MINI Complaints

I’m unable to take the car to a dealer, which is over 100 miles away, while the range of the EV is less than that. Plus I’m almost [XXX], just had hip replacement surgery. I’ve contacted the dealer, Mini US and BMW America many times and they refuse to help despite they caused the problem. I want them to pick up the car, fix the problems, and return to me. Please help! [XXX] [XXX] . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2016 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the driver's seat belt was inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to function properly, and the seat belt assembly failed to latch securely. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed the vehicle. The contact was informed that the seat belt assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

The contact owns a 2025 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

In an attempt to resolve persistent rough running engine issue, mechanic discovered that the timing chain guides failed (broke apart) and that plastic pieces of the guides migrated into the engine oil system.

Passenger side seat airbag sensor not working warning light and massages indicate airbag restraint issue.

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.

When I bought the car, John, a sales representative, promised me that he would have the car inspected by a mechanic before finalizing the paperwork, addressing issues with the tire pressure monitor, tail light sensor, and license plate light. However, the mechanic couldn't fix these issues, and Mike, the owner, directed me to his “personal mechanic” in San Bruno. After multiple reschedules from Mike, the car began to display an engine malfunction error. I informed Mike, and he advised me to mention the issue to the mechanic when I brought the car in. When I finally took the car to his mechanic, I was told that there were no errors, but the error lights needed to be reset at a different shop, as the mechanic didn’t have the required equipment. Despite this, the engine malfunction light remained on, and the car started to shake noticeably while driving. A few weeks later, while driving, the car began emitting white smoke from the hood. I texted Mike, asking why the issues weren’t fixed, and I had to tow the car to my house. He did not respond, so I called him days later. He told me to call back after New Year's to have the car fixed, even offering to tow it to his mechanic. After New Year's, I followed up, but Mike forgot about the original arrangement and told me to call back in a week. I reminded him of our previous conversation, and he said he would check with his mechanic and call me back. He never did and ignored my follow-up text. On 01/21/2025, I had a mobile mechanic inspect the car, as it had not been operable since December 2024. The mechanic confirmed that the car had never been tuned, the spark plugs weren’t replaced, and it was not roadworthy at the time of sale. On 01/22/2025, I shared my experience in reviews on Yelp and Google. Later that night, Mike called me, but I returned his call on 01/23/2025. He said that if I removed my reviews, dropped my complaints with the DMV, BAR, and Attorney General, he would fix the car at his expense.

While driving in the rain (light rain) front right and rear left brakes locked up. No warning lights came on, it was a very dangerous situation. The car is currently at a repair shop getting looked at, I had to have it towed there because those wheels will not turn while in neutral even. Reading forums this is a common problem, very serious and dangerous especially with no warning.

Defect in passenger frontal airbag-The front passenger seat occupancy detection mat is not functioning correctly. This was recalled but not for my VIN and needs to be part of the recall.

The contact owns a 2025 Mini Countryman S All4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.