THAT HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM HAVE A RECALL FOR A BAD SEAT SENSOR. I AM CONCERNED FOR ANY PERSON WHO RIDES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO HAPPEN THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CAUSING GREAT BODILY HARM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHIFT INTO MANUAL MODE TO SHIFT THE GEARS UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE COOLING SYSTEM EMITTING SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE AND CORROSION ON THE ENGINE ITSELF. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

AS I TURN ON THE ENGINE, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, 5 SECONDS LATER, ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. ENGINE WON'T TURN BACK ON AND LOST ALL POWER, STEERING WHEEL WON'T TURN. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, GEAR WOULD SHIFT UP AND DOWN ON IT'S OWN WHILE I'M DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE AIRBAGS IN THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND DRIVER MAY BE DEACTIVATED AND NOT WORK IN A CRASH. MINI IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM HAS CHOSE TO IGNORE IT. IT IS A GREAT SAFETY HAZARD. MY WIFE HAS REFUSED TO RIDE IN THE CAR OR LET ANYONE ELSE RIDE IN IT. *TR

MY 2006 MINI COOPER HAD A AIR BAG LIGHT JUST TURN ON ABOUT A WEEK AGO FOR NO REASON FOR WHAT I CAN TELL. I CALLED MY MINI DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY A WORN OUT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $900-1000 TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND THE SENSOR. OUR MINI ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 50K MILES AND 50% OF THOSE MILES THERE WASN'T ANYONE EVER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TO WARE IT OUT. I HAVE SEEN ON SEVERAL OTHER FORUMS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED BY BMW BUT NOT BY MINI. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL MINI'S AS I HAVE SEEN THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. THEY HAD REPAIRED THIS PREVIOUSLY UNDER WARRANTY. WE THEN CONTACTED MINI USA AND THEY SAID OUR VIN# WAS NOT LISTED FOR A RECALL. I MENTIONED THERE ARE MINI COOPERS IN FORUMS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUES. *TR

THE O2 SENSOR FAILED ON MY CAR. MINI ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON 2006 MODELS BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR

WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE, 2006 MINI COOPER, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME. THERE WAS AN AUGUST, 2008 BMW RECALL ON 150,000 2002-2006 MINI COOPER'S FOR THIS SAME PASSENGER LIGHT AIRBAG ISSUE. BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS ON ALL OF THESE RECAILED VEHICLES BY VIN#. I HAD THIS DIAGNOSED BY A BMW SERVICE CENTER & A FAULTY PASSENGER SENSOR PAD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. THE SENSOR PAD IS ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SEAT SO BOTH ITEMS HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHICH WILL COST APPROX.$1,200. I SPOKE TO MINI USA & MY VIN# WAS NOT ON THE 2008 RECALL. I THEN ASKED MINI USA HOW DO I GET MY VIN# ON THE RECALL LIST & WAS TO TOLD TO GO TO THIS WEBSITE & FILE A COMPLAINT. AFTER YOUR INVESTIGATION, MINI USA TOLD ME THAT YOU CAN HAVE MY VEHICLE VIN# ADDED TO THE AUGUST, 2008 RECALL. MINI USA WAS ALSO UNABLE TO TELL ME IF MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WILL PROPERLY DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER THIS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE (POSSIBLE DEATH) IF THE AIRBAG DOES NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY BECAUSE OF A FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR PAD! PLEASE HELP.....THANKS *TR

POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. WAS TOLD BY MINI DEALER $1500 TO REPLACE. *TR

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. AT FIRST THE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND OFF NOW THEY JUST STAY ON. NO INCIDENTS ON A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE. BOTH A MINI DEALERSHIP AND ANOTHER MECHANIC BOTH SAY IT IS THE AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND THAT THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I HEARD A WHIRRING SOUND AND A LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. TOOK IT TO THE MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP BOB SMITH WHERE I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT PULL ANY CODES, JUST TOOK THE CAR FOR A RIDE. HE PRONOUNCED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AS IT IS A SEALED TRANSMISSION AS IT IS A "SEALED" TRANSMISSION AND THEREFORE IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $9000! HE THEN TOOK OFF $1500 FOR A COST OF $7500! GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM TO FIND OUT THAT SO MANY MINI'S HAD THIS PROBLEM THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAD BEEN FILED. CONTACTED MINIUSA WHO SCOFFED AT THE PROBLEM AND OFFERED NO HELP OR RELIEF. HOPING THAT MINI WILL BE FORCED TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE AND THAT A RECALL WILL BE INITIATED BEFORE ANYONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AT ANY SPEED, THE AUTOMATIC POWER TRAIN DOES NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. IT WILL SHIFT UP, AND DOWN, AND NOT ENGAGE THE PROPER GEAR. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WILL "WIND-UP", THEN JUMP INTO A GEAR. AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SLIGHT INJURIES IN THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. .. UPDATED 02-07-13 *BF UPDATED 02/13/2013 *JS

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT IS LIGHTING UP. THIS HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT THAT CAUSED THIS. IT JUST WENT BAD. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE FOR MIN AND BMW BUT THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE SENSOR WHICH RUNS ANYWHERE FROM $900 TO $1600 TO BE REPAIRED. THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES AND IS A ONE OWNER. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAVE GONE BAD OTHER THAN THE PART MUST BE OF POOR QUALITY OR DESIGN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MINI USA SHOULD STEP UP AND RESOLVE THIS FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

THE AIRBAGS LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AT ALL. DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! AND APPARENTLY MINI USA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF IT. *TR

WITHOUT ANY WARRANTING THE POWER STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE I JUST HAD DIAGNOSED TEST FOUR DAYS AGO ON THE CAR THE ONLY PROBLEM NOTED WAS THE THERMOSTAT. KNOW I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON PARKWAY. ENGINE MADE CLUNK AND LOST POWER. PULLED CAR ONTO SHOULDER AND STARTED WITH WHITE SMOKE UNDER HOOD, PROGRESSING TO BLACK SMOKE AND FLAME. EXITED CAR AT FIRST SIGN OF SMOKE. CAR BURNED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MOVED INTO CABIN. FINAL DAMAGE WAS A TOTAL. FRONT END OF CAR IS COMPLETELY BURNED. FIRE IN CABIN MELTED DASHBOARD, MOVED ACROSS AND MELTED CEILING, AND MELTED FRONT WINDSHIELD. TOOK PICTURES OF FINAL DAMAGES AT GARAGE FOLLOWING INCIDENT. *TR

2006 MINI-COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT THEY DID STATE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FAILING. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO GET ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY 1/2 OF THE COST ON THE BILL, WHICH TOTALED $8,000. *JB

AIR BAG SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS RETURNED FAULT CODE 71. TECH CHECK ON SRS SYSTEM FOUND PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR FAULT. PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED AS A RESULT. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS $1200. INTERNET SEARCHES FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPER'S AND MINI REFUSES TO COVER WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS GONE BAD ACCORDING TO THE DIAGNOSE FROM THE DEALER. I'M TOLD THAT THIS WILL EITHER MAKE THE AIR BAG DEPLOY AT FULL FORCE OR POSSIBLY NOT AT ALL. THERE SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE ON BOTH BMW AND MINI'S. BMW HAS ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM, MINI HAS NOT. I HAVE A CAR WITH AN UNPREDICTABLE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT IT IS A 1000 TO MAKE THE CAR SAFE TO PUT MY FAMILY IN. THIS SEEMS LIKE DENIAL OF A PROBLEM. *TR

CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED RUNNING AND IDLING VERY ROUGH. SERVICE SHOP DISCOVERED THAT THE NYLON CAPS FOR THE HYDRAULIC LASH VALVES HAD DETERIORATED AND CRACKED AND IN SOME CASES HAD FALLEN COMPLETELY OFF HAVING A NEGATIVE AFFECT ON THE ENGINE COMPRESSION. THE ORIGINAL CAPS ARE BRIGHT YELLOW AND AFTER USE AND HEAT THEY TURN ORANGE/BROWN. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS SOME MINI'S HAVE STEEL LASH CAPS. SEEMS THAT A ENGINE COMPONENT SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT DAMAGE SHOULD NOT BE MADE OF NYLON/PLASTIC. THE CAR HAS A TOTAL OF 18 OF THESE LASH CAPS AND AT LEAST 12 ARE CLEARLY CRACKED. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE FROM MINI OR IN THE AFTERMARKET. MINI'S ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ROCKER ARMS WHICH IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR WHEN THE ONLY FAILURE IS SMALL NYLON CAPS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE RPM READINGS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND CAUSED AND INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE THAT EXISTED WITH THE STEERING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I FELT THE CAR JERK FORWARD AND THEN IT FELT AS IF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEARS. MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AND DRIVE TO THE LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP, WHICH WAS LUCKILY ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND WAS QUOTED $9,000 REPAIR COST. WHEN I ASKED THE MECHANIC WHY THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED THIS EARLY, TOLD ME THEY HAD NO IDEA. HOWEVER, WHEN I ASKED ANOTHER EMPLOYEE HOW MANY OTHER CARS HAD THEY SEEN WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, HE RELUCTANTLY ADMITTED "QUITE A FEW". *TR

2006 MINI CVT TRANSMISSION MADE A WEIRD NOISES AND STOPPED MOVING, JUST PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS HESITATION IN ACCELERATION AND VERY LOUD NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APP. 60 MPH, DOWNSHIFTED TO PASS AND EML LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER TO CAR WAS GREATLY REDUCED. FOUND OUT IT WAS A BROKEN CRANKSHAFT VIBRATION DAMPENER. NOTIFIED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. QUITE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR ALSO. CONTACTED MINI OF USA AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD TO BE DIAGNOSED BY A MINI DEALER FOR ANY POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE, BUT WAS NOT GUARANTEED THAT ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS WEAK AND PRONE TO FAILURE. MINI DOES NOT COVER REPLACEMENT AND CHARGES $1200-$2000 TO REPLACE THE PART LEADING MANY OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF TO DRIVE THE CAR IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION (LOW SPEED OR NON DEPLOYING AIRBAGS). *TR

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES CONTINUOUSLY WHETHER A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF FOR THE PASSENGER. MINI COOPER DENIES ANY PROBLEM WITH THEIR SAFETY AIRBAG SYSTEM, YET THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. *TR

LOUD AND PERSISTENT WHINNING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING PUMP, INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. HAD PAST PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING FAN (JUNE 2011). *TR

I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON IT. BEING A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. HAD SOMEONE WITH LESS ARM STRENGTH BEEN IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT THEY COULD HAVE HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC HEAD ON AND KILLED SOMEONE. *TR

MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION FAIL. THE CAR DOES NOT GO BETWEEN 20 TO 50 MPH. IT HAS NO POWER AND THAT CAN BE DANGERS WHEN I AM GETTING INTO THE HIGHWAY AND CARS ARE GOING AT A HIGH SPEED. ON TOP OF IT MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR. LUCKY I GOT IT STARTED AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM THE CAR NEED TO BE RECALL AND GET IT FAXED BECAUSE SOMEONE CAN DIE. *TR

MY MINI COOPER S 2006 HAS BEEN RANDOMLY BANGING INTO GEAR AND WAS DIAGNOSED BY NORTHWEST MINI AS NEEDING A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT FOR $8361.00 (BEFORE TAX). PROBLEM CAUSES CAR TO LOOSE ACCELERATION AND POWER. *TR

THERE IS A" LINE" CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD STARTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW AND BEGINNING @ 4 INCHES FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDOW AND EXTENDING LEFT TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD.. NO HEAD, OR ICE HAIL OR BODY HIT THE WINDOW, TO CAUSE THE BREAK.. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME THAT IGNITION IS ON, EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT. YOU CAN SIT IN THE SEAT AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON. MY CONCERN IS WHETHER OR NOT THE AIR BAG WILL STILL FUNCTION. *TR

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES SYSTEM IS EITHER OFF OR INOPERATIVE - IT DOES NOT MATTER IF SOMEONE IS SITTING ON THE SEAT OR NOT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. AFTER REVIEWING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MINI FORUMS, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AND DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR UNDER THE SEAT COVER. SINCE I RARELY CARRY PASSENGERS, THIS CONDITION IS DEFINITELY NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. AS IT STANDS, I HAVE NO WAY TO ASCERTAIN IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO ANYONE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR EVEN THE DRIVER. A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE OR EVEN AN OLDER VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 42,000. UPDATED 08/29/12*LJ UPDATED 08/29/12

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES SYSTEM IS EITHER OFF OR INOPERATIVE - IT DOES NOT MATTER IF SOMEONE IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. AFTER REVIEWING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MINI FORUMS, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AND DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR UNDER THE SEAT COVER. SINCE I RARELY CARRY PASSENGERS, THIS CONDITION IS DEFINITELY NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. AS IT STANDS, I HAVE NO WAY TO ASCERTAIN IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO ANYONE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR EVEN THE DRIVER. A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE OR EVEN AN OLDER VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF SAFETY ISSUE. MINI CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFERED NO HELP DUE TO CAR BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. INDEPENDENT SHOP IS DOING THE REPAIR FOR $1210.00 DUE TO LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN MINI. *TR

OUR 2006 MINI COOPER HATCHBACK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR STAYS ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. SOMETIMES WITH A PASSENGER, IT WILL GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. IF THE LIGHT IS ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE-SPREAD AND DANGEROUS. *TR

TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS UP, SPEEDS DROPS TO MAXIMUM 30MPH CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. FIRST OCCURRENCE MARCH 2012 WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAILED "THROTTLE BODY", SECOND OCCURRENCE IN JULY 2012 WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAILED "WIRING HARNESS". *TR

THE SRS DETECTOR MAT FOR TURNING OFF THE AIRBAGS IN THE EVENT OF AN UNDERWEIGHT OCCUPANT IS EASILY BROKEN. WHEN BROKEN, SENSORS DISABLE THE AIRBAGS. THIS PART IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND I CAN NOT AFFORD IT ON A FIXED INCOME ($1600). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE MAT HAS ISSUES: 1) VERY PRONE TO FAILURE AND 2) INTEGRATED INTO THE SEAT CUSHION SO IT CAN NOT BE REPLACED ITSELF, IT MUST HAVE THE SEAT CUSHION REPLACED ALSO. MY MODEL IS A SPECIAL EDITION AND THERE ARE NO PARTS IN THE USA. 11 IN GERMANY AT A VERY HIGH PRICE. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES AFTER ENGINE START ALONG WITH THE RED AIR BAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT. DOESN'T MATTER IF SEAT OCCUPIED OR NOT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO DISABLING AIR BAG. MINI DEALERS DENY THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR DESIGN PROBLEM YET THERE ARE OVER 40 COMPLAINTS ON THIS FORUM. REPAIR COSTS ARE SUBSTANTIAL TO REPLACE BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION. A MODIFICATION KIT OR RETROFIT TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE SEAT MAT IS NEEDED. *TR

OUR 2006 MINI COOPER HATCHBACK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR STAYS ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. SOMETIMES WITH A PASSENGER, IT WILL GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. IF THE LIGHT IS ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE-SPREAD AND DANGEROUS. *TR

THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT SENSOR FOR AIR BAG APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL MINI COOPER'S THAT HAVE DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSORS. WHEN THIS SENSOR FAILS, THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. THIS IS A SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR WAS OVER $1,400.00. *TR

ISSUES WITH AIRBAG LIGHT IN 2006 MINI COOPER S, WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT IF THEY ARE NOT SITTING JUST THE RIGHT WAY THE LIGHT WILL GO ON, WARNING US THE AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED, SOMETIMES THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO ON FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH NOBODY IN THE SEAT. SOMETIMES THE SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON WITH NO ONE IN THE SEAT AS WELL. MOVING THE SEAT WILL SOMETIMES CORRECT THE ISSUE. COMPLAINTS TO MINI AND DEALER WERE ON DEAF EARS. [XXX] I COPIED AND PASTED THE COMPLAINT, BUT MY PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WITH HAND BRAKE ENGAGED. 5 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR ROLLED DOWN DRIVEWAY AND HIT A DITCH. REAR SUSPENSION WAS DAMAGED. THE HAND BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED. *TR

OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST SIX MONTHS THE SRS LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON. IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS IT FINALLY CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK TO THE LOCAL BMW/MINI DEALER AND THEY ASSESSED IT FOR $167.00. THEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS A PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR ISSUE AND THE COST OF THE PART AND LABOR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1100. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE MATTER AND REALIZED THAT DOZENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF MINI-OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSORS, SEATS AND LIGHTS DATING BACK TO 2003+. SEEMS TO ME THAT IF IT'S BEEN AN ISSUE THAT THEIR SO CALLED ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT MIGHT RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS WITHOUT COSTING OWNERS THIS KIND OF MONEY. I THINK ITS A RIP JOB BY THE DEALERS AND A FAILURE OF THE ENGINEERS AT MINI TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. COST FOR SUCH A REPAIR SHOULD BE ON THEM. I WILL MAKE SURE TO REPORT TO ANYONE THAT WILL LISTEN TO STAY AWAY FROM THE PURCHASE OF THESE CARS DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE PROBLEMS. *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. IT FIRST BEGAN LOCKING WHEN I TURNED IT ON. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT SINCE IT UNLOCKED A MINUTE LATER. THEN A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT STARTED TO HAPPEN ONCE A MONTH AND JUST LIKE THE FIRST TIME IT UNLOCKED. HOWEVER, AS OF LAST MONTH IT HAS JUST LOCKED AND WON'T UNLOCK. THE 2004 AND 2005 HAD RECALL ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL THAT 2006 HAS THE SAME ISSUE. IT SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. HOW DO I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE NOT USED THE 2004 OR 2005 PART ON THE STEERING WHEEL? THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT CAN CAUSE MAJOR CAR ACCIDENTS. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A MONTH AGO IN A PRIVATE SALE. A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE MINI DEVELOPED A STRONG POWER STEERING WHINE. THIS IS NOT THE ELECTRICAL BUZZING NOISE TYPICAL OF THESE MODELS BUT A NOISE HEARD ABOVE THE ENGINE AT ALL SPEEDS OR IN NEUTRAL REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU TURN THE WHEEL. SEVERAL DAYS AGO, THE STEERING BEGAN TO STIFFEN UP ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKING. YESTERDAY, IT FAILED ENTIRELY AND THIS WAS WHILE DRIVING! NOW, I'M A 6' 180 LB MALE AND WAS ABLE TO REACT AND WRESTLE IT SAFELY BUT I'M THANKFUL THAT MY 5' 100LB WIFE WAS NOT BEHIND THE WHEEL. MAKE NO MISTAKE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS!! JUST RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND YOU WILL SEE HUNDREDS (PROBABLY THOUSANDS) OF COMPLAINTS ACROSS THE GLOBE ABOUT THE SAME THING AND IT APPEARS TO BE PRIMARILY 2001-2007 MODELS. OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE MANDATED A RECALL BUT NOT THE SAFETY CONSCIOUS U.S. WHICH SURPRISES ME GREATLY. WHEN OTHER MAJOR MANUFACTURERS HAVE LISTED RECALLS FOR THINGS LIKE SEAT BELT ANCHORS "THAT COULD CRACK" OR AIR BAG SWITCHES "THAT COULD CORRODE" WHY THE HECK ISN'T A MINI COOPER RECALL DONE FOR POWER STEERING SYSTEMS "THAT ARE FAILING"? IF YOU VALUE YOUR FAMILY'S SAFETY, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND STEER (NO PUN INTENDED) CLEAR OF THIS VEHICLE. I WILL BE DUMPING THIS T URD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MY FAMILY IS TOO IMPORTANT TO WASTE ON A FAD CAR. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS ALONG THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE TACHOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. ..UPDATED 07/11/12 *BF THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN CHANGED DOWN TO 2ND GEAR( THE VEHICLE HAS SIX FORWARD GEARS) CAUSING HUGE ACCELERATION AND THEN SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC WORK BY THE MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TACHOMETER HAD FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DOWNSHIFT TO 2ND GEAR. THE FAILURE ALSO NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION.

UNFASTENED SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR STAYS LIT AT ALL TIMES, WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER RIDING IN THE SEAT NO MATTER THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. UNFASTENED SEAT BELT WARNING BELL/DING DOES NOT CHIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

EXECUTING A LEFT TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS ISSUE. DAMAGE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AGAINST CURB. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ON A RECALL!

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR 2ND TIME. THE 1ST. WAS 08-11-10 @ 81,539 MILES.THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. PN: 65-77-184-432. COST FOR THE MODULE WAS $507.00. PART HAS A 2 YEAR WARRANTY FORM BMW. STARTED CAR FRIDAY MORNING TO GO TO WORK AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WILL TAKE BACK TO DEALER. PART SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 1 1/2 YEARS. THIS IS A EXPENSIVE PART AND LABOR WAS $400.00 THE LAST TIME IT WAS REPLACED. AM I THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS AIR BAG PROBLEM. I DO NOT THINK THE AIR BAGS WILL WORK WITH THE LIGHT ON. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM TO ME. *TR

PURCHASED 2006 MINI COOPER S BRAND NEW AT A MINI DEALER IN BOSTON. THE VEHICLE HAS 108K HIGHWAY MILES. I HAD SERVICED THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER UNTIL WARRANTY RAN OUT AND TRANSITIONED TO A NATIONAL CAR CARE CHAIN. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE VEHICLE SLIPPING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR WHEN TRAVELING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND THEY INDICATED THAT I SHOULD BRING IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. DELIVERED THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT MY CVT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE RE-MANUFACTURED. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING AND FAILING. THE POWER STEERING FAN HAD SEIZED AND WAS LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE MINI DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME OVER 10K FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT ONLY DID NOT INQUIRE ABOUT POWER STEERING AND THERE WERE NO PROGRAMS FOR CUSTOMERS IN THIS SITUATION. THIS COST IS MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP WILL DO THE REPAIRS FOR 6K. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT FAILURES STARTING ABOUT 55,000 MILES AND LITTLE OVER THREE YEARS, SEVEN MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. FULL FAILURE OCCURRED AT 80,000. THE SEAT WAS NOT COMMONLY USED. THE CAR IS USED PRIMARILY TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK BY ONE PERSON. *JS

THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, BACK ON AGAIN, AND MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE SLIGHTLY, THE POWER STEERING RE-ENGAGED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. EVERYTHING ELSE WITH THE CAR SEEMED TO BE RUNNING NORMAL. *JS

POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY UPON WARM ENGINE RE-START. THE SMELL OF OVERHEATING COMPONENTS IS IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. *JS

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME MAKING DRIVING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. HAVING ONLY 12 MILES TO TRAVEL SHE DROVE HOME FIGHTING THE STEERING ALL THE WAY HOME WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME I OPEN THE HOOD AND COULD SMELL AND SEE SMOKE FROM WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL MELT DOWN ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE ENTIRE WIRING CONNECTORS ARE MELTED AND ASH AND UN USABLE. WE WERE LUCKY THE CAR DID NOT CATCH FIRE. HOWEVER THERE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE THE WIRES WERE ON FIRE. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED COUNTLESS TIMES WITH 2005-2006 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES. THE IDENTICAL PART FROM BMW WAS PART OF A RECALL IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. *TR

THE SRS LIGHT IS ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALSO ON EVEN WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE DUE TO BAD WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE SEATS BUT BMW, MINI IS REFUSING TO RECTIFY THE FAULTY PROBLEMS FOR 2005 AND 2006 MODELS OF THE 1ST GENERATION MINI COOPER. 2004 AND 2003 MINI COOPERS WERE HONORED WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE SRS SYSTEM FOR 150K MILES OR 10 YEARS. WITH THE SRS LIGHT ON, THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND THE SEAT BELT ACTIVATION SYSTEM MAY FAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE EVEN WITH A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON WITH A FAULT STORED. THE WIRING UNDER THE SEAT MAY BE PINCHED OR DAMAGED. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER:SIM-65-06-11 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER:10039593. *TR

SRS WARNING LIGHT REQUIRING OC3 MAT REPLACEMENT AT ONLY 60K MILES. PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF COLLISION. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS QUOTED AS $1374.83. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. OCCURS WHEN PASSENGER IS AND IS NOT IN SEAT. AUDIO FOR SEATBELT OCCURS WHEN PASSENGER IS NOT IN SEAT. MINI DEALER REPAIRED INITIALLY AT ABOUT 30K MILES, OCCURRED AGAIN AT 48K MILES. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED ON. ALSO OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *TR

MY 2006 R53 ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE STEERING BECAME PERIODICALLY STIFF. AFTER PERSISTING FOR 2 WEEKS, IT HAS BECOME INCREDIBLY HARD TO MOVE THE WHEEL AND THE PUMP SEEMS TO HAVE CUT OUT COMPLETELY. IT IS MUCH STIFFER THEN ANY CAR WITH MANUAL STEERING THAT I HAVE EVER TRIED, RENDERING MY MINI TOTALLY UNDRIVEABLE. SOMEHOW THE COOPER S IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FROM TRANSPORT CANADA? ( HTTP://WWWAPPS.TC.GC.CA/SAF-SEC-SUR/7/VRDB-BDRV/SEARCH/RECALLDETAIL.ASPX?LANG=ENG&RN=2012029 ) *JS

I HAVE A MINI S 2006. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO THE DASH AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THEN WENT OFF. NOW THE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A 1300.00 JOB. MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. THE CAR HAS A DEFECT SOMEWHERE, 75000 MILES? THE AIR BAG SENSOR SHOULD NOT BE FAULTY. *TR

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ABOVE MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND ON MY DASH. I HAVE FOUND ON MULTIPLE SITES THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. *JS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER SAYS THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST US OVER $1500. IN 2006 MINI ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 2002 AND 2003 MODELS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. BMW'S INVESTIGATION OF THE SAME SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEATS OF BMW AUTOS RESULTED IN A RECALL OF THIS PART. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. MESSAGE BOARDS HAVE INSTANCES OF PEOPLE PAYING FOR THIS EXPENSIVE SAFETY DEFECT AT THE DEALER, AND THE PROBLEMS RETURNING AFTER 1 TO 2 YEARS IN SOME CASES. SOMEONE WITH BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILS TO DEPLOY. *TR

AIRBAG PASSENGER MAT SEAT SENSOR . THIS HAS BEEN A ONGOING PROBLEM FROM THE 2003 TO PRESENT. SEAT SENSOR TURNS AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND CAN DISABLE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE AND ACCORDING TO MINI DEALERSHIP, NOT ON FACTORY RECALL BUT THEY SAY GET HUNDREDS A YEAR AND CHARGE TO REPLACE SENSOR AT 1000.00. SAFETY ISSUE! SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO HAVE THEM FIX A KNOWN ISSUE AT ALL DEALERSHIPS AND PUT PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC ORIGINALLY ASSUMED THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SWITCH BUT AFTER SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SWITCH WAS NOT THE ISSUE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HAVING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000. UPDATED 4/2/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE LOST CONTROL OF PADDLE SHIFTER AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT UP AND DOWN IN ALL GEARS, UNTIL IS SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. UPDATED 04/13/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAR AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,400.

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG DETECTOR IS FAULTY. WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING ON THE SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT 44300 MILES. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON ONCE AGAIN AT 67000 MILES AND HAS STAYED ON. *TR

BOTH THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT AND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATE WHILE SEAT IS OCCUPIED INDICATING THE SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATIONAL AND MAY NOT FUNCTION IN A CRASH. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS MANY COMPLAINTS TO BMW CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM IN THE 2006 MINI. MANUFACTURER DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT DIAGNOSE WITHOUT A LARGE FEE. *TR

BRAND NEW VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR REPAIR AT 7,308 MILES 1/27/10 VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO MISFIRES 1/27/810. MINI SERVICE CLEANED FUEL SYSTEM AND PROVIDED "COURTESY" FIRST TIME INJECTOR SERVICE. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME AND BROUGHT BACK THE NEXT DAY FOR THE SAME MISFIRE FAULTS 2/2/10, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND FUEL RAIL WAS REMOVED. 7,318 MILES, 10 MILES LATER... THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN AGAIN FOR COMBUSTION MISFIRES 24,491 MILES 8/12/11 BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR STRANGE NOISE, MINI SAID IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. 24,783 MILES 8/18/11 VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN DUE TO ENGINE SEIZING...TURBO CARBON BUILD UP, TURBO FEED LINE ISSUES 33,124 MILES 01/31/12 VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISES, BROUGHT IN TO SERVICE, MINI SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO INSPECT THE CAR CLOSER TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I SCHEDULED A SERVICE AND LOANER FOR 2/1/12 (REPORT SAID THAT THERE WERE MISFIRE ISSUES, I WAS NOT INFORMED...UNTIL I NOTICED IT ON THE REPORT A WEEK LATER) 33,250 MILES 2/1/12 VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN ENGINE SEIZED, ENGINE COMPLETELY REPLACED. MINI CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NOT A LEMON IN ANY WAY AND THAT I WILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR MY LEASE UNTIL THE CONTRACT END. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING A CAR, WITH A TRACK RECORD OF SEIZING OR MISFIRING AT ANY TIME ON A HIGHWAY OR ROAD, PUTTING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER SAYS THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST IS ABOUT $1000. IN 2006 MINI ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 2002 AND 2003 MODELS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. BMW'S INVESTIGATION OF THE SAME SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEATS OF BMW AUTOS RESULTED IN A RECALL OF THIS PART. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. MESSAGE BOARDS HAVE INSTANCES OF PEOPLE PAYING FOR THIS EXPENSIVE SAFETY DEFECT AT THE DEALER, AND THE PROBLEMS RETURNING AFTER 1 TO 2 YEARS IN SOME CASES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SEIZE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,650. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. UPDATED 03/06/12

MY POWER STEERING IS GOING IN AND OUT. I MIGHT HAVE IT, AND DRIVE ANOTHER MINUTE ITS NOT WORKING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 58740 MILES ON IT I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THE PUMP SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM. MINI SAYS THERE IS NOT PROBLEM WITH THEIR STEERING PUMPS BUT WHEN I GO ON LINE AND CHECK THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE SAME APPROXIMATE MILEAGE MARK GIVE OR TAKE A FEW. THIS IS OVER A THOUSAND DOLLAR FIX. IS MINI GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE ENOUGH ACCIDENTS BEFORE THEY ADMIT THERE IN PROBLEM? I HAVE CHECKED THE FLUID AND THE FAN ALL IS WORKING AND FINE. IT'S JUST THE MALFUNCTIONING PUMP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE SUPER CHARGER ASSEMBLY, WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY, BYPASS VALVE, AND THE ANTI FREEZE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,000.

RECENTLY, I'VE BEEN GETTING BOTH THE YELLOW OVERHEAD AIRBAG OFF LIGHT (ABOVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR) AND THE RED WARNING LIGHT ON THE CENTER DASH. THE WARNING LIGHTS WILL GO OFF OCCASIONALLY, BUT ALWAYS SEEM TO RETURN. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER I AM CARRYING A PASSENGER OR NOT. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSOR OR A DEFECT IN AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I DO NOT WANT TO WORK ON THE SYSTEM MYSELF. MINI WEBSITES DISCUSS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHTS ON EARLIER MODEL MINIS. I AM CERTAIN A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR '02-'03 MODELS. CURRENT RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE LATER BUILD YEARS SUCH AS MY '06, BUT AGAIN, THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TT

PASSENGER SEAT OC-3 AIR BAG SENSOR FAILURE: I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SPORADICALLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT RECENTLY, I'VE BEEN GETTING BOTH THE YELLOW OVERHEAD AIRBAG OFF LIGHT (ABOVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR) AND THE RED WARNING LIGHT ON THE CENTER DASH TURN ON AND STAY ON. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK NOW WHETHER THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. IT CAUSES THE SEATBELT ALARM TO GO OFF AND I HAVE TO BUCKLE AN EMPTY SEAT. MY MAIN CONCERN IS IT JEOPARDIZING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FUNCTION. *TT

THE PAX AIRBAG LIGHT BOTH ON DASHBOARD AND ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR ARE LIT AND STAY THAT WAY AFTER A PERIOD OF ON AND OFF WITH SOMEONE STATING IN THAT SEAT. ON THE BLOG OF MINI COOPERS A LOT OF COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS HAPPENING IN BMW THE MAKER OF MINI COOPERS AND THE 05, 06 MINI COOPER MODEL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE! A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX AT $1500.00 WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL? *TT

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MINI SERVICE WANTS APPROXIMATELY $300 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *TR

COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND A STREET CORNER! I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 15 MPH(NOT VERY FAST) AND I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING AND TOOK ME BY SURPRISE. *TR

THE MOTOR MOUNT ON THE MINI COOPER IS NOTORIOUS FOR LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT AFTER FEWER THAN 20,000 MILES OF SERVICE. MINE SHOWED FLUID LEAKAGE AT 18,000 MILES, AND MANY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET REPORT THIS DEFECT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 10,000 MILES. THE COMPANY HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN M22 01 06 FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT TREAT THIS CHRONIC AND DANGEROUS CONDITION AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS DEFECT COULD ALLOW THE MOTOR TO SHIFT, LEADING TO ACCIDENTS AND LOSS OF LIFE. HAVING BEEN AN AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC FOR YEARS, I NORMALLY EXPECT A MOTOR MOUNT TO LAST ABOUT 75,000 MILES. THIS UNACKNOWLEDGED MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS UNSAFE AND COSTLY TO REPAIR. FOR EXAMPLE, I HAD IT REPAIRED AT MINI OF NORTH SCOTTSDALE (AZ) AND IT COST ME ABOUT $245. *TR

PASSANGER AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED-. *TR

PLETHORA OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. HEATED SEATS ARE A MAJOR CONCERN. THEY GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES, SEEM HAUNTED. SOMETIMES, THEY GET SO HOT THEY LEAVE BURN MARKS IN MY LEGS. I AM AFRAID OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE HEATED SEATS GET SO HOT, THEY LEFT BURN MARKS IN MY SEAT. AISIN 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPPED WITH "LIFETIME" FLUID, BEGINS SLIPPING GEARS AT 70K THE SUPERCHARGER HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE "DESIGN" OF THE SUPERCHARGER IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, I WAS FORCED BY BMWUSA TO PURCHASE A REMANUFACTURED SUPERCHARGER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A "COMMON PROBLEM" I HAVE ALSO FOUND OUT FROM FORUMS SUCH AS NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT BMW DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT ITS AT FAULT FOR HOWEVER THEY ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THE WIDESPREAD HAPPENINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE AVAILABILITY OF NEW SUPERCHARGERS IS VERY LOW BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, HENCE ME PURCHASING A REMFGD ONE. REAR WIPER MOTOR FAILED AT 40K QUOTED HUNDREDS TO REPLACE, NOT WORTH IT!!!!! *TR

ON 29SEP2007, MY 2006 MINI COOPER S WAS SERVICED TO PERFORM THE LOW MILEAGE SERVICE AT 3,354 MILES. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN ON 30SEP2007. ON 01OCT2007, THE CAR WAS DRIVEN A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE EACH WAY TO A BUS STOP. THE CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN THE GARAGE BENEATH MY TOWNHOUSE. AT 6:00 AM ON 02OCT2007, WHEN I WANT TO THE LOWER LEVEL OF MY TOWNHOUSE AND OPENED THE DOOR TO THE GARAGE, I SAW THAT THE GARAGE WAS FILLED A "FOGGY SMOKE" AND THERE WAS A "BURNING ODOR". THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE. AS THE SMOKE BEGAN TO SPREAD INTO THE UPPER LEVEL OF MY HOME, THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AS BACK-UP. THE FIREMEN LOCATED THE SOURCE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR AND DETERMINED THE SMOKE TO BE FROM A "BURNED POWER STEERING BELTON THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE". THE FIREMEN MOVED THE CAR TO THE PARKING LOT AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DIVING THE CAR. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE CAR WITH A NEW 2007 MINI COOPER S ([XXX]). I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THAT MINE WAS AN "ISOLATED INCIDENT" BUT HAVE NOW BECOME AWARE THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH MINI COOPER S FROM 2007-2009. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, I WAS ADVISED TO NOT PARK MY CAR IN THE GARAGE UNTIL THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DETERMINED OR IF THERE IS A RECALL. I NOW AM NOT PARKING IN THE GARAGE. I AM SUBMITTING THIS REPORT ON THE 2007 INCIDENT SINCE IT WAS NEVER REPORTED AND I AM AFRAID THAT THE RATE OF OCCURRENCE MAY BE UNDER-REPORTED. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE AIR BAG SENSOR THAT WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

MY WIFE NOTICED AN UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL HUMMING NOISE THAT RAPIDLY BECAME PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER COMING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING. VERY QUICKLY IT BECAME HARDER AND HARDER TO STEER UNTIL IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO ASSISTED STEERING AT ALL. SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT SINCE. RECENTLY WENT TO A MINI DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT WITH THE RESULT THAT THEY SAID THE PUMP DID INDEED FAIL. NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AS OF YET, EVEN THOUGH THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

I WASDRIVING IN CT. WHEN MY CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. MY CAR WAS HAULED AWAY AND BMW (MINI COOPER) AND MINI OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN STAMFORD CT TRY TO CLAIM THAT THIS ENGINE WAS HYDROLOCKED. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE WHEN IT WAS NOT RAINING TO MAKE THIS CLAIM. ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO A PARKWAY.HALFWAY THROUGH THE CURVE,MY STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I HIT MY BRAKES AS THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB. I JUST MISSED HITTING A TREE. I CALLED A FRIEND TO SEE IF I LOST A BELT OR SOMETHING. WHEN HE STARTED THE CAR,THE STEERING WORKED. HE DECIDED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A SHOP FOR ME AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM. THE MECHANIC AT THE SHOP TOLD ME I WOULD NEED A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. HE SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY MINI COOPERS. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE HAS GOTTEN KILLED BY THIS YET,BUT IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE IT HAPPENS. *TR

THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ALONG WITH THE SEATBELT LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY FROM STARTUP.TRIED TO RESET BY INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL BUT DIDN'T WORK.MINI SERVICE WANTS 100.00 TO JUST EVALUATE THE PROBLEM.THE PROBLEM IS THAT MINI /BMW KNOW THERE IS DEFAULT WITH THE SEAT SENSORS BUT WON'T TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITY AS THE CAR OWNERS ARE PAYING $1500-2200 + TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK IN THE CAR AT THIS POINT. *TR

MY MINI COOPER HAS AIR BAG LIGHT ON. NO CAR ACCIDENT BEFORE. *TR

STEERING HAS BECOME DIFFICULT. MORE DIFFICULT THAN AN UNASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK PULLEY FAN BELT THAT CONTROLLED THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATER WAS LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,039.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OR LESS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT LOSS IN THE POWER STEERING. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL MANEUVERED WITH DIFFICULTY, EVEN THOUGH THE POWER STEERING HAD NOT COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN OPERATION. IN ADDITION, A TICKING NOISE WOULD EMIT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. ALSO IN MAY OF 2009, THE ENGINE AND CLUTCH WERE REPLACED. MOST RECENT THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP AND TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION AND THEY ADVISED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE INFORMED OF THE DEFECTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,164 .

WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED OFF. AT THE SAME TIME THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON. HAD BOTH CHECKED AND WHEN CAR WAS RETURNED BOTH LIGHTS WERE OUT. PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM WAS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BOTTOM. NO PROBLEM NOTED FOR THE SEAT BELT LIGHT. 1/2 MILE FROM DEALER BOTH WARNING LIGHTS AGAIN TURNED ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED OFF. AT THIS POINT I AM NOT SURE IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE OR NOT.

I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER. RECENTLY, COMPLETE POWER TO THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOST WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE OVER THE PAST MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED ON A PAVED CITY STREET AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE POWER FAILURES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REQUIRED TO BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE POWER TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTORED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED MINI COOPER REPAIR CENTER (NIELLO MINI, SACRAMENTO, CA) ON 07/26/11. THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NO FAULTS WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAD US DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT "AS IS" WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO BRING IT BACK IN FOR FURTHER TESTING IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. NEXT TIME COULD BE TOO LATE AS THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO OCCUR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REVIEWED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM BEGAN TO FUNCTION AGAIN. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

A PROBLEM DEVELOPED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY MINI COOPER "S" (2006). THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMEWHAT GRADUALLY, OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL DAYS TO A WEEK, DURING WHICH THE WHEEL BECAME MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR IN ANY SORT OF INCIDENT. IT HAS LESS THAN THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I TOOK MY MINI TO AN AUTHORIZED MINI-COOPER REPAIR FACILITY WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE KNOCK (SP?) SENSOR AND STEERING MOTOR HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $2,000.00 DOLLARS, HOWEVER IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUES TO BE SLUGGISH AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT WHATEVER IS WRONG WITH THE STEERING IS A DESIGN FLAW, AS NO CAR WITH LESS THAN THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND MILES ON IT SHOULD EXHIBIT SUCH A STRANGE AND CRITICAL FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH IN THE RAIN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HYDRO-LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT AGREE WITH THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. HE THEN SUGGESTED THAT THE DEALER FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, AS THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CLUTCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47, 000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AIR BAG FAILURE LAMP LIGHT ON. 2006 JCW MINI COOPER. ON STARTUP, LAMPS ALL GO THROUGH STARTUP ILLUMINATION THEN GO DARK. AIRBAG FAILURE LAMP RELIGHTS 1 SECOND LATER AND REMAINS ON. NO INTERIOR WIRING DONE, CAR IS AS WAS RECEIVED NEW FROM DEALER. *TR

SUDDEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE ORIGINAL BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS A CONTINUING SOUND LIKE A FAN OR ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING CONSTANTLY. THIS NOISE CONTINUED UNTIL THE POWER STEERING CEASED COMPLETELY DURING A PARKING MANEUVER. AFTER THE STEERING FAILED THE PREVIOUSLY NOTED NOISE STOPPED.

EXITING THE FREEWAY ENGINE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST STEERING. TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO STEER IT TO SAFETY. SOME SMOKE COMING UNDERNEATH. LOCAL MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE COOLING FAN FOR THE HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING HAD STOPPED AND EVERYTHING HAD OVER HEATED. MULTIPLE WIRES AND COMPONENTS COMPLETED MELTED. LOCAL MECHANIC DECLINED TO FIX AND TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO BMW/MINI TO FIX. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE DEFECT AND WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR

I HAD MY CAR FOR A WEEK AFTER GETTING IT BACK AFTER A VERY EXPENSIVE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT AND TRIED TO TURN ONTO THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE TURN AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED ENDING UP IN THE BAR DITCH. UPON, GETTING MY VEHICLE TO TOWN I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. MY POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AND I WILL PROBABLY BE REPLACING THE WHOLE SYSTEM AT A THOUSAND DOLLARS OR MORE. AFTER PAYING 6500+ FOR A TRANSMISSION THAT WENT OUT THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN, YOU CAN IMAGINE MY DISAPPOINTMENT AND FRANKLY, MY DISGUST. I CALLED THE CLOSES MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP (ABOUT 400 MILES AWAY) THEY OFFERED NO HELPFUL INFORMATION AND NEGLECTED ANY MENTION OF THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS COMPONENT, THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION, AND THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT WAS FILED LAST FALL. I FOUND ALL THAT OUT THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. OBVIOUSLY, I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THIS YET BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW I CAN. *TR

2006 MINI COOPER S. MAKES HORRIBLE ENGINE NOISE AND UPON INVESTIGATION MINI FOUND THAT THE AC COMPRESSOR IS OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 44K MILES AND HAS BEEN MINI MAINTAINED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS CLOSE TO 4K WHICH IS ABSURD FOR A PART THAT SHOULD LAST.I FOUND A MECHANIC ( NOT MINI) THAT CAN DO THE WORK FOR 2,800 BUT EVEN THAT IS TOO MUCH FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. MINI SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. NOW, WE CAN'T EVEN TURN ON THE FAN BECAUSE IT WILL TRIGGER A CHAIN REACTION OF PROBLEMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM OVER THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED HIM TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS SEATED.

THE POWER STEERING FAILED 2 DAYS AGO ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER S WITH ONLY 36,600 MILES. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE & YET BMW/MINI REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT & NOT ON MY DAILY HIGHWAY COMMUTE OR DURING MY RECENT VACATION. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE CHARGE CIRCUIT LIGHT CAME ON AND I SMELLED A HEATED ELECTRICAL SMELL. THE POWER STEERING HAD CUT OUT, SHORTLY AFTER, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO RISE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON AND DROVE HOME. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT THIS MODEL MINI COOPER HAVE POWER STEERING PUMPS THAT FAIL AROUND 70,000 MILES. I DROVE TO MY JOB ON SUNDAY, AND THE CAR MADE THE ROUND TRIP, EXCEPT JUST BEFORE GETTING HOME, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC YET. *TR

ON FEBRUARY 9, 2011, WE WERE INFORMED BY MINI SERVICE THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND THAT IT WOULD COST US $1,245.00 PLUS TAX TO REPAIR AS IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY PACKAGE WHICH THEY SOLD US WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2007. MILEAGE OF VEHICLE AT THAT TIME WAS 46,810. THE LIGHT INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR OCCURRED MONTHS EARLIER, BUT WE DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT WAS INDICATIVE OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS SMALL CHILDREN DID SIT IN THAT SEAT FROM TIME TO TIME. ON MARCH 16, 2011, HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP ON VEHICLE FAILED. MILEAGE WAS 47,895.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR TO INCREASE SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT AS THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34, 4000. UPDATED 05/24/11*LJ

ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 12 MARCH 2011, A LOUD, HIGH-PITCHED HUMMING OR WHINING, SERIOUS-SOUNDING NOISE DEVELOPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE LOUDNESS (AND/OR THE PITCH) OF THE NOISE WOULD CHANGE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL, WHICH WAS OK. THE NIGHT OF SUNDAY, 13 MARCH, I LEFT THE CAR AT ATLANTIC MOTORCAR SERVICES OF WISCASSET, MAINE 04578, WHICH SPECIALIZES IN MINI AND OTHER EUROPEAN VEHICLES. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. ATLANTIC FOUND "THE POWER STEERING PUMP (EPAS) IS DEFECTIVE". THEY REPLACED THE EPAS ASSEMBLY (PART # 32 41 6 778 425) AT A COST OF $1212.49; AND BLED, FLUSHED AND FILLED THE SYSTEM (PS SERVICE KITBG $99). THIS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM.

I PURCHASED AT 2006 MINI COOPER AUTOMATIC IN JULY 2010. OCTOBER 2010 I HAD THE KIDS IN MY CAR, KEY IN MY HAND, CAR TURNED OFF AND IN PARK. THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS, DRAGGING ME AND I HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP ROLLING AND NOT ROLL INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. I WAS WORRIED MY KIDS WOULD BE HIT. MINI USA CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW I AM TOLD MY BACK BRAKES ARE WORN, I AM SCARED THEY DID NOT LOOK AT MY VEHICLE PROPERLY, DID NOT TAKE ME SERIOUSLY AND AM SCARED MY CAR WILL ROLL AGAIN. I ALWAYS PARK MY CAR AND PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE I NEVER LEAVE IT JUST IN PARK. I NEED SOMEONE TO MAKE SURE THESE CARS AND MY CAR IS TRULY SAFE. MINI USA AND THE DEALER THAT CERTIFIED MY CAR HAVE BOTH FAILED TO TAKE THIS DANGEROUS MANNER SERIOUSLY. I COULD OF BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT AND MY CHILDREN KILLED BY ON COMING TRAFFIC. *TR

MINI COOPER 2006 - POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. FEB 2ND WE HAD A MAJOR WINTER STORM IN KANSAS CITY , I WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MILES /HR WITH ABOUT 2 FEET SNOW MY CAR STOPPED AT THE CURB NEXT TO APT. SINCE THEN MY STEERING WHICH IS SOMEWHAT MILDLY STIFF FOR YEARS(MY FRIENDS HAD PREVIOUSLY WONDERED IF I EVEN HAD POWER STEERING ) WAS VERY STIFF , AND MADE A SCRATCHING NOISE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE MINI DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I HAD A MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AT 56000MILES , AND MINE WAS THE SECOND CAR HE HAD TO CHANGE THE PUMP ON . IN AUG 2010 I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT AND IN THE PAST WHENEVER I MENTIONED THE STEERING WHEEL - THEY SAID ITS FINE , NO PROBLEMS DETECTED . THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME THE FLUID WAS LOW , PROBABLY LEAKING . IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY I DREAD TO THINK WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES MIGHT HAVE BEEN , GIVEN FROM WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FROM THE CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS I WAS LED TO BELIEVE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY PERSON WHO INSPECTED THE CAR ALSO STATED THIS WAS UNRELATED TO THE WINTERSTORM , AND LIKELY MECHANICAL ERROR. *TR

I PURCHASED A REBUILT LEFT HALF SHAFT FROM BESTSOURCE AUTO PARTS ON LINE FOR A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE RE-BUILDER NAME ON THE BOX WAS FEQ. THE OUTER CV JOINT HOUSING EXPLODED INTO PCS AFTER ABOUT 3000 MILES. I WAS LUCKY IT HAPPENED DRIVING OFF FROM A STOP. IF IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY THE DAMAGE WOULD HAVE HUGE AND THE CAR MAY HAVE GONE OUT OF CONTROL. THIS FAILURE SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. THE THICK STEEL HOUSING EXPLODED THEN RELEASING THE HALF SHAFT TO FLY IN A BIG ARC.SINCE I WAS DRIVING OFF FROM A A STOP IT WAS A LOUD BANG AND THEN CLANGING OF THE HALF SHAFT SMACKING THE WHEEL ETC. I WAS LUCKY BUT SOMEONE ELSE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. I WAS IN LAS VEGAS SO I TOOK THE CAR TO DESERT MINI AND THEY SAW IT FIRST HAND, I TOOK PHOTO'S I CAN SEND TO YOU. BESTSOURCE TELLS ME FEQ IS A QUALITY RATING "FIRST EQUIPMENT QUALITY" AND THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THEM EITHER. FEQ HAS A SIMPLE ONE PAGE WEBSITE WITH NO CONTACT INFORMATION. I UNDERSTAND METALLURGY, THIS PART WAS FLAWED. YOU CAN TELL BY THE WAY THE BRAKE LOOKS.. DESERT MINI KEPT THE PART AND SENT IT BACK TO BMW LAST WEEK. WE CAN TRACK IT DOWN I AM SURE OF IT. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE VENDOR BUT NO LUCK. THIS IS WRONG. THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS AND THEY SHOULD COVER MY REPLACEMENT EXPENSE. THE EXPENSE IS NOT AS IMPORTANT TO ME AS SAFETY TO OTHERS RIGHT NOW. THE PHOTOS I HAVE WILL MAKE ANY OF YOUR SAFETY ENGINEERS CONCERNED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, IT WOULD SUDDENLY LUNGE BACKWARD OR FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE 2009. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY ORLANDO MINI IN WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. UPDATED 04/04/11

I BOUGHT MY MINI COOPER TWO MONTHS AGO. IT IS A 2006 MODEL. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE NIGHT OF THURSDAY JANUARY 7TH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. I LIVE ON A CALICHE ROAD SO NATURALLY, I THOUGHT I HAD KICKED UP A ROCK OR CLUNK OF DIRT AND IT HIT THE BODY OF MY CAR. THE NEXT MORNING I HEADED OUT TO GO TO CLASS AND LESS THAN 5 MILES (I LIVE OUTSIDE OF TOWN 30 MILES, SO YES I DO A LOT OF DRIVING, BUT MY 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA HANDLED IT FOR OVER 2 YEARS AND WHEN I FIRST ACQUIRED IT HAD 145,000 MILES AND WHEN I FINISHED 198,000 AND WAS STILL RUNNING FINE) DOWN THE ROAD I BRAKED TO TURN ONTO A DIFFERENT ROAD AND AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE ROARED THE TACHOMETER SPRUNG UP, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. THE MECHANIC I TOOK IT TO CONFIRMED THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS SHOT, NO DOUBT ABOUT, HOWEVER HE CANNOT TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT WITHOUT TAKING OUT MY TRANSMISSION AND LOOKING AT THE INSIDE AS THAT IS WHERE THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE ORIGINATES. IT IS AN INTERNAL DEFECT THAT CONSUMERS HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. *TR

2006 MINI COOPER S: POWER STEERING FAILURE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF POWER STEERING--AT FIRST. VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. VERY DANGEROUS. NOW THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. I'VE NEVER HAD SUCH AN EXPERIENCE IN ANY AUTOMOBILE. I INVESTIGATED THIS EXPERIENCE ONLINE AND FIND A NUMBER OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I'M VERY TROUBLED BY SUCH A FLAW IN THE ENGINEERING OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG PROBLEM INDICATOR IS ON. THE CAR ONLY HAS 54811 MILES. THE DEALER CHARGED $118.37 TO CHECK. THEY STATED A SEAT SENSOR PAD WAS BAD AND WOULD COST $1,200. TO REPLACE. THEY INDICATED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD STILL DEPLOY. I CONTACTED MINI USA TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I THOUGHT AT THIS MILEAGE AND SAFETY ISSUE THE REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED AS WARRANTY (RECALL). THEY DENIED THE REQUEST AND ALSO INDICATED THE SYSTEM WOULD STILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTER READING SEVERAL BLOGS, EVERYONE SEEMS TO INDICATE THE BAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON ON MINI COOPERS. I READ SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE FAILURE WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 12/14/11 *CN

THE CAR IS A 2006 MINI COOPER S COUPE. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 57,000 MILES. THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WHICH SHOWS THE AIRBAG IS NOT EMPLOYED. THE DEALER COST TO REPAIR WAS $900 AS QUOTED ON 1/3/11. THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD FUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILURE SENSOR SHOW FAILURE. HAVE HAD IT "REPAIRED" 3 TIMES. SENSOR SHOWS PROBLEM WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF REPAIR EACH TIME. DOES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WORK? *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH THE LOW OIL PRESSURE SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE CONTACT ADDED OIL TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND UPON RESTART THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,500.

POWER STEERING FAN ABOUT TO FAIL, WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE TO PREVENT POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MADE THE ASSESSMENT AND ADVISED THE REPAIR. THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE IN 2004-2006+ MINIS AND AM REPORTING TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH DATA POINTS AND CONSUMER REPORTS OF THE INCIDENCE. *TR

2006 MINI COOPER, FAULTY WIRING ON PASSENGER SEAT MATE SENSOR, THE WIRING HARNESS THAT COMES OUT OF THE FLOOR AND CONNECTS TO THE SENSOR MATE IN THE SEAT IS TO SHORT AND BECOMES DAMAGED WHEN YOU SLIDE THE SEAT BACK. THIS CAUSES AN ERROR IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MAKING IT THINKS THERE IS A SMALL CHILD OR NO ONE IN THE SEAT AND TURN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF. THIS IS A PROBLEM WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT IN THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL NOT PROTECT THEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, BEING THAT THE REPAIR CAN COST UP TO $1000.00 IF THE SEAT MAT SENSOR IS DAMAGED. THE COST MAY CAUSE OWNERS NOT TO REPAIR IT. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED FROM THIS. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WEIGHT SENSOR HAS GONE BAD AND AS A RESULT, HAS RENDERED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 4K MILES AND THE LOCAL DEALER AND MINI USA HAVE BECOME NON-RESPONSIVE ABOUT FIXING AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT. THE REPLACEMENT PART PLUS LABOR AND FACTORY RESETTING WERE QUOTED AT $1900. SEARCHING OTHER ONLINE POSTINGS REVEALS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM NOT ONLY FOR MINI COOPERS BUT FOR PARENT COMPANY BMWS AS WELL. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP. COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. *TR

I OWN A 2006 MINI COOPER AND RECENTLY, AT 62,000 MILES HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE CYLINDERS LOSING COMPRESSION. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO CARBON BUILD-UP WHICH "PITTED" THE VALVES AS A RESULT OF ETHANOL IN GASOLINE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS BECOMING A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPERS BECAUSE THE CAR CAN NOT HANDLE THE GASOLINE WITH ETHANOL, AS THEY ARE INTENDED TO BE RUN ON PURE GAS. SO DUE TO THE ETHANOL MIXTURE, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE. SHOULDN'T THESE CARS SOLD HERE IN THE UNITED STATES BE ABLE TO RUN ON THE GASOLINE THAT IS AVAILABLE HERE? I HAVE USED HIGH-OCTANE PREMIUM GAS ONLY IN MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD DONE NOTHING WRONG, YET WAS STILL FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE REPAIR. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE PURCHASED THROUGH THE DEALER AND HAVE FOLLOWED THE MINI MANUAL IN TERMS OF FUEL TO USE. THEY TOLD ME THEY ARE SEEING THIS PROBLEM MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE MINI. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THIS IS A VEHICLE PROBLEM AND PERHAPS DESERVES A RECALL. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU CAN HELP ME WITH? THEY CLEANED, MACHINED AND TESTED THE CYLINDERS AND REPLACED THE VALVES AT A COST TO ME OF $4800. THANK YOU. *TR

AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT DEFECTIVE.THIS SENSOR TURNS OFF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING BEFORE DRIVING.MINI WILL NOT CORRECT THE SAFETY ISSUE ON VEHICLES OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

MY 2006 MINI COOPER S HAS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR, THAT I WAS QUOTED 16,000$TO REPLACE IT. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PART THAT BMW RECALLED IN 2008. BMW RECALLED AROUND 150,000 VEHICLES IN NORTH AMERICA TO FIX A POSSIBLE DEFECT THAT MAY KEEP THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG FROM OPENING IN A CRASH, THE RECALLED CARS INCLUDE 2006 3-SERIES, 2004-06 5-SERIES AND 2004-06 X3 VEHICLES. MINI USES THIS SAME RECALLED PART(MINI BEING MADE BY BMW), YET HAS NOT RECALLED THE PART. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PART REPLACED AT THERE OWN EXPENSE SEVERAL TIMES. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER (WHO WEIGHED OVER 200 LBS) WAS SEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,600.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT OF THE PRICING AND IT WAS TOO COSTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

2006 BMW MINI COOPER, 2 DOOR. CAR SUDDENLY LOSES POWER, SHUDDERS AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. OCCURS RANDOMLY. HAS OCCURRED 6 TIMES SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED, MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE SEPTEMBER 2010. EACH TIME CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. EACH TIME DEALER SAID IT WAS FIXED. DEALER DOES NOT SHARE ENGINEERING INFORMATION; SO, I CANNOT DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT WAS DONE. DEALER HAD TO GET MINI COOPER ENGINEERS FOR CONSULTATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. REPAIR ORDERS MENTION A PART CALLED THE VANOS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. SUDDEN LOSE OF POWER APPEARS TO ME TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR. MINI COOPER OF NORTH AMERICA HAS SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM FOR THEM TO REMEDY. *TR

2006 MINI COOPER S JCW GP FIRST TIME IN 2008 JUST NOTICED FAN WOULD COME ON MORE OFTEN AND POWER STEERING WHINED LOUDER. DEALER AT MAIN LINE MINI REPLACED. SECOND TIME IN 2010 STEERING WHEEL FELT LIKE IT LOST POWER BUT REGAINED DURING OCCASIONAL TURNS. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS DUE TO AFTERMARKET PARTS (CAMBER PLATES) BUT THEN REPLACED IT ANYWAYS CAUSE MAIN MECHANIC DROVE IT AND NOTICED PLAY IN STEERING. *TR

AFTER PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND GOING INSIDE THE HOUSE FOR A FEW MINUTES - WE NOTICED A VERY CHEMICAL/PLASTIC SMELL. WE QUICKLY FOUND IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE, ONLY TO FIND OUR 2006 MINI S SPEWING BLACK SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS A FIRE, FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN FAILING, AND CAUSING THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND START ON FIRE. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS BLOGS AND COMPLAINT PAGES ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVEN'T THE MONEY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AT THIS TIME, AND SO THE CAR STILL SITS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR, EVEN AFTER WARRANTY. "PREVENTIVELY REPLACING" THE PARTS IS ALSO A RIDICULOUS THING TO EXPECT VEHICLE OWNERS TO DO. UPDATED 10/13/10*BF PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED IVOQ 10/21/10*JB *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS REMAIN ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS REACHING OVER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN THE TRUNK WHEN HER LEG WAS BURNED BY THE MUFFLER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BRACKETS WHICH HELD THE MUFFLER IN PLACE HAD RUSTED, ALLOWING THE MUFFLER TO HANG. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS WITHOUT REPAIRING THE MUFFLER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE MUFFLER BRACKETS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

ISSUES WITH AIRBAG LIGHT IN 2006 MINI COOPER S, WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT IF THEY ARE NOT SITTING JUST THE RIGHT WAY THE LIGHT WILL GO ON, WARNING US THE AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED, SOMETIMES THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO ON FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH NOBODY IN THE SEAT. SOMETIMES THE SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON WITH NO ONE IN THE SEAT AS WELL. MOVING THE SEAT WILL SOMETIMES CORRECT THE ISSUE. COMPLAINTS TO MINI AND DEALER WERE ON DEAF EARS. *TR

I PURCHASE MY 2006 MINI COOPER S NEW ALMOST 4 YEARS AGO. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SINCE I PURCHASED IT. IF YOU ARE GOING DOWN A HILL IT DOWNSHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD CAUSING A WHIPLASH EFFECT. CARS HAVE ALMOST HIT ME FROM BEHIND MANY TIMES. ADDITIONALLY WHEN GOING UP A HILL SUCH AS A FREEWAY ON-RAMP, THE CAR WILL JUST REFUSE TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY. I HAVE SPOKEN MANY TIMES TO MINI HEADQUARTERS AND THE CONSENSUS IS THAT IS HOW THE VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO OPERATE. THEY TOLD ME TO BUY A NEW ONE NOW BECAUSE THEY DON'T USE THAT TRANSMISSION ANY MORE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME TO MANUALLY SHIFT THE CAR IN THOSE SITUATIONS. I SAID IF I HAD WANTED TO SHIFT MANUALLY I WOULDN'T HAVE PAID FOR AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THEIR RESPONSE. I AM DISABLED AND ON A LIMITED INCOME. I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR AND MORE IMPORTANTLY I COULDN'T MORALLY SELL THIS ONE WITH THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS. *TR

TRANNY WENT ON MY 2006 S MANUAL AT 20K, 3 WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BROUGHT IT IN 5 WEEKS EARLIER WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. THEY SAID ?THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM?. I REALIZE NOW THAT THEY CHOSE THESE WORDS CAREFULLY. 5 WEEKS AND 1000 MILES LATER, JUST OUR OR WARRANTY IT BLEW. SAID THE TRANNY FLUID WAS DARK AND FULL OF SHARDS. DID THEY NOT CHECK THIS LAST MONTH????? THEY TOLD ME 6K TO FIX IT. I BLEW A GASKET. HE CALLED ME BACK A FEW HOURS LATER AND SAID MINI WOULD PROVIDE THE PARTS FOR FREE IF I PAID $1300 LABOR. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE ON THEIR MINI'S, MANY MORE THEN I HAVE SEEN WHEN I HAVE DONE SEARCHES ON OTHER ISSUES. I THINK THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED FROM 3,000 TO 5,000. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER PROCEEDING TO SLOW DOWN DURING TRAVEL BETWEEN 50-70 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH WHEN HE LEANED FORWARD TO ADJUST HIMSELF ON THE SEAT, THE SEAT BROKE AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD ANY WARRANTY TO REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD THE SEAT WELDED SO THAT HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61419. UPDATED 05/06/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING, WHEN SHE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HAS NO LOCK FORWARD AND THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST THROWN FORWARD INTO THE WINDSHIELD. UPDATED 07/14/10.*JB

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE @ 49,000 MILES. *TR

1/10/2010, I MY HEATER WAS BLOWING COLD AIR AND MY ENGINE TEMP INDICATOR WAS JUMPING AROUND. I CALLED MINI OF TOWSON AND TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I REMINDED THEM THAT BOTH AIR BAG AND FLAT TIRE INDICATORS HAD BEEN FLICKERING ON AND OFF SINCE THE LAST TIME I CAME IN ON JUNE OF 2009 AND THAT AS OF A FEW WEEKS AGO THEY HAD BOTH REMAINED ON. AT THAT TIME, NO ONE TOOK MY INQUIRY SERIOUSLY AND I WAS TOLD THE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AS A RESULT OF THE PAST REQUIRED ENGINE WORK FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM AND ENGINE, AND A SLOW LEAK IN ONE OF MY TIRES, WHICH I WAS INSTRUCTED TOO MONITOR BY FILLING-UP WHEN LOW AND TO IGNORE. I WAS INFORMED RECENTLY THAT I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR ($1000). I HAVE READ MANY OF POSTS ON THE MINIUSA WEBSITE THAT SAY THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINI'S BEING WIRED INCORRECTLY FORM THE MANUFACTURER; SOMETHING THAT COULD BE AVOIDED WITH EARLY DETECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE INITIAL FAULTY INDICATOR LIGHTING. I WAS ALSO TOLD MY WATER PUMP IS NOW LEAKING COOLANT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ($900); SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN TOLD MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE EARLIER MANUFACTURING DEFECTS I HAD. ALSO, I AM ENROLLED IN THEIR TIRE AND RIM PROTECTION WARRANTY THAT STATES ANY TIRES OR RIMS THAT ARE DAMAGED BY NAILS, POT HOLES, ETC ARE REPLACED FOR FREE. THEY HAVE PATCHED 4 OF MY TIRES FOR NAIL DAMAGE; 3 OUT OF THE 4 TIRES CONTINUE TO LEAK AND I FEEL SHOULD BE REPLACED. LASTLY, MY MINI APPRAISED $6,500 BY THIS DEALER. I ASKED HOW MUCH THE VALUE INCREASES IF I COMPLETELY SERVICE THE CAR AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD INCREASE THE VALUE OF SERVICES RENDERED ($3,100) A TOTAL EST.VALUE OF $9,600. WHEN ASKED WHY MY MINI HAD DEPRECIATED SO MUCH I WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THE CARS EXTENSIVE SERVICE RECORD. SHE SAID BECAUSE OF THE DEPLORABLE SERVICE RECORD, MY CAR COULD NOT BE KEPT BY THE MINI DEALER AND THAT IT HAD TO BE SOLD AT WHOLESALE BECAUSE THE CAR IS CONSIDERED FAULTY. SHE SAID MY MINI WAS NOT SAFE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER RESELL STANDARD. *TR

2006 MINI COPPER S. I BOUGHT IT WITH 15997 MILES ON THE CAR. THE CLUTCH WENT OUT 3000 MILES LATER AND THE MINI DEALERSHIP WAS ASKED TO CHECK OUT THE CAR ESPECIALLY THE CLUTCH ONLY 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED BEFORE THE CLUTCH STOPPED WORKING. NOW THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT IS NOT COVERING BY THE WARRANTY AND THEN INFORMS ME THAT THIS WILL BE THE THIRD CLUTCH TO BE INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE.... ONE WAS REPLACED AT 8000 MILES AND THEN ANOTHER AT 11000 MILES (FIRST OWNER) AND NOW AGAIN AT 19000 MILES. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND I HAVE RESEARCHED WITH MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUES. SOME MAY HAVE STARTED THEIR OWN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.....PLEASE ADVISE! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO LOSE POWER; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT MANAGED TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

WHEN CLOSING THE DRIVER DOOR OF MY VEHICLE THE REAR HATCH WINDOW SHATTERED. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES. HAS NOT RECURRED THIS LAST REPAIR, HOWEVER ONLY REPAIRED 2 MONTHS AGO. HAPPENED FIRST 3/26/07, PARTS HAD TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED AND IT WAS REPAIRED ON 4/17/07; THEN 1/29/08, THEN 6/17/08, AND THEN 10/27/08. EACH TIME THEY MAKE THE SAME REPAIR: PART NUMBER 52 10 6 961 324, REPLACED SENSOR MAT, (OC3 MAT) PASSENGER SEAT, 65 77 604, REMOVED SEAT, REMOVED SEAT COVER, REPLACED SEAT COVER, MAT, AND UPHOLSTERY MATERIAL. THE LIGHT HAS NOT COME BACK ON SINCE LAST REPAIR, HOWEVER IT HAS ONLY BEEN 2 MONTHS. *TR

FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY COOLING FAN COMES ON EACH TIME I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN IT SHUTS OFF AFTER A MINUTE OR SO. SO I THOUGHT THAT THE FAN WAS JUST ACTING UP OR SOMETHING. HOWEVER, YESTERDAY I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS AT THE MAXIMUM (250 DEGREE F) AND THE INDICATOR RED LIGHT HAD COME ON. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AT ABOUT 50-60 MILES PER HOUR ON SIDE ROADS (SO I HAD BEEN STOPPING AT LIGHTS AT INTERVALS). THE WEATHER IS ACTUALLY UNSEASONABLY COOL (60-70 DEGREE F), AND I HAD BEEN CHANGING GEARS (I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC WITH SPORTS DRIVE). SO NATURALLY, WHEN I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE THE COOLING FAN CAME ON AGAIN AND DIDN'T TURN OFF FOR ANOTHER 3-5 MINUTES. SO ON THE WAY BACK, I DROVE AT ABOUT 30 MILES WITH MY HAZARD LIGHT ON AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREE-WAY AND PUT IT ON CRUISE CONTROL. BUT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STILL WENT UP TO ABOUT 3 QUARTERS OF THE WAY AND THE FAN KICKED ON AFTER I PARKED IT AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THE MANUAL SAYS TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE CAR AND LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN IF THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES PAST THE HALF-WAY POINT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER IN 2 DAYS FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A COOLING FAN PROBLEM. BUT THIS SEEMS LIKE AN ENGINE ISSUE. SO I AM PLANNING TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. *TR

MY 2006 BMW MINI COOPERS PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS SHOWING THAT IT IS DEACTIVATED REGARDLESS IF THERE IS A FULL SIZED ADULT OR NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM IN THE SEAT SENSOR OR WIRING BECAUSE IT WILL GO OUT AT TIMES WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR MOVE THE SEAT THEN IT WILL COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM/CONCERN WILL MY PASSENGERS BE PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH SINCE THE AIR BAGS ARE SHOWING THAT THEY ARE SHUT OFF WILL THEY STILL WORK? *TR

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 60 MPH. EXTREMELY LOUD SCREECHING BURST OF SOUND OCCURRED. SOUND WAS SIMILAR TO SMOKE DETECTOR TEST SOUND, LASTING ABOUT A SECOND, BUT HORRIBLY LOUD, ESPECIALLY IN A SMALL ENCLOSED AREA WITH THE WINDOWS UP. NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT. OUR EARS HURT BADLY (I STILL FEEL SOME SORENESS A DAY LATER, AS I NOW WRITE. SIMILAR OCCURRENCES FOR MINI COOPER NOTED IN WEB FORUMS, REFERENCING A POSSIBLE STEREO AMPLIFIER PROBLEM. OUR RADIO WAS NOT ON. FORTUNATELY THE DEALER WAS OPEN (ON SUNDAY) AND WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED TODAY. FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET, WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES VICTIMIZED BY THIS ISSUE. WE ARE ACTUALLY FEARFUL AND UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR, WORRYING THAT AT ANY TIME THIS COULD OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS AN UNNECESSARY HARDSHIP AND DISTRACTION THAT KEEPS US FROM PAYING FULL ATTENTION TO SAFELY DRIVING THE CAR. UNTIL THE DEALER CAN SPECIFICALLY EXPLAIN WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND PERFORM WHATEVER WORK IS NEED TO GUARANTEE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS ONE-YEAR-OLD CAR, BEING CONCERNED THAT I'LL HAVE AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF I STILL FEEL SORENESS IN MY LEFT EAR LATER TODAY, I PLAN TO CONTACT MY DOCTOR. *TR

DURING A SERVICE CALL ON OUR 2006 MINI COOPER, WE WERE INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT STRUT MOUNTS WERE BENT AND DAMAGED. THESE ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND IN ONE CASE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT 20000+ MILES AFTER HITTING A BAD POTHOLE. THE CAR NOW HAS 34000 MILES AND HAD TO HAVE BOTH MOUNTS REPLACED. APPARENTLY THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT MINI/BMW IS NOT WILLING TO CORRECT ALTHOUGH THERE ARE AFTERMARKET REINFORCEMENTS AVAILABLE. A FURTHER SEARCH OF THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT A LOT OF MINI & BMW OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE, IN PARTICULAR THOSE WITH RUN-FLAT TIRES INSTALLED. *TR

THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER AT FREEWAY SPEED AND EVENTUALLY STOPS RUNNING. THE FUEL CUT OFF NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE THIS IS DANGEROUS, NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER ADEQUATE TIME TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE ON FREEWAY AS THE VEHICLE HAS TOTALLY LOST POWER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE. THEY DID NOT STATE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SQUEAKED WHEN IT DROVE OVER A BUMP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS WERE CRACKED AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 MINI COOPER S AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULT CODES IN THE COMPUTER AND WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC 6 SPEED. *TR

PURCHASED A 2007 MINI COOPER IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR, AND THERE ARE TWO ISSUES THEY REFUSE TO LOOK AT OR FIX: 1. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS 7% FASTER THAN THE ACTUAL SPEED. 2. THE ODOMETER REGISTERS 1% MORE THAN THE ACTUAL MILEAGE. THEY CLAIM BOTH OF THESE ARE WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LEVELS. *JB

I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER JOHN COOPER WROKS GP. THE DSC (DIRECTIONAL STABILITY CONTROL), LOW TIRE WARNING LIGHT, AND ABS (ANTI LOCK BRAKING) WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AS I TRAVELED ON THE INTERSTATE. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED TO CAUSE A FAILURE. THE ABS AND DSC SYSTEMS DO NOT WORK, OR WORK INAPPROPRIATELY. DISCUSSING THIS WITH OTHER MINI COOPER OWNERS WITH THE SO CALLED WORKS BRAKES, I FIND OUT IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 8,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

BACK IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2006 I PURCHASED A 06 MINI COOPER S (DEALERS DEMO WITH 380 MILES). THE WEEK AFTER I GOT IT, I NOTICED THAT IT PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE FIRST TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL BECAUSE OF THE ROAD'S PITCH. AFTER THAT I NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT STARTED TO GET BAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK A COUPLE OF THINGS INCLUDING THIS ONE AND THEY IGNORED IT A COUPLE OF TIMES SAYING IT WAS OK. MY BIG SURPRISE WAS YESTERDAY WHEN AFTER HAVING TO LEAVE THE CAR THE WHOLE DAY, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAS ANOTHER ISSUE NAMED "MUSHROOMING". THIS IS WHEN THE CAR GOT A HARD HIT AND THE STRUT TOWER PUSHES UP THE METAL WHERE IS ATTACHED TO CREATING A BUBBLE AND DAMAGING THE ALIGNMENT. HOW CAN THE STRUT TOWER MAKES THIS DAMAGE WITHOUT DAMAGING THE RIM FIRST?... ALL MY RIMS ARE OK, NO BENDS. INITIALLY THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME ALMOST $1700 TO FIX THE WHOLE ISSUE. I SPOKE DIRECTLY WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE TOLD ME THAT AS A GOODWILL GESTURE THEY WOULD REPLACE THE STRUT TOWER, FIX THE PROBLEM AND GIVE ME TWO NEW TIRES, BUT IN EXCHANGE I'D HAVE TO BUY THEM THE TWO REAR TIRES FOR MY CAR FOR A PRICE OF $223.00 PLUS EXTRAS... THIS SOUNDS TO ME LIKE BRIBE... I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THIS "MUSHROOMING" ISSUE AND I'VE FOUND THAT IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT HAS TO BE FIXED WITH AFTERMARKET PIECES AS A "REINFORCEMENT PLATE" AND/OR "STRUT TOWER BRACE". THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE METAL PIECE THAT HOLDS THE STRUT TOWER TO THE CAR IS TOO WEAK, SO THE METAL WOULD BEND SO EASY. THIS ISSUE CAN BE FOUND VERY CLEAR IN FORUMS AS WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM AND "WWW.SUNSHINEMINIS.ORG"; JUST SEARCH FOR "MUSHROOM". MINI WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER ANY PROBLEM RELATED TO HITS. I BELIEVE THEY KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THAT IS WHY THEY TRY TO IGNORE IT ALL THE TIME TELLING THE OWNERS THAT THE WARRANTY DON'T COVER THAT, BUT BEING A FACTORY'S DEFECT THEY HAVE TO FIX IT RIGHT AWAY AT NO CHARGE. *TR

OVERNIGHT A STRESS FRACTURE APPEARED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER WINDSHIELD. TEMPERATURES WERE AROUND 60 F SO WOULD NOT HAVE CONTRIBUTED. THERE WAS A SMALL JUNK OF GLASS BLOWN OUT OF CRACK, BUT NO IMPACT MARKS ALONG CRACK. *JB

I HAVE HAD A SECOND STRESS FRACTURE IN MY FRONT WINDSHIELD IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS AND MINI USA DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH STRESS FRACTURES, BUT WILL NOT FESS UP TO IT. THEY ARE STATING THAT THERE IS A PINHEAD SIZED CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD, BUT SINCE WHEN WILL A PINHEAD SIZED CHIP CREATE A FOOT LONG FRACTURE IN MY WINDSHIELD. *AK

AS THE CLUTCH WAS ENGAGED THERE WAS A GRINDING AND SLIPPING NOISE THAT DEVELOPED FROM FULL STOPS. THIS USUALLY ONLY HAPPENED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE IN FIRST GEAR. THIS BEGAN WITH FEWER THAN 3,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT WAS FIRST MOST NOTICEABLE IN COLD AND WET WEATHER. IT WAS NOW PROGRESSING TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON FORUMS, SUCH AS THE WEBSITE FORUM FOR MINIS, NORTH AMERICAN MOTORING. *AK

BUZZING NOISE ONCE CAR HITS 90 MILES PER HOUR**CC *JB

A BUZZING NOISE ONCE I GET TO 90 MILES PER HOUR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE WINDSHIELD SUSTAINED A SMALL, HAIRLINE FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED A POSSIBLE ROAD HAZARD WAS THE CAUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION WHO DETERMINED THE WINDSHIELD FRACTURED FROM THE INSIDE AND NEEDED REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 2/6/2007 - *NM

THE PLASTIC GAS TANK OF THE 2006 MINI COOPER WAS PUNCTURED BY DEBRIS ON RT 3 NEAR CHELMSFORD, MASSACHUSETTS. SEVERAL GALLONS OF GASOLINE WERE LOST DUE TO THE PUNCTURE. *JB

CRACKED WINDSHIELD WITH NO IDENTIFIABLE IMPACT MARKS. LOCATED JUST BEHIND AND TO THE LEFT (IF SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT) OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. IT WASN'T THERE WHEN I DROVE TO WORK IN THE MORNING BUT WAS THERE WHEN I WENT TO MY CAR AT 5PM. *NM

I WAS DRIVING MY BRAND NEW MINI COOPER S, HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON THE INTERSTATE, I WAS CUT OFF BY A SPEEDING CAR WHEN I WAS TRYING TO CHANGE LANES. I BEGAN TO BRAKE AND TRIED TO GO BACK IN MY LANE (I DID NOT OVER-CORRECT), AND MY CAR BEGAN FISH TAILING WILDLY AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I COULD NOT CONTROL MY CAR FROM PULLING TO THE RIGHT, AND MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AT ALL. I FOUGHT THE CAR, BUT I INEVITABLY WAS FORCED ACROSS THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH INTO A TREE, AND SLID UNDER A FENCE. I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT I WAS BRUISED AND VERY VERY UPSET. I CRIED FOR A WEEK, AND EVEN AFTER THAT I WAS SO DEPRESSED I DID NOTHING FOR A LONG TIME. HAD THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED A FEW MILES UP THE ROAD, I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY BEING THROWN OFF A CLIFF. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE LOOK AT THE CAR. THE FRONT PASSENGER BRAKE WAS DEEMED FAULTY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT AN "UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR". FROM THEIR OWN DOCUMENTS " NON-DESTRUCTIVE HARDNESS TESTS ON BOTH FRONT ROTORS SHOWED AN ABNORMAL VARIANCE ON THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR MATERIAL." ALLSTATE HAS REPEATEDLY TRIED TO GET BMW TO REIMBURSE THEM, AND US FOR THE AMOUNTS OF MONEY WE ARE OUT. BMW CONSISTENTLY CLAIMS THAT THE DAMAGE IS IMPACT RELATED, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IMPACTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WHERE THE FAULTY BRAKE WAS DISCOVERED. THEY HAVE HOWEVER ASKED TO HAVE THE ROTOR SENT TO GERMANY FOR ANALYSIS, WHICH ALLSTATE WILL NOT DO. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN DONE TO THE CAR, IT WAS TOTALED OUT. ALLSTATE IS GOING TO HAVE TO SUE TO GET THE MONEY THEY ARE OUT, AND WE ARE OUT. BMW REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY IN ANY WAY, AND HAS ONLY OFFERED US A $1000 REBATE IN RETURN, WHICH IS LESS MONEY THAN WE ARE CURRENTLY OUT. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW, WE HAD ONLY HAD IT FOR 3 HOURS, AND IT NEVER MADE IT HOME. BMW HAS BEEN NEGLIGENT ON IT'S REFUSAL TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. *JB

MORE OF A COMMENT RATHER THAN A COMPLAINT. YOU HAVE OMITTED MINI COOPER FROM YOUR DROP DOWN MENU SELECTION OF VEHICLE MAKES. THESE VEHICLES ARE MANUFACTURED BY BMW, BUT I COULD NOT FIND MINI COOPER LISTED UNDER BMW AND ITS NOT LISTED BY ITSELF AS A SEPARATE VEHICLE MAKE. THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND ATTENTION TO MY COMMENT. *JB

AFTER A RIDE IN MY 2006 MINI COOPER, I REACHED INTO THE BACK (HATCHBACK) TO GET OUT MY BAG AND BURNED MY LEG ON THE EXHAUST PIPE. BMW/MINI SAID THAT EVERYTHING IS TO SPEC, BUT I THINK IT IS A BAD DESIGN THAT IT STICKS OUT JUST A LITTLE FURTHER THAN THE BUMPER AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. I WILL HAVE A SCAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY LEG DUE TO THIS DESIGN. *JB

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE RECOMMENDED SPEED OF 65 MPH WITH MORE THAN SUFFICIENT SPACE BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND A SMALL PEBBLE SMALLER THAN THE ERASER ON A PENCIL HIT THE TOP OF MY WINDSHIELD AND MADE A SMALL STAR CRACK - THIS CRACK IS SMALLER THAN THE HEAD OF A NAIL. THE CRACK CONTINUED TO GROW INTO AN L SHAPE, 5 INCHES LONG RIGHT BEHIND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MINI WINDSHIELD AND THE PROBLEM IS FIXED ONCE YOU REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WITH A THICKER GLASS. THIS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURIES HAD A BIGGER ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

I STARTED LEASING MY MINI COOPER IN 11/2005. I HAD LEASED CARS WITH MITSUBUSHI PRIOR TO THIS FOR 8 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS. RECENTLY, I WAS COMING HOME FROM THE AIRPORT IN MY MINI COOPER. IT STARTED TO "CLUNK", SEIZED, I PULLED OVER - THEN BLACK AND GREEN FLUID STARTED POURING OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE ROADSIDE SERVICE SENT A TOW TRUCK TO PICK ME UP. I SAT IN 95 DEGREE HEAT ON I-95 FOR 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES WAITING FOR THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK CAME AND WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST BMW DEALER - THE DEALER I LEASED FROM - PRINCETON BMW. THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS ONLY 8 1/2 MONTHS OLD AND HAD 6,300 MILES ON IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REASON WAS THAT THE CAR HAD GONE THROUGH WATER AND THIS WAS NOT COVERED. 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, I WENT THROUGH WATER ON A REGULAR STREET IN MY AREA, THE CAR STOPPED, I STARTED IT UP AND WENT ON MY WAY. I THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE CAR DOWN THE SHORE, TO WORK, ETC WITH NO PROBLEMS, NO ENGINE LIGHT OR WARNING SIGNS. ON JULY 9, I DROVE TO THE AIRPORT, PARKED THE CAR, AND WENT ON A BUSINESS TRIP. ON JULY 11TH THE INCIDENT ON 95 OCCURRED. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT WAS NOT ABLE TO GO THROUGH WATER ON A STREET. *JB

I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TODAY BUT WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT CONTACTED WITH MY INFORMATION. THANK YOU. *JB

MINI COOPER, MINI COOPER S AND CONVERTIBLES, DATING 2002-2006. GLASS PITS AND CRACKS EASILY. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, MINI IS NOT CLAIMING THE GLASS HAS A PROBLEM AND YOU MUST REPLACE AT YOUR OWN COST OR THROUGH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. HAVE HAD 2 CARS, AND NUMEROUS FRIENDS WITH THESE CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

DEAR OFFICER, I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLIANT ABOUT A DEFECTIVE 2006 MINI COOPER WINDSHIELD PROBLEM. I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2006 MINI COOPER FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS, BUT THERE WAS A COUPLE OF LINE CRACKS ON THE WINDSHIELD ALREADY. THE PROBLEM IS NOT EVEN CAUSED BY A ROCK CHIP AND I THINK IT IS A "STRESS" CRACK THAT MANY MANY MINI COOPER BUYERS HAS EXPERIENCED. I TOOK THAT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM IF IT IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY DENIED IT WAS CAUSED BY STRESS CRACKS AND REFUSED TO FIX IT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE UNDER INVESTIGATION. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL GET BMW/MINI COOPER ATTENTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR AT LEAST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *JB

WINDSHIELD CRACK APPEARED OVER NIGHT. *NM

BRAND NEW MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE (1 WEEK OLD). I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY IN THE LEFT MOST LANE. WHILE I WAS CHECKING THE POSSIBILITY TO CHANGE TO THE RIGHT LANE, THE FREEWAY CURVED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THE CAR ENTERED SLIGHTLY INTO THE SHOULDER LANE ON THE LEFT. THE SPEED WAS 65 MPH. THE MOMENT PART OF THE CAR ENTERED THE SHOULDER LANE, IT LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE SHOULDER. AS A RESULT, THE CAR FLIPPED OVER AND DRAGGED FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. AS A RESULT OF THIS CRASH, I INCURRED SEVERE EYE INJURY AND SIGNIFICANT HEAD INJURY IN ADDITION TO ROAD RASHES ON HEAD, HANDS AND FACE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER MODEL S. THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASE AT 130 MILES THE VEHICLE STALLED AND OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL OUT COMPLETELY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH BRAKE PRESSURE APPLIED, THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND STRUCK A TREE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE, BUT NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE ENGINE. *AK UPDATED 3/3/2006 - *NM