Mini Cooper S owners have reported 28 unknown or other related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common unknown or other problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's unknown or other (28 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other problems |
I have a 2008 Mini Cooper S that has a timming chain issue that seems to be a problem for this model ,as I researched this issue found that looks like a production issue which I believe should be corrected by Mini/BMW. Not everyone has $2000. 00 to have this fixed,I have 28k miles which I consider a farely new car still not fare for us consumer who shell out alot of money for a car we believe to be reliable and is not , please review this problem and help us consumers be treated fair we need your help to stop these companys from taking advantage of us until something horrible happens.
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.
I brought my Mini in for the electrial 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.
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.
Power steering pump seized and needed to be replaced. Power steering fan failure and also needed to be replaced. Power steering hoses leaking and also needed to be replaced. Output shaft seal is leaking, but has not been replaced at this time. These repairs cost me approximately $1000! I have found numerous complaints about power steering failures in the 2004-2005 Mini. Please make BMW pay for this!.
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!.
While on a short vacation out of town, close to 230 miles from my home, my Cooper S' power steering failed and almost cause me an accident. I immediately checked the fluid and saw that there were no visible leaks present. After making arrangements for a rental vehicle, I noticed that the power steering started working correctly again. Because of that I proceeded to return home and the steering did not fail for the remainder of the trip. During March of 2012, the power steering failed again, during a commute home from work on Friday, may 3rd. To this day, I have no been able to afford additional repairs or diagnostics, because of the monthly payments, insurance, fuel and previous issues of repairs under 75,000 miles including the head gasket, and heater core. Regardless of the policies that BMW/Mini and the NHTSA have concerning used vehicles, and warranties, absolutely no vehicle produced by an internationally known company or business should be producing such unreliable, unsafe and potentially dangerous motor vehicles and not take immediate responsibility to isolate and terminate the issue rather than ignore and deny responsibility for poorly manufactured products.
There is a loud knocking noise (most likely the timing belt) and the car keeps jumping.
Loud knocking noise upon starting the car. It was very loud so I took it to the dealer. A metal piece from the housing for the timing chain broke off and caused damage that cost $2239 to repair. The service rep seemed to know about this problem. I asked the service rep for my old parts which I have kept and upon inspection the parts looked good (timing chain and tensioners (plastic parts). The flaw is in the design, a one inch little metal piece that cannot support the vibration of the timing chain broke off and caused all the damage. I've read multiple complaints on this site regarding timing chain problems on s models, this should be a recall.
Engine developed a knocking, rattling sound which grew louder over time. The local Mini dealership diagnosed a timing chain glide and tensioner failure. Replaced the entire assembly. Was told Mini realized the glides were inferior and was now using upgraded glides in the replacement kits. When asked if this shouldn't be a warranty replacement since it could lead to total engine failure, was told this was up to Mini-USA, not the dealer. This is also a safety issue if the timing chain breaks while driving, seizing the engine, and leading to loss of control of the vehicle.
While driving the airbag warning light came on and passenger air bag light turned off. At the same time the seat belt light came on. Had both checked and when car was returned both lights were out. Passenger seat bottom was replaced. I was told that this is common problem with the seat bottom. No problem noted for the seat belt light. 1/2 mile from dealer both warning lights again turned on and the passenger air bag light turned off. At this point I am not sure if the car is safe to drive or not.
Experienced abrupt and complete loss of the power steering system simultaneous with an immediate and sharp decrease in power. This incident occurred at 75 mph on an interstate highway, car in middle lane. Very narrowly avoided collision with a truck when moving vehicle to full stop in emergency lane. Vehicle currently not in use as we feel it is a road hazard and unsafe to operate in current condition. Also awaiting for response from Mini dealer.
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 Mini¿s on fire. What is BMW doing about this? updated 08/17/bf updated 02/02/2012.
A fire was caused by the failure of the power steering cooling fan. At some point the day of the incident the fan seized and the resulting electrical resistance in the main wiring harness caused the wiring harness to heat to a point of melting some of the plastic wire insulation allowing for direct wire to wire contact and resulted in an electrical fire between the engine and the passenger compartment. The resulting fire completely disabled the vehicle's electrical system and requires at Minimum the replacement of the entire main wiring harness. Event description after a short drive (less than 2 miles on a cold engine) the vehicle was parked. After the engine was turned off smoke was seen rising from the vehicle engine compartment. Upon raising the hood, flames were seen between the engine and the passenger compartment reflecting off both fire walls. 2 fire extinguishers were required to put out the flames after the battery was disconnected. Total loss of the vehicle to fire was prevented by the owners actions.
Over heating constantly no technical person knows of a remedy. Overflow tank blows out when car overheats constantly . This seems to be a problem since the beginning no matter what year the car was built and never remedied. Why not a recall? not knowing what other damage this causes to the engine. This has to be a recall for the company to fix it is a hit and miss fix??? this is a costly process and even in the forums on Mini it has been an ongoing issue. Front end fails all at the same time. (control arms, cv joints) steering becomes hard to control. Mini help.
I would like to see a recall issued or at least investigated for any Mini cooper 2007 and up with the BMW engine. This engine has a faulty timing belt tensioner that is prone to fail causing severe engine damage. I have a 2008 and just lost my engine due to this tension failure. After spending the 600. 00 dollars to have my engine taken apart and diagnosed, I was told that BMW already knows about the problem but has not issued any type of recall for it. They also told me that it will require a new engine some where in the dollar amount of 14,000. 00 to replace, unknown at this time if the dealer will cover the loss. This problem is well known be the dealer but it looks like they have done nothing to correct this problem and continue to use this same engine in there vehicles. I was told by one of the workers that BMW has not issued a recall because the problem does not pose a direct safety risk, are you kidding me, going done the highway and having a total engine loss is very much a safety risk. I am sure that my complaint is just another drop in the bucket but I hope at least hope someone takes the time to have this problem corrected before someone is seriously hurt or killed.
I have owned this vehicle for 1 year and three months. I did not have the choice of selecting any other tire. Mini cooper( BMW) put run flats on vehicle because there is no where for a spare tire. I keep the vehicle in the garage at a condo in florida with no access to anyone. I have 4250 miles on the vehicle. I have had three flats. Mini related that I had the oppurtunity to buy a tire and suspension warranty when new for 800. 00 plus dollars. I can't remember the last time I had one flat on any other vehicle. My wife or I have used this vehicle for less than 5 months and this is the third flat. Mini denies any deficiencies with the tires but I don't believe them. This avages out to a flat about every 1400 miles. My father got better milage out of retreads. Statistically it seems significant and there is a defect. Please investigate and respond.
1. 04 Mini Cooper S power steering failure while driving. Occasionally while driving the pump will loose power and steering will be very difficult. Power steering fan stays on after vehicle is turned off which tends to drain the battery. 2. Eventually the pump started leaking and fan stop working needing replacement. Loss all power steering while driving. 3. Replaced pump and fan with new units and problem is temporarily fixed but problem has come back. Noticing the same symptoms from #. 1 post happening again.
Cold start problem, no power, lots of noise. Timing chain on r56 Mini cooper. There is a service bulletin but there should be a recall. It sounded like the motor was going to blow up!.
The vehicle has loss the power steering assist due to power steering pump failure. Thus requiring increased force to steer and control the vehicle. Steering has becomes extremely difficult and has made manoeuvring this car far harder and dangerous. The car has spotty electrical failures; example the window just doesn't want to roll up; no, wait, it does. No, wait, it doesn't. The stereo just gives up; no sound anymore,then it plays again. The same with the drivers side door you could here it unlock and re-lock, but the door would not open and then it would. Also both of my keys to open the door both turned off at the same time and I had to have the keys re-calibrated at a Mini dealership to reopen the vehicle.
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.
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.
Dangerous level of heat in the driver's footwell after car is driver for a while.
The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper S. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle caught fire. The contact pulled over and doused the vehicle with a bucket of water. The dealer and the police were not notified. The vehicle is parked in his garage. The contact discovered from the NHTSA website that there are approximately eight others who have filed complaints regarding the same failure. The current and failure mileages were 58,000.
The plastic gas tank of the 2006 Mini cooper was punctured by debris on rt 3 near chelmsford, massachusetts. Several gallons of gasoline were lost due to the puncture.
A buzzing noise once I get to 90 miles per hour. I called the dealer and was told there was nothing they could do.
More of a comment rather than a complaint. You have omitted Mini cooper from your drop down menu selection of vehicle makes. These vehicles are manufactured by BMW, but I could not find Mini cooper listed under BMW and its not listed by itself as a separate vehicle make. Thanks for your consideration and attention to my comment.
Buzzing noise once car hits 90 miles per hour*.