Table 1 shows two common visibility related problems of the 2009 Mini Cooper.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Sun Roof problems | |
| Wiper problems |
My wife was driving her Mini Cooper hardtop with glass sun roof on the highway and suddenly the glass sun roof shattered and fell over her. There was no car nearby or any external object to cause the damage. The glass sun roof just shattered with a loud band. My wife was injured due to the glass falling over her and some of the pieces went into her and bruised her forearm. The glass sunroof was not tempered and the pieces were significantly large with sharp edges. It fell over her body and hit her head first. She suffered head injury also. I took picture and looks like the frame that holds the sun roof is slightly bent upwards. I believe it is a manufacturing defect with the glass sun roof.
Shocked to find an 8-inch hairline crack to the upper right portion of my windshield (right above my eyes on driver's side). The windshield glass spontaneously cracked on the exterior, with zero evidence of impact, harsh weather or temperature changes. It's been 60 degrees for weeks now and my Mini had been safely parked, outside of my home. I researched this issue and found multiple complaints from Mini customers with the same problem. I will be taking legal action against Mini for their disregard for my own and public safety. Shame on the NHTSA for settling with Mini on charges of sub-par glass installed in Mini Cooper hatchback models until 2008, a few months before my '09 Mini was produced.