2007 Mini Cooper Problems & Complaints

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact, who was an independent mechanic, researched and diagnosed the failure with water damage to the junction box electronics. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall that had a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not under recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that water was entering the vehicle through the sunroof. The contact stated that the water was collecting inside the headliner and would overflow and leak down the driver’s and passenger’s side sun visors and into the electronics of the footwell. Additionally, the front driver’s and passenger’s seats, floorboards, and dashboard would become soaked from moisture. Due to the failure, the vehicle would fail to start or operate as needed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. An independent mechanic was notified about the failure and the contact was advised to park the vehicle outside as the failure could cause the vehicle to catch on fire. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

The airbag warning light randomly remains on. From what I understand this is a known issue as there has been previous recalls by Mini. This could potentially mean the airbag system is faulty and non-operational. Based on online searches, it seems like a lot of there problem are wiring problems though, bad connections. The previous recalls should be extended further, as there are other cars with the same problem, like mine.

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the sunroof was inoperative. The contact waited for several minutes for the sunroof to return to normal operation. The "Passenger Air Bag Disabled" message was displayed on the instrument panel; however, the passenger’s seat was occupied. The infotainment system was unintentionally turned on while the vehicle was turned off. The check engine and low tire pressure warning light were intermittently illuminated. The failures occurred on several different occasions. The contact stated that there was no local dealer; a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.

On almost all r56 model mini coopers the passenger seat occupancy sensor has a major malfunction that causes it to fail and pop up an airbag sensor light even when someone is sitting in the seat, Mini USA did not issue a recall but rather a reimbursement form for owners in 2017 the last year of production for that car and did not publicly disclose this. I feel as though this should be a recall as it is common enough for bypass devices to be normal for this car

[XXX]. Mini Cooper 2007-2013: Recalls and TSB. My car is part of a recall under MINI Recall for Timing Chains. I understand now it was settled as part of a class action lawsuit that extended the warranty. I always take my car to a dealer and now after mileage they told me that they want me to pay out of my pocket. My car is a 2007 S. My mileage is 105,000K miles. The recall notice is for the year of my car and they are saying my car is too old and the mileage. This recall is for the year of my car so I am not understanding. Upon inspection by the dealer, it and needs to be replaced and cost $4,100.00. I don't have that kind of money. . My name is [XXX], [XXX]., [XXX], [XXX]. Phone #[XXX]. The dealership is Mini Cooper 1660 E.Spring Street, Long Beach Ca 90806. I never received this recall notice and knew of this only because I took my car to the dealer for something else related for the 3rd time.

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated the key fob failed to lock and unlock the vehicle, causing the contact to manually lock and unlock the vehicle. The contact also stated that the radio would change stations or power off independently. The vehicle had been taken to an electrician who referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The open recall for this vehicle has been open for 15 months now. Meanwhile my wife's car remains broken down with a bad footwell module due to the exact reason the recall is being issued. I contacted mini and they said I'd have to pay for repairs out of pocket and apply for reimbursement after they come up with a remedy. I have issues with this for a few reasons. First, the repair is costly. Second, it's already been over a year since the recall has been issued, and still no remedy so who knows when they'll actually have one. Third, they said that even if I pay for repairs out of pocket there's no guarantee I'd get reimbursed for them. In my opinion, for something as serious as this recall, the manufacturer should be on the clock to determine the remedy and repair customers cars. It would be nice if BMW/Mini would get some pressure to get this resolved so the my wife and the thousands of other people affected by this can enjoy the vehicles they spent their hard earned money on without worry that it might spontaneously burst into flames.

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine, ABS, and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning lights remained illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the foot well control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000.

The vehicle has been presenting issues with breaks, electrical issues, turning off while driving, misfires, air bags don't work, ADAS sometimes don't work, the vehicle chokes and has difficulty running at times, among other issues. There has been a recall since last year and I've tried contacting the manufacturer multiple times, but the issue has not been fixed yet. All of these problems are a great safety hazard for me and my family while on the road.

My Mini Cooper was rendered unsafe to drive as most of the exterior lights (i.e., headlights, brake lights, turn signals) stopped working--all at once. A local mechanic verified that the electrical short resulted from a severely corroded Footwell Control Module, which is the subject of the recall (Recall No. 23V-337, July 2023) for which a "Remedy is Unavailable." When contacted, a case management specialist of BMW of North America could tell me only that a remedy is not yet available. Again, the car is unsafe to drive as it lacks exterior lighting. As such, I am forced to purchase another vehicle as the Mini Cooper sits unusable.

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

[XXX] . Airbag sensor recall. My car is part of a recall under MINI Recall 23V-xxx: Footwell Module. I took my car to a dealer and they told me that they would not repair it because my car is a 2007. My mileage is 102,000K miles. The notice says Im covered but they say im not. The recall notice is for the year of my car and they are saying my car is too old. This recall is for the year of my car so I am not understanding. A light comes on that shows the passenger airbag. Upon inspection by the dealer, it is a faulty seat mat sensor and needs to be replaced and cost $2,120.56. I dont have that kind of money. This should be addressed under the recall. My name is [XXX] , [XXX] . Phone [XXX] . The dealership is Mini Cooper Downtown Los Angeles. 6333 S Almeda Los Angeles Ca 90001. I never received this recall notice and knew of this only because the light indicator came on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I was notified in July 2023 by NHTSA of the potential failure of the Footwell Control Module and subsequent potential "thermal event which could increase the risk of a fire of injury." Apparently, a fix for this issue has not been developed yet. I am afraid to keep my car in the garage, which is attached to my house. 7 months. Does BMW engineering really not know how to replace this poorly-designed component?

Seat belt warning for passenger seat stays on despite buckling the seat belt. I suspect the air bag deployment is therefore not functioning.

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Restraint System Malfunction Fault in passenger-restraint system effecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Having to replace passenger seat or sensor to indicate I have a passenger so the airbag will deploy. It looks like there may have been a recall for this in the past according to an article I found, but my VIN does not come up as needing this item replaced. Cost is approximately $800.

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the parking brake engaged, and the vehicle came to a stop. The contact manually pulled the parking brake lever several times until the parking brake released. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

On 2014 a Class Action Lawsuit was filed against BMW OF NORTH AMERICA for claims regarding MINI COOPER models. Answering your questions as follows: -The failing component was the timing chain tensioner -Yes, engine stalled at any speed -No, dealer did not acknowledge the real problem -No, dealer did not told me about the Class Action Lawsuit, did not advice me of any preventive repair or to install a new timing chain tensioner, when the component failed dealer told me that the problem was a jumping timing chain ; the same excuse as in the lawsuit. -There was only an engine light, not any other warning light There were two repairs, the first for $ 2,629.10 on 6/18/2016 the second for $ 3,354.93 on 1/13/2017 dealer had a two years parts and labor warranty that didn't honor and in 2016 the lawsuit was active and not of my knowledge. My question is: if the production numbers engraved on the timing chain tensioner cylinder face match or are part of the production batch from the factory for which the class action lawsuit took place ? Numbers top line: 7565868 80-02 Lower line: IV/ IS GERMANY 3 1 0 This is looks like half cero All components (parts) and the vehicle are available for inspection. Once engine is out of timing pistons will hit the valves (interference engine), in my engine broke at least one valve seat, pieces fell into combustion chamber getting stuck between pistons and cylinder walls scratching these, result lost of compression, engine die. Engine was beyond any repair, and still was charged for. Lawsuit for vehicles manufactured goes to April 2007 mine was February 2007 Neither the MINI COOPER dealer or BMW North America corporate offices paid any attention to my complaint.

There is a warning light of airbag. But it havent reported when i purchased by a previous owner and carfax as well

2007 mini cooper s airbag light with warning on navigation screen saying seat belt tensioner or belt force limiter has a problem and passenger airbag is off. Odometer is 76,000 when problem started.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER SCHOMP MINI (1001 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129 (303) 872-5752) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMAL HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,867.

PASSENGER OCCUPANCY AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED, MINI HAS OFFERED A RECALL FOR SIMILAR MODELS BUT ONLY THE CONVERTIBLE AND NOT THE HARD-TOP; HOWEVER THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THE NON CONVERTIBLES. IT'S INCREDIBLY UNSAFE FOR THE SENSOR TO GO OFF AND NOT BE RESET. I WOULD LIKE MINI TO RECALL AND REPAIR ALL MODELS WITH THAT SENSOR THAT FAILS, NOT JUST CONVERTIBLE MODELS.

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY, WAS NOT STARTED AND WAS UNATTENDED, HAD NOT BEEN STARTED IN OVER A WEEK AND KEYS WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES WHICH BURNED THE ENGINE BAY AND FRONT END OF THE CAR BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH FOAM. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING UNSTARTED FOR OVER A WEEK. I AM UNSURE OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE AND BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE BAY I COULD NOT DETERMINE WERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. PERHAPS A PROFESSIONAL FIRE EXAMINER COULD DETERMINE THAT. I AM BLESSED THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE BUT WAS SCARY. I JUST WANT THIS INCIDENT ON RECORD SO THAT OTHERS WHICH OWN THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF VEHICLE CAN BE WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND HAD A COUPLE OF UPDATES DONE PER BMW SUCH AS THE TAILPIPES AND TIMING CHAIN IN THE ENGINE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY ADDITIONAL RECALLS OR UPDATES BUT APPARENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INCIDENCES OF FIRES SUCH AS MINE WHICH I LEARNED ABOUT AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET TO SEE IF SIMILAR ISSUES HAD BEEN DOCUMENTED. I WILL ATTACH A FEW PICTURES FOR YOU TO HELP WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION WILL BE SOME HELP TO OTHERS IN PREVENTING A SIMILAR SITUATION. I THANK GOD NO ONE WAS INJURED OR PROPERTY DAMAGED OTHER THAN MY CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MADE A REPORT BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE JUST A RESPONSE TO A FIRE. *TR

VACUUM PUMP AND WATER PUMP NEED TO BE REPLACE

THERMOSTAST HOUSING REPLACEMENT AND WATER PIPE. COOLING SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE FLUSH. ENGINE REBUILD DUE OVER HEATING. OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACEMENT. TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT. THERMOSTAST REPLACEMENT.

PROBLEM 1: CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 50,000 JUST AFTER WARRANTY. UNABLE TO SHIFT ON HIGHWAY, HAD TO STAY IN LOW GEAR. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. IT FAILED A SECOND TIME, WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 80,000. I BELIEVE IT IS FAILING AGAIN AS THE CLUTCH IS SLIPPING IN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS; MINI COOPER SAYS THEY NOTE NO PROBLEM. PROBLEM 2: TIMING CHAIN. PARKED, MY CAR WOULD NOT START EASILY; STARTED ON 3RD TRY. MY CAR STALLED, STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN DUE TO TRAFFIC. RESTARTED AND CONTINUED. NO ENGINE LIGHT. DRIVING TO MINI SERVICE, CAR STALLED COMING IN; HAD TO COAST IN. FOUND TO BE TIMING CHAIN, VALVETRONIC ECCENTRIC SHAFT, PERHAPS PARTS FALLING INTO OIL PAN. $2800 IN REPAIRS. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT LAW SUITS OR RECALLS OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS BECAUSE I'VE HAD MAJOR PERFORMANCE ISSUES, MINI COOPER STATED NO KNOWN SUITS EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE. I FIND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SUITS, AND I "MISSED THE WINDOW" FOR THE TIMING CHAIN.

PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR ON 2007 MINI COOPER FAULTED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON BMW AND MINI COOPERS EXCEPT FOR THIS BASE MODEL. DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE $1800. TO FIX I WOULD THINK THE PARTS FOR THIS CAR ARE THE SAME. SHOULD BE RECALLED.

PASSENGER SEAT MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR/PAD HAS GONE BAD AGAIN AFTER THE RECALL.*DT SAFETY RECALL REPORT XXX-XXX 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MINI S 2007 FOR MORE THAN A YEAR WITH NO SERIOUS ISSUES OTHER THAN ONE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISSUE, WHICH WAS RESOLVED SIMPLY BY A MECHANIC CHECK AT BMW SERVICE CENTER. ON SUNDAY EVENING MAY 26, 2019, AS I WAS PLANNING TO GO OUT, I OBSERVED THE STEERING ALERT SIGN ON. I TRIED RESTARTING AND SHUTTING OFF ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES THINKING IT MAY BE AN ELECTRONIC ABERRATION WHICH MAY BE KICKED AWAY BY BRUTE FORCE OF RESTARTING THE IGNITION. AFTER 30-45 MINUTES OF THIS FRUITLESS EXERCISE, I TURNED MY ATTENTION ONLINE WHERE I FOUND NUMEROUS AUTO BLOGS OF STARTING THE CAR WITH JUMPERS BATTERY TO REPLACING POWER STEERING FLUID. SINCE MINI SERVICE WAS CLOSED, I HAD TO SEEK HELP FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY SENT A PERSON AFTER TWO HOURS TO USE JUMPERS, BUT THAT DID NOT HELP EITHER. WE WERE ABLE TO CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID , AND THAT WAS ALSO FULL TO THE MARK. ON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE, I DISCOVERED TO MY UTTER DISAPPOINTMENT THAT MINI COOPERS HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH POWER STEERING ISSUES DUE TO INHERENT FLAW OF PLACEMENT AND DESIGN OF POWER STEERING PUMP. IT IS VERY WELL DOCUMENTED ACROSS REPUTED CAR JOURNALS/MAGAZINES THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WILL DEFINITELY HAPPEN IN MINI COOPERS, AND THE ONLY VARIABLE IS THE TIME. I WAS THOROUGHLY CRESTFALLEN GIVEN I HAD PLACED SO MUCH TRUST IN THE BRAND AND THE QUALITY OF MINI COOPER. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMPLAINT IS TWO PRONGED- ONE IS OBVIOUSLY TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROBLEM ONCE AGAIN AND MAKING SURE MINI ENGINEERS SOLVE THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESSES. SECOND- IS TO REQUEST TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING ISSUE FIXED IN MY CAR BY MINI. GIVEN THAT THE ISSUE HAS BASIS IN THE INHERENT FLAW OF THE DESIGN, I BELIEVE MINI COOPER WILL WAIVE OFF THE COST OF SERVICES AND PARTS TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. THIS IS NOT USUAL WEAR AND TEAR WHOSE COSTS SHOULD BE BORNE BY THE CUSTOMER.

THE TURBOCHARGER HAD TO BE REPLACED, NEW TURBO GOT HOT AND MELTED THE VALVE COVER. THEN THE TURBOCHARGER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IN MOTION IN A RURAL NEIGHBORHOOD. ALL WITHIN 6 MONTHS.

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE AND MESSED UP THE ENGINE

TO THE RIGHT OF MY GAS PEDAL IN MY CAR GETS SUPER HOT! IT REACHES OVER 207 FAHRENHEIT DEGREES. IT GETS WORSE WHEN I USE MY AC. WHEN I WEAR MY FLIP FLOPS IT BURNS MY TOES.

MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY @ BRAMAN BMW WPB (5612423210) FOR A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME AND NOTIFIED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE INSIDE THE ENGINE & COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE MOTOR. TE TIMING CHAIN JOB ALONE ESTIMATE IS $3800, BUT THEYVE NOTIFIED ME THAT THE ENGINE IS UNREPAIRABLE & MUST BE REPLACED! THEY ALSO FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS HAPPEN WHILST DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE, ALMOST CAUSING A HUGE ACCIDENT!! PLEASE HELP!! MINI APPARENTLY CARES MORE ABOUT MONEY THAN LIVES!!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO BRAMAN MINI OF PALM BEACH (2815 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409, (561) 257-4774). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SERVICE CAMPAIGN WAS ONLY TO ADDRESS REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S GUIDELINES OF THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD APPROVE THE DEALER REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE A 2007 MINI COOPER THAT ONLY HAS 84000 MILES AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TIME CHAIN REPLACE 4 TIMES. THE REPAIR GARAGE IS TELLING ME THAT MINI KEEPS UPDATING THE KITS FOR EVERY REPAIR. THE TIME CHAIN WAS REPLACED IN 2009, 2012,2016,2018. ONCE THING THEY DID TELL ME THAT I DON'T KEEP ENOUGH OIL IN THE CAR, BUT IF THE OIL LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON HOW AM I TO KNOW THIS. I DON'T HAVE $2000.00 TO $2500.00 EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS TO KEEP GETTING THE CAR REPAIRED. SO I'M THINKING ABOUT GETTING READ OF THE CAR. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM.

THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN, SO I HAD IT REPLACED IN THE RECALL PROGRAM THAT WAS OFFERED THROUGH MINI COOPER. LESS THEN 2 YEARS LATER, MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE AGAIN, AND HAS DAMAGED THE MOTOR OF MY CAR. IT WOULD NOT START

TRANSMISSION ISSUE: WHEN INDICATOR DISPLAY OF TRANSMISSION STATUS IS NOT THE SAME AS SELECTED ON THE STICK. THEREFORE, CAR ALWAYS STUCK WHEN EVER TRANSMISSION IS PUT ON PARK MODE. SAFETY ISSUE IS MOST PEOPLE LAND THE TRANSMISSION ON NEUTRAL MODE TO AVOID LOCKING WHEN PARKING. THIS ISSUE CAN EFFECT SAFETY WHEN PARKED ON UP OR DOWN HILL CAUSE IT'S NOT ON PARKED MODE.

POWER STEERING FAILURE AT 71,000 MILES. ONE DAY THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE AND THE NEXT DAY WHEN STARTED, THE POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT WENT ON AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING.

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR GOES ON AND OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. LIGHT INDICATORS AND ALARMS SOUND INTERMITTENTLY. PASSENGER AIR BAGS ARE TURNED OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS SEATED AND CAR IS MOVING. IF THERE IS NO PASSENGER THIS DOES NOT OCCUR.

MY CAR IS LITTLE OVER 102,000 MILES. IT SUDDENLY STOPPED, NEAR MY HOUSE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO START AGAIN. REPLACED BATTERY, HOWEVER FOUND OUT THAT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. WARRANTY REPORTED BY MINI EXPIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR. THIS COULD BE SAFETY ISSUE, IF CAR STOPS IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY.

PASSENGER SEAT GOT WET WINDOW LEFT OPEN WHILE PARKO

TIMING CHAIN MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN STARTED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF NASHVILLE (LOCATED AT 1572 MEMORY LANE NASHVILLE, TN 37027 615-340-7098) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

TAKATA RECALL. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I SAT IN MY CAR ONE DAY AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER HEAD AIRBAG HAS FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN USED. HAVING THE AIRBAG FAIL ON A RANDOM DAY IS VERY DANGEROUS, CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED THAT DAY AND THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE NEVER PROTECTED THE DRIVER. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING AND INCREDIBLY STRANGE FOR AN AIRBAG TO FAIL.

PASSENGER DOOR SEAL FAILED RESULTING IN FLOODING OF THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE. MOISTURE CAUSED THE STARTING SENSOR TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. THERE WAS ALSO RAPID GROWTH OF MOLD IN THE VEHICLE FROM THIS MOISTURE. THE ONLY RESOLUTION WAS TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE INTERIOR, SHAMPOO THE CARPET, AND DRY EVERYTHING OUT. ON-LINE RESEARCH (AFTER THE FACT) REVEALED THAT APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A RECALL ISSUED.

THE AIR BAG/SEAT BELT SYSTEM INDICATOR LAMPS ON THE DASH (BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL) AND IN THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER (CENTER OF DASHBOARD) ARE ON WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY FASTENED. THIS BEGAN ON ABOUT 12/21/2014 WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 81,190 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER THAT I CONTACTED THE MOTORWERKS MINI, BLOOMINGTON, MN, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I ALSO CONTACTED MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND CHECKED THE NHTSA.GOV SITE TO CONFIRM THIS. I KEPT WATCHING THE TAKATA RECALLS, BUT MY CAR WAS NEVER INCLUDED. I ALSO CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS SEVERAL MORE TIME, BUT GOT THE SAME ANSWER. THEN ON 5/11/17, WE RECEIVED A LIMITED EXTENDED WARRANTY LETTER FROM MINI THAT COVERED THE SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT MINI'S "POLICY" WAS TO FIRST HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AT A MINI DEALER 'AT OUR COST'. WE WENT AHEAD AND DID THAT, PAID ALMOST $148.50, ONLY TO BE TOLD THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE COMPUTER, OR POSSIBLY THE WIRING HARNESS AND NEITHER OF THOSE ISSUES ARE COVERED BY THE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST RANGED FROM ABOUT $1,300-$4,000. I HAVE THE DEALERSHIP INVOICE (#1MCS838674), DATED 5/19/17 (ODOMETER 97,852) IF NEEDED. AS OF TODAY, JUNE 8, 2017, THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON AND THE ODOMETER READS 98,069 MILES (SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS). I AM REQUESTING THAT THE NHTSA REVIEW THIS ISSUE TO DETERMINE IF IS SYSTEMIC AND MIGHT WARRANT A FURTHER INVESTIGATION OR A MANDATED RECALL. IF MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS'''''..

CAR CRASH MAY 30, 2017, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING GREAT BODILY INJURY TO DRIVER.. DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH IN TOWN AT AROUND 10:30 A.M.. DRIVER HAD A STROKE, PASSED OUT, CROSSED OVER TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF ROAD AND HIT AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED CAR. THAT CAR HIT ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE AND CHAIN REACTION LEFT FOUR CARS IN THE ACCIDENT. STATE FARM OR GENE'S AUTO BODY SHOP HAVE PHOTOS.

THIS CAR HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT USER OF OIL. IT USES A QUART AT ABOUT 500 MILES. THIS ENGINE HAS A REPUTATION FOR PROBLEMS ON MINI COOPER S MODELS AND THE PEUGEOT MODELS WITH THAT SAME ENGINE. I'VE HEARD THAT LATER MODELS DON'T BURN OIL. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHY BMW HAS NOT RECALLED THEM. FIRST THE TIMING CHAIN, COOLING SYSTEM AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP., THEY PAID FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE FUEL PUMP.

THE "PASS AIR BAG OFF" WITH SEAT ICON/2 LIGHT (LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR) BEGAN TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE ODOMETER READ ABOUT 50,000 MILES. THE LIGHT CAME ON PERMANENTLY AT AROUND 70,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED, DID NOT FIND A LOOSE CONNECTION, AND SAID THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED THE MINI CORPORATION BUT WERE INFORMED THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR OTHER 2007 MINI COOPER PASSENGER SEAT SENSORS FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE TWO-DOOR HARDTOP. WE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AT OUR OWN EXPENSE.

MINI COOPER S - NUMEROUS ISSUES FOUND HAVING PURCHASED A USED 2007 MINI COOPER S FROM A SMALL DEALER IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, WE DID OUR RESEARCH UP-FRONT WITH A 'CARFAX REPORT' WHICH SHOWED NO ISSUES, WE ALSO DID A VIN DATABASE SEARCH FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NO OPEN RECALLS AND ASSUMED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO PURCHASE WHICH WE DID FOR JUST OVER $5,000. NOW THAT WE ARE NEARING A YEAR INTO OUR 4-YEAR PAYMENT PLAN, ON JANUARY 17, 2016, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-75 IN GEORGIA AND AT APPROX. MILE MARKER 211, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND SHE REQUIRED A TOW OFF THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY- BUT IT SEEMS THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED OUR CASE' UPON ATTEMPTING REPAIRS, WE FIND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE (2007 R56/N16 4 CYLINDER TURBOCHARGED) INCLUDING TIMING CHAIN, WATER PUMP, VACUUM PUMP, ETC' BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF REMOVED PARTS FROM THE ENGINE ' THE VACUUM PUMP SEIZED AND BENT THE METAL COMPONENTS ' SINCE THIS IS CONNECTED TO THE 'EXHAUST CAMSHAFT', WHEN IT SEIZED IT SEIZED THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ' ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THIS CAMSHAFT IS A SPROCKET WHICH CONNECTS THE TIMING CHAIN (ANOTHER KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE) ' THE BOLT AND SPROCKET DROPPED INTO THE ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN AREA, CREATING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH IT APPEARS WE ARE GOING TO BE 'LEFT HOLDING THE BAG' FOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

ENGINE, THERMOSTAT, GASKET, RADIATOR, COOLANT TUBE, AND BATTERY WENT OUT ON THE V AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND JUST STOP RUNNING.

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ERRATIC, SOMETIMES IT WORKS, MOST TIMES NOT.

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS LIT AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF, THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE OTHERS HAVE HAD. ALSO THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE CONVIRTIBLE 2007 MINIS THAT HAVE A OPEN RECALL TO GET THE SENSOR FIXED.

CAR STARTED OF FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE BRAKES FAILED AS I WAS TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. HAD TO PULL THE E-BRAKE TO STOP AND BY THIS TIME THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. PASSENGER HAD TO CRAWL OUT THE DRIVERS SIDE BECAUSE OF THE FLAMES ON THAT SIDE. LUCK TO HAVE GOTTEN OUT AS THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED IN 10 MINS

WE ARE A SECOND OWNER OF THIS MINI COOPER HAD IT ABOUT A YEAR. TURN THE CAR ON AND HEAR A RATTLE IN MOTOR. WORSE WHEN IT'S COLD. TOOK IT IN TO BE CHECKED IT THE TIMING TENSIONER. APPARENTLY THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS FOR SOMETIME. REPAIR COST IS AROUND $2000. CAR ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES THIS PART SHOULD BE PROVIDED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT WHEN IT BREAKS IT AFFECTS THE MOTOR AS WELL BECAUSE IT IS METAL IT TEARS THE MOTOR UP. MAKING A 10 DOLLAR PART COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR REPAIR. I DON'T FEEL LIKE I AM LIABLE FOR THE EXPENSE THAT MINI KNEW WAS A PROBLEM AND NEVER RECALLED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MALFUNCTIONED AND/OR WAS FAULTY. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

DRIVING PA TURNPIKE WHEN MY 2007 MINICOOPER TEMP LIGHT CAME ON, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED THE OIL AND ENGINE LIGHT. AS THE LIGHTS APPEARED, THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER. IT LOST POWER AS I WAS PULLING OFF THE ROAD. 3 MINUTES TOTAL. SMOKE POURED OUT. I OPENED THE HOLD TO SEE A 3 INCH HOLE MELTED AWAY. I CLOSED THE LID. CONTACTED MINI ROADSIDE SERVICE WHO WOULD NOT HONOR THE TOW. CALLED AAA WHO DID. CALLED MINI OF PITTSBURGH, JASON THOMPSON, WHO ONLY SERVICED MY MINI FOR 4 YEARS AND 35,000 MILES WHEN HE FIRST DIAGNOSED NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. I ASKED MANAGER CHRIS LASKO ABOUT ANY RECALLS? COULD IT BE A LEMON? NO THIS IS UNUSUAL FOR A MINI, WAS THE ANSWER. BEFORE AUTHORIZING REPAIRS I ASKED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE EFFECTS OF OVERHEATING. NO ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHERE FOUND. THEY FELT CONFIDENT RECOMMENDING REPLACING A NEW ENGINE & PARTS. I OKAYED TO PUT IN ALL NEW STARTER, STARTER CORE, ENGINE, ENGINE CORE, ENGINE HARNESS, COLLAR SCREW, PING SENSOR, INTAKE MANIFOLD, CORE RETURN GASKET, IGNITION COILS, COLLAR SCREW, SCREW WITH WASHER, CORE RETURN WITH HEAT PR, SRP BELT, AND COOLANT, A WATER PUMP PULLEY, AND FEW OTHER 20 SOME PARTS TO GET IT BACK ON THE ROAD. A MONTH LATER, I RECEIVED A LETTER REVEALING A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE DURABILITY OF A VAPOR RECOVERY DIAGNOSTIC PUMP ON 07. FEDERAL EMISSIONS DEFECT WARRANTY COVERS 10YEAR OR 120K MILES. I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT IT DID NOT PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE. 2015 DEJA VU AT 64K MILES. I WAS DRIVING, COMMUTING WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I DROVE 2 MILES TO MY MINI DEALER. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX IT BY PUTTING IN A NEW ENGINE. I HAD IT TOWED HOME. I HAVE CALLED & LEFT EMAIL'S WITH BMW/MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE. I HAVE HAD ZERO REPLY FROM THEN. THEY CLAIM TO BE THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE. AS AN ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, I THINK THE MORE HONEST AND REAL CLAIM WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE FARSE MACHINE.

2007 MINI COOPER S, HATCHBACK. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG (OFF) LIGHT, INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISARMED, IS ON AT ALL TIMES REGARDLESS OF PASSENGER. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS FOR MY AIRBAG SYSTEM AND SEATBELT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CODES IDENTIFIED BY THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN HONOLULU INDICATE THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS A FAULT. LOOKING UNDER THE SEAT, IT COULD BE A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS OR FAULTY CONNECTER AS THEY APPEAR VULNERABLE TO SEAT MOVEMENT FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE MINI DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THE OBNOXIOUSLY EXPENSIVE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET WITH MY WIFE THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF IMMEDIATELY. SINCE THEN IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR AND IT WOULD COST $1300 TO REPAIR IT. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 COOPER S BUT NOT FOR THE 2007 MINI COOPER. IT SEEMS TO ME THE SAME PART COULD BE HAVE BEEN USED IN THE SAME MODEL YEAR CAR.

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND CANNOT BE RESET DUE TO A FAULTY OCCUPATION SENSOR. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THIS WILL CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO MALFUNCTION IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND COSTS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

I WAS INFORMED BY MY MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS EXACT PART HAS BEEN THE CAUSE OF A RECALL FOR MINIS MADE THE SAME YEAR AS MINE, BUT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THE SAME PROBLEM THAT GENERATED THE RECALL. I CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE THIS REPAIR MYSELF, AND NEITHER THE MINI DEALER NOR MINI CORPORATE HAS BEEN HELPFUL IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME. I'D LIKE TO REQUEST THAT MY CAR BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OFFICIALLY, SO THAT I CAN COMPLETE THESE REPAIRS. OTHERWISE, I RISK DRIVING UNSAFELY, WITHOUT THE FUNCTION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.

ENGINE WAS RUNNING EXTREMELY ROUGH AND VERY LOUD ENGINE NOISE RATTLE. TOOK THE CAR TO MINI COOPER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN JACKSONVILLE FOR DIAGNOSTIC THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN, THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER 2,800. WHEN MY UNDERSTANDING THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED BY A RECALL TO BE REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE.

MY 2007 MINI COOPER STARTED TO OVERHEAT, DISPLAYING BOTH THE YELLOW AND RED INDICATION LIGHT SIMULTANEOUSLY. I STOPPED, LOOKED AT THE MANUAL AND IT SUGGESTED THAT I TURN THE CAR OFF AND LET IT COOL OFF. I LET MY MINI "COOL DOWN" AND WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START UP. MY CAR IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF, I CALLED MINI COOPER WHICH IS 75 MILES AWAY AND GOT MY CAR TOWED. I WAS TOLD MY ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT FOR 11K. MY MINI WAS CHECKED LESS THAN ONE MONTH AGO AND I RECEIVED NO WARNING THAT MY ENGINE WAS FAILING. MY 2007 MINI ONLY HAS 83,000 FAR FROM THE EXPECTED OVER 100,000 LIFE EXPECTANCY. I WAS TOLD MY ENGINE FAILED DUE TO LOW COMPRESSION AND THE REPLACEMENT OF A THERMOSTAT; A THERMOSTAT THAT HAVEN'T BEEN IN STOCK FOR MONTHS. AFTER GOOGLING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. BMW REFUSE TO RECALL THE THERMOSTAT OR ENGINE, AND IT'S AN OUTRAGE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORST, A FAIR CONDITION, RUNNING 2007 MINI W/83,000 MILES AND PACKAGES VALUE IS LESS THAN 5K, A CLEAR SIGN OF THE WORTH OF A MINI. SUPER SAD CUSTOMER.

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS MOVED FORWARD TO ALLOW ENTRY TO THE REAR SEAT. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET AND BMW HAS RECALLED CARS OLDER AND NEWER THAN MY CAR AND CONVERTIBLES FROM THE SAME YEAR.

PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND CANNOT BE FIXED. PAASENGER SEAT WEIGHT WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS CANNOT BE PURCHASED (6 MONTH BACKLIST). THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT.

OIL FEED LINE LEAKING ON TURBO

LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP CAR HAS TURNED OFF, SOMETIMES IT CRANKS FOR A BIT TO START UP. ALSO WHILE DRIVING LOSSES POWER AND CAR DECELERATES SLOWS DOWN AND ALSO PULLS LIKE IF WAS OUT OF GAS. WHITE SMOKE WHEN YOU PRESS ON GAS.

I ARRIVED IN COUNTRY 2007 HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE CK ENGINE LIGHT AND NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, THE LARGE CHECK ENGINE OVER STERING WHEEL BLK AND ENGINE LIGHT IN HECTOR METER ORANGE. IVE HAD IN SHOP MANY TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM LATEST WAS SEPT 2015 SAID TO CARBIN $1232.00 DECEMBER 2015 $599.00 DRIVING MINIUM THE ENGINE RUN WHEN THE CAR IS ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO PK UP HILL THE WILL MOVE WHEN THE EMG BKS OR UP AND GEIR IN NUTURAL.

I MOVED THE PASSENGER SEAT FORWARD TO LET SOMEONE INTO THE BACK SEAT. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT STARTED TO GO ON AND OFF LATER THAT DAY INDICATING THAT THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT ON FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT. NOW THE LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. I SAW ON THE INTERNET THAT OVER 90,000 OF THESE SENSORS HAVE BEEN RECALLED INCLUDING THE 2007 MINI CONVERTIBLE, BUT NOT MY HARDTOP. WHY IS MY MODEL NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? THIS IS A LITTLE CAR AND I AM AFRAID TO HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH THE AIRBAG DISENGAGED.

WHEN I START MY CAR WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE FROM COLD THERE IS A EXTREMELY LOUD RATTLE KNOCK NOISE IN THE ENGINE. EVEN IF I WAIT FOR IT TO WARM UP WHILE I AM DRIVING THERE IS STILL A LOUD ENGINE NOISE THAT IT MAKE IT SHOULD LIKE IF IT IS A DIESEL ENGINE. AND AFTERWARDS THE ENGINE STALLS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT LOOSES ITS RPM WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO DIE OUT ON THE ROAD WHILE I AM DRIVING IT.

WHEN I START MY CAR WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE FROM COLD THERE IS A EXTREMELY LOUD RATTLE KNOCK NOISE IN THE ENGINE. I WAIT FOR IT TO WARM UP THEN I DRIVE IT THERE IS STILL A LOUD ENGINE NOISE THAT IT MAKE IT SOUND LIKE IF IT IS A DIESEL ENGINE. AND AFTERWARDS THE ENGINE STALLS AND IT LOOSES RPM WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR STREET MAKING IT HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE ENGINE CHOKES AND WANTS TO DIE OUT ON THE ROAD WHILE I AM DRIVING IT.

2007 MINI COOPER WITH 31,000 MILES. I AM USUALLY THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. ON THIS DAY MY HUSBAND AND A FRIEND WERE WITH ME. WE MOVED THE PASSENGER SEAT UP TO ALLOW THE THIRD PERSON TO GET IN THE BACK SEAT. LATER IN THE DAY THE LIGHT ON THE DASH WHICH SIGNIFIES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF STARTED GOING ON AND OFF. I THOUGHT MAYBE THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE UNDER THE SEAT, BUT WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT I NEEDED A NEW AIRBAG SENSOR. THE PART COSTS 1100.00 AND WAS ORDERED TWO MONTHS AGO. I AM STILL WAITING. THE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME NOW. APPARENTLY, MINI HAS RECALLED OVER 90,000 CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE CARS MADE IN 2006 ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL AS 2007 CONVERTIBLES. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL 2007'S TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? THIS IS AN ESPECIALLY ALARMING PROBLEM BECAUSE THE MINI IS SUCH A SMALL CAR. LUCKILY, WE HAVE TWO CARS AND I DO NOT HAVE TO PUT ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THIS IS FIXED.

MY VEHICLE IS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE YELLOW "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT ON THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE IS ALWAYS ON. THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND THE BUCKLE LIGHT ARE ALWAYS ON. THESE LIGHTS ARE ON REGARDLESS WHETHER THERE IS A FRONT PASSENGER. THE CAR WAS NEVER IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS WERE NEVER DEPLOYED. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN NOV 2013 AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON PERMANENTLY DURING EARLY 2015. AS I FOUND OUT RECENTLY, A FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THESE DAYS AND THE PAST YEAR, WITHOUT KNOWING THE DANGER OF A FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY WIFE AND SOMETIME MY MOTHER AROUND. I CAN NOT IMAGINE INVOLVING IN AN ACCIDENT WITH SOMEONE SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HOPE BMW/MINI CAN ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP.

ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING ON MAJOR FREEWAY AT POSTED SPEED LIMITED OF 75 MPH. PULLING OFF ON SLIP ROAD DUE TO ENGINE STOPPING. ONLY AFTER FULL STOP DID ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND FOUND COOLANT HAD EVACUATED THE SYSTEM. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER HAD WORN THROUGH COOLANT HOSE DUE TO ENGINEERING DEFECT.

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR IS FAULTY. IT SHOWS AIRBAG OFF AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN IT BACK ON. I SEE RECALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON MINI COOPER S AND CLUBMAN OF THE SAME YEAR, BUT NOT THE BASE MODEL THAT I HAVE.

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME. LOCAL DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED. ON JANUARY 12, 2016, I PREPAID THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT PART AT NEARLY $1,400 DOLLARS. ON JANUARY 21, 2016, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL IS MAY 2016. WITH LAST YEAR'S RECALL OF 2005 AND 2006 MINI COOPER HARDTOPS AND 2005- 2008 CONVERTIBLES FOR THIS DEFECTIVE SAFETY PART, I AM SHOCKED AND DISAPPOINTED THERE IS A BACK ORDER AND SUCH A LONG WAIT TIME FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART TO ARRIVE.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY MINI COOPER AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS HAD A MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL HOWEVER MY VIN NUMBER ISN'T INCLUDED- I WOULD SUGGEST PERHAPS LOOKING INTO WHERE MINE WAS PRODUCED TO SEE IF THOSE ARE ALSO AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. AN AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULDN'T JUST DISABLE ITSELF- THAT DEFINITELY SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED ON FOR LONG PERIODS AND SOMETIMES WENT OFF. YESTERDAY BMW/MINI DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED SEAT SENSOR MAT SENDING FAULT CODE. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT LET ME HAVE COPY OF DIAGNOSTIC REPORT AND I ASKED SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE A COPY. PART MUST BE DEFECTIVE. MY OUT OF POCKET COST TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE SENSOR MAT IS $1,371.00 FOR THE PART WHICH I HAD TO PREPAY BEFORE DEALERSHIP WOULD ORDER IT. LABOR TO INSTALL AND PROGRAM NEW PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT IS ESTIMATED AT $505.00. MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE AROUND 22,000. CAR IS ON AN ISLAND WHERE YOU CANNOT DRIVE LONG DISTANCES. I MUST REPLACE THE SENSOR MAT NOW, AT MY OWN EXPENSE, IN ORDER TO PASS STATE OF HAWAII ANNUAL AUTOMOBILE SAFETY INSPECTION. MINI COOPERS MANUFACTURED IN 2005 AND 2006 WERE RECALLED LAST YEAR FOR DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MATS. I THINK THE 2007 MINI COOPERS SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED FOR SAME DEFECT. MINI COOPER 2007 CONVERTIBLES WERE RECALLED FOR DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR. WHY OMIT 2007 MINI COOPER HARD TOPS FROM THAT RECALL? IF MY CAR IS RECALLED IN THE FUTURE FOR THIS DEFECT, WILL I BE REIMBURSED BY BMW/MINI FOR MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES??

AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT, ALL THESE [XXX] MINI COOPERS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAGS, THIS IS PRETTY IMPORTANT...MINI WANTS $1500 TO REPAIR A KNOWN ISSUE...HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO DIE BEFORE MINI IS FORCED TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPAIR THESE [XXX] CARS????????????????? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TIMING CHAIN REPLACED AT 32K, JUST FAILED AGAIN AT 92K WITH MOBIL ONE OIL AND FILTER CHANGES EVERY 5K MILES. CHAIN JUMPED IN GARAGE DURING SHUT DOWN OF ENGINE. WOULD NOT RESTART. I CHECKED SPARK, FUSES FOR PRIMARY FUEL PUMP AND MADE A JUDGEMENT THAT IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND TOWED IT TO THE DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. GOT THE CALL THE TIMING CHAIN JUMPED A LINK AND I WOULD NEED A REPLACEMENT AGAIN. CAN'T BELIEVE IT . THIRD CHAIN WITH GOOD LUBRICATION MAINTENANCE IN UNDER 92K.

2007 MINI COOPER SOLD TO ME WITH A BAD TIMING CHAIN, TIMING TENSIONER, CAMS AND ENGINE.

AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON. PERFORMED A FAULT SURVEY AND FOUND THERE IS 1 RELATED FAULT CODE IN THE MRS CONTROL UNIT. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR, NOT CURRENTLY PRESENT, OCCURRED 12 TIMES. NEED TO REPLACE THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR AND RE PROGRAM THE MRS CONTROL UNIT. TOTAL REPLACEMENT COST: $1,164.47 CALLED MINI HEADQUARTERS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC CAR. HOWEVER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE 2005, 2006 MINI COOPER HAD A RECALL FOR THE SEAT SENSOR. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE 2007 MODEL AS WELL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING SIGNAL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

MY 2007 MINI COOPER HAS 117K MILES AND WAS WORKING WELL UNTIL THE LAST MONTH WHEN IT STARTED BURNING OIL AND BLOWING BLACK SMOKE. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON BRIEFLY SO GOT MY MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT TODAY. THE ERROR CODE INDICATES THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACING. COSTLY REPAIR AT $2,000 AND 2 WEEKS OUT OF COMMISSION. IN GOOGLING ONLINE THIS IS A REPORTED ISSUE WITH MY MODEL MINI FOR THOUSANDS OF FOLKS YET BMW /MINI HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE.

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND HAD A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO THE NEAREST EXIT FOR SAFETY. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I ATTEMPTED TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVELS BUT THE CAR WAS TOO HOT TO CHECK AND I WAITED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR TO COOL. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO CHECK ALL LEVELS DOWN, INCLUDING THE OIL, WHICH I JUST HAD A CHANGE IN LESS THAN A WEEK PREVIOUS TO THIS INDENT. THE OIL LEVEL WAS DOWN 2 1/2 QUARTS AND THE WATER LEVEL WAS BELOW THE SAFETY LEVEL. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC, HE ADVISED THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED BMW AND MINI CORPORATE OFFICES AND THEY BOTH STATED THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY MAY BE ABLE TO FIX AT A REDUCE COST. UPON FURTHER QUESTIONING, AND THEM STATING THAT THEY MAY NOT ASSIST DUE TO AGE, I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEM ASSISTING WAS ZERO. THEY STATE THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER COVERING AND THAT THE CAR HAD TOO MANY MILES, 85K. I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED, THE AIR INTAKE VALVE REPLACED, THE OIL PUMP REPLACED, AND NOW THE TIMING BELT TO THE SUM OF $4300 IN THE PAST YEAR AND HALF. WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER AND WILL NEVER ENCOURAGE ANYONE ELSE TO PURCHASE A BMW OR MINI PRODUCT. I WILL PAY AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE, BUT WILL PUT A MESSAGE ON IT TO NOT ASK ME OR COMMENT ON THE "CUTENESS" OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS A PIECE OF JUNK! I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO GET AT LEAST 200K OUT OF IT BEFORE THESE MAJOR REPAIRS SHOULD HAVE EVER OCCURRED! VERY FRUSTRATED, NOT TO MENTION DISAPPOINTED IN THIS HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLE THAT SELLS ITSELF WITH A SIMPLE DRIVE, BUT MECHANICALLY IS NOT SUPPORTED BY ITS MANUFACTURER.

2007 MINI COOPER HARDTOP PURCHASED MAY 7, 2015 SUFFERED MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN & TIMING TENSIONER ISSUES, RESULTING IN LOUD TICKING INSIDE OF THE ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE..ESTIMATES TOTALING UP TO $2400.00 IN REPAIRS.....VEHICLE AT THIS POINT IS INOPERABLE.

HAVING EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS DETAILED IN A SIMILAR RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 -- FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT), IN ADDITION TO HAVING GOT A 93C3 FAULT CODE (SEAT-OCCUPANCY DETECTOR, PASSENGER). SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT THE DEFECT IS THE SAME DESPITE THE SUB-MODEL NOT BEING THE SAME (MINE IS A 2007 R56 MINI CLUBMAN, CLOSEST RECALLED MODEL IS 2007 R52 MINI CONVERTIBLE).

AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON. PERFORMED A FAULT SURVEY AND FOUND THERE IS 1 RELATED FAULT CODE IN THE MRS CONTROL UNIT. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR, NOT CURRENTLY PRESENT, OCCURRED 12 TIMES. NEED TO REPLACE THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR AND RE PROGRAM THE MRS CONTROL UNIT. TOTAL REPLACEMENT COST: $1,164.47 CALLED MINI HEADQUARTERS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC CAR. HOWEVER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE 2005, 2006 MINI COOPER HAD A RECALL FOR THE SEAT SENSOR. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE 2007 MODEL AS WELL.

FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DETECTION MAT BECAME INOPERABLE AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES. MY CAR IS MFG 4 MONTHS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL TIME FRAME YET THIS VERY SAME MFG DATE IS WELL WITHIN THE "CONVERTIBLE MODELS" RECALL DATE. I FEEL THE "NON-CONVERTIBLE MODELS" RECALL TIME FRAME SHOULD BE RE-EVALUATED BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY OF US WITH THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO MINI TO BE FIXED THEY TOLD ME THEY'VE SEEN MANY VEHICLES OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICIAL RECALL DATES WITH THIS PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,002. .. UPDATED 09/30/15*BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED TO THE RUN POSITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

INITIALLY THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT INDICATION THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. PROBLEM IS GETTING TO BE MORE FREQUENT. OBDII FAULT CODE "93C3 SEAT-OCCUPANCY DETECTOR" IS SET. I AM TOLD THIS IS THE SAME FAULT CODE THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL OF THE 2006 MODEL YEAR MINI COOPER.

AT ANY GIVEN SPEED OR CONDITION THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH . IN SOME INSTANCES THE LIGHTS WILL DISAPPEAR, BUT AT OTHER TIMES THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IT IS OF GREAT CONCERN THAT THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED AS A DEFECTIVE PART, BUT BECAUSE MY PRODUCTION DATE IS MERELY ONE MONTH OFF THERE IS NO RELIEF . IT SEEMS CONCERNING THAT THERE MAY BE A NUMBER OF THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, BUT GIVEN THE DELAY TO INCLUDE THEM IN THE RECALL, MANY LIVES MAY UNKNOWINGLY BE AT RISK.

MY 2007 MINI PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD TO HAVE THE SEAT REPLACED BY THE DEALER DUE TO WEIGHT SENSOR FAILURE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT HARNESS SENSOR FAILURE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. THE WHOLE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECT. I NOW SEE THAT NHSTA/BMW IS RECALLING MINI COOPERS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE HOT LINE REP MY MINI IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. IT SHOULD BE. I HAVE NOTE MANY MINI OWNER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND YEAR AS MY CAR ON LINE. THE CAR RARELY HAS A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE SAFETY AIR BAG HARNESS SHOULD NOT OF FAILED AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE USAGE. THE RECALL NOTICE AS PRESENTED IN AUTO BLOG FOLLOWS. MINI IS RECALLING 91,800 HATCHBACKS AND CONVERTIBLES DUE A POTENTIALLY MALFUNCTIONING SENSOR THAT MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

AFTER CODES ARE CLEARED ON CAR, THERE IS NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS LONG AS NO PASSENGERS SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ONCE A PASSENGER SITS IN THE SEAT, FOLLOWING THE CODE CLEARING, THEN THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY.

HELLO, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR CERTAIN MINI COOPERS WITH FAULTY PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSORS. I AM WRITING TODAY BECAUSE I HAVE A 2007 MINI COOPER HARDTOP THAT HAS HAD A FAULTY PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR FOR OVER A YEAR, HOWEVER MY SPECIFIC CAR IS NOT YET INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A HARDTOP, NOT A CONVERTIBLE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS WAS PRODUCED IN THE SAME TIME SPAN. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY HAVE NOT INCLUDED ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. MY VIN NUMBER IS [XXX] THANK YOU! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG PAD COMPONENT WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE BY MY SERVICE CENTER. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. IT IS APPROXIMATELY AN $1100 PART TO REPLACE PLUS LABOR. REPORTS ON VARIED NEWS MEDIA HAVE THIS AS A RECALL. I FIND NO INSTANCE OF A RECALL FROM BMW/MINI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A CRASH; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

THIS IS A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FOR THE MINI COOPER WHICH IS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BEGIN RATTLING AND WAS INSPECTED AT A MINI DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THAT IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MINI. REPAIR FOR THIS JOB IS 3800 USD. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS PRICE TAG.THIS CAN LEAD TO A VERY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO WORK. *TR

OIL FEED LINE GOING INTO TURBO IS LEAKING OIL DIRECTLY ONTO TURBO. MINI USES A RUBBER O RING THAT IS CONNECTED TO A VERY HOT TURBO AND O RING WILL FAIL ON ALL MINI COOPERS WITH A TURBO. WHEN THIS RUBBER O RING FAILS IT WILL LEAK OIL DIRECTLY ONTO HOT TURBO AND CAUSE A FIRE. I THINK IT'S IN THE SAFETY OF ALL THAT THIS BE LOOKED INTO AND RECALLED. I BELIEVE MINI COOPER IS VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS COVERING UP THE ISSUE BY INSTALLING A CHEAP HEAT SHIELD ON OIL LINE BUT THIS IS A BANDAID FIX AT BEST. *TR

I WAS GETTING ON INTERSTATE STILL ON THE ON RAMP WHEN MY MINI DIED AND STARTED SMOKING WITH NO WARNING. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. INSURANCE STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL WIRE FIRE SO IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER INSURANCE. CAN MINI PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED? THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE. I ALREADY HAD TO GET A NEW WATER PUMP LAST YEAR THAT WASN'T COVERED EITHER. THESE AREN'T CHEAP VEHICLES YET THEY EXPECT US TO PAY FOR THE MISTAKE THAT WE DID NOT CAUSE! PAID $18K FOR THIS CAR AND HAVE PUT OVER $3K FOR REPAIRS WITH LESS THE 80K MILES. COME ON MINI COOPER THIS IS TERRIBLE BUSINESS! IN MY PROFESSION IF I WERE TO SELL A DEFECTIVE PART FOR AN OIL RIG, I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT EVEN YEARS LATER. THIS GOES FOR ANY PROFESSION! *TR

I JUST PURCHASED A 2007 MINI COOPER S AND FOUND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT WITH THIS CAR AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS ONGOING. I ALSO AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR HAS ACTUALLY HAD ALL RECALLED ITEMS REPAIRED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO ASCERTAIN THIS INFORMATION. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FOR EASTER, ALL OF THE SUDDEN A LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ELECTRICITY WENT OUT IN MY CAR. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE TIMING CHAIN IN MY CAR BROKE AND CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,500. UPDATED 7/10/15*CN UPDATED 07/16/15.*JB

MINI COOPER 2007: DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG HAD INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASH STATING A FAULTY DRIVER AIRBAG. WE HAD THE AIRBAG REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $600 DOLLARS. CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THERE ARE REPORTS OF OTHER MINI COOPERS HAVING AIRBAG ISSUES, AND REQUEST A REVIEW OF THIS INSTANCE AS WELL. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS A PRESSURE MAT BUILT INTO THAT HAS FAILED AND IT IS CAUSING THE SRS/AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY LIT. THIS IS TURNING OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF WHICH CAUSES THE PASSENGER TO NOT HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL 2005 UP MINI COOPERS. *TR

MY FUEL RAIL WAS SIPPING WITH GASOLINE. WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A MINI DEALER, THEY CLAIMED THAT IT WAS A WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE FUEL RAIL WAS PLASTIC AND THE LEAK WAS AT THE SEAL BETWEEN THE PLASTIC PARTS. IF THE FUEL RAIL IS METAL AND IS SOLDERED, THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. HAVING A FUEL RAIL THAT LEAKS COULD SEVERELY DAMAGE THE ENGINE AND CAUSE A FIRE. *TR

I BOUGHT A CAR FROM NEW COUNTRY MINI IN HARTFORD ON JANUARY 2, 2015. AT FIRST THE CAR WORKED GREAT, HOWEVER THE FRICTION POINT OF THE CLUTCH WAS PRETTY FAR TOWARDS THE END RANGE. BECAUSE IT'S A HYDRAULIC CLUTCH, I THOUGHT THIS WAS ADJUSTABLE. HOWEVER I STARTED NOTICING THE NEXT DAY THAT THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING OUT OF FIRST AND IN REVERSE. I EMAILED THE PERSON AT NEW COUNTRY MINI FROM WHOM I BOUGHT IT FROM EXPLAINING WHAT I WAS HEARING/FEELING AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CLUTCH GOING. HE REPLIED THAT IT PROBABLY JUST NEEDED TO BE OILED AND IT WOULD BE FINE. HE DID NOT ASK ANY OTHER QUALIFYING QUESTIONS, OR OFFER TO LOOK AT IT. AS OF JANUARY 5, THE CLUTCH HAS BECOME EXPONENTIALLY WORSE. THE CAR NOW SHUTTERS WHILE ENGAGING THE CLUTCH, AND CONTINUES TO SHUTTER AFTER THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN ENGAGED. ADDITIONALLY THERE IS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. ALSO, THIS IS NOT MY FIRST CAR I'VE HAD THAT WAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE ONE WHEN I WAS 16, SO I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS DRIVER ERROR; ESPECIALLY HOW QUICK THE CLUTCH DIMINISHED. I AM INCLINED TO THINK THAT NEW COUNTRY MINI NEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO SELLING IT, BUT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MOREOVER, THERE IS A CLUNK THAT HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD GEAR. ANY AND ALL HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

IN 2013 MY MINI STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I HAD THE FLUIDS CHECKED AND EVERYTHING WAS OK. I DROVE APPROX., 10 MILES AND THE CAR COMPLETELY OVERHEATED, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SMOKED AND ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (MINI NORTHWEST IN FIFE WA,) THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. I PAID 7500$$ FOR A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED BY THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2013 AT MY OWN EXPENSE. ON DEC, 23RD 2014 I DROVE MY MINI APPROX. 12 MILES AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS NOT OVERHEATING, NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, 15 MINUTES LATER THE CAR HAD FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM THE HOOD. FIRE EXTINGUISHER WOULD NOT PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR THEN MOVED APPROX. 5 FEET FORWARD UP AGAINST THE HOUSE AND BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED. THE TIRES BLEW UP THE SUNROOF BLEW UP AND THEN THE BACK WINDOW BLEW OUT. THE CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. MINI CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE, YET THERE ARE SEVERAL ARTICLES OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER CARS, INCLUDING A CLASS ACTION SUIT AND RECALLS. *JS

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT HAS COME ON WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE, ILLUMINATING WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT OR NOT. THE DEALER HAS DETERMINED IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1000+. BASED ON THE FORUMS ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM, SO MUCH SO THAT MINI SHOULD CONSIDER A VOLUNTARY RECALL AND COVER THE REPAIRS. *TR

2007 MINI COOPER. WAS INFORMED THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF A CRACKED VALVE COVER WHICH WAS LEAKING. *TA

THIS IS A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FOR THE MINI COOPER WHICH IS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BEGIN RATTLING AND WAS INSPECTED AT A MINI DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THAT IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MINI. REPAIR FOR THIS JOB IS 2000 USD. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS PRICE TAG.THIS CAN LEAD TO A VERY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO WORK. IMAGINE GOING 65 ON THE HIGHWAY THE CHAIN SNAP. LOST POWER AND CONTROL OF THE CAR. NOT ONLY THE DRIVER IS AT RISK BUT OTHER AS WELL. WHAT IF IT CAUSE A FAMILY IN THE CAR AN ACCIDENT. LET'S SAY 3 CAR WERE INVOLVED FILLED WITH FAMILIES BUT ONE PERSON DIED. YOU ARE CAUSING A LIFETIME OF HEARTACHE FOR NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE FAULT IN YOUR ENGINE. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT PEOPLE LIVES ARE AT STAKE. IT'S BETTER THAT MINI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. IS MONEY SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO MINI THAN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE. THE LIVES OF FAMILIES. IF FUTURE ACCIDENT CAN BE AVOIDED. IT MUST START NOW. DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE THIS RECALL HAPPEN. DON'T LET ME START ON CARBON BUILDUP. ENGINE DESIGN WASN'T TESTED THOROUGHLY. EVERYONE SHOULD BE GIVEN A COURTESY CLEAN EVERY 70000 MILES OR SO. ALREADY SHOW SIGN OF CARBON BUILDUP WITH 48K MILES. *TR

ON 27-OCT-2014, WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT GAVE A MESSAGE ABOUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND THE MESSAGE JUST SAID TO SLOW DOWN WHICH I DID. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY SINCE IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE.IT WAS REAL SHAKY AND DIDN'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS AND CHECKED EVERYTHING FROM THE COILS, SPARK PLUGS, RAN A COMPRESSION TEST WHICH SHOWED THAT CYLINDER 3 WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER, ETC. THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS OR FLUIDS FOUND IN THAT AREA LIKE THEY HAD EXPECTED SINCE THAT WAS THE ONLY CYLINDER THAT WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. I CONTACTED MINIUSA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX THE VEHICLE OUT OF GOODWILL BECAUSE THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES/ENGINES (R56). NEEDLESS TO SAY, MINIUSA WOULD NOT FIX THE REPAIR NOR WOULD THEY RESPOND TO MY EMAILS. MINI OF CONCORD OFFERED TO COVER 25% OF THE COST LEAVING ME TO PAY $3600 OUT OF POCKET FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY KNOW IS FAULTY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SAFETY SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

WHEN PASSENGERS OR ITEMS WERE PLACED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THE SEATBELT AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH, BUT WOULD GO OUT AFTER PASSENGER OR ITEMS WERE REMOVED, AND/OR SEATBELT WAS FASTENED. AS OF NOW BOTH THE AIRBAG WARNING AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, AT ALL TIMES, ON THE DASH AND WILL NOT RETURN TO NORMAL STATE WHETHER SEATBELT IS FASTENED OR NOT. THE AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM IS NOW DISABLED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING OPERATION DUE TO THESE FAILURES (AIRBAG/SEATBELT NOT READY STATE). *TR

THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT IS REALLY UNFAIR FOR ME AS CONSUMER IF I HAVE TO REPAIR A FACTORY DEFECT BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL. *TR

THE AIR BAG LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2007 MINI COOPER WITH 48,000 MILES. UPON MY MECHANIC SCANNING THE COMPUTER WE FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IS OUT OF THE SEAT. THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION (COST: $1500). I GOOGLED "MINI COOPER AIR BAG LIGHT" ' AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON MANY DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS. WHEN I CONTACTED MINI COOPER AND QUESTIONED WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED, THE PERSON TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT STILL HAS THE SEAT BELT THAT THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN ASKED IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, HE ANSWERED THE QUESTION BY SAYING "WELL, THEY STILL HAVE THEIR SEAT BELT"'. IF THE AIR BAGS ARE NOT A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR THEN WHY IS IT EQUIPPED WITH 8 AIR BAGS? PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AIR BAG MALFUNCTION BECAUSE AS A MINI COOPER OWNER, THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME, AS WELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER MINI COOPER OWNERS WHO HAVE TAKEN TO THE INTERNET TO EXPRESS THEIR FRUSTRATIONS. THANK YOU *TR

MINI USA WAS WELL AWARE OF THE MASSIVE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM (AFFECTING 500,000 MINI COOPERS),BUT REFUSED TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I'VE COMPLAINED OF THE CANTANKEROUS RATTLE DURING A COLD START WHICH WAS CLEARLY RELATED TO THE FAILING TIMING CHAIN DUE TO A DEFECTIVE AND POORLY DESIGNED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. (APPARENTLY MINI HAS COME OUT WITH A NEW ONE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM). THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME $1800 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CHAIN ASSEMBLY. I ULTIMATELY TOOK IT AN INDEPENDENT MINI MECHANIC AND HAD IT REPLACED FOR LESS ($1144). NOW I AM HEARING THAT MINI DEALERSHIPS ARE REPLACING THIS DEFECTIVE PART BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOW A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE TENSIONER AND CHAIN. THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED IT WHEN THE PROBLEMS WERE OBVIOUS AND SHOULD NOW COMPENSATE THOSE WHO'VE PAID OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS FOR THIS POORLY DESIGNED PART. *TR

REPORTING SERIOUS RECALLABLE SAFETY ISSUE WITH MINI COOPER AIR BAG SYSTEM! MY DEALER JUST CALLED TO TELL ME THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT MUST BE REPLACED AT AT A COST OF OVER $2500. THERE IS A SHORT IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT SAFETY EQUIPMENT ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER A RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR TURNS ON WHILE DRIVING AND REMAINS ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE. PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER WEIGHING APPROX 135 POUNDS WITH SEAT BELT PROPERLY FASTENED. THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY TURN ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND BYPASS THE SEAT SENSOR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MINI COOPER AND IS DISCUSSED ON ONLINE ENTHUSIAST FORUMS, WITH MINI USA DEALERSHIP NOW CHARGING FROM $2500 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT. MINI USA DEALERS STATE THAT THE ISSUE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE SEAT SENSOR AND THE ENTIRE SEAT MUST BE REPLACED. FOR HOW LITTLE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS USED IN MY VEHICLE, IN MY OPINION THIS IS A DEFECT AND NOT A WEAR-AND-TEAR ISSUE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT HAD A VITAL SAFETY ISSUE ARISE SUCH AS THIS I ALSO NOTE THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE FROM OTHER OWNERS. IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON CONSUMER BLOGS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY 30 MILES AND HOUR WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME IN A TURN. ALMOST HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC PRIOR TO STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I DROVE IT TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT WHERE IT SAT FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE A LOCAL MECHANIC COULD LOOK AT IT. I WAS QUOTED AT OVER $1,500 TO FIX THE PART BECAUSE THE WHOLE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL BOX HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WAY IT WAS MANUFACTURED. *TR

MY CAR STARTED TO ACT FUNNY. ALMOST SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS SUFFOCATING. IT WOULD DIE ABOUT TEN TO FIFTEEN TIMES EVERY MORNING BEFORE I WOULD FINALLY GET THE CAR STARTED. IT WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN I STOPPED AT INTERSECTIONS. THE ONLY TIME IT RAN DECENT WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING HIGHWAYS SPEEDS FOR 20 MINUTES OR MORE. I CHANGED OUT FILTERS, SPARK PLUGS, AND FLUIDS BUT NONE OF IT CHANGED THE WAY IT WAS RUNNING. COME TO FIND OUT IT THAT THE CHAIN AND CHAIN TENSIONER HAD BROKEN. THIS DAMAGE CAUSED ROUGHLY $1000 TO FIX. LUCKILY I CAUGHT IT IN TIME BEFORE IT DID ADDITIONAL DAMAGES TO THE CRANK SHAFT. WITH LOW MILES THE MECHANIC EVEN TOLD ME ITS A FAULT PART AND BRAKES EASILY. HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE NUMEROUS AMERICAN MODEL MINIS IN ITALY. MY COUNTRY CODE IS 39 IF YOU CALL. *TR

THE CAR STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AS USUAL, HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DIDN'T START AGAIN. HOWEVER, IT'S ONLY 7 YEARS. I CALLED THE BMW SERVICE TO REPORT THE ISSUE. THEY REFUSED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM... I'D DONE SOME RESEARCHES ONLINE. AND, I'VE FOUND THAT MANY OTHER MINI'S OWNERS HAD FOUND THE SAME PROBLEMS. CAN GOVERNMENT DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE CUSTOMERS ? THANKS *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

"PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR TURNS ON WHILE DRIVING AND REMAINS ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE. PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER WEIGHING APPROX 195 POUNDS WITH SEAT BELT PROPERLY FASTENED. THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY TURN ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND BYPASS THE SEAT SENSOR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MINI COOPER AND IS DISCUSSED ON ONLINE ENTHUSIAST FORUMS, WITH MINI USA DEALERSHIPS CHARGING FROM $1,100 TO $1,400 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT. MINI USA DEALERS STATE THAT THE ISSUE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE SEAT SENSOR AND THE ENTIRE SEAT MUST BE REPLACED. FOR HOW LITTLE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS USED IN MY VEHICLE, IN MY OPINION THIS IS A DEFECT AND NOT A WEAR-AND-TEAR ISSUE. *JS

I HAVE OR HAD A MINI COOPER S 2007 I GET A LETTER FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAS A COST CHANGE WITHOUT AUXILIARY WATER PUMP ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE FIRE WE APPROACH THE SELLER FOR US TO FIX THIS PROBLEM 06/04/12 TUBE NO VALUE SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT CHANGING RIMS AND TIRES RECOMMENDED PIPE COST $ 1100 DOLLARS, THE COOPER HAD 121,985 MILES, A YEAR AND HALF PIPE THERMOSTAT HOUSING PROBLEMS WILL COST $ 724.32 INSTEAD, CONTINUED TO ALL RECOMMENDATIONS BUT THE COOPER FIRE ON 03/24/14 AT 05:48 PM, IT WAS CHAOS LUCKILY WAS OUT OF THE GARAGE WHICH IS WHERE I USUALLY END UP SHUTTING KEPT THE FIREFIGHTERS MAKE INQUIRIES AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED EXCEPT THAT THE CAR WAS PARKED WITH ACTIVE SECURITIES SO STAY PRIMARILY FOR RESEARCH BY A SPECIALIZED INSURER TO INVESTIGATE, TWO MONTHS AND A LITTLE WORKSHOP TOOK THE CAUSE WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITHOUT SPECIFYING THE ORIGIN, FINDING THESE CARS ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT HAVE TROUBLE AND THE AUTHORITIES ARE DEAF EARS BECAUSE MILLIONS ARE AT STAKE THAN HURT, THE CAR LOST COMPLETELY. WE STARTED TO INVESTIGATE WITH MY FAMILY ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY CASES IN COMMON BURN. *TR

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. NO ENGINE LIGHT OR WARNING LIGHTS. VEHICLE STOPPED AND STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. NOT DRIVABLE. VERY DANGEROUS, NEARLY GOT HIT BY SEMI TRUCKS ON HIGHWAY AND OTHER VEHICLES. VERY UNSAFE. PROBLEM: NEEDED NEW CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL @ COST OF $3000 PLUS TOWING. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT THIS CAR HAS HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THE OTHER TIMES WERE CAUSED BY SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE ENGINE. DEALER DENIED IT WAS TIMING CHAIN. THE MINI COOPER 2007 NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

HAVE HAD A SEVERE RATTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE FOR SOME TIME NOW, RESEARCH SAYS THAT IT IS A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEM. ALSO HAVE A LEAKING OIL SUPPLY LINE TO THE TURBO. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE MAJOR ISSUES FOR WHICH THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS FROM MINI. THESE ARE BOTH EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD.......THERE SHOULD BE RECALLS ON THESE PROBLEMS! PLEASE HELP..... *TR

THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE OIL LINE FEEDING THE TURBO CHARGING UNIT. OIL NOW LEAKS DIRECTLY ONTO THE TURBO CHARGER CAUSING LARGE DISCHARGES OF SMOKE AT LOWER (CITY) SPEEDS FROM THE HOOD. THE BURNED OIL SMOKE IS NOT VISIBLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALTHOUGH ONCE ONE SLOWS DOWN FOR A RAMP THE SMOKE POURS OUT AGAIN. DUE TO THE HIGH RISK OF FIRE THE CAR IS NO LONGER PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. IT IS PARKED TOWARDS THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY AS FAR FROM OUR HOUSE AS POSSIBLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE AN URGENT SAFETY ISSUE SEEING THAT THE ENGINE COULD CATCH FIRE AT ANY TIME. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR LOST PARTIAL POWER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND BEGAN FLASHING. I PULLED OVER TO THE ROADSIDE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I LOOKED AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO SEE WHAT THE FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT INDICATES. NOTHING DEFINITIVE WAS STATED IN THE MANUAL, SO I STARTED THE ENGINE AND DROVE IT TO MY HOME ABOUT 10 MILES UNDER PARTIAL POWER. I CONTACTED A LOCAL GARAGE (MIENKE) AND LET THEM KNOW THE PROBLEM. THE GARAGE WAS ABOUT THREE MILES AWAY SO I DROVE IT TO THEM. THEY DIAGNOSED A LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN ONE OF THE VALVES THAT WOULD REQUIRE A VALVE JOB. I CONTACTED MINIUSA TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. THEY REQUESTED I TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT OCCURRED AND ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THE APPROXIMATE 20 MILES TO THEIR LOCATION WITH A COMPROMISED ENGINE. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE OKAY AND BRING IT IN. THEY DIAGNOSED IT THE NEXT DAY WITH A FAILED TIMING CHAIN ($1800), VACUUM PUMP ($600) AND VALVE COVER ASSEMBLY ($385). I LET THEM KNOW THE TIMING CHAIN WAS ALREADY REPLACED BY A MINI DEALERSHIP AT 40781 MILES AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT AT NO COST AS THIS IS SUPPOSED TO LAST 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER WOULD NOT. I CONTACTED MINIUSA AGAIN TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND REQUEST TO HAVE THIS REPLACED AT NO COST. THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK TO ME YET AND IT IS STILL PENDING THEIR DECISION. I BEGAN TO LOOK ONLINE FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. MINI/BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT STILL DOES NOT COVER THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND UNKNOWING MINI OWNERS ARE SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THEIR CARS PUT BACK ON THE ROAD. THERE IS ALSO A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IN NEW JERSEY FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

AFTER BUYING THIS VEHICLE, DROVE ABOUT 30 OR SO MILES....WHILE SLOWING DOWN NOTICED THE CAR HAD SHUT OFF. NO WARNINGS, NO LIGHTS, NO NOISES....CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. LEFT ME STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF FOUR LANE HIGHWAY. TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MINI WHERE I WAS TOLD A VACUUM PUMP WENT OUT. DUE TO THIS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY (EXTENDED) NOW IM TOLD HAVE TO PAY 8000 FOR AN ENGINE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED, THERE WAS NO WARNING AND FROM READING THE ONLINE NOTICES IT SEEMS TO BE A BIG ISSUE. MINI WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS. IT CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME, AS IT GAVE NO WARNING WHEN ALL THIS OCCURRED. *TR

MY VEHICLE DEVELOPED A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE , WHICH WORSENED AND CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO BRAKE AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGE , WHICH IF AT HIGH WAY SPEED , COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT . MINI IS DENYING ACCOUNT ABILITY. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHTS UP. NO ONE HAS EVER SAT IN THE SEAT. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $1,600.00. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR

THE VERY WELL KNOWN "TIMING CHAIN FAILURE". THE EVENT STARTED WITH RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE BAY ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, THEN THE BIG MESSY OIL LEAKED AND THE ENGINE WAS DRYING UP AND CHOKED (MADE A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION).LUCKILY, I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY!! BMW DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR COST OF THIS FAULT DESIGN/ENGINEERING. *TR

AFTER MULTIPLE FRUSTRATING COMPLAINTS AND UNSUCCESSFUL SERVICE ATTEMPTS ON 8/17/11, 9/1/11, 9/6/11, 9/21/11 AND 9/28/11 FOR MY 2007 MINI COOPER S (PURCHASED ON 8/16/11) AT MAYORS AUTO MALL SAAB LOCATED AT 6001 NORTHERN BOULEVARD, WOODSIDE NY 11377 AND FAILING INSPECTION ON 9/1/12; I WAS FED UP AND BROUGHT MY VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO HASSEL BMW MINI OF FREEPORT LOCATED AT 100 CLEVELAND AVENUE, FREEPORT NY 11520 ON 10/31/11. AFTER A SERVICE BILL OF $3,546 (SERVICE) +$141.21 (EVALUATION FEE) = $3,688.03 FROM BMW MINI, THE PROBLEMS WERE STILL NOT RESOLVED. I THEN FILED A LEMON LAW CASE AGAINST MAYORS AUTO MALL AND WON ON. DESPITE WINNING THE CASE, MAYORS AUTO MALL REFUSED TO RETURN MY MONIES FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE OF VEHICLE. AFTER CONTACTING DMV WITH THE ISSUE AND HAVING THEM SUSPENDING THEIR BUSINESS LICENSE, MAYORS AUTO MALL FINALLY REFUNDED MY MONIES FOR VEHICLE PURCHASE BUT IT WAS EXCLUDING SERVICE BILLS OF $3,688.03 FROM BMW MINI SINCE LEMON LAW DID NOT COVER THIS AMOUNT. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST BMW MINI AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT POSSIBLE REMEDIES FOR GETTING A REFUND SERVICES PAID TOWARDS A VEHICLE THAT I NO LONGER HAVE DUE TO LEMON LAW CASE AND AM OUT OF $3,688.03 FOR NO REASON. I UNDERSTAND BMW MINI IS CURRENTLY BEING SUED FOR THESE SAME ISSUES BY MANY CONSUMERS. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY POSSIBLE INFORMATION YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE REGARDING MY CASE. I AM IN AWE SHOCK THAT I AM STILL DEALING WITH THIS AND IT HAS BEEN 3 YEARS ALREADY SINCE I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR TO MAYORS AUTO MALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN WITH THIS MATTER AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE. *TR

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS... I WORKED MY A** OFF FOR A YEAR SAVING UP FOR ONE OF THESE CARS AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW THE TENSIONER GOES... MINI DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU OR THE CAR THEY SELL, ITS ALL ABOUT TAKING WHATS IN YOUR WALLET AND PUTTING IT IN THERES, DONT BUY ONE OF THESE CARS AND NOT EXPECT TO PAY FOR IT TWICE LITERALLY IN FIXING IT..

2007 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. *SMD THE FIRE OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND IS NOW BACK ON THE ROAD. *JB

WAS DRIVING CAR DOWNTOWN AT A SPEED ON AVERAGE OF 15 MPH. TRIP ONLY LASTED 15 MINUTES WHEN I PARKED AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY HOOD. SMOKE QUICKLY ESCALATED INTO A FIRE. CALLED 911 TO HAVE FIRE TRUCKS OUT. GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM A NEARBY BUSINESS TO TRY TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO EVEN WHILE SPRAYING DIRECTLY AT THE FLAMES. FIREMEN HAD TO PRY OPEN THE HOOD TO GET TO THE ENGINE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. CAR ENGINE WAS TOTALED. *TR

I PURCHASED CAR FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. THE REAR SEAT WAS REMOVED FOR A CUSTOM AUDIO SYSTEM. I HAVE THE SEATS BUT THEY NEVER GAVE ME THE REAR SEAT, SEAT BELTS. IS IT THE SELLERS' RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THEM? YOU CAN IMAGINE, I FEEL CHEATED, AS I PLAN ON PULLING THE AUDIO AND RE-INSTALLING THE SEAT. *TR

MY 2007 MINI COOPER ONLY 55K MILEAGE. AT LAST WEEK SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND STOPPED WHILE ON FREEWAY WHICH ALMOST HIT BY THE ANOTHER CAR AND MIGHT CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENT. AFTER THAT I SENT MY CAR TO LICENSED AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHOSE SAID THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FAILED AND NEED TO REPLACE IT AND COST AROUND $1400 OTHERWISE IT WILL CAUSED THE SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MY CAR BOUGHT AT ORIGINAL OWNER AT JULY 2013 AND I GOT A FULL CHECKUP REPORT FROM MINICOOPER SF THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AT ALL. I TRIED TO CONTACT WITH MINI COOPER SF BUT THEY SAID NO RECALL FOR THIS MODEL OF CAR SO I NEED PAY FOR IT BY MYSELF TO FIXING THE CAR. *TR

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUFFER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE CUSTOMER IS EXPECTED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A REPAIR EVEN THOUGH MINI HAS ADMITTED A POOR DESIGN AND ARE REPLACING TENSIONERS VIA A CAMPAIGN. THE CUSTOMER WILL NOT GET REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND ONLY HEARD A SPINNING SOUND. FIRST I THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION OR STARTER WOULD NEED REPLACING BUT AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN. UPON FURTHER REVIEW I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BELT HAD SHATTERED AND BENT THE VALVES, AND NOW THE PISTONS ARE BLOCKED AND A PLETHORA OF OTHER THINGS. THE TOTAL TO REPAIR THIS DOMINO EFFECT OF DAMAGE IS ABOVE $8,000 AND JUST THE CHAIN ALONE IS 1500 BUT I WAS INFORMED WOULD BE A GRAND MISTAKE BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT RUN. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO IS FINANCIALLY CHALLENGED AND AM NOW IN TOO DEEP TO EVEN TRY AND FLOAT. *TR

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE SOUNDS AS IF PARTS ARE LOOSE IN THE ENGINE AREA. IT LESSENS UP AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP BUT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IT APPEARS IT MAY BE THE TIMING CHAIN/ TENSIONER. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON 580 CAR LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP FROZE UP, BOLT ON TIMING GEAR SHEARED OFF AND FELL INTO OIL PAN. OIL PUMP WAS DESTROYED AS A RESULT. ON 11/7/13 RECEIVED LETTER FROM MINI CORP. REGARDING A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WITH PREMATURE WEAR, WHICH COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS. UPON REPLACEMENT OF TENSIONER ASSEMBLY, MECHANIC FOUND A FAULTY VACUUM PUMP WHICH FROZE WITHOUT WARNING. OIL DISTRIBUTION WAS COMPROMISED. THIS ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER PUT MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN JEOPARDY, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. BMW CORPORATION HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE VACUUM PUMP PROBLEM SINCE 2012. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 3/15/11 WITH 32K MILES. MINI CORP LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE BEEN DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE FOR A FAILED VACUUM PUMP ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD REPORTS OF SIMILAR FAILURE. HIGHWAY SPEED, LOSS OF POWER, PUTTING VEHICLE AND OCCUPANTS IN PERIL CIRCUMSTANCE, BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE/MECHANICAL FLAWS IN THE ENGINEERING OF THIS MOTOR. *TR

COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WHILE SURROUNDED BY SEMIS IN THE 3/4-MILE-LONG BIG WALKER MOUNTAIN TUNNEL WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I-77 (NEAR VIRGINIA EXIT 47). THANKFULLY THE ENGINE DIDN'T SEIZE AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ONCE THROUGH THE TUNNEL. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE CAUSE WAS A CHECK VALVE IN THE VALVE COVER, WHICH MALFUNCTIONED IN A WAY THAT CREATED A VACUUM AND TRAPPED OIL IN THE TOP PART OF THE ENGINE. REPLACEMENT COVER HAD BEEN REDESIGNED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM, SO IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

THE CAR LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RUN AT IDLE SPEED. AFTER MUCH EFFORT, MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO THE ONLY DEALER IN THE STATE. AFTER TWO FAILED DIAGNOSTICS AND TWO "REPAIRS," THE DEALER SAYS I NOW NEED THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE TENSIONER. BMW AND DEALER DENY RESPONSIBILITY AND NOW WISH TO CHARGE AN ADDITIONAL $1500 TO REPAIR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND A LITTLE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AND POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THE OIL FEED LINE TO THE TURBO HAD LEAKED OIL ALL OVER THE TURBO AND WAS BURNING OFF. I KNOW THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY LINE THAT USES RUBBER WASHERS AND OVER TIME HEAT FROM THE TURBO CAUSES THEM TO FAIL. IN 2010 MINI PUT IN A HEAT SHIELD TO PROTECT THE LINE, ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED PROPERLY, TO MANY PRE 2010 COOPER S ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

RATTLE AND OIL LEAK. LOSS OF FULL ENGINE POWER WHEN RESTARTED. DEALER SAYS ITS A TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY ISSUE. *TR

VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 1.2 MILES FOR FIRST RUN OF THE DAY. TEMP WAS 48 F. CAR WAS IN DRIVE AT STOPLIGHT WHEN ENGINE ACCELERATED BEYOND MAX RPM. CAR LUNGED FORWARD INTO INTERSECTION AND A LOT OF EFFORT HAD TO BE APPLIED TO BRAKE TO KEED CAR FROM GOING ANY FURTHER. DRIVER GRABBED GEAR SHIFTER AND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND HAVING SLIPPED INTO REVERSE. ENGINE RPM THEN SUBSIDED AND VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN 14 MILES WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENCE. *TR

THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES AND TENSIONER IN THE MINI COOPER ARE MADE FROM PLASTIC. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN CREATED BY MINI USA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, BUT NO RECALL. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME, MAKING A TURN ACROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION, MY TENSIONER BROKE, WHICH CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND PUSH IT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION WHILE CARS WERE DRIVING BY. ALTHOUGH IT IS COMMON FOR VEHICLE ENGINES TO DIE OF DIFFERENT ISSUES, THIS IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM FOR MINI COOPERS, BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH OF A PUBLIC OUTCRY FOR A RECALL. THE SITUATION IS DANGEROUS, AS IT CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A COLLISION. THE REMEDY IS A REPLACEMENT OF A MANUFACTURER-ACKNOWLEDGED FAULTY PART. *TR

TURBO OIL COOLING LINES LEAKING ENGINE OIL ON TO HOT TURBOCHARGER. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. MANY MINI COOPER S MODELS ARE HAVING THIS FAILURE. *TR

SATURDAY NIGHT, DEC. 28, 2013. I GO DOWNTOWN WITH MY GIRLFRIEND. SHE HAS A BIG BAG SO WE LET THE PASSENGER SEAT UP TO PUT HER BAG IN THE BACK SEAT. AS SOON AS SHE SITS DOWN AND WE BEGIN TO DRIVE AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE ROOF AND PRE BELT TENSIONER GOES OFF. I CHECK THE SEAT AND SEAT BELT. NOTHING VISIBLY WRONG. MY GIRLFRIEND IS 5'4 120 LBS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FIND OUT BMW WHO MAKES MINI COOPER KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND ISSUED A RECALL ON EARLIER YEARS BUT LATER YEARS NEED A RECALL AS WELL AS THIS IS ANGLING DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE ISSUE TO FIX. YOU CAN FIND PROBLEMS ALL OVER THE NET REGARDING THIS ISSUE. MAKE BMW-MINI COOPER FIX THIS ISSUE THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

THE MINI MADE A BEEPING NOISE / WARNING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. STOPPED THE CAR. IT WAS VERY SLUGGISH TO START SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC (NOT THE MINI DEALER IN MY TOWN WHICH HAS A HORRIBLE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.) THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAILING TIMING CHAIN AND EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH IT. REPLACED TIMING CHAIN, CHAIN TENSIONER, ADJUSTER UNIT CAM, GUIDE RAIL, SLIDE RAIL, CRANKSHAFT SEAL, GASKET RING, VALVE COVER GASKET, DRIVE BELT, IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUGS ... EVERYTHING. THIS FAILURE COULD GAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC WITHOUT MY IMMEDIATE ACTION TO STOP THE CAR AND TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC. IT WAS A $3,000 + FIX. *TR

DRIVING MINI COOPER S WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER TO THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE HWY. TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 91,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. HAPPENED ON FREEWAY. COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR

RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MINI ON 11/16/13 NOTIFYING ME OF POSSIBILITY OF FAULTY CHAIN TENSIONER, WHICH NEEDED TO BE "CHECKED FOR WEAR AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY," AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED MINI DEALER TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT. NO INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. TWO DAYS LATER (11/18/13), JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, THEN THE RED ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED FIRST TO THE IMPORT SHOP THAT NORMALLY SERVICES THE MINI THEN, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THAT MECHANIC ABOUT MINI'S RECALL LETTER, HAD IT TOWED TO A MINI DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT NOW SITS WAITING FOR DIAGNOSIS AND NEWS ABOUT WHAT ANY DAMAGE MIGHT COST TO REPAIR, WHETHER I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, AND WHETHER I WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR TWO TOW CHARGES AND A CAR RENTAL. *TR

HAVE FOUND THAT MY MINI IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS THOSE COVERED BY THE BMW SERVICE RECALL ARE HAVING, ALTHOUGH MINE IS NOT COVERED AS CONFIRMED BY MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS. THIS SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDED ALL MINIS THAT ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND NOT ONLY THOSE THAT OPTED FOR THE UPGRADED MODEL S. *TR

THE CAR HAD A HARD TIME GETTING UP TO 65MPH . THERE WAS A LACK OF ACCELERATION FROM A DEAD STOP TO CRUISING SPEED. THE CAR HAD A WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR INSTALLED 4 MONTHS PRIOR TO MY TROUBLE. MINI TOLD ME THAT MY TIMING BELT TENSIONER HAD BROKE .I NEEDED TO HAVE A NEW TIMING BELT INSTALLED BECAUSE IT HAD STRETCHED .IT WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO KEEP THE TIMING CORRECT .I ASKED WHY WHEN THEY CHANGED TO WATER PUMP THEY DIDN'T SEE THE BROKEN TENSIONER. THEY HAD NO ANSWER . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OFF ROAD AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WOULD LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE AXLE AND SEAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84000.

MY 2007 MINI COOPER S EXPERIENCED THE DEATH RATTLE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TIMING/TENSIONER CHAIN REPLACED. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND MINI COOPER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THEIR CARS AND FIX THEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND OVER-HEATED, CAUSING SMOKE TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,562 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR INDICATORS, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS STUCK IN A DANGEROUS PLACE, WITH HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC FOR SOMETIME. THE DEALER WHO AS MY CAR SAYS: "THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS THE LOCKING UP OF THE VACUUM PUMP. CONSEQUENTLY THIS CAUSED THE BOLT ON THE EXHAUST CAM SHAFT SPROCKET TO SHEER OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF TIME. THE PISTONS THEREFORE MADE CONTACT WITH BOTH INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES, VERIFIED WITH BOROSCOPE INSPECTION, THUS BENDING THE VALVES AND CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THE ENGINE. $6850.00 MINUS DISCOUNT TO REPLACE ENGINE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I HAVE HAD A LOT ISSUES WITH VARIOUS MINI ENGINE PARTS DETERIORATING, DESPITE FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDED REGULAR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES ' CLUTCH, FLY-WHEEL, THERMOSTAT, INTAKE SILENCER, SPARK PLUGS, TIMING CHAIN TWICE, WATERPUMP, RADIO HEAD UNIT, DRIVE BELT, HI-LO HORN, BOOT LATCH, BOOT CABLE, TO NAME A FEW. HOPEFULLY MINI WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE ISSUES. *TR

RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THESE WARNINGS CAME UP - 2D52 SUPER KNOCKING 2DCD FUEL SHUT OFF DUE TO SUPER KNOCKING CYLINDER 3 2968 INLET CAMSHAFT SENSOR 2B64 INTAKE MANIFOLD, UNMETERED AIR BASED ON ALL OF THESE SOUND LIKE MY MINI COOPER HAS BAD FUEL AND/OR SERIOUS CARBON BUILD, I'VE JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP AND I AM EXPERIENCING DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION.

SO, I HAVE ONE OF MANY THOUSANDS OF BAD THERMOSTAT HOUSINGS PART #11537534521( COOLING SYSTEM) . NONE OF THE PARTS HOUSES HAVE THEM IN STOCK. MINI SAID THAT THERE ARE 17,000+ OF THEM ON BACKORDER. 17,000! THIS APPEARS TO AFFECT MINIS FROM 2007 THROUGH 2010. SO, MINE SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR AN INDETERMINABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. NOBODY ACTUALLY KNOWS WHEN (IF) THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE PART HAS BEEN ON BACKORDER FOR A LONG TIME.THERE ARE GUESSES FROM SEPTEMBER 12TH TO OCTOBER 10TH. MOSTLY JUST SHOTS IN THE DARK, SO THEY CAN AT LEAST TELL YOU SOMETHING! THESE PARTS HAVE BEEN FAILING PREMATURELY FOR 6 YEARS, AND NOW LOOK AT THE MESS. MINI IS NOT EXACTLY PRO-ACTIVE. CERTAINLY OUR FIRST AND LAST MINI. I HAVE CONTACTED MINI AND BMW TO ASK WHAT THEIR SOLUTION WILL BE FOR ALL THE AFFECTED CUSTOMERS. ALL THEY DO IS TAKE MY NAME AND NUMBER AND TELL ME THAT THEY WILL CALL BACK . THEY NEVER DO . I AM HOPELESS WITH OUT A CAR THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER ( MINI) NO HAVING REPLACING PARTS AVAILABLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE . PLEASE HOLD MINI AND BMW ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT. *TR

MINI COOPER CALLED FOR RECALL LATELY TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING ON ALL MINICOOPER S TYPE MANUFACTURED ON THE YEAR 2007-2008. THEY USED EXACTLY THE SAME THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING IN ALL MINI COOPER NON- S TYPE AS WELL. I HAVE A MINI COOPER MANUFACTURED IN DEC. 2007 AND IT WAS RELEASED ON 2008. RIGHT NOW, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT I NEED NEW THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING IN MY MINI COOPER BUT THE MINI COOPER DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS A NON-S TYPE ONE THAT WAS ALSO MANUFACTURED IN THE YEAR 2007-2008. THOSE NON-S TYPE MINI COOPERS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL. THEY USED COMPLETELY THE SAME PARTS WITH THE S-TYPE ONE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT UP TO THE MINI COOPER RECALL DEPARTMENT ASAP. THEY SHOULD NOT GET AWAY WITH IT. THEY SHOULD RECALL THE NON-S TYPE AS WELL FOR THE YEAR 2007-2008. PLEASE HELP ME TO GET THIS CASE IN THE RIGHT DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! HAPPY LABOR DAY! *JS

UPON ACCELERATION WHEN THE TURBO CHARGER ENGAGES THERE IS A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL WHICH CHANGES TONE DEPENDING UPON THE ACCELERATION. AFTERWARDS SMOKES STARTS LEAKING FROM THE HOOD SCOOP AND SIDES OF THE HOOD ITSELF. IT SMELLS OF BURNED OIL. I NOTICED OIL POOLING AT A CONNECTION POINT NEAR THE TURBO CHARGER UNIT. IN MID-AUGUST THE CAR FAILED IT'S EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO A CRACKED VALVE COVER. I HAD THE MINI DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE VALVE COVER WHICH WAS ENOUGH TO PASS INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT I HAD AN OIL LEAK IN A LINE TO THE TURBO CHARGER THAT COULD START A FIRE AND TO WATCH MY OIL LEVEL CLOSELY. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS (AFTER NEARLY $900 ON THE VALVE COVER) IS SIMPLY BEYOND MY MEANS PRESENTLY. SINCE LEARNING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DANGERS THE CAR IS NO LONGER PARKED IN THE GARAGE.

THIS VEHICLE HAS TWICE HAD A FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY TENSIONER, RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED FROM A DEAD STOP IN A PARKING LOT SO THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE SAFETY ISSUE. THE SECOND INCIDENT, OCCURRING 12/03/2012, MANIFESTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS DE-ACCELERATING COMING OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT WITH A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EXIT, IN A REMOTE AREA. MINI COOPER SENT THEIR TECHNICIANS IN 2007 A "SERVICE BULLETIN," SHORT OF A RECALL, WHEN THE TREND WAS DISCOVERED AMONG ITS "R56' MODEL ENGINES IN 2008. I HAD WARNED MINI OF SOUNDS WHICH LATER WERE DETERMINED BY INDEPENDENT EXPERTS TO BE THE TIMING CHAIN'S "DEATH RATTLE" PRIOR TO THE FIRST FAILURE, WHICH THEY ATTRIBUTED TO THE CAR'S "GO-KART LIKE START UP." AFTER 6 MONTHS OF STRUGGLING, MINI AGREED TO 80% OF THE REPAIR COSTS, WITH A NEW TIMING CHAIN UNDER A ONE YEAR WARRANTY. OTHER FAILURES SIDELINED THE VEHICLE FOR MONTHS IN THE INTERVENING TIME, AND DUE TO THE INCREDIBLE COST OF REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE GARAGED UNTIL REPAIRED. SO ALTHOUGH OVER A YEAR PASSED BETWEEN TIMING CHAIN FAILURES, ABOUT ONLY ABOUT 39K MILES WERE DRIVEN IN THAT TIME. AS OF NOW, MINI IS ONLY OFFERING 50% CULPABILITY, THIS AFTER STARTING A VOCAL TWITTER CAMPAIGN. I STILL OWE $10K ON A VEHICLE THAT REQUIRES UP TO $5K IN REPAIRS- A REPAIR WHICH WILL ONLY REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. *TT

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT FOOT WAS GETTING HOT. I MOVED MY HAND DOWN TO THE GAS PEDAL AREA AND FELT A LOT HEAT WHICH I LATER DETERMINED TO BE COMING FROM THE PLASTIC PANEL TO THE RIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TOUCH WITH MY BARE HANDS. *TR

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAUSED IMMEDIATE ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DAMAGED TIMING CHAIN HOUSING CRACKED CAUSING OIL TO SPRAY THE HOT ENGINE. SUBSEQUENT OIL STARTED A SMALL FIRE THAT WAS EXTINGUISHED BY DRIVER. *TR

I HAVE BEEN A MINI COOPER OWNER SINCE 2007 AND LOVED MY MINI. IT WAS A 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC AND EVEN THOUGH IT HAD APPROX. 127K MILES, IT DROVE GREAT AND I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT IN THE SIX YEARS I OWNED IT. IN JULY 2013, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 65MPH AND HEARD A VERY FAINT PERCOLATING SOUND COMING FROM INSIDE THE DASH. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS SO I KEPT DRIVING BECAUSE I WAS IN A DESERTED AREA AT NIGHT. APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES LATER, I SAW A FLAME OUTSIDE MY RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND SAW THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM BEHIND THE PASSENGER TIRE OF THE VEHICLE AND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CALLED 911 BUT WITHIN MINUTES, THE ENTIRE HOOD AND FRONT SEATS OF THE CAR WERE IN FLAMES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE CAR WAS A COMPLETELY ENGULFED BY THE FIRE. NOTHING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE COULD BE RECOVERED. OTHER THAN THE FAINT PERCOLATING SOUND AND A SLIGHT ODOR IMMEDIATELY BEFORE I SAW THE FLAMES, THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RULED THE FIRE AN UNDETERMINED MECHANICAL CAUSE AND SAID IT STARTED ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

ENGINE BAY STARTED SMOKING. PULLED THE CAR OVER AND NOTICE THE TURBO OIL LINE WAS LEAKING HOT OIL EVERYWHERE. COULD OF RESULTED IN A ENGINE BAY FIRE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO THEN STATED THAT THE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND AS A RESULT, THE DSC MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY LOCAL SHOP AND HAD OIL CHANGE,NEW BATTERY,TIRES ROTATED AND ALIGNMENT .THEY COULD A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT. CALL ME TO INFORM ME THAT I HAD TO TAKE TO THE MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. I CALLED MINI COOPER AND SPOKE TO [XXX] AT THE HOUSTON DEALERSHIP MOMENTUM MINI. SHE INFORMED ME THAT THE COST WOULD BE ANYWHERE FROM 4000 TO 10,000 DOLLARS. I EXPLAINED TO HER I HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR AND HAVE ANY DRIVEN 6000 MILES IN A YEAR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I NOTICED THAT OTHER PEOPLE WHERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THERE MINI. I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 39,126 MILES ON IT AND MY DAILY DRIVE TO WORK IS A QUARTER MILE IF THAT. PLEASE HELP !!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHILE IN IDLE AND ANY RPM, A RATTLE/GROWLING SOUND COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE TIMING CHAIN HOUSING OF THE ENGINE. WHEN SHIFTING IT WAS HARDER TO PLACE INTO GEAR WITHOUT GRINDING AND VERY EASY TO MISS A GEAR WHEN SHIFTING. MASTER MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THIS HAS A FAILING/FAILED TIMING CHAIN. A NEW TIMING CHAIN WAS INSTALLED, COSTING ME $1,400. ONE WEEK AFTER BEING FIXED THE SAME SOUND IS ARISING FROM THE TIME CHAIN HOUSING AND NEED TO BE TAKEN BACK IN FOR A NEW CHAIN YET AGAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THIS MINI COOPER, IT IS JUST THE 1ST WHILE I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF THE CAR AND SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COOLANT HOUSING AND THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

WHILE DRIVING WEST ON 580 HIGHWAY, MY CAR LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE LANE. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF OF THE FREEWAY OUT OF THE WAY OF MOVING TRAFFIC. HIGHWAY PATROL WAS ABLE TO ASSIST WITH WARNING OTHER DRIVERS OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE. DUE TO A MECHANICAL VACUUM PUMP FAILURE, CAR LOST ALL POWER, AND THE ENGINE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ALSO FAILED ON THE ENGINE WAS A CAM SHAFT FAILURE, TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THIS IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. REPAIRS COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. COST OF REPAIRS PROVIDED BY DEALER IS ESTIMATED AT 9,700.00 DOLLARS MANUFACTURE AWARE OF OIL ISSUES WITH THE VACUUM PUMP, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE BREAKDOWN. OIL FEED HOLE ON THE PUMP CAN BECOME CLOGGED ON THE PUMP. VACUUM PUMP WILL INADEQUATELY SUPPLY OIL TO THE VITAL MOVING PARTS ON THE ENGINE.WE HAD JUST COMPLETED AN OIL CHANGE A WEEK BEFORE THIS FAILURE. MANUFACTURE INTERVALS FOR OIL CHANGES, PUT FAILURE OF PUMP A REALITY, NOT A POSSIBILITY. *TR

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE STOPPED AT A TOLL BOOTH ON THE NJ TOLL ROAD, THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. AFTER SEVERAL MECHANICS, THE 3RD MECHANIC HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS " LOCKED UP VACUUM PUMP ON ENGINE THAT CAUSED CAMSHAFT SPROCKET TO SNAP CAUSING BENT VALVES IN ENGINE,MOTOR OIL WAS FULL ." TOTALLY UNSAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHANGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 07/12/13*LJ

WITH ONLY 23,000 MILES, ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE AT IDLE, AND RUNNING UP TO ABOUT 2800 RPM, WHEN NOISE WOULD DISAPPEAR. TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER PISTON; THAT FAILURE CAUSED THE CHAIN TO SKIP AND THROW THE CAM TIMING OUT OF ALIGNMENT, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER... COST OF $188.00 TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, AND $471 TO DIAGNOSE CAM TIMING SKIP AND RESTORE CAM TIMING... TOTAL COST $659. DEALER REFUSED TO SUBMIT CLAIM TO MINI NORTH AMERICA FOR GOODWILL COVERAGE, DESPITE OUTSTANDING CONDITION, LOW MILEAGE, REGULAR DEALER MAINTENANCE, AND PROPER OIL LEVELS AND CHANGE INTERVALS. THIS ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE AND RESULTING DAMAGE IS WELL KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL AND REPAIR OF ENTIRE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM AT MINI'S COST-- SEVERE CASES CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND POTENTIAL CRASHES/FATALITIES. NHTSA, PLEASE MAKE MINI DO THE RIGHT THING!!!! *TR

I WAS THE ONE THAT REPORTED THE "DEATH RATTLE" ON MY WIFE'S MINI COOPER A FEW WEEKS AGO. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT DAMAGED AND MINI FIXED IT FOR $1800, WHICH WAS RIGHT IN LINE WITH THEIR ESTIMATE. THEY REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN (IT WAS STRETCHED 70MM... 70!!), THE TENSION PULLEY, THE GUIDE, CHANGED THE OIL, REPLACED THE AUX WATER PUMP (WAS A RECALL SO IT COST $0), RETIMED THE ENGINE, WASHED THE CAR, AND CLEANED THE ENGINE BAY. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE CAR RUNS LIKE NEW. THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE CALLED MINI ON MY BEHALF AND THEY GAVE US A $500 DISCOUNT ON THE REPAIR SINCE THE CAR WAS "ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS OUT OF WARRANTY". PERHAPS THAT MEANS MINI IS FINALLY WAKING UP TO THIS PROBLEM? I'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND HOW BETWEEN THE TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED 70MM, AND THE BROKEN PIECE OF GUIDE RATTLING AROUND FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG, DIDN'T DESTROY THE ENGINE... BUT I'M NOT COMPLAINING. ANYWAY, JUST WANTED TO LET OTHER MINI OWNERS KNOW THAT THERE'S HOPE AFTER ALL. AND $1300 IS BETTER THAN $1800 ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. CAR RUNS GREAT AND NEITHER MY WIFE AND I REALIZED HOW MUCH POWER THE CAR HAD LOST. WE'RE STILL GETTING RID OF IT THOUGH... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH... EVERY TIME SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH THIS CAR, IT'S DRAMA. AND THIS WAS THE LAST STRAW. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE. *TR

CAR HAS TIMING CHAIN NOISE ON COLD START-UP AND IF LEFT UNREPAIRED, IT WILL RESULT IN TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AND ENGINE DESTRUCTION. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON 2007 AND LATER MINI COOPER S. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR OUT OF WARRANTY AND, EVEN IF REPAIRED, THE PROBLEM WILL RETURN. THERE ARE CASES OF MULTIPLE ENGINE FAILURES TO SAME CAR. CAR ALSO USES 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 2,000 MILES. *TR

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A MAJOR FLAW WITH OIL SUPPLY/RETURN LINES TO THE TURBO. A CONDITION EXISTS WHERE IF LEFT UNATTENDED AND UNCARED FOR CREATES THE HIGH RISK OF FIRE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE/VEHICLE. THIS EVENT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN AND/OR LATER PARKED. THE RISK IS CREATED WHEN OIL ACCUMULATES, EITHER THROUGH TIME OR OVER A LEISURE DRIVE, AND COLLECTS NEAR/ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD & TURBO COMPONENTS, BOTH OF WHICH OPERATE AT EXTREMELY HIGH TEMPERATURES. IT IS BECOMING A DAILY TASK TO LOOK UNDER THE CAR HOOD AND INVESTIGATE FOR ACCUMULATION OF OIL NEAR THESE PARTS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR SMELLS OF BURNING PETROLEUM. NEED I BE MORE APPARENT OF BURNING OIL THAT WILL BURN AND DESTROY A CAR DUE TO A FAULTY PRODUCT? THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE MAJORITY LIFE OF THE CAR BUT HE ISSUE HAS NEVER BEEN PROFESSIONALLY ADDRESSED DUE TO DISREGARD OF THE MINI/BMW DEALERSHIPS TO ACCEPT THIS DESIGN FLAW. IF RESEARCHED FURTHER, THERE ARE MANY STANDARD EXAMPLES OF THIS DESIGN FLAW AND NUMEROUS DESCRIPTIONS, IMAGES, EXAMPLES, FORUMS, AND COMPLAINTS OF THIS FLAW OCCURRING IN MANY CARS OF VARIOUS STYLES, MILEAGE, AND TRIMS OCCURRING WITHIN THE SAME YEAR MODEL OF 2007. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCE MANY OF THE MAJOR FLAWS ALREADY LISTED AND COMPLAINED ABOUT ON THE NHTSA SUCH AS THE ??DEATH RATTLE?? BELT TENSIONER FAILING (LUCKILY NO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND WHICH HAS BEEN LISTED NUMEROUS TIMES ON NHTSA, NUMEROUS), VALVE COVER REPLACEMENT (ALSO LISTED), ETC. NHTSA, ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS AN AVID AND DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE COMMON PERSON DOES NOT CHECK UNDER THE HOOD DAILY AND ITS ONLY TIME BEFORE SOMEONE PARKS THEIR MINI IN A GARAGE AND THE HOME GOES DOWN IN FLAMES. I PERSONALLY DON??T PARK THE MINI IN THE GARAGE FOR FEAR OF FIRE. DO NOT REPAIR THE MINI WITH THE SAME FAULTY OIL LINE DESIGN. RECALL DESIGN. *TR

MY 2007 MINI COOPER S THERMOSTAT HOUSING HAS STARTED LEAKING TO THE POINT THAT IT WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AT PROLONGED STOPS IN TRAFFIC IF FLUID IS NOT PUT IN THE OVERFLOW TANK. I HAVE BEEN READING VARIOUS THREADS REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND SEE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE, HOWEVER MINI DOES NOT SEEM TOO WORRIED ABOUT THIS PART. *TR

JUST WANTED TO REPORT ANOTHER CASE OF THE "DEATH RATTLE". MY WIFE HAS A 2007 MINI COOPER S WE BOUGHT NEW IN SEPT. 2007. SHE COMPLAINED OF A LOUD RATTLE WHEN SHE STARTED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES UNTIL WARM. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A LOOSE EXHAUST COMPONENT UNTIL IT STARTED HAVING IDLE ISSUES. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND THEY "REBOOTED" THE COMPUTER AND THE IDLE PROBLEMS WENT AWAY BUT THE RATTLE PERSISTED. OUR CLOSEST MINI DEALER IS AN HOUR AWAY SO WE DON'T TAKE IT TO THEM UNLESS WE HAVE TO. EARLY LAST WEEK THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED THE OIL AND OIL LEVEL WAS FINE... ALTHOUGH THE DIPSTICK DID NOT WANT TO GO BACK IN THE ENGINE. OIL LIGHT WOULD COME AND GO OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. SHE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SHOP AGAIN TO HAVE THE RATTLE CHECKED AND THE OIL CHANGED SINCE IT WAS ALMOST DUE. THEY FOUND THE GUIDE FOR THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN AND LAYING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE COVER. THEY CALLED OUR CLOSEST MINI DEALER, SAID IT WAS A "COMMON PROBLEM" WITH TURBO MINIS, AND WE SHOULDN'T DRIVE IT. HAD IT TOWED TO MINI AND THAT'S WHERE IT SITS. THEY HAVEN'T WORKED ON IT YET AND THEY WILL CALL ME WHEN THEY DO, BUT AN EARLY ESTIMATE IS ~$1800 TO REPAIR, AS LONG AS THE ENGINE ISN'T DAMAGED (WHICH IT ISN'T AS THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS FINE). I ASKED MINI ABOUT IT BEING COVERED UNDER SOME SORT OF WARRANTY AFTER READING ALL THE HORROR STORIES SINCE IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT THEY SAID SINCE THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW, AND LOW OIL LEVELS EXACERBATE THE PROBLEM, THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. HAD NO IDEA THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW UNTIL THE LIGHT CAME ON. PRETTY SAD THAT THIS "COMMON PROBLEM" STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. WIFE IS NOW A FULL-TIME STUDENT AND HER SCHOOL IS OVER AN HOUR AWAY. SHE MAKES THAT DRIVE TWICE A DAY, THREE TIMES A WEEK. HOW THAT BROKEN PIECE DIDN'T GET TANGLED IN THE TIMING CHAIN AND DESTROY THE ENGINE I'LL NEVER KNOW. *TR

TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE FROM ENGINE TO TURBO LEAKING EXCESSIVE OIL REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN OF COMPRESSION FITTING LED TO PREMATURE FAILURE. CONTINUED OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE AND OR ENGINE TURBO FAILURE. MINI OF MARIN WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ONGOING ISSUES AND WERE TOLD THEY HADN'T HEARD OF THE ISSUE. CAR SMOKES UP IF DRIVEN SLOW. MUST BE ADDRESSED IN RECALL. *TR

WITHOUT WARNING OR CAUSE, THE TIMING CHAIN & TENSIONER FAILED, WHICH RUINED MY ENGINE. JUST THE TIMING CHAIN COSTS $2000-$3000 TO FIX, BUT SINCE MY ENGINE IS GONE AS WELL THAT NUMBER IS MORE LIKE $6000-$7000. THIS IS A 2007, AND SINKING HALF OF THE VALUE OF THE CAR BACK INTO IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AS OTHERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS ISSUE AT VARIOUS MILEAGE STAGES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AS IS FROM A SMALL LOCAL LOT JANUARY OF 2013, EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT AS PERFECT. I LOVE THE CAR. WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND LUCKILY I WAS ABOUT 10 MILES FROM HOME AND AT THE SPEED OF 35 MPH WHEN IT FELT LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN A GEAR (CAR IS AUTOMATIC) THEN I NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I REMAINED AT THE SPEED OF 35MPH OR LOWER BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES. THEN MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHICH MADE ME THINK I HAD BRAKE ISSUES. I PARKED IT LIFTED THE HOOD AND IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT AND YOU COULD HEAR THE FANS RUNNING EXTRA HARD. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GUY TO LOOK AT IT AS HE TOLD US HE JUST HAD A MINI IN WITH SAME ISSUE WEEKS BEFORE AND AAA CAME TO TOW IT TO HENDRICK MINI IN CHARLOTTE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS VALUE STEMS AND ETC FIND OUT A FEW HOURS LATER NOT THE CASE I NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS A '07 WITH ONLY 54K MILES ON IT IN PERFECT CONDITION. MAKES NO SENSE. MINI/BMW US HAS HEARD OF MY COMPLAINT AND HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO MAKE IT RIGHT. IF YOU ASK ME FROM EVERYTHING I'VE READ ONLINE THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS EVERYONE HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND I CAN'T AFFORD $9K TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I LOVED MY MINI COOPER BUT AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW I'M CAR LESS AND LEFT MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR I CANNOT EVEN DRIVE AND IT IS SITTING IN THE SHOP ON HOLD FOR THE TIME BEING. MINI/BMW NEEDS TO REALIZE ALL OF THE CUSTOMERS THEY ARE LOSING OVER THIS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A WINDY ROAD WHEN WITH NO WARNING MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND FORCED ME INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND MOVE TO THE SHOULDER. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING, BUT STOPPED AGAIN AT MY HOME. THE IGNITION KEY WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH WHEN I REMOVED IT. *TR

I'VE BEEN A LOYAL MINI COOPER FOR YEARS NOW BUT RECENTLY MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I GOT IT TOWED, AND THEY SAID MY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CAME OFF AND LITERALLY SLICED SOME PART OF THE ENGINE. THERE HAS BEEN TALKS ABOUT THE "RECALL," BUT THEY HAVE NOT MADE IT OFFICIAL BECAUSE IT WILL COST THEM MILLIONS TO DO SO. MINI COOPER DID CONFIRM THAT THERE WERE DEFECTED TIMING CHAINS AND I KNOW SOME DEALERSHIPS CHANGED THE TIMING CHAIN FOR FREE BECAUSE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT. MINI COOPER DID NOT INFORM ME ANYTHING AND NOW I HAVE TO EITHER PAY 5000 DOLLARS TO GET A USED ENGINE OR SELL MY CAR. I WORK FULL-TIME AND NOW I DON'T HAVE A CAR. *TR

ONE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I TRIED TO REPLACE IT, BUT THE PLUG SOCKET HAD A SHORT IN IT. THE BULB, SOCKET, AND WIRING HAD TO BE REPLACED. 6 MONTHS LATER THE OTHER LAMP FRIED THE SOCKET. THE APPROXIMATE COST OF REPAIR IS ABOUT 300 PER HEADLIGHT. *TR

I'VE BEEN A LOYAL MINI COOPER CUSTOMER FOR YEARS NOW BUT RECENTLY MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I GOT IT TOWED, AND THEY SAID MY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CAME OFF AND LITERALLY SLICED SOME PART OF THE ENGINE. THERE HAS BEEN TALKS ABOUT A "RECALL," BUT THEY HAVE NOT MADE IT OFFICIAL BECAUSE IT WILL COST THEM MILLIONS TO DO SO. MINI COOPER DID CONFIRM THAT THERE WERE DEFECTED TIMING CHAINS AND I KNOW SOME DEALERSHIPS CHANGED THE TIMING CHAIN FOR FREE BECAUSE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT. MINI COOPER DID NOT INFORM ME ANYTHING AND NOW I HAVE TO EITHER PAY 5000 DOLLARS TO GET A USED ENGINE OR SELL MY CAR. I WORK FULL-TIME AND NOW I DON'T HAVE A CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK. *TR

I TOOK MY MINI S IN TO THE SHOP FOR BRAKE MAINTENANCE, TO BE TOLD THAT THE TENSIONER HAD FAILED AND THE TIMING CHAIN KIT HAD TO BE REPLACED. UNNECESSARY TO MENTION, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THE TENSIONER IN THE MINI HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR QUITE SOME TIME, SOME SITES HAVE QUOTED SINCE 2007. HAD I NOT TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR A COMPLETELY UNRELATED ISSUE, MY TIMING CHAIN COULD HAVE BROKEN, RESULTING IN A THROWN ROD AND A BLOWN ENGINE, WHICH CAN BE INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. THIS TENSIONER IS A DEFECTIVE PIECE WHICH CAUSES SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TIMING CHAIN AND AREA COMPONENTS WHEN IT FAILS. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS ISSUE AND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS SEEN ON THE WEB, A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SHOULD BE MADE. *TR

TOOK VEHICLE IN TO MINI OF THE WOODLANDS TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND WHILE IT WAS THERE HAD THEM DO A DIAGNOSTIC TO ENSURE CAR WAS IN GOOD SHAPE. WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TIMING CHAIN AND THAT I SHOULDN'T DRIVE IT. WAS TOLD TO TOW IT HOME OR LEAVE IT WITH THEM AND THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR CLOSE TO $2500. THE CAR HAS 37,000 MILES. REALLY? FEEL LIKE THERE'S A NICE SCAM GOING ON WITH A PRODUCT THAT HAS OBVIOUS DEFECTS WITH THIS TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. NO VEHICLE SHOULD NEED A NEW TIMING BELT WITH THIS LOW OF MILEAGE. MINI NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

ON 2/4/13 HAD MY CAR TAKEN TO GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW/MINI DEALERSHIP ON 5925 PEACHSTREET IND.BLVD.ATLANTA,GA. (THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER HAD TO BE REPLACED,WAS LEAKING, I PAID $1291.45 FOR THE SERVICE). I PICKED UP MY CAR ON 2/5/13, ACCORDING TO THEM IS WAS GOOD TO GO. STARTED HEADING BACK HOME, WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT POPPED UP AGAIN, THE CAR STARTED SMOKING,SHAKING,IT WOULD NOT DRIVE HIGHER THAN 40MILES., GOT OFF I-75 IN MACON GA, CALLED ROADSIDE SERVICES, HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED ABOVE FOR REPAIRS. THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK. THEY CALL ON 2/20/13 TELLING MY THE CAR WAS READY FOR PICK UP. I RETURNED TO ATLANTA THE FOLLOWING DAY 2/21/13. THEY CHARGED ME FOR SERVICE $3,991.57 . HEADED BACK TO FLORIDA ON 2/23/13, AND NOT EVEN HALF WAY, ON I-75, THE ENGINE LIGHT POPPED UP AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD NOT HIGHER THAN 40MILES, HAD CAR TOWED TO THE MINI OF SOUTH ATLANTA DEALERSHIP IN UNION CITY,AND IM AWAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM WHEN TO COME AND PICK UP MY CAR. WHEN THE RECALL WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED,I TRIED TO CONTACT BMW/MINI HEADQUATERS, THEY TOLD ME I WILL RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE RECALL,WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED. I NEED HELP FORCING THESE PEOPLE TO BE RESPONSIBLE, FIX MY CAR OR IF NOT REIMBURSE ALL THE MONEY I HAVE INVESTED IN REPAIR (NOT ONLY IN ATLANTA BUT IN FLORIDA AS WELL). PLEASE I NEED YOUR ADVISE. A VERY FRUSTRATED MINI COOPER S DRIVER . *TR

TURBO CHARGER OIL FEED LINE - VERY POOR DESIGN CRIMPED TUBE WITH AN O-RING SEAL FAILED IN VERY HOT ENVIRONMENT AND CAUSED LARGE OIL LEAK ONTO HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. STOPPED CAR BEFORE FIRE STARTED. DEALER WANTED $1,300 TO INSTALL A NEW $50 OIL LINE OF THE SAME POOR DESIGN. EVERY SINGLE 2007+ MINI COOPER S HAS A SIMILAR OIL LINE - THEY ARE ALL FAILING AT FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE - NO EXCEPTIONS. MINI SHOULD REDESIGN THIS PART AND ISSUE SAFETY RECALL AND RE-IMBURSE THOSE THAT ALREADY PAID TO REPAIR OIL LINE. *TR

2007 MINI COOPER S. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING HOSES AND OIL PAN GASKETS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING HOSE AND OIL PAN GASKET FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.

TURBO OIL FEED PIPING FAILS AT CONNECTOR. BANJO TYPE FITTING ON TUBING FAILS ON CONNECTION ABOVE TURBO, SPILLING OIL ON TURBO UNIT. PRODUCES SMOKE AND A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *TR

AS WITH ALOT OF OTHER MINI COOPER S MODELS FOR THIS YEAR, MY TIMING CHAIN STARTED TO RATTLE, THE DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE, THE WATER PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED, FUEL PUMP REPLACED, THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AND THE LIST COULD CONTINUE. NOW THE CAR HAS 98,234 MILES ON IT AND IT IS SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH A BLOWN MOTOR FROM BAD #3 CYLINDER, LEAKING HEAD GASKET, AND VALVE ISSUES. THIS CAR HAS SEVERAL DESIGN FLAWS THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT OWN UP TO. FOR A CAR WITH A PRICE TAG OF OVER $32, 000 MADE FROM BMW, YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT ANY OF THIS. *TR

I OWN A 2007 MINI COOPER S, THAT I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN JUNE OF 2007. I IMMEDIATELY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CAR AND KNEW THAT THIS WOULD BE THE LAST CAR I WOULD EVER OWN. IT IS A $31,000 CAR THAT I HAVE BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS MADE EXPENSIVE ($560/MONTH) PAYMENTS ON FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. ABOUT TWO YEARS INTO OWNING THIS CAR, I NOTICED WHEN IT WAS COLD OUT THAT MY MINI WOULD GET WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS "THE DEATH RATTLE". WHEN I CALLED RALPH SCHOMP MINI (WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT), THEY TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE WAS NOTHING THAT I HAD TO WORRY ABOUT AND THAT IT JUST HAD TO DO WITH COLD WEATHER. A YEAR AFTER THAT MY MINI WOULD STRUGGLE TO GET MOVING, I THOUGHT IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM, AGAIN THE MECHANICS AT RALPH SCHOMP MINI TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT, AGAIN JUST COLD WEATHER. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS ACTING UP SEVERELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER IT WENT OFF AND IT SEEMINGLY STOPPED HAVING ISSUES. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THAT, IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER AUTO PLACE TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, BUT IT WAS NON-CONCLUSIVE, AND THE SYMPTOMS ONLY GOT WORSE. I HAD MY MINI TOWED BACK TO RALPH SCHOMP MINI, AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS RESULTED IN SAYING THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER MALFUNCTIONED AND HAD COME LOOSE WHICH DID SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. AN ENGINE SUPPOSEDLY BUILT TO LAST AT LEAST TO 250,000 MILES ONLY MADE IT UNTIL 52,000 MILES AND WILL COST ME AS MUCH AS $8,000 TO REPAIR. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED LITERALLY SIX MONTHS AGO, AND I AM ONLY ABOUT THREE MONTHS AWAY FROM HAVING HER PAID OFF. IN LOOKING UP THIS ISSUE ONLINE, MANY OTHER 2007 MINI OWNERS HAVE ALSO HAD THIS ISSUE. I AM INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE ENTIRE SITUATION, AND WOULD ENCOURAGE A RECALL TO BE ISSUED ON 2007 MINI COOPER S. *TR

A CAR STOPPED SHORT IN MY PATH CAUSING ME TO BRAKE HARD AND STALL. SINCE I DIDN'T APPLY THE CLUTCH DURING THE EMERGENCY STOP I PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO THE FLOOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE. WHEN IT FAILED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS I HAD IT TOWED TO MINI OF BALTIMORE. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD NO COMPRESSION AND THAT THE EXHAUST CAM HAD JUMPED 180 DEGREES OUT OF TIMING. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PROBLEM THE SERVICE MANAGER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $2800. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT MINI WON'T ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND STOPPED ABRUPTLY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE OIL SUCTION PUMP. THE PUMP FAILED INTERNALLY AND DUE TO THE DESIGN THAT TIED IT DIRECTLY TO THE OVERHEAD CAM, IT CAUSED THE CAMSHAFT TO SEIZE, STRETCHED AND BROKE THE BOLT CONNECTING THE TIMING GEAR AND CHAIN TO THE CAMSHAFT, WHICH THE FELL INTO THE LOWER ENGINE AREA AND CAUSED FURTHER ENGINE DAMAGE. FORTUNATELY, THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT OCCURRED IN A RELATIVELY SLOW TRAFFIC SITUATION AND THE CAR WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND PUSHED OFF TO THE SIDE. DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WAS SUBSTANTIAL AND CONSISTENT WITH MULTIPLE OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR FAILURES. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW (IN MY OPINION AS AN ENGINEER) IN THAT THE SHEAR POINT BEING ON THE CAMSHAFT INSTEAD OF THE PUMP CAUSES INSTANTANEOUS ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS CRASH OR INJURY. IN ADDITION TO THIS FAILURE, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE OIL SYSTEM THAT MAY HAVE TRIGGERED THIS PUMP FAILURE. MINI HAD ALLEGEDLY PERFORMED SOME 'VALVE CLEANING' APPROXIMATELY 6,000 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, HOWEVER THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY SUCH 'CLEANING' WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OPENED. I HAVE EXTENSIVE PHOTOS OF THIS ENGINE AS IT WAS DISASSEMBLED, SHOWING THE PUMP, BOLT AND OTHER PARTS AND WILL BE HAPPY TO SHARE THOSE. *TR

WAS DRIVING BACK FROM VACATION, AND UPON GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY WE HAD NOTICED A LOUD RATTLING WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD FAILED, RESULTING IN THE TIMING CHAIN TO BE LOOSE AND DESTROY THE RAILS IT RODE ON. UPON LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE FURTHER, DISCOVERED THERE IS A TSB OUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL YET. *TR

RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAYS CLOCK SPRING FAILED COST 1300 TO REPAIR NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR A RECALL AND THE CAR AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF NOT REPAIRED. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED MY 2005 TRUCK FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAGS IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE FOR BMW / MINI PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY; ENGINE ROUGH ON START UP; SOUNDS LIKE RATTLING CHAINS WHEN SHIFTING; MINI SAID OUR OIL WAS TOO LOW SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYING OUR TIMING CHAIN; TECH WAS AMAZED THAT THE CHAIN GUIDES WERE SHORN OFF AS WELL; MINI DOES NOT HAVE A CHECK OIL INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE; WE CHANGE OUR OIL EVERY 5000 MILES EVEN THOUGH MINI RECOMMENDS EVERY 15000. SO, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN ON A 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 44,000 MILES. COMPLAINED TO MINI CORPORATION AND PROCEEDED WITH CONFLICT RESOLUTION EXPERT. MINI DENIED OUR CLAIM BECAUSE OUR OIL WAS LOW AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. REPAIR COST $1,950.83 AND WE ARE STILL MAKING A CAR PAYMENT ON THIS NEWER VEHICLE. RESEARCHED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS TALKING WITH 3 ACQUAINTANCES WHO OWN A MINI. WE ARE FORTUNATE WE CAUGHT THIS ISSUE BEFORE WE HAD TO REPLACE OUR ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THEIR WEBSITE, BMW/MINI FINDS OIL USAGE AT 1 QUART PER 1000 MILES AS ACCEPTABLE. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY NEED TO INSTALL A CHECK OIL INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE AND CHANGE THEIR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FROM 15000 TO 3000 MILES. *TR

TRAVELING WITH NO WARNING, THERMOMETER LIGHT CAME ON, TURNED YELLOW TO RED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, PULLED OVER AND CALLED DEALERSHIP, ADVISED THERE WAS RECALL ON WATER PUMP FOR OVERHEATING, HAD CAR TOWED IMMEDIATELY; DEALERSHIP REPLACED RECALLED WATER PUMP (EXTERIOR), BUT PAID $600.00 FOR THERMOSTAT; LEFT DEALERSHIP AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 30 MINUTES,HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN; NOW CAR RAN HOT AGAIN, NO ANTIFREEZE IN CAR, REFILLED AND LIGHT WENT OFF, 1.5 DAYS LATER SAME OCCURRENCE BUT ENGINE SMOKING,VERY BADLY, TOWED AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP, NOW STATES IT IS WATER PUMP #2 (INTERIOR) , AND TIMING CHANGE WHICH WAS ALREADY SUPPOSEDLY PERFORMED ON CAR, NOW STATING I MUST PAY FOR WATER PUMP, TENSIONER ON TIMING CHANGE, VALVE SENSOR, AND VALVE COVER GASKETS ANOTHER $1000.00, ALL OF WHICH PERTAIN TO THE SAME OCCURRENCES OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I CALLED MINI COOPER CALL CENTER AND THEY ONLY REFER YOU BACK TO DEALERSHIP, STATING THEY HAVE NO TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND ARE UNABLE TO ASSIST ME, THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL ITEMS. WOW I THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM ONLY BELONGED TO A SAAB I PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND ELIMINATED FOR SAME REASONS.. ! *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2007 MINI USED 1 MONTH AGO. WHEN I WENT TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND THERE WAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE IT FIXED AND CALL ME BACK IN FOR A TEST DRIVE. I WENT BACK AND WHEN THE CAR STARTED IT HAD A VERY SLIGHT RATTLE THAT EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY. NOW IN THE MONTH TIME THAT I HAVE HAD THE CAR IT TAKES ME 6 OR 7 TRIES TO GET THE ENGINE TO START, AND WHEN IT RUNS IT HAS THE RATTLE THAT HAS PLAGUED SO MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. ACTION MUST BE TAKEN TO CORRECT THE INADEQUACY OF THE INFERIOR TIMING CHAIN SET UP. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT IT IS A "NORMAL" MINI NOISE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET USED TO IT. THAT IS IN A SENSE A "COP OUT" FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS HEAVILY KNOWN IN THE MINI COMMUNITY AND THAT BMW MINI IS WELL AWARE OF. THIS IS A MAJOR MECHANICAL DEFECT IN THE CAR AND BMW MINI NEED TO OWN UP TO REPAIR WITH AN UPDATED AND CURRENT CORRECTIVE ACTION OR REPLACE THE ENGINES FOR ALL THE LOYAL MINI OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS VERY COSTLY PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO TOTAL DRIVELINE FAILURE. WE PAID FOR A GOOD RUNNING RELIABLE VEHICLE AND ARE NOT GETTING WHAT WE PAID FOR. *TR

MY CAR HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HAVE TO REPLACE IT FOR $9000! IT S MINI COOPER S 2007 ONLY 29800 MILES!! THE DEALER WILL NOT REPINES ANYTHING AND THE WARRANTY IS OUT! *TR

ENGINE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING DECREASED ACCELERATING POWER AND A LOUD RUBBING/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING, THAT WILL CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE IF NOT PROMPTLY FIXED. IT IS A WELL KNOW MINI COOPER PROBLEM (2007 MODELS TO CURRENT YEAR) AND THE MINI DEALERSHIP I TOOK MINE TO HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ISSUE. MINI HAS CAME OUT WITH REPLACEMENT PARTS AND A SERVICE GUIDE ON HOW TO REPAIR THE ISSUE AT A HEFTY COST (IF THE ENGINE HASN'T ALREADY BEEN DAMAGED); HOWEVER, MINI/BMW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR REPLACEMENT AT NO COST TO CONSUMERS TO BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT. ESTIMATES FOR REPAIR IN MY AREA WERE $1300-$1600 IF REPAIRABLE BECAUSE AGAIN, IT WILL CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE IF NOT FIXED QUICKLY. MY CAR HAS 41,000 AND HAVE HAD MY MINI SERVICED AT THE DESIGNATED TIME INTERVALS AT ONLY MINI SERVICES AREAS. SUCH A MAJOR REPAIR THAT COULD HAVE EVENTUALLY CAUSED MY ENGINE TO STOP WORKING SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT 41,000 MILES. MINI/BMW SHOULD BACK UP THERE PRODUCT WITH REPAIRS AND NEEDS TO FIND AN ULTIMATE FIX BECAUSE IT IS AN ISSUE EVEN IN THE CURRENT MODELS. *TR

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACED JULY OF 2011 NOW AUG31,2012 LOUD NOISE TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED SO REPLACED & TENSIONER REPLACED AGAIN. *TR

IN JANUARY 2012 WITH 37,000 MILES ON IT MY MINI STARTED HAVING VERY NOISY STARTS. THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY AFTER IT WARMED UP. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MINI DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONER GUIDES ETC FOR HALF PRICE AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE. NOW I FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED SMALL FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A BLANKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OIL RETURN LINE THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE TURBO CHARGER HAD BEGAN LEAKING OIL AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN THEN STATED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER AND THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STALLING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,800.

THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE PREPARING TO ENTER A HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING TO TURN ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND IT JUST QUIT AND PARTIALLY BLOCKED THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY THE HIGHWAY WAS ON A SLOPE AND TO PREVENT FROM BLOCKING THE HIGHWAY AND RISK INJURY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A FIRE STATION ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND FROM THERE PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN WHICH BROKE WITH NO WARNING. THE REPAIR WILL COST ABOUT $4000. THE FACT THAT IT BROKE AS I WAS ENTERING A HIGHWAY AND WITH NO ON-COMING TRAFFIC WAS VERY LUCKY. THERE IS NO WARNING FOR THE ENGINE TO STOP. THIS SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2007 MINIS AND AS THESE CARS AGE THE LIKELY HOOD OF THE PROBLEM OCCURRING INCREASES. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS AN ABRUPT ENGINE FAILURE CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AND WITHOUT NOTICE. IT WAS OVER 100F THE DAY MY ENGINE QUIT, I WAS OVER 90MILES AWAY FROM HOME IN A SPARSELY POPULATED RURAL AREA WITH NO CELL PHONE COVERAGE. IF IT HAD HAPPENED 15 MILES IN EITHER DIRECTION IT COULD HAVE BEEN HOURS BEFORE ANYONE FOUND ME AND MY CAR. *TR

WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR STARTED JERKING AND RUNNING VERY ROUGHLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE MINI DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. WHILE THE DEALER WAS VERY HELPFUL, THE DIAGNOSES WAS DISTURBING AT BEST. AFTER TEARING APART THE MOTOR, CLEANING IT AND REASSEMBLING, THE PROBLEM REMAINED. IT WAS "MINI SERVICES" RECOMMENDATION TO THE DEALER THAT THE TIMING BELT BE CHANGED. THIS IS A 13 HOUR PROCEDURE THAT COST JUST OVER $2000 AND PROVIDES NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THEY MAY RUN INTO MORE PROBLEMS ONCE THEY ARE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED DO TO A SIMILAR PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAVE ELECTED TO PAY $5000 FOR A NEW MOTOR AND 2 YEAR WARRANTY SO AT LEAST WE WOULD HAVE A SLIGHT PIECE OF MIND THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT REOCCUR AT OUR EXPENSE. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE RISKS OF OWNING A VEHICLE BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I JUST WISH BMW MINI WOULD RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM AND STAND BEHIND WHAT APPEARS TO BE A RAMPANT PROBLEM WITH THE "TIMING-BELT-TENSIONER" ON THE 2007 S MODELS. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THE PAGES OF OWNERS THAT ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY WIFE LOVES THIS CAR. THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD PURCHASE ANOTHER MINI PRODUCT AFTER PAYING OVER $30,000 FOR THE 2007 63,000 MILE DISPOSABLE MODEL. *TR

TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FAILURE MENTIONED BY OTHERS ALSO OCCURRED IN MY CAR. FAILURE IN MY CASE WAS PROGRESSIVE: STARTED WITH ROUGH STARTS, NOISY IDLE (FROM CHAIN IMPACTING COVER!) PROGRESSED TO NON-EXISTENT ACCELERATION ABOVE 4000 RPMS (A SAFETY ISSUE ON THE HIGHWAY) . BROUGHT THE CAR TO MECHANIC AND WHILE HE WAS INVESTIGATING THE OBVIOUS AIR LEAK, CAR FAILED TO START. DEALER EVENTUALLY DISCOVERED BENT VALVES FROM IMPACT WITH PISTON PREVENTING PROPER SEAL, BUT ONLY AFTER REPLACING SNAPPED TENSIONER GUIDES AND TIMING CHAIN DROPPED INTO OIL PAN FOR $2,525. HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IT POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THEN THEY TELL ME THEY CAN REPLACE ALL VALVES FOR $4,500. TOTAL COST, OVER $7,000. EFFECTIVELY, THIS IS A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE AND IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO DROP IN A COMPLETE NEW ENGINE. MINI AND THEIR DEALERS ARE WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND AS IT CAN - AND HAS - RESULTED IN FAILURES FOR OTHER MOTORISTS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT POSES SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH A RECALL. *TR

ENGINE IS RATTLING HORRIBLY. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT MOST ARE CALLING THE "RATTLE OF DEATH". THE TIMING CHAIN IS MAKING ENTIRELY TOO MUCH NOISE. AND CAR IS RUNNING POORLY. I CAN NOT AND WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR TILL IT IS REPAIRED! THIS IS A POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. MINI COOPER KNOWS ABOUT THIS MAJOR ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL. REPAIR ESTIMATES ARE AS MUCH AS $2500.00 FOR TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. *TR

MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A RATTLING SOUND FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. ALTHOUGH THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED TWICE DURING THAT TIME, NO TECHNICIAN OR MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE RATTLE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED MY CAR BEGINNING TO RUN... FUNNY. NOT LONG AFTER, THE ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON. APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MILES LATER, MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, IT WAS TOWED TO A MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS THE TIMING CHAIN, AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF THESE REPORTS ON THE INTERNET. INSPITE OF THE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS AND REPAIRS, MINI/BMW HAS REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PART. IT WAS VERY FORTUNATE THERE WAS NO CRASH OR FATALITY, AGAIN MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING. *TR

THE TIME CHAIN JUMPED WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN WITH SUCH LOW MILES ON THE CAR. MINI REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN.. THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE KNOCKING NOISE AND RUN ROUGH. COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MINI COOPER SERVICE DEPT. *JS

2007 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH FUEL LINE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NOTICED A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY, THE SMELL WA WORSE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HER LOCAL MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THE FUEL LINE HAD BEEN WORN THROUGH FROM IMPROPERLY INSTALLED HEATER HOSE CLAMPS, WHICH WAS AN ORIGINAL INSTALLATION FROM THE FACTORY. OVER TIME, THE CLAMPS RUBBED THROUGH THE FUEL LINE, WHICH LED TO GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE, AND SPRAYING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL LINE HAS SINCE BEEN MODIFIED ON LATER MODELS. *JB

MINI COOPER DRIVERS AROUND THE U.S. AND WORLD HAVE BEEN REPORTING A STRANGE KNOCKING/RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 2007+ MINI COOPER. FROM THE MISC DEALER REPAIR DETAILS IT APPEARS TO BE A ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM. IT ALSO APPEARS THE WITHOUT BEING FIXED THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AND POSSIBLE MOTOR DESTRUCTION. ON A GOOD NOTE BMW/MINI KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS HOWEVER IS FAILING TO COME UP WITH OR ACKNOWLEDGE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. HOW MANY CUSTOMERS ISSUES WILL IT TAKE BEFORE BMW/MINI WILL ISSUE A FULL RECALL? *TR

THE COLD START RATTLE WAS/IS BEING CAUSED BY THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER (WHICH IS IN TURN POWERED BY AN OIL-PRESSURIZED PISTON). MORE SPECIFICALLY THE SOUND IS CAUSED WHEN THE TENSIONER PISTON DOESN'T EXTEND ALL THE WAY (OR AT ALL) WHICH THEN ALLOWS THE TIMING CHAIN TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE GUIDES ON THE ENGINE COVER. *TR

THE DUAL POWER SUNROOF IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY ON THE 2007 MODEL MINI'S AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY THE MANUFACTURER. TO FIX THE PROBLEM MINI IS CHARGING OVER $2500.00 TO CORRECT THIS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. *TR

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BRACKETS ALL BROKE ON MY 07 MINI. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IN NOT A NEW ISSUE AND THE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM THAT HE DEALS WITH ON SEVERAL MINIS. THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND WHEN CRACKED OR BROKEN THEY ALLOW MY TIMING CHAIN TO SLIP CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER 2000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST 5 YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. BMW/MINI MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE ENGINE PARTS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES FOR IT CAN CAUSE ENOUGH DAMAGE TO WERE YOU WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. *TR

I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY 07' MINI COOPER S ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN SINCE 2010. THE TENSIONER BRACKETS FOR THE TIMING CHAIN THAT CAME WITH MY 07 MINI ARE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND BREAK EASILY, CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO SLIP AND DAMAGE MY ENGINE. IT HAS CURRENTLY COST ME 1500 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE REPAIR CAN ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX BECAUSE THE BRACKETS WERE SIMPLY REPLACED WITH THE SAME PLASTIC BRACKETS THAT BROKE PREVIOUSLY. I AM SIMPLY AWAITING THE DAY THEY BREAK AGAIN. THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE, AS I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS VERY SAME ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND BMW NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DEFECTED ENGINES. I SUGGEST A RECALL BE PLACED ON THE 07 - 10 MINI COOPERS, COOPER S, AND CONVERTIBLES, FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE TENSIONER BRACKETS FOR THE TIMING CHAIN BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IF NOT DESTROY THE ENGINE COMPLETELY. *TR

MINI COOPER 2007 - RATTLES WHEN COLD. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. FELT TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. I DID SOME RESEARCH. IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM AND CAN LEAD TO THE ENGINE SEIZING DURING DRIVING. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MINI IS WELL AWARE OF. MY CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE REPAIR WOULD COST ~$2500. IF I DON'T REPAIR IT, I WORRY ABOUT THE ENGINE FAILING WHILE I'M ON THE HIGHWAY - OR WORSE, WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR DURING A DRIVE. MINI KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND HAS DIRECTED DEALERS SPECIFICALLY ON THIS PROBLEM. COUNTLESS ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. MINI SHOULD OFFER A RECALL AND FIX THIS KNOWN DEFECT BEFORE ANYONE LOSES CONTROL OF A CAR WHILE DRIVING AND SOMEONE GETS HURT. UPDATED IVOQ 07/09/12. *TT

TOOK MY CAR INTO THE MINI DEALER TODAY DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS IDLING LOW, SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL WHEN IT TURNED ON AND MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. MINI LET ME KNOW THAT IT WAS IN FACT MY TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM THAT WAS MAKING THIS SOUND AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED, I COULD HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. MY MINI IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, THEREFORE I FEEL LIKE MINI SHOULD COVER THE COST OF FIXING MY TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SINCE IT IS GOING TO COST ME APPROXIMATELY $2,500 TO FIX IT. I GUESS I SHOULD BE THANKFULLY THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET MY MINI TO THE DEALER BEFORE IT SUFFERED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. *JS

MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF AT RANDOM INTERVALS (IE. REGARDLESS OF SOMEONE BEING IN THE SEAT, DRIVING CONDITIONS, ETC). THIS STARTED ONE DAY WHEN I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AFTER NORMAL OPERATIONS. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPERS MADE AFTER 2005, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT TRAVELED OVER A SLICK AREA IN THE ASPHALT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, ROLLED OVER AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,500.

UPON STARTING MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE END OF A WORK DAY, AN INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2007 MINI COOPER INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG (CODE 93A8 STAGE 1). HE RESET THE LIGHT AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. HE CHECKED THE CODE AGAIN AND IT WAS THE SAME. AS A RESULT, HE CONTACTED THE NEAREST MINI SERVICE CENTER. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG CONNECTION, MINI CHARGES ABOUT $600 TO REPLACE IT EVEN THOUGH NO ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED, NO HARD STOPS, NOTHING TO TRIGGER THE AIR BAG. UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

ONE MONTH AFTER MINI OF CONCORD REPLACED MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THE GASOLINE LEAK AND STRONG GAS SMELL WITHIN THE CABIN, AGAIN THE GAS SMELL STARTED UP IN THE CABIN (FOR ALL TRIPS). I TOOK IT BACK TO MINI OF CONCORD (THIS IS 14 MONTHS AFTER BUYING CAR), AND THEY AGAIN FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS - AGAIN. THIS WAS THE THIRD OF FOUR REPLACEMENTS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR. *TR

EIGHT MONTHS AFTER MINI OF CONCORD REPLACED MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THE GASOLINE LEAK AND STRONG GAS SMELL WITHIN THE CABIN, AGAIN THE GAS SMELL STARTED UP IN THE CABIN (FOR ALL TRIPS). I TOOK IT BACK TO MINI OF CONCORD (THIS IS 22 MONTHS AFTER BUYING CAR), AND THEY AGAIN FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS - AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FOURTH REPLACEMENT OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR! THEY ALSO REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BECAUSE OF THE LOUD NOISE IT WAS MAKING ON STARTUP. AND THE INLET CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR

IN EARLY JANUARY 2008, 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR, IT STARTED TO SMELL STRONGLY LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN, AND I WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS A RISK OF FIRE. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE CAR SIT, AND RESTARTED IT, BUT THE SMELL RESUMED. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MINI OF SF, AND THEY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS. THIS WAS THE FIRST OF FOUR REPLACEMENTS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR. *TR

IN AUGUST OF 2008, 12 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR, IT FOR A 2ND TIME IN 1 YEAR, STARTED TO SMELL STRONGLY LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MINI OF CONCORD, AND THEY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS - FOR A 2ND TIME. THIS WAS THE SECOND OF FOUR REPLACEMENTS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IN MY CAR. *TR

I JUST BOUGHT A MINI COOPER S WITH 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I NOW SEE WHERE ERROR CODE P0012 IS AFFECTED BY SERVICE BULLETIN SIM-11-02-07 AND PUMA MEASURE 10686850-13. THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE PROCESS AFFECTING THE OIL CONDITION IS THE START OF THIS OCCURRENCE AND YIELDING SOME ISSUES WITH THE VANOS UNIT AND THE TIMING CHAIN, I AM AT A LOSS. NOW THIS IS MY PROBLEM, AND IT IS ALL THE FAULT OF MINI. I AM WONDERING WHAT TO DO?? *TR

MINI ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON FAILED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS IN 2009. SERVICE BULLETINS SIM-11-02-07 AND PUMA MEASURE NUMBER 10686850-13. THE BULLETIN STATES THAT WHEN A CUSTOMER COMES IN WITH A TENSIONER PROBLEM THAT ALL CARS AFFECTED WILL RECEIVE A NEW TIMING CHAIN, CHAIN GUIDES, CAM SPROCKETS AND VANOS UNIT. ON 6/23/10 MY VEHICLE REQUIRED THIS REPAIR. BECAUSE I WASN'T AWARE OF THE SERVICE BULLETINS THE MINI DEALERSHIP ONLY REPLACED MY VEHICLES TENSIONER WITHOUT REPLACING THE OTHER PARTS...THE TENSIONER IS AN EASY REPLACE AND THE ACTUAL TIMING CHAIN IS A 9.9 HOUR JOB SO I'M ASSUMING THEY TOOK THE EASY ROUTE WITH LESS ACCUMULATING LABOR. NOW WE'RE 23 MONTHS INTO THAT REPAIR AND THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAS GONE BAD...AGAIN. THIS TIME THE TENSIONER GOING OUT ALSO CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL ALONG WITH THE CHAIN GUIDES. MINI WILL REPLACE THE TENSIONER AGAIN, WHICH IS A 26 DOLLAR PART, BECAUSE IT IS WITHIN THE 24 MONTH WARRANTY...BUT BECAUSE THE MINI DEALER THAT LAST REPLACED THE TENSIONER DID NOT FOLLOW THE BULLETINS ISSUED AND REPLACE THE OTHER PIECES INVOLVED IN THE BULLETIN, THEY SAY I'M RESPONSIBLE. MINI NOW WANTS TO CHARGE ME 1967 DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR OF THE TIMING CHAIN AND CHAIN GUIDES BECAUSE IT SAYS THE OTHER PARTS ARE NOT COVERED. THE CAR HAS 50,062 MILES (WARRANTY IS TO 50K). THERE ARE WELL OVER 200 ENTRIES THAT I FOUND ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS PROBLEM AND A PETITION WITH OVER 650 SIGNATURES. WHEN IS SOMETHING GOING TO BE DONE? *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE AS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MALFUNCTION CONTINUED TO OCCUR. MOST RECENTLY THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP AND THEY STATED THE ENGINE TIMING TENSIONER AND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED RESULTING IN SLACK IN THE TIMING BELT. FINAL RESULT WAS THE TIMING BELT SLACK CONTACTED PLASTIC CHAIN GUARDS WHICH BROKE OFF AND LODGED INSIDE THE ENGINE. AFTER BEING TOWED TO MINI SERVICE, THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CRITICAL TIMING CHAIN FAILURE LED TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF SMOKE AND I HAD INITIAL CONCERN THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE INCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AS I WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK ON THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY POWER ENDANGERING MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. MINI IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER, BUT HAS FAILED TO PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MINI EVEN HAS A BAG FULL OF BENT RODS AT HIS DESK THAT HE SHOWED ME AND TOLD ME HE HAS HAD MULTIPLE CARS COME IN WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *JS

CAR MISFIRED AND HAD BACKFIRED; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR RIGHT TO DEALER , THEY TOLD US IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND DOING NOTHING BUT CHARGING CUSTOMERS FOR THE REPAIR. THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING TENSIONER HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT IS RECOGNIZED BUT NOTHING DONE. IF FULL FAILURE ON ROADWAY CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ISSUES TO ME AND OTHERS . *JS

6/2011, VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD RATTLING NOISE AFTER STARTING UP IN THE MORNING AND DURING ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MINI SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, NOISE WAS RELATED TO TYPE OF GAS BEING USED (IF NOT CHEVRON OR SHELL, GAS COULD CAUSE NOISE IS WHAT I WAS TOLD). 4/2011, NOISE BEGAN TO GET WORSE. SCHEDULED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH SAME LOCAL SERVICE CENTER FOR MAY 7TH, 2012 (A MONTH OUT FOR FIRST APPOINTMENT) AS WELL AS TO ADDRESS A RECALL ISSUE RELATED TO RECALL CAMPAIGN 12V-008 ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP. WORK NOT COMPLETED BECAUSE ON 4/13/12, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND THEN VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER LOCAL REPAIR SHOW DIAGNOSED, FAILURE WAS FOUND TO BE WITH TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE. SOLUTION=REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE AT A COST OF $6,300. MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE WAS 62,218. REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY MINI AS VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. REPAIRS NOT COMPLETED. RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED TO HAVE THIS COMMON AND KNOWN FAILURE FIXED. *TR

VEHICLE SERVICED REGULARLY FOR MAINTENANCE. PRE-INCIDENT ZERO WARNING VIA ON-BOARD SENSORS/INDICATOR. LAST MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT 52K. VEHICLE HAD 56K MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE MORNING: TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED UPON START UP. DUE TO THIS FAILURE THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED REQUIRING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. A SERIOUS ISSUE REQUIRING A RECALL. *TR

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAUSING $1800 DAMAGE. WAS TOLD IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND COULD'VE BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO THE DAMAGE AND SAVED TIME, MONEY, AND POTENTIAL DANGER. THANKFULLY NOTHING HAPPENED TO HARM ANYONE. KNOCKING NOISE, SMOKE, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, RUNNING POORLY. HAS BEEN FIXED NOW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN DAMAGED THE ENGINE, RENDERING IT INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

I BOUGHT THIS 2007 MINI COOPER S PRE OWNED ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO. THIS CAR HAD APPROX. 32000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL LIKE RUBBER OR PLASTIC. I COMPLAINED TO THE MAN WHO SOLD THIS CAR TO ME AND HE HAD THE TURBO WATER PUMP REPLACED THROUGH THE RECALL DUE TO OVERHEATING. HEAT IN THE MOTOR REACHING MORE THAN 225 DEGREES CAN DESTROY MANY OTHER PARTS ON THIS CAR! NOW AFTER THE TURBO WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT THE CAR CONTINUES TO SMELL LIKE BURNING PLASTIC AND HE SAYS IT MUST TAKE A WHILE FOR THE ODOR TO LEAVE THE CAR. TWO WEEKS LATER THE CAR BEGINS LOOSING POWER AND ACTS LIKE IT HAS NO CLUTCH. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND HAVE OWNED MANY CARS WITH MANUAL GEARS. THIS CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS, A BURNED OUT CLUTCH, AND COULD EVEN BE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT ARE VERY PREMATURE AND SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL CAR. WHY CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE TO HELP THOSE WHO WERE CHEATED BY OWNING SUCH A TROUBLESOME CAR. THIS CAR ALSO HAD THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED A VERY LOW MILEAGE! *TR

I BROUGHT MY MINI IN FOR THE ELECTRICAL WATER PUMP RECALL ISSUE AND I EXPLAINED THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND TO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES. THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE COST WAS SUBSTANTIAL. THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS I NOW KNOW AFTER SEEING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. PLEASE HAVE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND NOT HAVE OTHER OWNERS HAVE TO PAY FOR A SERVICE THAT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND VERY DANGEROUS TO OCCUPANTS AND OTHER DRIVERS SINCE THIS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND THE POTENTIAL TO HARM MORE THAN THE VEHICLE OPERATOR. *TR

ON COLD STARTS, IT HAS BECOME A DOCUMENTED ISSUE THAT 07-11 "S" MODELS HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A HORRIBLE RATTLE UPON STARTING. THIS CAN BECOME A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE FOR MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. THIS IS DUE TO A TENSIONING MECHANISM WHICH ALLOWS TOO MUCH TRAVEL IN THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS CAN ALLOW THE CHAIN TO JUMP OR BREAK WHICH CAN CAUSE A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE FIX INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF THE TIMING CHAIN AND A REDESIGNED TENSIONER. BMW ACKNOWLEDGES THIS ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT HELP OUT MINI OWNERS EVEN AT A REDUCED RATE. WITH JUST A SHORT SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT IS EASY TO FIND THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE AND ARE ASKING FOR HELP TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, WITH NO LUCK. *TR

TIMING CHAIN BROKE AT 80000K AFTER REPLACING TENSIONER AT 60000K FROM OIL LEAK. ALSO REPLACED WATER PUMP & THERMOSTAT DUE TO CAR OVERHEATING. NOW AT 82000K HAVE A BURNT OUT VALVE. BIG PROBLEMS ON MY MINI COOPER S '07. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COPPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIR WERE ON BACK ORDER UNTIL APRIL 13, 2012. THE CONTACT MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE THAT DATE, BUT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LATER STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND TOWED TO A MINI SPECIALIST WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY PUMP FAILED. THE FAILURE DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,481.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) ONE DAY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE REMEDY HOWEVER, FAILED TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000.

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE COMMONLY REFERRED TO BY MINI OWNERS AS "THE DEATH RATTLE". THE DEALER CLAIMS THE ISSUE IS CAUSED AS A RESULT OF BEING 1.5 QUARTS LOW ON OIL. BUT DOZENS OF OTHER OWNERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM WITHOUT BEING LOW ON OIL. I SUSPECT THE LOW OIL LEVEL IS A COVER ALLOWING THE MANUFACTURER TO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. NO OIL INDICATOR LIGHT IS TRIGGERED AT THAT LEVEL. MINI IS TAKING ACTION ON THIS ISSUE BUT HAS STOPPED SHORT OF ISSUING A RECALL. AS SUCH, THOUSANDS OF MINI OWNERS RISK SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THEIR ENGINE AT SPEED AS A RESULT OF POTENTIAL TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. FURTHERMORE, MOST OWNERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR (BETWEEN $1,200 - $1,700) TO PREVENT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THIS IS A DEFECT. IT REQUIRES CORRECTIVE ACTION BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER ABNORMALLY AND WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I SLOWED DOWN, AND I HEARD CLUNKING ROCK LIKE NOISES. MY CAR ROLLED TO A STOP. MY MECHANIC HAS VERIFIED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS BROKEN, WHICH IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL AND SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. THE MINI COOPER FORUMS HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM IN 2007 MINI COOPER S MODELS. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MINI HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL, BUT THEY NEED TO. IMMEDIATELY. *TR

COLD START ISSUES AND EVENTUAL "CHECK ENGINE" TRIGGERED BY DEFECTIVE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ADDITIONAL PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM ENGINE CAUSING WARPING OF PLASTIC HOOD SCOOP (3RD REPLACEMENT). *TR

AFTER NUMEROUS TRIPS TO GARAGE TO DETERMINE WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND CAR SIGNALING BY WAY OF ALARM FOR ME TO SEE SERVICE DEPT IMMEDIATELY AND AT LEAST TWICE HAVING BEEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND FOUND MYSELF STRANDED WITH EXTREMELY LOW LEVEL OF ANTIFREEZE, BMW SERVICE DEPT RECOMMENDED A CHANGE OF HEATING THERMOSTAT. SAID THEY HAD SEEN THIS NUMEROUS TIMES. I TRUSTED THEM AND SPENT $550.00 ONLY TO START HAVING THE PROBLEM AGAIN 3 WEEKS LATER. NOW I'M TOLD BY MINI DEALERSHIP I NEED A RADIATOR, BUT GUESS WHAT, IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS CAR LIVES AT THE GARAGE AND I CANNOT TAKE IT ON A TRIP WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. BMW REFUSES TO COMPENSATE FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IS AN ERROR IS DIAGNOSIS. *TR

ENGINE MADE EXCESSIVE RATTLING ON COLD START UP. TOOK TO BMW AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, RAILS, AND CHAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $2,031.97. AS I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT I NOTED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT FEEL NEARLY AS SMOOTH AS BEFORE AND WAS NOISIER. BROUGHT THE CAR IN TWICE FOR THEM TO FIX. ON THE SECOND TRIP TO DEALERSHIP, 7/18/11, THEY TOLD ME THE WATER PUMP NEEDED REPLACED. THEY CHARGED ME $980.04 THOUGH A TYPICAL CHARGE OF FOR THIS JOB WAS $1315.51. THE CAR TO THIS DAY AT >70,000 STILL DOES NOT FEEL SMOOTH AND CONTINUES TO SOUND LOUD. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS DUE TO THE "BAND AID FIX" APPROACH FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. I PRINTED OUT ALL THE COMPLAINTS FROM NHTSA DATABASE REGARDING THE NOISEY COLD START OF 2007 MINI COOPER S DUE TO TIMING CHAIN DEFECT, 33 OUT OF 110 (NOW 34). THIS IS A PATTERN OF DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING AND NOT A RANDON QUALITY PROBLEM THAT DESERVES A RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED ANTI-FREEZE. THE DEALER ADDED ANTI-FREEZE TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

VEHICLE PRODUCES LOUD METALLIC SOUNDS FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE ON COLD START. MINI USA HAS REPEATEDLY STATED THIS IS OKAY, HOWEVER NOW AT 25000 MILES THE NOISE IS CONSTANT AND LOUD. READING DATA FROM OTHER MINI OWNERS THIS PROBLEM IS NOW EXTREMELY COMMON ON ALL MINI COOPERS WITH THE 1.6L PRODUCED AFTER 2007. MINI HAS QUIETLY REPLACED NUMEROUS BELT TENSIONERS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ADMIT THIS IS A LARGE ISSUE OVER THE ENTIRE FLEET OF VEHICLES. ISSUE RESULTS IN A $3-4K LABOR BILL TO REPAIR. *TR

TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE FROM ENGINE TO TURBO LEAKING EXCESSIVE OIL REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN OF COMPRESSION FITTING LED TO PREMATURE FAILURE. CONTINUED OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE AND OR ENGINE TURBO FAILURE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FOLLOWING EXTENDED HIGHWAY SPEED, STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ENGINE DIED WITH NO WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE TO ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP. LEARNED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP SEIZED / LOCKED UP, CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION OF CATASTROPHIC RESULTS THAT TOTALLY DESTROYED ENGINE. CAR NEEDS COMPLETE NEW ENGINE AT 74,000 MILES (OUT OF WARRANTY)AND MINI USA ATTITUDE IS THAT SUCH ENGINE FAILURE IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THIS PARTICULAR MINI WAS IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED BEYOND MINI SERVCIE REQUIREMENTS, BUT TO NO AVAIL AS ENGINE BLEW AT A VERY YOUNG 74,000 MILES OF AGE AND THERE ARE REPEATED INSTANCES OF SAME ENGINE FAILURE ON INTERNET BMW/MINI BLOGS. NOTE: THIS CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE FOLLOWS LAST YEAR'S LARGE OUT OF WARRANTY EXPENSE OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK SYSTEM AS VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY AND AGAIN MINI FELT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR EQUIPMENT FAILURE EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE FACT THAT ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK IS NO LONGER INSTALLED IN NEW MINI COOPERS! *TR

I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF, I HAD TO GET IT REPLACED. THEN I HAD ISSUES WITH THE CHAIN AND CHAIN TENSIONER AND HAD TO GET THAT REPLACED TOO. NOW THE STEERING HAS FAILED ON ME, I CAN'T START THE CAR OR EVEN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. MY STEERING IS LOCKED NOW; I HAD THE CAR RUNNING, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO RUN FINE AND THE STEERING WORKED FINE. ONCE I SHUT THE CAR OFF I COULDN'T START THE CAR BACK UP AND MY STEERING LOCKED UP. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED HOME. I WISH BMW WOULD DO SOME KIND OF A RECALL ON THIS CAR SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH MONEY OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS! *TR

AS A BACKGROUND, ON NOVEMBER 25, 2011, I DELIVERED THE CAR, A 2007 MINI COOPER S TO A MINI DEALERSHIP WHERE I ALWAYS HAVE IT SERVICED. THE REASON I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE WAS DUE TO THE OVERHEATING LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT BEING TRIGGERED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS IN COMPLETE WORKING ORDER AND THE REPAIRS MADE THE CAR AS GOOD AS NEW. ON THAT NOVEMBER 25TH, VISIT, I HAD PAID $1,817.40 FOR A NEW WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, SPARK PLUGS, AND WATER PIPE REPLACEMENT DESPITE THE FACT THEY ARE COMMONLY 100,000-MILE SERVICES. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 41,000 MILES. 10 DAYS AFTER MY CAR WAS SERVICED, THE SAME OVERHEATING LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. IN RESPONSE TO THIS REPEATED ISSUE, ON DECEMBER 11, 2011, I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR WHO TOLD ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP. DURING THIS SECOND VISIT, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN ORDER TO ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE OVERHEATING ISSUE FOR A SECOND TIME. DURING THIS SECOND VISIT, THE MINI DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FLUSHED THE RADIATOR SEVERAL TIMES, AGAIN, IN AN ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE OVERHEATING ISSUE. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, THE SERVICE CONSULTANT ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS IN COMPLETE WORKING ORDER AND THE REPAIRS MADE THE CAR AS GOOD AS NEW. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT THIS CAR WAS IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. NOW, FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THE PAST 24 DAYS, THE OVERHEATING LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON DECEMBER 18, 2011. FRUSTRATED, AT THE LEAST, I PROMPTLY RETURNED THE CAR FOR FURTHER SERVICE BY YOUR DEALERSHIP. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN THE SERVICE ADVISOR CONTACTED ME ON DECEMBER 21, 2011 TO INFORM ME THAT AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED. THE CAR HAS FEWER THAN 41,000 MILES AND HAS ONLY EVER BEEN SERVICED BY LICENSED MINI DEALERSHIPS. *TR

THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LARGE RATTLING NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVENTUALLY CAME ON. I STOPPED THE CAR AND CHECKED THE OIL TO SEE IF IT WAS LOW AND DISCOVERED THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE DIP STICK BACK IN. AT THIS POINT I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A MINI DEALER WITHIN 100 MILES OF MY LOCATION. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WHICH IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE COOPER S AND MINI HAS RELEASED THREE FIXES AND CLAIM THE LATEST TSB WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND I HAD TO SPEND $1,700 DOLLARS FOR A $26 DOLLAR PART THAT WAS FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH. MINI KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM AND TRIED TO FIX IT BUT FAILED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THERE'S NO TELLING HOW LONG THIS NEW FIX WILL HOLD UP. NOT TO MENTION MY CAR IS STILL LOUDER THAN IT USE TO BE BEFORE THE PROBLEM AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE AT IDLE. THIS NOISE DOESN'T GIVE ME CONFIDENCE THAT THE LATEST FIX WILL LAST AND MINI NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY TAKE A LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND SEND OUT A RECALL BEFORE THE TIMING CHAINS START CAUSING LIFE THREATENING PROBLEMS. *TR

I HAD THIS CAR SERVICED ABOUT 4 TIMES DURING THE 4 YR WARRANTY PERIOD. JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, THE CAR WAS CHECKED FOR BRAKE JOB AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE WATER PUMP LEAKS. I THINK THE COOLANT PROVABLE WAS LEAKING PRIOR TO EXPIRATION OF WARRANTY BUT I WAS NOT INFORMED. I BOUGHT 3 CARS IN 2007 (HONDA AND LEXUS) AND NONE OF THEM HAS THIS ISSUE. 1. ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS. REPLACE WATER PUMP. 2. ENGINE HOOD LATCH WON'T OPEN. FAILED REMOTE LATCH. THE MINI COOPER ESTIMATE WILL COST ME $800 TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP. I ALSO OVERHEARD FROM ONE OF THE MINI OWNER LAST SAT, 26NOV2011 DURING MY VISIT TO THE DEALER THAT HE ALSO HAS THE SAME ISSUE LEAKY WATER PUMP. *KB

AFTER A COUPLE DAYS OF HEARING SOME RATTLING UNDER THE HOOD AFTER COLD STARTS, MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT A FAULTY TENSIONER HAD CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO STRETCH OUT EXCESSIVELY AND IF IT'S NOT FIXED, MY ENGINE COULD SEIZE UP AT ANY TIME.. IT'S A $2,500 REPAIR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, CONSIDERING THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS JUST 30,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY MANY OWNERS OF MY SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL ARE REPORTING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE, YET MINI IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. I CALLED MINI COOPER TO ASK ABOUT IT AND THEY ONLY GRUDGINGLY TOOK MY COMPLAINT. THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT DO A RECALL UNLESS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEMANDS IT, SO I'M ASKING YOU TO DO SO. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE (WHO KNOWS WHEN THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE UP) AND IT SEEMS TO BE SO WIDELY REPORTED, I CAN'T BELIEVE MINI IS IGNORING IT. I WOULD THINK THIS IS ABOUT TO BE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, CONSIDERING OTHER 2007'S ARE JUST STARTING TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND MAKE MINI DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY ABNORMAL ODOR THAT ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, SIMILAR TO EGGS. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROADWAY AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND A SMALL FIRE HAD ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

AS I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A FIRE TO THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMING FROM ELECTRICAL WIRES. WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH OUT TOO MUCH DAMAGE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO ELIMINATE POWER TO THE TROUBLED AREA.CAR IS BEING TOWED TO MINI COOPER OF PEABODY MASSACHUSETTS. *TR

STRANGE ENGINE KNOCKING/RUBBING NOISE COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT APPEARED TO BE THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT TO THE DEALER TWICE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN. *TR

OIL RETURN LINE EXITING TURBOCHARGER LEAKS ENGINE OIL, WHICH DRIPS DIRECTLY ONTO HOT ENGINE EXHAUST DOWNPIPE, THIS LEADS TO SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE BAY AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A FIRE IF NOT REMEDIED PROMPTLY. BMW SHOULD QUICKLY RECALL AND REPAIR THIS DESIGN DEFECT BEFORE A LOT OF PRIVATE PROPERTY GOES UP IN FLAMES. *TR

MY WIFE AND I BOTH NOTICED A BURNING SMELL INSIDE OUR 2007 MINI COOPER S LAST WEEK WHILE TRAVELING ON AN EXPRESSWAY IN EITHER TENNESSEE OR NORTH CAROLINA ON VACATION. I OPENED MY WINDOW FOR 3-4 MINUTES, SUSPECTING THE SMELL MIGHT BE GETTING INTO THE CAR FROM A PICKUP TRUCK RUNNING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 YARDS AHEAD OF US. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF SMOKE OR FIRE AROUND THE PICK-UP TRUCK. THIS SMELL HAPPENED VERY BRIEFLY TWICE ON THE SAME DAY; I OPENED MY WINDOW FOR A FEW MINUTES IN BOTH CASES, AND THE BURNING SMELL DID NOT RETURN AFTER THAT. WE DROVE 2200 MILES IN 9 DAYS AND DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. *TR

AS I APPROACHED THE STREET ON WHERE I LIVE, THE CAR STARTED TO SEVERELY SHAKE AND JERK , AS IF POWER WAS NOT GOING TO THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO PARK IT ON MY DRIVEWAY, BUT THE NEXT MORNING, THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN THE CAR ARRIVED AT THE DEALER AFTER BEING TOWED IN, THE CAR COULD NOT BE JUMP-STARTED, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. TWO WEEKS PRIOR, I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND FOUND SEVERAL MISFIRE FAULTS, WHICH WERE SUPPOSEDLY CORRECTED. THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS REMOVED AND DISASSEMBLED AND FOUND TO HAVE CARBON BUILD UP. THE INTAKE VALVES AND EXHAUST VALVES WERE CLEANED. SINCE THE INCIDENT, THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER. AN EXTENDED ROAD TEST IS SCHEDULED TO BE PERFORMED WITHIN THESE NEXT FEW DAYS. NO WORD ON WHAT HAS CAUSED THE CAR'S ENGINE TO DIE. *TR

I ALMOST HAD A TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER FAILURE. TOOK MY '07 MCS INTO THE MINI DEALER FOR ITS 4 YEAR SERVICE. THEY FOUND THAT THE 'TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IS WEAK AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED' OR 'TENSIONER WORN AND CAUSING EXCESSIVE CHAIN SLACK AND CHAIN NOISE'. I BOUGHT MY MINI NEW, IT NOW HAS 35464 MILES AND THIS SHOULD FALL INTO THE CATEGORY AS 'UNUSUAL'. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PART THAT WEARS OUT OR SUFFERS FAILURE WITH SO FEW MILES. AS I CHECKED OUT THIS FAILURE ON THE WEB I QUICKLY FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL BUT IS HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY. I MISSED THIS BEING COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BY 2 WEEKS. MY LOSE? MAYBE; MAYBE NOT, AT LEAST I DID NOT DESTROY THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PAPERWORK THEY REPLACED THE CHAIN TENSIONER WITH AN UPDATED 551 TENSIONER, P/N: 11 31 7 607 551, @ $26.21 ($146 FOR INSTALLATION). IT APPEARS THAT MINI/BMW KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REDESIGNED THE PART TO PREVENT PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, HOPEFULLY. IF THIS IS TRUE WHY DON'T THEY RECALL THE CARS AND JUST TAKE CARE OF IT. HAD I HAD THE BAD LUCK OF DESTROYING THE ENGINE MY OPINION ON ALL THEIR PRODUCTS WOULD HAVE DRASTICALLY CHANGED. I ALSO OWN A '11 BMW 335XI. *TR

THE HEATER CORE IS PLACED NEXT TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN THE FOOT WELL. THE CAR DESIGN HAS THE HEATER CORE ON ALL THE TIME. THE ONLY INSULATION BETWEEN THE HEATER CORE AND THE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS A PLASTIC COVER WHICH BECOMES TOO HOT TO TOUCH. *TR

MY MINI COOPER SPONTANEOUS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THURSDAY 8/25/11 BEFORE ALL THIS HAPPEN, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I STATED TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR([XXX]) THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVING RIGHT AND I'M SURE SOME SERVICES NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT (OIL CHANGE ETC....). MY SERVICE TECH ([XXX] VISTA MINI COCONUT CREEK) PUTS THE KEY INTO THE CARD READER NOPE NOTHING SHOWED UP YOU GOOD TO GO I EXIT WITH SOME DOUBT ON MY FACE NEVER THINKING TWICE, COULD BE MY MIND PLAYING CAR GAMES. I'M REALLY ADMIT ABOUT FUNNY NOISES, AND SINCE THE DEALER ISN'T FAR FROM MY JOB. I'D JUST STOP ON BY FOR A CHECK UP. I DO HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE. SATURDAY 8/27/11 (10:30P) CAR SITTING FROM A SHORT DRIVE TO HAVE DINNER. CAME HOME (10PM) PARKED THE AND DIDN'T HEAR OR NOTICE ANYTHING. I USUALLY TAKE A QUICK WALK AROUND THE CAR. SUNDAY 8/28/11 (4:00P) POLICE CAME KNOCKING " ARE YOU THE OWNER OF A BLACK MINI COOPER " YOUR CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE PLANTATION FIRE DEPT ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING OUT THE FIRE/FLAMES. AS I WALK OUT THE SHOCK OF MY CAR BURNING. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE FIREMEN. HE COULDN'T PIN POINT WHERE THE FIRE STARTED AND THE CAUSE UNKNOWN BUT HE SAID WHEN THEY STARTED TO HOSE IT DOWN IT LOOKED AS IF THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ANOTHER FIRE DEPT GUY SAID FROM THE LOOKS OF THIS INCIDENT, WHAT'S SEEMS TO CAUSE THIS WAS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. FLAMES WERE SHOOTING 8'FT IN THE AIR. THE CAR IS DAMAGED AND NOT REPAIRABLE,THERE'S NO ENGINE THERE'S NOTHING LEFT BESIDES THE SOME ASHE, MELTED METAL, THERE'S NO WINDSHIELD, THE HEADLINER IS COMPLETELY GONE, SIDE GLASS ARE BLOWN OUT. ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT IS MY BABY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BMW YOU HAVE CAUSED SOME DAMAGE, LEAVING ME SECOND GUESS YOU INTEGRITY OF YOUR CRAFTSMANSHIP/FLAGSHIP AUTO. SOMEONE PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS SITUATION. UPDATED09/07/11 *BF [XXX] *TR UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A RAIN STORM, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE HYDRO SEIZED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

IMPROPER IDLE. STALLING, DEISELING WHEN COLD STARTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THERE WERE THREE VEHICLES PARKED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CONTACTS VEHICLE THAT SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE PARKING GARAGE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

2007 MINI COOPER S: COLD START RATTLE HAD BEEN AN ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN PROBLEM, BUT SINCE I'D HAD THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CHANGED WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I DIDN'T MAKE THE CONNECTION. AT 81,000 MILES, I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE RED OIL LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. I STOPPED AT THE NEXT GAS STATION, GOT SOME SYNTHETIC OIL, AND PUT IN 2 QUARTS. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY, BUT THE OIL LIGHT HAD NOT GONE OFF. WITHIN ABOUT 1-2 MILES, AS I WAS ENTERING A HIGHWAY, THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE AND THEN STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I CALLED MINI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, BUT AFTER ABOUT 15 MINS. ON THE PHONE, THEY FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT THEY WERE NOT AUTHORIZED TO TOW OFF THIS INTERSTATE. I GOT AN AUTHORIZED TOWING CO. TO COME, AND I LET THEM TOW IT TO THEIR LOCAL GARAGE. THE NEXT DAY THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD CEASED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO PRESTIGE MINI TO DETERMINE IF THIS WAS, IN FACT, WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY DIAGNOSED THE SAME THING, SAID THERE WAS NO WAY TO KNOW THE CAUSE, AND QUOTED ME $6400 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE (WHICH THEY ULTIMATELY BROUGHT DOWN TO $5600). AT 81K MILES, THERE IS NO REASON THIS ENGINE SHOULD HAVE CEASED. PLUS, I HAD NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR--NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT, NO "CHECK OIL" LIGHT UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. BASED ON WHAT I'VE READ, NOW ABOUT THE 2007 MINI, I AM CERTAIN THIS WAS DEFECT RELATED. HOW DO I PROVE THAT? I'M AT THE MERCY OF THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

MINI COOPER, 2007, 81000 MILES. WITH MINIMAL ADVANCE WARNING (A RATTLE THAT BEGAN WHEN CAR WAS STARTED THAT MORNING) TIMING CHAIN BROKE, LEADING TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. CAR WAS STOPPED AND BLOCKING TRAFFIC ON BUSY TWO LANE BRIDGE DURING MORNING COMMUTE UNTIL IT WAS TOWED AWAY. NO PREVIOUS ISSUES, WARNINGS EMERGED FROM THIS VEHICLE. WAS MAINTAINED REGULARLY AND BECAUSE OF NOISE ON START, I WAS INTENDING TO TAKE IT IN IMMEDIATELY. IN FACT, I WAS ON THE WAY TO THE GARAGE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. *TR

HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY MINI SINCE IT WAS NEW. IN NOV. OF 2010 THE CHAIN TENSIONER WAS FINALLY CHANGED AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE NOISE. ON MON.6-6-11 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED THE DEALER & SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR THAT SAT 6-11. ON WED. 6-8 MY CAR DIED WITH NO WARNING. NO COMPUTER LIGHTS CAME ON. HAD TO TOW IT TO THE MINI DEALER ON SAT.6-11. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE VACUUM PUMP CAUSING MAJOR CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. MY ENGINE ONLY HAD A QUART OF OIL AND THAT WAS WHY IT WENT OUT. I HAD DOCUMENTATION OF MY OIL CHANGE. IT STILL HAD 3,000M TO GO BEFORE IT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. WAS ALSO CHECKED 2 WKS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT AND IT WAS FINE. I AM NOW NEEDING A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF 6,087. THE REGIONAL TEAM AT MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE DECIDED THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I LET IT RUN OUT OF OIL, WHICH IS NOT TRUE. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO APPEAL PROCESS, THEIR DECISION WAS FINAL. MY CAR HAS 64K MILES ON IT. THE CHAIN TENSIONERS AND VACUUM PUMPS ARE KNOWN FAILURES BUT MINI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. EASIER TO BLAME THE CONSUMER. A VEHICLE THAT COSTS NEARLY 30K DOLLARS SHOULD NOT HAVE AN ENGINE FAILURE AT 64K MILES. THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS OUT THERE. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS CHECK THE WEB. MINI SHOULD STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH WITH FATALITIES IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHICH I DO EVERY DAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER UNTIL AFTER THREE TO FOUR ATTEMPTS. THERE WERE ALSO NOTICED RATTLING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE VACUUM PUMP, TIMING CHAINS AND THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. EACH PART WAS REPLACED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

POWER STEERING FAILURE, UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE, SINGLE OCCURRENCE. BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR AT THE LOCAL DEALER, WAITING FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A HOUSTON, TX FREEWAY GOING 60 MPH WHEN THE CAR TO THE LEFT OF ME SUDDENLY SWERVED DIRECTLY INTO MY DRIVER SIDE. THE OTHER CAR, WHICH WAS A HONDA PASSPORT SUV, HIT MY ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE FROM REAR BUMPER TO MY DOOR TO THE FRONT BUMPER. I WAS DRIVING A 2007 MINI COOPER. AT 60 MPH, MY SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THE IMPACT WAS DIRECT AND AT 60 MPH. SURELY THERE MUST BE SOME DEFECT WITH THE SIDE AIRBAGS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOT WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,200. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 3/6/12 *CN

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AT 67K MILES AND I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO GET CHECKED AT THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS BEGINNING TO FAIL AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH A WATER PUMP LEAK. THE TIMING CHAIN IS A KNOWN FAILURE AND STILL HAS NO RECALL. *TR

EXTREMELY LOUD ENGINE NOISE DURING A COLD START. THE ROOT CAUSE IS THE FAILURE OF TIMING BELT TENSIONER. THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO REPLACE THE TENSIONER AND ADJUST OR REPLACE THE BELT/CHAIN. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT. *TR

THE FOLLOWING IS MY COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED WITH MY 2007 MINI COOPERS . ' MARCH 12TH TO MARCH 16TH TRIP TO MYRTLE BEACH AND BACK TO MY HOUSE IS APPROXIMATELY 490 MILES. THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT ON THIS TRIP. THE VEHICLES ON-BOARD COMPUTER PROVIDES NO INDICATION OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. ' FRIDAY MARCH 18TH DEPARTED HOME FOR UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. TRIP TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS IS APPROXIMATELY 222 MILES. THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT AND ON-BOARD COMPUTER PROVIDES NO INDICATION OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. ' SATURDAY MARCH 19TH LEFT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FOR RESIDENCE. AT JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA I PULLED INTO RIVER CITY MARKETPLACE. UP TO THIS POINT IN THE TRIP THE VEHICLE HAS TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 162 MILES FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TO RIVER CITY MARKETPLACE. THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE'S ON-BOARD COMPUTER PROVIDED NO INDICATION OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. AS I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT I HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND AND THEN THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR ON-BOARD SYSTEM SHOWED NO EMERGENCY INDICATOR WARNINGS WHATSOEVER ON THE TRIP FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TO RIVER CITY MARKETPLACE UP UNTIL THE TIME THE CAR STOPPED. I NOTICED NO OIL LEAKS BENEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS WAITING TO BE TOWED. ON MONDAY MARCH 21ST I SPOKE WITH MY MINI COOPER SERVICE ADVISER,TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE. IN SUMMARIZING OUR CONVERSATION THE ADVISER STATED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INITIALLY INDICATED MY VEHICLE ENGINE HAD BEEN 'RUN DRY' OF ENGINE OIL AND IF THIS WAS THE CASE MY VEHICLE WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE HONORED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS ASTOUNDED AT HEARING THIS INFORMATION AND THE SERVICE TECH THIS COULD NOT BE POSSIBLE BECAUSE I HAD CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL ON MARCH 11TH AND THE DIPSTICK CLEARLY SHOWED "FULL". THERE HAD BEEN NO ON-BOARD COMPUTER NOTIFICATION OF ANY ENGINE OIL CONDITION. THE SERVICE TECH STATED THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT CONTAIN THIS FEATURE WHEN MY VEHICLE MANUAL CLEARLY INDICATES SUCH A FEATURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE CHECK OIL WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE TIMING CHAIN LOOSENED AND CAUSED ALL THE PISTONS TO MISFIRE AND DAMAGE THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

UPON RETURNING HOME AND PARKING MY MINI IN THE GARAGE I SMELLED SOMTHING STRANGE. MY WIFE AND I UNLOADED GROCERIES FROM THE CAR I NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. WE QUICKLY ROLLED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND OPENED THE HOOD, I NOTICED THE CONNECTION ON TOP OF THE AUX WATER PUMP BURNING. THE FIRE SUBSIDED ON ITS OWN. *TR

MY MINT CONDITION 2007 MINI COOPER S WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE ON 3/31/11. I HAD JUST DRIVEN IT 4.5 MILES TO WORK, PARKED IT, WHEN APPROXIMATELY 12-15 MINUTES LATER I WAS ALERTED BY THE COMPANY SECURITY DEPARTMENT THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE TOWNSHIP POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE ALREADY ON THE SCENE PUTTING OUT THE BLAZE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL AND STARTED IN THE ENGINE. MY PRISTINE CAR WITHOUT A SCRATCH OR DENT ON IT, HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN 15,000 MILES -- AND IT WAS DESTROYED. THE CAR HAD BEEN FAITHFULLY MAINTAINED AND I BELIEVED IT TO BE IN PERFECT RUNNING CONDITION. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT AND NO OTHER CARS WERE DAMAGED. BUT WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE? I WAS SHOCKED TO READ ONLINE THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE SHARED SIMILAR EXPERIENCES AND THAT YOU CAN FIND NUMEROUS VIDEO CLIPS ON YOU-TUBE SHOWING MINIS ON FIRE. WHAT IS BMW DOING ABOUT THIS? UPDATED 08/17/11*BF UPDATED 02/02/2012 *LN *TR

2007 MINI COOPER S, TIMING CHAIN BROKE AT 64K MILES. THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ALL OVER THE WEB, WE NEED TO FORCE MINI TO ISSUE A RECALL. VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED PRIOR TO FAILURE. THIS IS A CHAIN, NOT A BELT. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SIMILAR COMPLAINTS CAN BE FOUND HERE: HTTP://WWW.MINICOOPERSPEED.COM/MINI-COOPER-COLD-START-KNOCKING-NOISE-ISSUE-2007/. *TR

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY (MINE HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN TWICE IN THE LAST MONTH). VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR SEVERAL DAYS THEN APPARENTLY ALL OF A SUDDEN WILL START AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AFTER THE FIRST TIME BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE CONDITION, SO NOTHING WAS DONE. NO CODES WERE STORED IN THE COMPUTER. THIS SECOND TIME IT HAS NOT STARTED FOR THE LAST 4 DAYS. ENGINE WILL CRANK, I PULLED A SPARKPLUG AND PUT IT IN THE IGNITION COIL AND IT WOULD FIRE, BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT START, LIKE IT ISN'T GETTING FUEL. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU NEED TO RELY ON YOUR CAR TO BE SOMEWHERE. IF IT WONT START I AM WORRIED THAT IT COULD ALSO DIE WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, WHICH WOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT DONE THIS, ITS JUST A CONCERN. I DO NOT EXPECT A CAR THAT IS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS OLD TO NOT START. I HAVE CONTACTED MINI USA BUT THEY ARE HESITANT TO RECOMMEND ANYTHING OTHER THAN TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE SOUNDED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING, AND THE ENGINE PERFORMED AS THOUGH IT WERE ATTEMPTING TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

I OWN A 2007 MINI COOPER WITH FACTORY INSTALLED GPS. WHEN MY BRAKE SENSOR ACTIVATED MY GPS STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER SAYS THE ENTIRE SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,500. IS ANYONE AWARE OF ELECTRICAL DEFECTS IN THE MINI SYSTEM THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM? *TR

THE CAR HAS A LOUD RATTLE SOUND WHEN STARTED WHEN COLD , OR THE FIRST TIME AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. NOISE WILL SUBSIDE AS ENGINE COMES UP TO RUNNING TEMPERATURE. HAS DEVELOPED INTO A HARD STARTING ISSUE OVER TIME. AT TIMES IT TAKES AS MANY AS TEN ATTEMPTS CRANKING THE ENGINE TO GET IT TO START. WHEN RESEARCHING ONLINE, I HAVE FOUND A FORUM ON MINI COOPER PROBLEMS THAT DESCRIBES THE ISSUE EXACTLY AND ALSO HAS A VIDEO WITH SOUND THAT EXACTLY MATCHES MY CARS PROBLEM. THEY DESCRIBE IT AS THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER THAT COULD CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE IF NOT CORRECTED.

ENGINE RATTLE AT START UP, ENGINE WILL NOT MAINTAIN IDLE WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE TOO COLD (AS HIGH AS 20 DEG F BUT MORE COMMON AS TEMPERATURE DROPS) AND CAN EVEN DIE. ENGINE HESITATION AND STUMBLE WHILE ACCELERATING AND WHILE MAINTAINING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, REGARDLESS OF ENGINE AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. LACK OF ENGINE POWER. CAR MAY SEEM TO BE RUNNING FINE BUT WHEN ACCELERATING THE ENGINE WILL STUMBLE AND HESITATE, MUCH LIKE A MISSING CYLINDER, THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO ACCELERATE SLOWER THAN EXPECTED REGARDLESS OF THROTTLE POSITION. THIS CAN CREATE AN UNSAFE CONDITION. SEEMS TO BE MOST PRONOUNCED AT PART THROTTLE BETWEEN 2000 AND 3000 RPM BUT IS STILL PRESENT AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND MORE THROTTLE OPENING. CAN ALSO MAKE THE CAR STUMBLE VERY BADLY WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, CAUSING THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD A FEW FEET VERY SLOWLY BEFORE ACCELERATING AT A SOMEWHAT NORMAL PACE. THIS EFFECT IS SIMILAR TO LETTING OUT THE CLUTCH TOO SOON BUT HAPPENS EVEN IF RPMS ARE BROUGHT UP TO 2000+RPM AND THE CLUTCH IS SLOWLY LET OUT. *TR

2007 MINI COOPER S ENGINE RATTLES LOUDLY FOR THE FIRST 30 SECONDS TO 2 MIN. AFTER STARTUP IN COLD WEATHER. CAUSED BY CAM TENSION ISSUES. MIN HAS WORKED ON IT NUMEROUS TIMES. IT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. I HAPPENS ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS ON COLD DAYS. *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 67,000 MILES, THE ENGINE DEVELOPED A KNOCKING SOUND WHICH WOULD LAST FROM A COLD START FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES. AFTER TWO WEEKS, THE ENGINE FAILED ENTIRELY. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN RETENSIONER HAD BROKEN AND CAUSED ANOTHER COMPONENT TO FALL INTO THE ENGINE WHERE IT DID FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT COMES ON WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. MINI SAYS IT CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THE COMPUTER HAS NO ERRORS STORED. *TR

THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY SPUTTERING AND LOOSING POWER. IT HESITATES ON TAKING OFF AND THE PERFORMANCE IS DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY FROM WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES AND THE STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS USING POOR QUALITY GAS. SINCE THEN I HAVE CHANGED TO PREMIUM GAS AND THE PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST. I FINALLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO A RENOWNED MINI MECHANIC AND HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP. *TR

2007 MINI COOPER 52860 MILES HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR WITH SAME PROBLEM A LOUD CLANKING NOISE DURING STARTUP AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEY HAVE CHANGED EVERYTHING BUT I STILL HAVE TH ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT SHOP OTHER THAN THE DEALER AND HE SAID I SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING THE CAR THAT IT HAS SERIOUS FLAW IN THE TIMING BELT AND THE ENGINE COULD MALFUNCTION AT ANY TIME. I CALLED MINI AND THEY SADI THEY WOULD TRY TO FIX THE CAR AGAIN SINCE ITS WAS STILL UNDER WARRENTLY. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF POSTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. WHEN I TALKED OT THE DEALER ABOUT THE THOUSANDS OF POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE HE SAID THEY HAVE SERVERAL MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH MINS 2007,2008.2009 AND 2010 SO THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THE SIXTH TIME THIS YEAR I TOLD MINI I WAS SCARRED TO DRIVE BECAUSE IF THE THE ENGINE STOPS WHILE I AM DRIVING IT I WILL BE DANGEROURS. THE ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE TIMING AGAIN HE DID SUGGEST I GET A 2011 MINI SINCE THE ENGINE WAS CHANGED. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

MINI COOPER ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK SYSTEM CRITICAL MALFUNCTION - CAR WITH ONLY 57,000 MILES RECEIVES CRITICAL MESSAGE ON NAVIGATION SCREEN TELLIING DRIVER "TO DRIVE TO A SAFE LOCATION AND TURN OFF IGNITION AND BE AWARE THAT CAR IS UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED." DRIVER IS LEFT TO COPE WITH THIS CRITICAL SITUATION AND REPAIR EVEN THOUGH MINI COOPER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE EXISTENCE OF THIS CRITICAL PROBLEM BY DISCONTINUING THE INSTALLATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK ON ITS LATER MODELS AS THEY COULD NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. MINI REFUSES TO RECALL EARLIER MODELS AND WILL NOT REIMBURSE OWNER FOR COSTLY REPAIR ONCE CRITICAL MALFUNCTION OCCURS. WEB REPORTS HAVE ALERTED DRIVERS THAT STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED WHILE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN MAKING EARLILER MODELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT MINI HAS DISPLAYED A COMPLETE LACK OF CONCERN FOR SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR

2007 MINI COOPER HAD LOUD SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE WHEN COLD, DEALER REPLACED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AT 32K MILES, VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER SEVEN TIMES, ONLY TWICE FOR SCHEDULED SERVICE, NOW VEHICLE IS STARTING TO MAKE SAME NOISE AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED @36K MILES, NOW WITH 42K MILES, ENGINE OIL IS DOWN 2 QUARTS AND DEALER SAYS ITS MY FAULT. *TR

2007 MINI COOPER S HAS HAD LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, SOUNDING LIKE ROCKS IN A WASHING MACHINE, FOR WEEKS NOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST, WITH THE REPAIRS FALLING UNDER THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND DONE AT NO COST OF COURSE. CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, TAKING IT IN THIS WEEK FOR DIAGNOSES AND REPAIRS. THIS WILL BE AT LEAST THE SECOND TIME THIS PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALTHOUGH I THINK IT MIGHT BE THE THIRD TIME AS ONCE IT WAS DONE AS PART OF A LARGER REPAIR BEING PERFORMED ON THE ENGINE. CAR ACTS SLUGGISH, JUMPY, AND SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED UP AND CONTINUES FOR THE FIRST FEW MILES DRIVEN, AT WHICH POINT IS SUBSIDES A BIT. AS I SAID, IT HAS BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE IN THE PAST, AND THIS WEEK WILL BE REPLACED AGAIN.

ON 10/27/2010 I WAS DRIVING ON 595 WEST (STOP AND GO TRAFFIC) CAME TO A STOP, MY CAR STALLS AND DIES. IT WILL NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LAUDERDALE MINI DEALERSHIP IN FORT LAUDERDALE. AFTER INSPECTION I WAS INFORMED THE VACUUM PUMP LOCKED UP AND JAMMED ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE WAS REPLACED. COST- OVER $6000.00. MINI USA REFUSED TO COMPENSATE UNLESS THEIR IS A FUTURE RECALL. *TR

07/MINI/COOPER HARDTOP/2DR CPE S/ 51,810 MILES. TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER COLLAPSED AND CAUSED TIMING CHAIN TO STRETCH AND DAMAGE GUIDE RAILS. REPLACED TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY AND REPROGRAMMED VEHICLE. *TR

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AT 55K MILES AND I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO GET CHECKED AT THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS BEGINNING TO FAIL AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH A WATER PUMP LEAK. THE TIMING CHAIN IS A KNOWN FAILURE AND STILL HAS NO RECALL. *TR

MINI COOPER COLD START KNOCKING NOISE ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CLUTCH BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO POWER MOVING TO THE REAR WHEELS. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE OR SHIFT INTO FIRST, SECOND OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I APPROACH MY EXIT AND AS I COME TO A STOP ON THE EXIT RAMP, THE CAR STALLS AND DIES. CAR WILL NOT RESTART. VEHICLE IS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. AFTER INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP, I AM TOLD THE VACUUM PUMP HAS FAILED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. SUGGESTED REPAIR IS ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR

THE WALL NEXT TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE POINT IT CAN BURN YOUR FOOT. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE AC HEATER COMPONENTS WHEN DRIVING AND RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE MINI COOPER DEALER DOES NOT HAVE A FIX. THE ONLY FIX THEY HAD WAS A TWO INCH INSULATED TUBE FOR THE COIL PIPE. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NO OTHER SOLUTION. I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO BURN MYSELF. *TR

AFTER DRIVING MY 2007 MINI COPPER S, FOR SEVERAL MINUTES THE "BRAKE" AND DSC WARNING ICONS ILLUMINATE YELLOW. ONCE ILLUMINATED THE SIGNAL CANCEL FUNCTION STOPS WORKING AND WIPERS TURN ON AUTONOMOUSLY WHEN ENGINE IS STOPPED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL POP COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE, SPECIFICALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT OFF COMES ON AND OFF REGULARLY, HAVE REPEATEDLY REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALER. WAS IN CAR ACCIDENT, FRONT ON COLLISION OVER 30 MPH, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NEW WARNING CAME ON STATING PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM, DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WARNING LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON, HAVE REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALER, WAITING ON REPLACEMENT PART. *TR

UPON STARTING MY ENGINE EVERY MORNING THERE IS A LARGE CLATTERING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER AS THE PART DOES NOT GET ENOUGH OIL IN IT AS IT DRAINS OUT AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW HOURS. IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED OR FIXED THE TIMING CHAIN WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK AND RUIN MY ENGINE. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THIS IS A FACTORY ISSUE THAT BMW/MINI REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX. *TR

R56 MCS MINI 2007 - BOUGHT USED IN SEPT 09 HAD THE "COLD START RATTLE" BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AT THE TIME. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 38,000 DEALER REPLACED TIMING CHAIN . ON THE WAY HOME VACUUM PUMP SEIZED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VALUES. DEALER SENT PICTURES TO MINI AND THE DECISION WAS MADE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A NEW ONE.

THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER EVERY OTHER WEEK FOR THE LAST 6 WEEKS. ON COLD STARTS THE CAR WOULD RUN ROUGH, HESITATE ALMOST STALL AND THE HEAT WASN'T WORKING UNLESS YOU WERE DRIVING OR HAD YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN CHANGED THE OIL AND BLED THE COOLANT. A FEW DAYS LATER IT STALLED ON A COLD START AND THE HEAT STILL WASN'T WORKING. THE DEALER THIS TIME FOUND EXCESSIVE CARBON IN ENGINE AND A LEAK AT WATER PUMP. COMPUTER DID NOT THROUGHOUT A CODE FOR EITHER. DEALER OPENED A CASE AT THE MANUFACTURE. 2 WEEKS LATER I BROUGHT IT BACK WHEN THE WINDOWS WOULD GO HALF WAY DOWN AND THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK. DEALER RESET THE WINDOWS AND I WENT TO PICK IT UP TO FIND THE WINDOWS HALF WAY DOWN AND THE DOORS UNLOCKED. DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR. 2 WEEKS LATER MY BATTERY LIGHT WHEN ON. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER THE CAR DIED. DEALER SAID THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK THE LED TO THE ALTERNATOR BELT SLIPPING OFF AND MY BATTERY DIDN'T CHARGE AND NOW IS DEAD. I WON'T GET IT BACK UNTIL SOMETIME NEXT WEEK. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

I OWN A 2007 MINI COOPER. THE TAIL PIPE IS LARGE EXTENDS BEYOND THE EDGE OF THE BUMPER. I HAD DRIVEN MY CAR APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES AND PARKED IT, THEN OPENED THE BACK TO RETRIEVE SOME ITEMS FROM THE CARGO AREA. MY LEG CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE TAIL PIPE AND I RECEIVED A SEVERE BURN WHICH WAS EXTREMELY PAINFUL AND BECAME BLISTERED. THE BURN WAS LARGE AND IN THE SHAPE OF A HALF MOON. THERE IS STILL A SCAR ON MY LEG FROM THIS. I CONTACTED BMW MINI NORTH AMERICA, TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AND SENT THEM A PICTURE OF MY LEG WITH THE BURN ON IT. THEY ARRANGED FOR ME TO BRING MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE AN ENGINEER EVALUATE THE CAR FOR ANY DEFECTS IN THE TAILPIPE. LATER I WAS TOLD THAT THE TAILPIPE WAS MANUFACTURED PROPERLY AND I SHOULD JUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH IT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE IS A WARNING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR THE CAR REGARDING THE TAIL PIPE. I LOOKED IT UP AND IT SAYS "DO NOT TOUCH HOT EXHAUST TAIL PIPES. OTHERWISE THERE IS A RISK OF BURNS". UNFORTUNATELY, THE TAIL PIPE IS IN A POSITION WHERE A PERSON'S LEG WOULD NORMALLY BE WHEN RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE CARGO AREA OF THE CAR. AND SINCE IT PROTRUDES PAST THE BUMPER, IT IS DIFFICULT NOT TO TOUCH IT. *TR

2007 MINI COOPER S. AFTER 26000 MILES I HAVE A WHAT APPEARS TO BE A RATTLING ENGINE WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE FROM A COLD START (SITTING OVERNIGHT). SO THIS HAPPENS EVERY MORNING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA WITH RELATIVELY WARM TEMPERATURES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THE DIESEL ENGINE SOUND COMING OUT OF THE CAR IS NORMAL. I DIDN'T BY THE CAR THIS WAY. I HAVE FOUND VARIOUS FORUMS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. *TR

I BOUGHT 2007 MINI COOPER S PRE-OWNED CAR ON 8/24/09 WHICH HAS 3,627 MILES ON IT AT $24,000. ON 10/25/09, IS ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER, I WAS DRIVING A CAR AND NOTICED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. THE CAR WON'T GO IN GEAR AND MOVE. ON THAT NIGHT, THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOAD. EVEN IF I PUSH A GAS, IT JUST DOES MAKE NOISY SOUND AND SMELL REALLY BAD, AND IT NEVER MOVE. NEXT DAY IT WAS TOWED TO THE ORLANDO MINI DEALER. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BURNED OUT AND THIS REPAIR (PER THE DEALERS ESTIMATE IS $3,000)IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS DRIVEN BY AN INEXPERIENCED PERSON OR NEGLECTED. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MANUAL CAR DRIVER AND WHAT THE DEALER TOLD ME IS NOT TRUE. IT IS ONLY 4,000 MILES AND IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IF WE DRIVE IN A NORMAL WAY. THE DEALER DID NOT LISTEN TO ME AND I ENDED UP GOING A RELIABLE LOCAL MECHANIC AND PAYING $2,200 TO FIX IT WITHOUT WARRANTY. THE GUY AT THE MECHANIC SAYS MINI CLUTCH IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND HE HAS FIXED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. I ALSO WENT TO A WEBSITE AND REALIZED THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVEN SAY IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN SOON. I BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECTED CLUTCH AND WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. I HAVE ALL EVIDENCES AVAILABLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD HELP ME TO RECOVER MY MONETARY DAMAGES. *TR

2007 MINI COOPER S SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE TURNED OFF AND PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I HAD TRAVELED LESS THAN TWO MILES WHEN I PARKED THE CAR. FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND COMPLETELY TOTALED THE CAR BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT IT OUT. *TR

2007 MINI COOPER S - MANUAL TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ALLOW GEARSHIFTS AND COULD ONLY BE DRIVEN IN FIRST GEAR. DEALERSHIP STATED CLUTCH CAME APART AFTER 8 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. DEALERSHIP REPLACED WITH REMANUFACTURED CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL, GEARBOX OIL AND CLIP UNDER WARRANTY. IN JULY OF 2009 I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING ROUGH AND THE CLUTCH WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING SOUND WHEN APPLIED. DEALERSHIP GOT A WORK ORDER FROM MINI USA TO REMOVE THE CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION. ON AUGUST 12, 2009 THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED THE PLASTIC PART CAUSING THE NOISE, BUT NOTICED THE FLYWHEEL HAD HEAT DAMAGE AND CRACKING AGAIN. THIS TIME THE DEALERSHIP AND MINI USA STATE THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY "WEAR AND TEAR" AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY DESPITE BEING COVERED 15K MILES EARLIER. CURRENT MILES ON VEHICLE ARE 31K WITH 19K REMAINING ON MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT ON SPEEDOMETER/TACH, NOT IN OVERHEAD CONSOLE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2007 MINI-COOPER S AND AT 10K MILES (1 YEAR OLD) THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A NEW CAR WITH 10K MILES NEEDS A NEW CLUTCH. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER BOTH SAID IT WAS MY FAULT AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY QUOTED ME OVER $3K TO REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL CARS FOR 15 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A CLUTCH. *TR

VERY NOISY CLATTER WHEN STARTING ENGINE WHEN COLD. ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL WHEN COLD. GOES AWAY AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. DEALER SAYS ITS NORMAL ??? PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY MORNING. *TR

ENGINE EXHIBITS HARSH NOISE DURING STARTUP 50% OF THE TIME AFTER MINIMUM OF 8 HR SHUTDOWN OR IF PARKED NOSE LOW. THE ISSUE IS A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WHICH THE DEALER WON'T REPLACE BECAUSE 1) THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED AN EFFECTIVE REPAIR KIT FROM BMW OR 2) TRY TO EXPLAIN IT AWAY WITH THE EXCUSE THAT THIS TIMING CHAIN METAL-ON-METAL RATTLE IS "NORMAL." AN INCREASING WORLD-WIDE NUMBER OF VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND ENGINE HAVE EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC LOW MILEAGE ENGINE FAILURES BECAUSE OF DEALER INACTION AND SUBSEQUENT TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. *TR

ENGINE EXHIBITS HASH NOISE DURING STARTUP 50% OF THE TIME AFTER MINIMUM OF 8 HR SHUTDOWN AT BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THE ISSUE IS A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WHICH THE DEALER WON'T REPLACE BECAUSE 1) THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE STARTUP NOISE OR 2) THIS IS "NORMAL." OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND ENGINE HAVE EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES BECAUSE OF DEALER INACTION AND SUBSEQUENT TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. *TR

ENGINE NOISE ON COLD STARTS. MY CAR HAS MADE DIESEL LIKE NOISES ON COLD START UP FOR THE PAST YEAR. AT FIRST THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. UPON INSISTING THEY ADVISED OF A BLEEDING PROCEDURE AND THEN OF A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. AFTER 7 MONTHS THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE TENSIONER (THEY HAD TO HEAR IT BEFORE THEY COULD REPAIR IT). THE DEALER HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND SAID IT WAS ALL FIXED. THE NOISE CAME BACK THREE DAYS LATER. I TOOK IT IN A SECOND TIME AND THEY GOT BMW ENGINEER TO LOOK AT IT. THEY REPLACED A CHECK VALVE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO TRAP OIL IN THE VANOS SYSTEM AND SAID ONCE AGAIN IT WAS FIXED. THE NOISE WAS BACK THREE DAYS LATER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH MINI OF NORTH AMERICA AND THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO KEEP A LOG AS TO HOW I DRIVE AND WHEN IT HAPPENS WITH TEMPERATURE. THE ENGINE HAS OIL AND WATER ON DEMAND RATHER THAN ALL THE TIME LIKE REGULAR ENGINES. STARTING THIS UP WITH NO OIL IN THE HEAD IS BOUND TO CAUSE DAMAGE. *TR

CAR CLUNKS WHILE GOING OVER ROUGH ROADS. AS PER DIAGNOSIS FROM MINI DEALERSHIP, THE "TRANSMISSION MOTOR MOUNT IS TOO SMALL AND DOES NOT DAMPEN SHOCK FROM ROAD BUMPS OR ACCELERATION TORQUE" AND WAS REPLACED. *TR

COLD START CHATTER. VERY NASTY DIESEL ENGINE SOUND UPON STARTUP WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. SOUND LASTS FOR UP TO 1 MINUTE IF I START DRIVING RIGHT AWAY, OR 5 MINUTES IF I LET IT SIT IDLE. OCCURS BETWEEN 800 AND 3000 RPM. REPRODUCIBLE EVERY TIME THE ENGINE IS COLD (IE, HAS NOT BEEN USED RECENTLY). *TR

ON 2007 MINI COOPER S, PURCHASED NEW 12-2007, EXPERIENCING WARPED/MELTED/DEFORMED SCOOPS ON BONNET(HOOD) DUE TO EXTREME HEAT ISSUE FROM TURBO, SCOOP ORIGINALLY HAD ZERO CUTOUTS, MY COOPER HAS 3 CUTOUTS IN SCOOP MADE BY MFG, OPENING NOT LARGE ENOUGH OR FAN DOES NOT RUN LONG ENOUGH TO COOL DOWN THE BONNET SCOOP OR FAN DOES NOT RUN AT ALL, FAN RUNS ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME ONLY & WARPING OCCURS ON THE BONNET SCOOP WHICH IS PAINTED PLASTIC. IF THE BONNET SCOOP WAS METAL, THIS WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. HEAT CAN REACH 235 DEGREES. HAVE BEEN OPENING HOOD WHEN RE-PARKING IN THE GARAGE TO ALLOW TO VENT/COOL DOWN. OPENING HOOD NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE ,OBVIOUSLY, WHEN PARKING NOT AT HOME. WOULD LIKE MINI (BMW) TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, NEEDS TO REPLACE THE PAINTED TO MATCH HOOD SCOOP, ADDRESSING WITH BMW 12-19-2008. *TR

WE HAVE HAD A MINI COOPER SINCE JULY 2007 WITH GOOD YEAR EXCELLENCE RUN FLAT TIRES (195/55 R16 87V). WE RECENTLY NOTICED A BULGE IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS AND OUR MECHANIC'S RECOMMENDATION, WE REPLACED THE TIRE FOR $250.00. *TR

HOOD SCOOP ON VEHICLE HAS DEFORMED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM TURBO. *TR

I OWN A 2007 MINI COOPER S HARDTOP. LAST MAY, WHILE TAKING SOME SHOPPING PACKAGES OUT OF THE BACK ,THROUGH THE HATCH OF MY VEHICLE , I WAS BURNED ON THE SIDE OF MY LEFT CALF BY THE EXHAUST PIPE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, JUST NOT AS BADLY AS THE FIRST TIME THANKFULLY. THE FIRST BURN DID BLISTER AND TODAY,SEPT.30,2008, I STILL HAVE A MARK ON MY LEG FROM THIS PAINFUL EVENT. *TR

FOR ONE YEAR MY 2007 MINI COOPER S HAS HAD A DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM AS IT DISABLES WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED AND THE VEHICLE IS EITHER STOPPED OR IN MOTION. *TR

2007 MINI COOPER, PURCHASED NEW, APPROX 21,000 MILES. PARKED CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. MANY WEB FORUMS INDICATE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH MINI TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE FUEL PUMP ON MY 2007 MINI COOPER 7. IT IS NOW EXPERIENCING THE EARLY SYMPTOMS FOR A THIRD TIME. THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON 4 OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE FUEL PUMP SEIZING. THEY RETURNED THE "REPAIRED" VEHICLE, AND THE REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING (WAS OVERCOME BY THE FUMES TRYING TO DRIVE IT HOME FROM WORK THE SAME DAY IT WAS RETURNED). THEY REPAIRED IT A SECOND TIME, AND I HAD IT CHECKED BY A SECOND DEALER. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS IN THIS SITUATION? I AM CONCERNED THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH MY VEHICLE, AND THAT THE FUEL PUMP COULD SEIZE AGAIN SUDDENLY (AS IT DID LAST TIME). I HAVE NOW MET AT LEAST 3 OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL CAR WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS (AND WITH THE SAME DEALERSHIP, WESTCHESTER MINI/BMW). *TR

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO I FOUND A CRACK IN WINDSHIELD OF 2007 MINI COOPER S ON PASSENGER SIDE BELOW WIPER. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME ON SEPT. 10TH. ON SEPT. 16 I FOUND ANOTHER CRACK IN THE NEW GLASS IN APPROXIMATELY SAME SPOT! AFTER LOOKING ON INTERNET I FOUND THAT STRESS CRACKING OF THE WINDSHIELD IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. ANYWAY, THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS AN IMPACT CRACK AND ONLY A COINCIDENCE THAT IT OCCURRED IN SAME SPOT! AFTER ARGUING THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AT THEIR COST--AS A COURTESY. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD AND EVEN IF A SMALL PEBBLE HIT--THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD NOT CRACK SO EASILY. *TR

THE TAILPIPES, WHEN HOT, APPARENTLY PROTRUDE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SEVERE BURNS TO THE LEG. MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SUSTAINED A SERIOUS BURN THIS WAY WHEN GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF THE HATCHBACK. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG GOES OFF (THE INDICATOR LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS OFF), WHEN A 105 POUND ADULT WOMAN IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL MINI COOPER DEALER THAT THE SEAT DOES NOT SENSE SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT UNLESS THEY ARE 115 LBS OR MORE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS DANGEROUS SINCE THERE ARE PLENTY OF ADULT FEMALES THAT WEIGH LESS THAN 115 LBS. I HAVE TAKEN THIS ISSUE TO MINI CORPORATE AND THEY REFERRED ME TO NHTSA. I SPOKE WITH AN AIRBAG REPRESENTATIVE AT NHTSA WHO TOLD ME THAT THE TESTING CONDITIONS FOR MINI COOPER 2007 WERE DONE WITH A 108 LB FEMALE. I AM FREQUENTLY THE PASSENGER IN THIS VEHICLE AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE KNOWING THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE OFF. IN THE EVENT THAT MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN AN ACCIDENT REQUIRING AIRBAGS, THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

HOOD SCOOP ON 2007 MINI COOPER "S" IS MELTING DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM TURBO. *TR

RECEIVED BLISTERING AND PERMANENT SCARING BURN FROM EXHAUST PIPE WHILE REMOVING CARGO FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *TR

RECEIVED BLISTERING AND PERMANENT SCARING BURN FROM EXHAUST PIPE WHILE REMOVING CARGO FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *TR

THE HOOD SCOOP OF MY CAR DEFORMS DUE TO EXTREME HEAT. *TR

AFTER A 30 MINUTE DRIVE, I PARKED AND THEN PULLED SOMETHING OUT OF THE TRUNK. WHILE REACHING IN, I BURNED MY LEFT SHIN ON THE TAILPIPE. I SHOWED IT A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER TO OUR BURN UNIT DIRECTOR AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A FUNCTIONAL FULL THICKNESS BURN IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS LOCATION (BECAUSE OF THE POOR BLOOD PERFUSION TO THE SHIN, HEALING IS IMPAIRED AND INFECTION RISK IS HIGH). HE SENT ME HOME FROM WORK ON ANTIBIOTICS AND I HAD TO BE ON BED REST WITH MY LEG ELEVATED. I SPOKE TO MINI AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT I BE CAREFUL - AS THE TAILPIPE CAN GET HOT. I THANKED THEM FOR THE ADVICE AND MADE THE FOLLOWING POINT: SURE, IT GETS HOT... IT'S AN EXHAUST TAILPIPE. HOWEVER, IT'S THE FIRST THING MY LEG COMES IN CONTACT TO AND IT'S IN THE CENTER OF A CAR THAT REQUIRES YOU TO GET CLOSE IN ORDER TO PULL SOMETHING OUT OF THE TRUNK. I SUGGESTED THAT BMW ISSUE A RECALL AND ADJUST THE TAILPIPE SO THAT THE FIRST THING THE LEG HITS IS THE BUMPER (LIKE MOST CARS). I WAS TOLD THAT NO CHANGE WAS PLANNED AT THIS TIME. MY POINTS: IT'S A BAD DESIGN. IT'S AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM (A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH OR NORTHAMERICANMOTORING SEARCH WILL SHOW THIS). BMW NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT ITS CUSTOMERS AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, ITS CUSTOMERS' CHILDREN. *TR ADD PICTURE *121108 CW UPDATED 12/11/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH ALWAYS EMITTED AN ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC. THE ENGINE GRADUALLY REVVED WITHIN A 48 HOUR PERIOD. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CLUTCH FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF $3,300. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 5,000.

I BURNED MY LOWER FRONT LEG ON THE CHROME TIPPED DUAL EXHAUST PIPES OF OUT 2007 MINI COOPER S (TURBO VERSION). *TR

LOWER LEG SUSTAINED BURN RESULTING IN SCARING AS RESULT OF COMING INTO CONTACT WITH EDGE OF REAR EXHAUST PIPE(S). EXHAUST PIPES EXTEND TOO FAR BEYOND REAR BUMPER CREATING EXPOSURE TO A PERSON ACCESSING TRUNK. *TR

AREA NEAR THE GAS PEDAL GETS EXTREMELY HOT, AS WELL AS THE WALL TO THE RIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL. IT'S HOT ENOUGH THAT I CAN'T LEAN A BARE FOOT AGAINST IT.. TOO HOT. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS AS A DRIVER COULD INADVERTENTLY REST HIS FOOT ON THE WALL, AND BE SURPRISED BY THE EXTREME HEAT, JERK THEIR FOOT AWAY AND POSSIBLE HIT THE GAS PEDAL. *TR

COMPLAINT FOR DUNLOP RADIAL TUBELESS TIRES, 205145 R17 (84V) SP SPORT 01, RUN FLAT TIRES. I WAS WASHING MY 2007 MINI COOPER S (WITH APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES) AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD SEVERE BUBBLING OF THE SIDE WALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPLACED, EXPLAINING THAT I HAD NOT HAD ANY UNUSUAL IMPACT ON THE TIRE AND THAT IT MUST BE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNWILLING TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE TIRE, SAYING THAT I HAD TO GO DIRECTLY TO DUNLOP. I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED ON MARCH 13TH, 2008 BECAUSE I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE DRIVING IS A NECESSITY AND WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES IF I DID NOT REPLACE IT. IT WAS REPLACED AT ASSAEL BMW/MINI OF MONROVIA, CA. LESS THAN THREE WEEKS LATER, I NOTICED YET ANOTHER BUBBLE ON THE NEWLY REPLACED TIRE! AGAIN, THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL IMPACT UPON THE TIRE WALL, NO RUB MARKS, AND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. AGAIN, BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUES, I AM FORCED TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED, BUT AM FILING AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT FOR EACH TIRE, COSTING APPROXIMATELY $387.00. IN ADDITION, OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE HAD THREE ADDITIONAL DUNLOP BRAND RUN FLAT TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE OF SIDE WALL BALLOONING AT MY EXPENSE. I WOULD ADVISE THAT ALL OWNERS OF THE TIRES DESCRIBED ABOVE CAREFULLY CHECK THEIR TIRES FOR POSSIBLE BALLOONING, AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT DUNLOP AND/OR THE DEALERSHIP IS UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR

DURING START UP, LOUD VALVE TAPPING NOISE IS HEARD. NOISE PERSISTED DURING MULTIPLE SEGMENT OF THE TRIP WHERE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF FOR UP TO 30 MIN AND RESTARTED. SUBSEQUENT NOISE WAS NOT AS PROMINENT AS THE INITIAL START UP ON THE SAME DAY. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATES ITSELF WHILE AN ADULT PASSENGER IS RIDING IN CAR. THE CAR DOES THIS AT RANDOM. DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED THE CAR AND SAYS THAT IT IS WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

DANGEROUS LEVEL OF HEAT IN THE DRIVER'S FOOTWELL AFTER CAR IS DRIVER FOR A WHILE. *TR

UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CAR'S CENTER PILLAR AREA (DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE GAS PEDAL) REACHES AVERAGE TEMPERATURES OF 115-120 DEGREES. I HAVE BURNED MYSELF ON THIS AREA WHILE WEARING SHORTS, LEAVING A RED WELT. I'VE ALSO JERKED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE HOT SURFACE CATCHES ME BY SURPRISE. *TR

THE CENTER PILLAR HEAT RISES TO AN EXTREMELY HIGH TEMPERATURE IN MY CAR. THIS HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER WHEN TEMPERATURES WERE VERY HOT.(100+) IT'S HOT ENOUGH TO STARTLE A DRIVER OR BURN THEM; THIS COULD CAUSE THEM TO REACT BY MOVING THEIR FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR IN AN UNPREDICTABLE WAY, WHICH IS QUITE A SAFETY HAZARD. IT BURNED MY RIGHT ANKLE. I'M WRITING NOW BECAUSE I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER THEN, PLUS I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. NOW THERE ARE REPORTS OF MINI COOPER SS CATCHING ON FIRE. I AM CONCERNED. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT SENSE PASSENGER. LIGHT ILLUMINATES STATING PASSENGER AIRBAGS OFF. DEALER HAS REPLACED SENSOR SEAT MAT TWICE AND STILL DOES HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE LAST FIX THE MINI TECH SERVICE ADVISOR SENT HOME WITH ME ADDING A STATEMENT TO MY FILE THAT IF YOU ARE A CERTAIN SIZE/WEIGHT AND OR MOVE IN SEAT LIGHT COULD COME ON. I DO NOT MOVE AROUND IN SEAT AND I MY SIZE IS NOT THE ISSUE. IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER SINCE I HAD TO GO THROUGH BMW TO GET A REP TO LOOK AT. AS OF TODAY CAR IS NOT FIXED. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THESE AS TOLD TO ME BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND PARTS MANAGER AT BMW AND MY FIRST SEAT MAT I HAD TO WAIT 3 MONTHS FOR BECAUSE OF BACKORDER AND AVAILABILITY SINCE SO MANY WERE WRONG. MY NUMBER IS LARGE IN THE # OF FAILURES CATEGORY SINCE EVERYTIME I GET IN THE CAR IT TAKES ABOUT 3 -6 FAILURES BEFORE I CAN TRIGGER IT TO WORK SINCE MAY 2007 WHICH IS WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. *TR

COLD START RUMBLE/RATTLE/CLATTER FROM ENGINE. INTERMITTENT AND SPORADIC SOUND FROM ENGINE BAY UPON START UP PRIMARILY DURING WINTER MONTHS, SOUND DISAPTES AND GOES AWAY AS CAR WARMS. THE SOUND IS VERY ROUGH CLATTER, SOUNDING LIKE METAL ON METAL - OIL STARVATION ON START UP? I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ON LONG TERM DAMAGE AND COMPROMISE OF THE NORMAL LIFE OF MOTOR - IN OTHER WORDS GETTING SCREWED OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THIS IS NOT A SINGLE INCIDENT, BUT AN ONGOING CONDITION. *TR

CAR HAS BEEN OUTSIDE IN THE COLD WEATHER AND WHEN STARTED IT SOUNDS LIKE NOT FIRING CORRECTLY-BACKFIRING NOISES. ENGINE LIGHTS POP UP. MAINLY 1/2 ENGINE POWER LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. CAR REALLY ONLY HAS 1/2 ENGINE POWER. TOP SPEED IS 45MPH, DOWNHILL. CAR LURCHES AROUND, ENGINE REVS EVERY SECOND OR SO. 1ST TIME SHUT CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON THEN IT WAS FINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. CAR SPENT NIGHT IN GARAGE, WAS FINE NEXT MORNING. THAT NIGHT SAME SYMPTOMS AT START UP BUT DIDN'T GO AWAY - HAD TO MAKE LONG COMMUTE HOME AT SLOW SPEEDS. CAR SPENT NIGHT INSIDE AGAIN AND WAS FINE IN THE MORNING. CALLED DEALER, CAR TOWED TO DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER KEPT USING ENGINE AND THROTTLE INTERCHANGEABLY - CAUSING GREAT CONCERN WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS CONDENSATION GETTING INTO IT AND FREEZING, BUT THEY REASSURED ME IT IS THE THROTTLE AND NOT THE ENGINE. DEALER SAID THEY PUT A SPECIAL LUB IN IT AND TO NOT DRIVE SHORT DRIVES-I NEVER DO, 24,000 MILES ON A 9 MONTH OLD CAR. 6 WEEKS LATER EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. CAR TO DEALER. LOANER CAR (2007 MINI COOPER S) DID EXACT SAME THING MY CAR WAS DOING. THE LOANER CAR DID COME OUT OF IT ABOUT 30 MILES INTO COMMUTE. COULD GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALL LIGHTS WENT OFF EXCEPT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. SOMETHING SEEMED TO THAW OUT. WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE WAS FREEZING IN COLD TEMPS AND AFFECTING MANY MINI'S, BMW'S, AND JAG'S. DEALER CHANGED OIL IN MY CAR, 1 WEEK AFTER 1ST OIL CHANGE. DEALER SAID THEY ARE DOING INVESTIGATION BUT THAT I HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT FOR NOW. LOCAL MECHANIC SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SENSOR THAT TELLS THE COMPUTER HOW MUCH GAS TO SPRAY INTO THE CHAMBER IS FROZEN. PROBABLY MADE OF CHEAP MATERIALS, GETS HOT, MOISTURE CONDENSES AND FREEZES ON SENSOR CAUSING PROBLEMS BUT NOT SURE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE CAR GO THROUGH ONE OF IT'S "FITS". CAR HAS BEEN FINE FOR PAST 4 WEEKS. SOME PEOPLE AT DEALER ADMIT TO PROBLEM WHILE OTHERS WILL NOT, TELLING ME IT IS JUST MY CAR AND ONLY WHEN I HAVE IT. *TR

NEW 2007 MINI COOPER S DOES NOT STAY RUNNING IN COLD WEATHER WHEN STARTED. THE CAR HAS TO BE REVVED ABOVE 1000RPM'S FOR 2 MINUTES TO KEEP CAR RUNNING. SO FAR ORIGINAL COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED, A NEW COMPUTER INSTALLED SINCE THE REPROGRAM DIDN'T WORK AND NEW HOSES PLACED THINKING THERE IS AN ICING ISSUE. CAR WAS AT SERVICE CENTER FOR 1 MONTH, TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FIXED AND TESTED, STARTED CAR TWO DAYS LATER AND IT DID EXACTLY THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN, IT DOES NOT STAY RUNNING WHEN COLD. *TR

GETS EXTREMELY HOT UNDER THE HOOD AND DEFORMS THE PLASTIC HOOD SCOOP. *TR

MT CLIENT WAS REACHING INTO THE REAR OF A 2007 MINI COOPER BMW WHEN HER LEG MADE CONTACT WITH THE PROTRUDING MUFFLER THAT CAUSED A SEVERE BURN ON HER LEG. *TR

MINI COOPER S 07 MAKES A HORRIBLE RATTLE ON COLD START UP. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CAR DIES. SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS NO OIL IN ENGINE. AFTER CAR IS WARMED UP NOISE GOES AWAY. DEALER HAS REPLACED NON RETURN OIL VALVE. DIDN'T WORK. CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS MUST BE DAMAGING THE ENGINE. ONLY 13,300 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR

DURING COLD START VEHICLE MAKES LOUD METAL ON METAL SOUND PERSISTENT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. SOUND IS SIMILAR TO OLDER DIESEL ENGINE WITH RATTLING AND ROUGH SOUNDS. IN THE UK DEALERS HAVE BEEN RESPONSIVE TO THE ISSUE REPLACING THE CHAIN TENSIONER AND NOW IN SOME CASES THE ENGINE. DEALERS IN THE US DENY THE ISSUE AND PROVIDE NO REMEDY CALLING THE SOUND NORMAL. ISSUE IS CAUSING UNDUE ENGINE WEAR. *TR

(1) A DEISE-LIKE RATTLING NOISE, NOT IN TIME WITH THE ENGINE, COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON START-UP. THE NOISE WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY AS THE ENGINE WARMED UP. AS TIME PROGRESSED, THE NOISE GREW LOUDER AND TOOK LONGER TO SUBSIDE. VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TURNED OVER TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION. (2) THE NOISE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAILURE OF THE OIL-FED CAM CHAIN TENSIONER. THE PISTON WAS DETERMINED TO BE STARVED OF OIL, CAUSING THE CAM CHAIN TO CREATE A RATTLING NOISE INCREASING IN VOLUME AND DURATION. (3) PARTS WERE ORDERED TO FIX THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER AND THE PISTON AND TENSIONER WERE REPLACED. THERE IS STILL SOME RATTLING ON START-UP, BUT THE NOISE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHED. SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS ONLINE HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES AND IT APPEARS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER IS A TEMPORARY FIX (WITH THE NOISE RETURNING SOME WEEKS LATER). FAILURE OF THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER WILL LEAD TO ADDITIONAL WEAR ON THE CAM CHAIN EVENTUALLY DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CASE, CAMS AND VALVES THEMSELVES. A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WILL OCCUR IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT ADDRESSED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER US. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE REAR VIEW MIRROR BLOCKED HIS VIEW AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO NOTIFY THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REMOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR DUE TO CIRCUITS IN THE MIRROR THAT ARE USED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.

THE HOOD (RIGHT ABOVE THE HOOD SCOOP) ON MY R56 07 MINI COOPER S IS EXTREMELY HOT AFTER ANY DRIVING AT ALL. IT'S LITERALLY HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE PLASTIC ON THE HOOD. THIS IS WELL OVER 200 DEGREES F AND IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD TO NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT ANY INDIVIDUAL PASSING BY THE CAR. I'M DEATHLY AFRAID THAT THIS WILL EITHER START A FIRE IN MY GARAGE OR CAUSE AN INDIVIDUAL TO ACCIDENTALLY BURN THEMSELVES ON THE HOOD OF MY CAR. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN BURNED FROM THIS ONCE BY PLACING MY HAND ON THE HOOD. *TR

EXTREME HOOD TEMPERATURE DUE TO TURBO IN EXCESS OF 225 DEGREES F DUE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURES BURNS TO BODY PARTS UP TO 2ND DEGREE CAN OCCUR IF HOOD OF CAR IS TOUCHED. DAMAGE TO PLASTIC HOODSCOOP ON CAR...BASICALLY IT IS MELTING AND DEFORMING I REPLACED THE HOOD SCOOPE AND REFRAIN FROM TOUCHING THE HOOD FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF. THIS IS A PROBLEM IF I AM GOING TO HAVE WORK DONE ON THE CAR. *JB

1. I WAS UNLOADING A FEW THINGS FROM THE BACK OF CAR. 2. THE FAILURE IS THAT THE STOCK MINI COOPER S TAILPIPE EXTEND BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER WHICH IS RIGHT WHERE YOU HAVE TO STAND TO ACCESS THE TRUNK. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT I GOT A BIG CIRCULAR BURN ON MY CALF WHEN I LEANED IN TO GRAB SOMETHING. 3. WHAT CAN I DO TO CORRECT THIS? IT'S A STOCK PART / DESIGN THAT'S NEVER BEEN RECALLED AND IS STILL FOR SALE. *JB

HOOD TEMPERATURE IS EXTREMELY HOT, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE HOOD SCOOP. MY FRIENDS HAVE BEEN REPORTING TEMPERATURES WELL ABOVE 200 DEGREES ON THEIR MINIS. THIS IS A CONTINUING, EVERYDAY PROBLEM. *JB

CAR HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS APPLIED AFTER COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES. ESPECIALLY FREQUENT AT TURNS FROM A COMPLETE STOP EG TURNING INTO OR ACROSS MOVING TRAFFIC. THE CAR INITIALLY MOVES FORWARD AND THEN ALL FORWARD MOVEMENT STOPS. THE ENGINE DOES NOT APPEAR TO DIE THE RPM'S STAY CONSTANT BUT THE GAS PEDAL HAS NO EFFECT AND THE CAR SIMPLY ROLLS TO A STOP AT LOW SPEEDS OR SLOWS UP CONSIDERABLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE RESULT IS THAT YOU ARE LEFT EITHER STRADDLED ACROSS A COUPLE OF LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IF YOU TRIED TO TURN LEFT OR YOU ARE STALLING IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC TRAVELING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS YOU OR YOU ARE HUNG OUT TO DRY AT HIGHER SPEEDS IN THE WRONG LANE OF A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY BUT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN CONSTANTLY. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT ALL THE MINIS ARE THE SAME AND THAT , THAT IS JUST THE WAY THEY HANDLE. WELL IT DIDN'T HANDLE LIKE THAT WHEN I GOT IT AND IT ONLY HANDLES THAT WAY A FEW TIMES A DAY. *JB

MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER RECEIVED A SERIOUS BURN ON HER LEG FROM THE EXHAUST OF MY MINI COOPER S. THE DOUBLE EXHAUST IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER BACK OF THE CAR AND EXTENDS PAST THE EDGE OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ITEMS OUT OF THE TRUNK AREA WITHOUT TOUCHING THE EXHAUST. THE EXHAUST IN LOCATED IN THE EXACT LOCATION WHERE ONE STANDS TO RETRIEVE CARGO. I HAVE BURNED MY LEG TWICE UNLOADING GROCERIES. IT TAKES A CONSTANT EFFORT TO REMEMBER TO AVOID THE EXHAUST. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *JB ADD PICTURE *121108 CW UPDATED 12/11/08

I PARKED MY CAR AFTER ARRIVING AT MY FRIENDS HOUSE, WHICH WAS APPROX. A TWO HOUR DRIVE. AFTER REACHING INSIDE OF THE HATCHBACK TO GRAB LUGGAGE OUT OF MY 2007 MINI COOPER 'S' I WAS BURNED ON MY LEG BY THE TAILPIPE. AFTER STEPPING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE MY LEG WAS RED IN TWO SPOTS (TWIN-PIPE) AND THEN BUBBLED IN THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS AND SCABBED. I NOTICED THAT THE TAIL PIPE EXTENDS BEYOND THE BODY OF THE CAR WHICH ALLOWS FOR EASY SKIN CONTACT WITH THE HOT PIPE. UPDATED 04-15-08 *BF UPDATED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WOULD REACH 200 DEGREES AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THE WASHER JETS THAT REST ON THE HOOD LEAKED WATER WHEN THE HOOD WAS HOT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EACH TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE HEAT WAS CAUSED BY THE TURBO CHARGER. THE SPEED PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE BEING PARKED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HOOD WIPER JETS WEEP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE TEMPERATURE RISES ABOVE 200 LEAVING SEMI PERMANENT MARKS ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/31/07 *TR