2009 MINI COOPER Complaints

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH at night, the exterior lights started flickering and started to become inoperable. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, removed the battery terminals, and performed a master reset. After the master reset, there was an abnormal clicking sound inside the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to the residence. After arriving to the residence, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was parked and turned. The vehicle was then taken to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the relays inside the junction box used to control several of the electronic features had become inoperable. The mechanic suggested that the vehicle not be driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

I am writing to formally request reimbursement for a timing chain replacement performed on my vehicle, which was the subject of a specific safety recall issued by BMW. The timing chain defect in this vehicle represents a severe safety hazard, as a failure can cause an immediate and total engine stall while the vehicle is in motion. This loss of power in traffic creates an 100% avoidable risk of collision. Despite BMW recognizing this defect through a prior reimbursement program, they are refusing to compensate for a safety-critical repair on a low-mileage vehicle (58,XXX miles) simply based on the car's age. At the time of repair, the vehicle had approximately 58,XXX miles. Although the vehicle is older, it was in storage for several years because the previous owner was unaware of the recall and lacked the financial means to address it. Despite the period of storage, the car remained in excellent condition, with the timing chain being the only mechanical requirement at the time. The repair was completed by a local independent shop and paid for out-of-pocket. While BMW has recently honored a different recall for an electronics panel on this same VIN, my request for timing chain reimbursement was denied based on the vehicle's age. I believe this denial is inconsistent, as the safety defect identified in the recall existed regardless of the car's age or storage history. I am seeking compensation for the parts and labor costs associated with this safety-critical repair

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt warning light illuminated even though there was no passenger seated in the passenger’s seat. The contact stated that the warning light remained illuminated with the passenger’s seat occupied and the seat belt properly fastened. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

When it rains, my car seems to have a short circuit and all the electrical components start going crazy, mainly the windows, locks and indoor lights/dash. There is an active recall for the same problem and car model but mine doesn't seem to fit the recall I am not sure why.

My car has had an exterior lighting problem related to a bad FRM. This is causing my lights not to work. After seeking help, I saw that there was an actual recall on the FRM and I decided to take my car to International Mini dealership in Wisconsin. Once there, they proceeded to only fix the leak on sunroof. I then went back and explained that the leak had caused actual damage to the FRM and connectors and they told me to leave the car for another night. Next day I went to pick it up and they gave me the paperwork stating that they had replaced and reprogrammed the FRM but the problem persist. The connector on the FRM are also water corroded and they just refuse to do anything else to the car. I can’t drive my car due to the safety hazard of not having any exterior lights working.

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that the headlights, taillights, and the turn signal lights were inoperable. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); but the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights had remained illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.

The contact owned a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that after the vehicle was unoccupied and parked in the residential garage, she was putting her children down for a nap and 2 minutes later, the contact and her husband smelled smoke within the residence, shortly afterward it was discovered that the garage was engulfed in flames. The contact called 911 and evacuated her family of 2 dogs, and 2 minor children. The contact sustained injuries to both arms, both legs and her rear end up to her back. The husband sustained bruises right leg and back. The contact's toddler son sustained a bruise from running into the wall in the residence. No medical attention was sought. The contact mentioned that 1 of the dogs sustained abnormal breathing injuries. The police and fire departments arrived on the scene, and the firefighters extinguished the fire. The fire consumed the vehicle in the garage and resulted in damage to the residence. Police and fire department reports were filed. The contact does not have the fire report, yet, and was currently being worked by the chief of the fire department. The vehicle currently remained on the scene. The insurance company deemed the vehicle and her home totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

I received a recall notice from MINI USA dated July 2023. The recall issue date is in May 2023. The notice states the Footwell Control Module (FRM) can become corroded and can increase the risk of fire or injury. The letter states they do not have a remedy available, but one is in development. That was over a year ago now and no further action has been relayed by MINI USA. All current information on the recall states it is still not something they can remedy as of today, October 30, 2024. The issue included in the recall seems dangerous and has prohibited me from driving the car since receiving the recall notice. Therefore, the car is not able to be used without fear of fire and/or injury. The notice states to file a complaint with the NHTSA if the issue is unable to be remedied within a reasonable period of time. I believe that 18 months is more than reasonable time to have a remedy for this issue and none is forthcoming at this time. Therefore, I am filing this complaint. I am including a sample of the letter that I received rather than the actual one that includes my personal information.

The contact owned a 2009 Min Cooper Clubman. 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 contact stated while the vehicle was parked, turned on, and unoccupied, there was black smoke coming from the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated the footwell control module located on the driver's side had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department. The vehicle was destroyed as it was consumed by the fire. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was provided; however, the cause for the failure was not yet determined. A police report was not filed due to the incident occurring on private property. No injuries were sustained. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not towed and remained at the incident location. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The driver's side footwell is continuously full of water for the past several years. During rain water runs inside the car, from somewhere behind the dash, into the driver's footwell. The Footwell Control Module (FRM) is in water and is actively corroding. The Footwell Control Module is an electronic control unit located behind an interior trim panel in the driver's footwell area. Mini/BMW has already found that this corrosion could potentially result in a short circuit, resulting in a potential thermal event which could increase the risk of fire or injury. For some reason this vehicle is not included in Recall Campaign No. 23V-337 for the very same issue. This vehicle has been erroneously excluded from all appropriate MINI recalls. This vehicle was not included in 09V-143 despite the fact that it has factory 15" wheels. This vehicle had an auxiliary water pump fail, 200 miles after the warranty expired, but was not included in 18V-248. It would seem as though it has been erroneously excluded from all recalls because it was custom ordered and imported by the dealer. I am the sole owner of this vehicle, I purchased it new, custom made and imported for me at a dealership in Las Vegas. This vehicle has never been included in any of the recalls despite being affected by all of them.