Mini Cooper S owners have reported 8 latches/locks/linkage related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common latches/locks/linkage problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's latches/locks/linkage (8 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkage problems |
Mini cooper doors cannot be opened using either the inside or outside door handles under certain freezing conditions. This has occurred multiple times during freezing weather, usually when snow or ice is present. The failure occurs intermittently on both the passenger and driver side doors. At times, it occurs after the vehicle has been parked for many hours when temperatures are below freezing. However, it can also occur after the door has been opened and the vehicle driven for 30 minutes or more. When the failure occurs, neither the inside nor outside handles will open the door. The only recourse is to exit (or enter) the vehicle using the other door (so far there has not been an instance when both doors froze) and wait for the condition to rectify itself.
Unable to open the driver's door from the inside; immediate failure. At about 36,000 miles and again at 60,000 miles, the driver's door could only be opened by pulling on the inside door handle multiple times or opening the window & using the outside handle. The issue appears to be a cable that comes off a pulley in the opening mechanism. The dealer replaced the cable in its proper position; the fix lasted about 2 years before re-occurring causing the car to fail state safety inspection. This is a problem known to Mini/BMW and is reported in many online Mini cooper forums.
2005 Mini Cooper S with 42k miles. Driver side door fails to open from the inside. I can only exit the car by using the outside door handle which requires opening the window. If an emergency occurs which requires rapid exit from the car and there was a failure of the electrical system I would not be able to exit vehicle. 42k miles is fairly low and the car has not been abused. Mini cooper claims this is ¿normal¿ wear. It is not ¿normal¿ wear and is indeed a manufacturers defect which apparently happens to many Mini coopers.
2008 Mini Cooper S. The vehicle had a complete electrical and engine failure with no notice. While driving on interstate 287 in NJ with absolutely no notice the car lost total power. Every warning light illuminated on the dash, all gauges dropped to zero, no power whatsoever from the engine, no way to open windows or door locks as their was a complete and total electrical and mechanical failure of this vehicle - there was absolutely no notice. One moment the vehicle was operating normally and the next I had complete and total mechanical, engine and electrical failure rendering the car disabled and without power in the middle lane of interstate 287 south in morristown NJ. Vehicle brought to Mini dealer; vehicle there for almost 2 weeks-supposedly "fixed". The same problem happened a second time within 100 miles of that first service. Vehicle brought to Mini dealer again. Happened a third time for the service technician while he drove the car home from princeton to PA. Vehicle was at Mini for another 2 and one half weeks. Now they say it is fixed and I do not feel confident they are correct. This problem is without warning and leaves the vehicle permanently disabled in a total and complete way that can lead to serious injury or death for the occupants. Mini customer service was abhorrent. They would not return calls and stalled time and again when asked to repurchase this vehicle which is clearly unsafe. They will do nothing. The NHTSA must investigate. The only part they tell me is wrong is the footwell module but will be no more specific. Mini must be held accountable for this defect and failure; this is of very serious nature. Again, the car completely fails-everything-engine, electrical, all power you can not open door locks, windows or the rear hatch. The engine losses all power. Please investigate.
Metal tabs connecting glass sunroof to sunroof guides broke. The metal split possibly due to metal fatigue induced by vibration. Potential for a vehicle to lose sunroof if it was to lose the other mount.
Door lock mechanism freezes and traps drive and occupants inside of the vehicle. Anytime the temperature is below freezing door locks freeze. Upon contacting Mini their response was that they get this complaint frequently but they do not have a method to correct the problem.
Rear hatch has no inside release, although shown in owner's manual.
Both door handles are inoperative from the inside. Dealer per phone call diagnosed "common problem" as the ballard cable disconnecting from the latch. After removing the door panel it was found to be intact. Problem is yet to be diagnosed. It is my assumption that there is a problem with the security system since the doors do not unlock when the ignition is turned off and the doors do not appear to try and lock when the vehicle reaches the set speed of 15 mph. This is a defect of grave concern since the occupants of the vehicle cannot immediately exit the vehicle in the event of a crash or fire and would be totally unable to exit in the event of an electrical failure.