2009 MINI COOPER S Complaints

CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO DEALER JUST AFTER REPORT OF MINI AIRBAG RECALL OF EARLIER MODELS [INCLUDING 2006]. SINCE CAR WASN'T LISTED ON RECALL LIST BUT I HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERAL MONTHS OF PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT PROBLEMS [ FOR NO APPARENT REASON]; I WAS CONCERNED AND ASKED FOR REPAIR. THE PIECE REMOVED AND REPLACED LOOKED LIKE IT HAD MELTED. I WAS TOLD IF MY MODEL WAS EVER RECALLED THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I DO NOT SEE MY COMPLAINT ON YOUR LIST AND SURPRISED AS I THOUGHT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE REPORTED BY THE DEALER. AFTER THE REPAIR, I ASKED FOR THE DAMAGED PART; HOWEVER, IT MYSTERIOUSLY COULD NOT BE FOUND. MY QUESTION WOULD BE ARE THESE SAFETY TYPE ISSUES REQUIRED TO BE REPORTED BY DEALERS? I REVIEWED YOUR LIST OF COMPLAINTS AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO MINE [8 POSTINGS BY OWNERS AND 2 MANUFACTURER COMMENTS]. I HOPE MY DRIVERS SIDE COMPONENTS NEVER FAIL AS I AM NOT SURE IT WAS REPLACED. MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS; RAN SHORT TEST FOUND PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR BAD. REPLACED SEAT MAT SENSOR NO FAULT FOUND AFTER REPAIR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

I OWN A 09 MINI S. ABOUT A YEAR OR SO AGO I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS STICKING WHEREAS I HAD TO JIGGLE IT IN ORDER TO OPEN IT. I TOOK THE DOOR PANEL OFF TO LOOK FOR ANY OBSTRUCTIONS AND FOUND NONE. I GREASED THE DOOR HINGE AND IT WORKED BETTER. I HEADED TO THE STORE ONE DAY AND UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A LITTLE DIFFERENT SOUND THAN USUAL AT LEAST I THOUGHT. AFTER COMING FROM THE STORE I ONCE AGAIN HAD TO JIGGLE THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH AND THE OUTSIDE DOOR LATCH. I GOT THE DOOR OPEN AND DECIDED TO STOP FOR GAS ON THE WAY HOME. AFTER ARRIVING AT THE GAS STATION I RELEASED MY SEAT BELT AND ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT BUDGE. AFTER NUMEROUS FAILED ATTEMPTS I COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I HEADED HOME AND IN MY DRIVEWAY I TRIED FOR SOME TIME MY USUAL TECHNIQUE ALONG WITH REPEATED ATTEMPTS WITH THE UNLOCK AND LOCK TOGGLE SWITCH, I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. THE WINDOW IS TOO SMALL TO CLIMB OUT AT LEAST FOR ME SO I EXITED THE VEHICLE BY CLIMBING OVER TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND EXITED THROUGH THAT DOOR. THIS COULD OF BEEN A BAD SITUATION AND A 911 CALL. THE 1ST RESPONDERS WOULD OF ARRIVED AND TRIED TO HELP ME GET OUT AND IF I WASN'T NIMBLE AS I AM TO CLIMB OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR THEY WOULD HAVE TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO COME AND CUT ME OUT OF MY PERFECTLY GOOD CAR AS FAR AS NOTHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND THERE ARE NO MODIFICATIONS ON THE DOORS OR ANY KNOWN ACCIDENTS. I SPOKE WITH A MECHANIC AND HE DIAGNOSED IT TO BE A FAULTY DOOR LATCH MODULE. I HAVEN'T HAD IT FIXED YET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE PARKED, THE COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK PROFUSELY. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,178.

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S 2009. IT HAD ABOUT 50K MILES WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS CAR. NEW TO THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE, I DID NOT PUT MUCH ATTENTION TO THE NOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CAME ACROSS A COMMENT AT THE MINI FORUMS WHERE SOMEONE STATED THAT THIS CARS HAD A COMMON DIESEL SOUND. IN THE TWO YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD THIS CAR, I HAVE DONE A FEW REPAIRS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEARD THE SOUND HAVE TOLD ME THE SAME THING. "THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG IN THE ENGINE." " THAT SOUND IS NOT NORMAL." YOU GOT TO TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A SPECIALIST CHECK WHAT'S WRONG IN THERE." I DID NOT TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THESE CARS. I WOULD TELL THEM THAT IT WAS A NORMAL DIESEL SOUND. SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY I RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IT IS NOT A RECALL LETTER BUT INSTEAD IS A "TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT CLAIM FORM." I HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE CAR. IF I SPEND OVER $1K TO GET IT FIXED, I MAY GET REFUNDED. CHANCES ARE THAT I WON'T. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY WILL CHECKING THE CAR FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT THEY WILL MAKE THE REPAIRS AT NO CHARGE. SINCE IT ISN'T A RECALL YET, I DOUBT THE DEALER PEOPLE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COST. LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS BUT I AM REALLY UNHAPPY ABOUT ALL THIS. FIRST, VALVE COVER. THEN, FUEL FEED LINE, AFTER THAT, VACUUM PUMP, THEN THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. RIGHT NOW, TENSIONER CHAIN ALONG WITH VANOS SOLENOID. I WISH I HAD NOT SOLD MY TOYOTA MINI TRUCK I HAD BACK IN THE 80'S. NOT MUCH TECHNOLOGY. WHICH WAS OK. JUST ADD GAS, DO REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND GOOD TO GO WITH NO WORRIES OF SENSOR, CODES HERE AND CODES THERE. NO RECALLS EITHER. MAKE THIS MINI CHAIN TENSIONER A RECALL AND HAVE BMV RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THEIR BAD ENGINEERING. WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY?

I HAVE A MINI COOPER S 2009, WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES IN IT ,AND ALREADY ITS FAILING THE GUIDE AND SUPPORT RAIL THE HOLDS THE TIMING CHAIN, THOSE SUPPORTS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF METAL INSTEAD,WHEN THE SUPPORT GUIDES BREAKS THE CHAIN COMES OUT OF PLACE CRASHING THE ENGINE, WELL THE IS ECSACTLY WHAT HAPPEN TO ME , WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY, I HAD TO STOP AND GET MY CAR TOWED, BUT LUCKY ME I WASN'T IN THE MIDDLE OF FREWAY WHICH IT COULD CAUSE A BIG ACCIDENT, MAYBE DEATH. MOST OF CAR MAKERS LIKE HONDA HAS A MILES LIMIT FOR TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT, MINI COOPER S DONT, ITS BASE ON HOW MUCH YOU DRIVE IT ,THATS WHAT DEALER SAID. BOTTON LINE MINI USA SHOULD REPLACE THOSE PLASTIC PARTS FOR SOMETHING MORE DURABLE SPECIALLY IF ITS GOING TO MAKE YOUR CAR STOP ALL OF OF SUDDEN.

IN ONLY 8 MONTHS OF OWNING MY MINI: RATTLING AT A COLD START AND DURING SLOW DRIVING, THEN BEGAN MAKING A HESITATING, JERK TYPE MOVEMENT WHEN I ACCELERATED, THEN BEGAN MAKING A LOUDER NOISE. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS EVER CAME ON AND THERE WAS NEVER ANY INDICATION OF ANY TYPE OF LEAK (NO LIGHTS, NO FLUID ON THE GROUND, ALL FLUID CHECKS INDICATED PROPER LEVELS). NO MAINTENANCE WAS DUE. 41,817 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT, I PUT UNDER 4,000 MILES ON IT SINCE, ONLY DRIVE 20 MINUTES DAILY TO WORK AND BACK. TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILURE AND GUIDES, PARTS FELL INTO OIL PAN AND OIL LEAKING. COST ME OUT OF POCKET $3,000 IN REPAIRS SINCE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I BOUGHT FROM 'WARRANTY SOLUTIONS' REFUSED TO PAY, CLAIMING IT WAS NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART. 'WARRANTY SOLUTIONS' IS A SCAM TOO, BUT THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER COMPLAINT BY ITSELF. THE TURBO HEAT SHEILD WAS ALSO MISSING ON MY CAR. MINI DEALERSHIP IS HORRIBLE, SO BACKED UP, WAITED A WEEK JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THEN WOULD HAVE HAD TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK FOR REPAIRS. HAD REPAIRS DONE IN 2 DAYS AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. A CALL TO MINI FINDS THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OTHER MINI OWNERS. MINI IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, YET THEY ARE NOT ISSUING A RECALL. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS. WE ALL NEED TO BE REIMBURSED.

AT 30000 MILES THE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. CAR RATTLED FOR A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO REPLACEMEN. AT 55OOO MILE MY CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT IN TO WORK ABOUT ANOTHER 5 MILES. MY HUSBAND DROVE IT TO MINI DEALERSHIP ANOTHER 10 MILES AWAY AND THEY STATED THAT IT BLEW A VALVE OR A PISTON QUOTING HIM A HEAD REPLACEMENT OF $5000 OR REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE FOR $10000. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND I HAVE MAINTAINED IT TO A T. READING ON LINE THIS SEEMS TO ALL BE RELATED TO THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. MINI IS NOT STANDING BY THEIR CAR AND REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY. HOPEFULLY IF WE ALL CONTINUE TO SQUEAK WE CAN GET THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR FAULTY VEHICLES. I HAVE A NICE LOOKING NON RUNNING WORTHLESS CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY...ANYONE WANT IT!

THE CAR'S ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED (APPARENTLY SHORTED OUT), AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO EVALUATE THE ISSUE THE UNIT WILL SPARK AND EVEN CATCH FIRE. IT HAS MELTED SEVERAL OF THE WIRING COMPONENTS IN MY CAR, AND HAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED AT LEAST MY ABS SYSTEM AND MY TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR. MINI COOPER OF ESCONDIDO INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AND DEEMED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE EPS UNIT AND THE STEERING RACK, BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COSTS OF REPLACEMENT.

DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE EXHAUST VALVES PREVENTING COMPRESSION IN THE ENGINE AS IS DESCRIBED IN ONE OF MANY CLASS ACTION SUITS.