Mini Cooper Clubman owners have reported 8 power train related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common power train problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's power train (8 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Power Train problems |
The car engine stopped dead in the middle of a state highway while going at cruising speed of 35mph on the right most late, and with engine dead power steering became unresponsive and became impossible to steer the car to the side. The car was literally dead in the middle of the highway, we had kids on board and for a small car, we were really that lucky passing cars were able to spot us and avoid hitting us. When we took towed it to the shop, the issue was that the timing chain had snapped and also cracked the engine top cover on the left side. On searching the internet it looks like this is the "timing chain, tensioner issues" that BMW/Mini is already aware of however they have not yet done a recall. There was almost no way of telling there was this problem brewing with the vehicle. Although now in retrospect there were a few tell-tale signs, when it was cold, we had heard a rattle sound, which went away immediately. Also the same day the car engine stopped when standing at a signal, but started up again. Now we realize that these signs were related to the problem that other users had complained too before the timing chain broke.
Tl-the contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph and made a left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, the accelerator pedal failed to respond and all of the gauges on the dash panel went blank without warning. The vehicle was driven to the dealership and powered off. The contact rolled down the drivers side window, however, both front windows began to go up and down without warning until the contact removed the key fob from the ignition. The vehicle was diagnosed that the battery was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,861. Sw.
Car started making rattling noise on start up, drove it to Mini, they say my timing chain is stretched and housing broken, around $2500, to repair. Reading online this is a common problem, even the basis of a lawsuit and I feel it should be looked into.
After hearing a rattling while idling at a stop sign and then driving down the road, there was a terrible noise that came from the engine and the car lost all power. My husband pushed the car to the side of the road and opened the hood. It appeared that the timing chain had busted out of the top of the engine cover. We were very concerned as this could have happened on the highway, which he had just exited. We have been doing research and have found several others that have had this same issue in the Mini and would like to see it come to a resolution, as our mechanic is advising us that the cost of repair will be upwards for $6,000 and Mini is not covering cost of repair. We are wondering if there is a recall on these vehicles. We have read that their is an active class action suite, as well.
After complaining repeatedly to the manufacturer about a rattling noise from our vehicle engine at start up, the timing chain broke and has completely destroyed our engine. The manufacturer repeatedly claimed the noise was "normal" engine noise and that there was nothing to worry about. Now that not only is the timing chain broken, but the engine has been destroyed from the subsequent damage. There is a petition online (currently over 800 signatures) from Mini owners claiming to have had the same problem at low mileage and similar experiences dealing with Mini of north America ignoring the issue. . Read more...
Despite performing regular oil changes and complaining about our timing chain making a noise from the first month, Mini never fixed the problem always insisting that the noise was normal or that nothing was wrong. Eventually our timing chain jumped the rails and destroyed our engine. The vehicle was inoperable and Mini USA declined to fix the issue. Only once did they try to fix it by replacing the tensioner. The part they used was an older discontinued part. This did not solve the issue and so the timing chain continued to rattle and then destroyed the engine.
I was driving on the freeway when the oil light came on, I called the dealer within seconds and asked them if this was a concern. They said to drive it in it was probably just the oil level needing topped out. I continued for about a mile when the engine light came on. I pulled off at the next exit and called them back. The again said to bring it in. I walked around the car before proceeding and noted that the front wheel well,tire and wheel were all soaked with oil( passenger side) . I called them back and requested a tow truck as when I started it up it made an exceptionally loud hammering noise. I I knew that the engine was going to let go if I continued. The dealer took the car in and called me a day or so later to inform that the timing chain broke a,flattening the valves, messing up the valves and engine block. The told me that it was approx 7,000miles out of warranty. I told them that I had an extended 100,000 service warranty sold to me by the dealer in charleston south carolina. I was sold this by the "finance manager" and he made me believe that I was covered. The dealer where I live in dublin ohio, has serviced the car for every required service since it was purchased. They are trying to get Mini to cover the repairs. I had informed them that the odometer always reads about 7 to 8 mph faster than my gps and that the warranty per their instruments would be shorted. The indicated that they would not cut me off in a close situation. The actual power train warranty is 50,000. I have never heard of a timing chain breaking with even a 100,000 miles on it. I have serviced the car at all appropriate intervals as noted in the service records and I pamper the car. I am 61 yrs old and have had many, many cars and do not drive irresponsibly. I believe that this is a known problem by BMW. The mid west auto group has always been exceptional and I have no problems w/them.
Shift mechanism froze on several occasions before going in for service on 1/6/12. Upon inspection I was told that repair is not considered under warranty. Dealer claims that some coffee was spilled inside of cup holder and leaked below which resulted in shorting out of a "wire connector" and requires the replacement of the "shifter assembly. " reviewing several complaints from various web sights I determined that this is an ongoing problem with a number of Mini owners. In fact an owner reported the exact same complaint back in 2003 where the reported leak was from a screw fastening the cup holder to its supporting unit. This is obviously a safety issue: if the wires can "short out" they then may cause a dangerous situation to develop and if the shifter freezes, this could result in an even more serious situation. Since the apparent leaking through these holders was evident to Mini - for a number of years - why haven't they either fixed the potential leak source or printed a warning within their manual: "don't put any cup, or other such container into the cup holders as this may result in serious damage to electrical components. " aren't "cup" holders supposed to be designed to hold cups safely. Shouldn't there be an expectation that some liquid will spill out during usual driving conditions? if so, why was this design flaw not corrected with consumer complaints occurring for at least eight years?.