MINI Complaints

View complaints related to MINI. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2011 MINI COOPER S
    - Anderson , IN

    The car was on BMW-MINI recall list and after I made a complaint of non-compliance with the recall, BMW removed my particular vehicle from the recall list without remedying the problem.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 MINI COOPER S
    - Zebulon, NC

    There have been thousands upon thousands of failures of the oil cooler/oil filter housing on all BMW/MINI B46/B48 2.0T engines. This problem dates back to 2014 when BMW issued a stop sale order and recall on the 2014 MINI Cooper with both the 1.5L I3 (B38) and 2.0L I4 (B48) engines. Since 2014, the engine has been installed in over two million vehicles sold in the United States under the BMW, MINI, Karma, and Toyota brands. There is a defect with the oil cooler/oil filter housing that leads to coolant and oil leaks due to the plastic housing failing after being heat cycled a certain number of times. It has gotten so bad that numerous aftermarket metal replacement parts exist to try and prevent this issue from recurring. Due to the placement of the part on the engine, the repair costs up to $3000. Failures are occurring on vehicles with as little as 30,000 miles, but vast majority between 50,000-80,000 miles. Due to the loss of both oil and coolant, a fire risk exists. Coolant can come in contact with electrical components and cause a short, while the oil can begin to drip onto hot engine or exhaust parts. This is a dangerous hazard that should be recalled. BMW should refit affected engines with a more durable component. Below I have included a link to the original NHTSA stop-sale from 2014. [XXX] I’ve also included links to various forums and news articles about this issue. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] / [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 MINI COUNTRYMAN
    - Brooklyn, NY

    The contact owns a 2025 MINI Countryman 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 unavailable. 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 remedy not available .

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2002 MINI COOPER
    - Stanley , NC

    Unoccupied passenger side airbags; all front & backseat bags deployed after passenger side tires hit pothole on road. Pieces of interior, including decorative plastic, interior light covers were projected across cabin & hit me. I had no idea what had happened. Car shut off shortly after incident. It was night, I was sitting in middle of my lane, unable to start Mini. Good samaritans helped push it into parking lot while waiting for assistance. After 15 minutes, car started and was driven home. I had slight injuries from being hit by hard material projectiled across cabin. Very thankful I was the only occupant because if a passenger had been in the seat, they would have most definitely sustained injuries. I had to cut the airbags out in order to have clear lines of sight before driving the following day. I’m fearful that the drivers side air bags may do this as well. I have owned this vehicle since 2004. Not aware of history prior to 2004;(accidents, original airbags?). only know it came from a Dealer in CA. (Possibly “Friendship” may be name of town or dealership). I have not had repairs made yet. I don’t drive this vehicle daily. There are no police reports since there was no need. No insurance claims since 2002 model. There were no malfunctions with the warning light prior to incident. However, the following day when I drove, the airbag indicator light came on for passenger side. I did not find a recall but not sure if I would for a 22 year old vehicle.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2014 MINI PACEMAN
    - Delaware, OK

    The frm module failed. Now the indicators don't work, no high beams, the windows won't work. It has a warning that says the driver side door is open. I called the dealership. They said that it has a 10 year, 156,000 mile warranty. It has 137,000 miles but the warranty expired in September of 2024. So it will cost me $921to fix a very known safety issue. I don't have that right now and this is my only vehicle so I am going to have to drive it it is a very common issue that they should have to correct

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2010 MINI COOPER
    - Westport , CT

    Engine stalling Oil pan leaks Caused the engine to shut down when slowing down or sitting in traffic on highway. No warning lights prior to incidents Only right after

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2010 MINI COOPER
    - BOULDER, CO

    COPY OF COMPLAINT sent to MINI USA today 9/2/24. (Removed my personal data -name, address, email, phone number): I have been waiting since JULY 2023 for notice of a fix for this DANGEROUS ISSUE of failed FOOTWELL MODULES that can CATCH ON FIRE! How is this either legal or humane? When I call, and I call regularly, to ask about any progress made in CORRECTING THE POTENTIALLY FATAL to the driver, problem, I'm asked to BE PATIENT...that a fix is being studied but none has become available. And, oh yes, always the "FOOTWELL FIRES are very very rare"...so I suppose if I have one and I DIE my heirs should take comfort in knowing that it was very very rare? Here's the bottom line. I spoke with a service manager at MINI OF LOVELAND and I will not divulge his name because he doesn't deserve to be reprimanded or hassled. I asked him if they were replacing ANY FOOTWELL MODULES BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. I was given the same BS about "working on creating a part that will fix it". Yeah, right. But here's the jewel in this conversation: When I asked what they'd do if my Footwell module failed for MECHANICAL REASONS he told me and I BELIEVE it's a fix that should be offered to all affected owners: "He told me that when FWMODULES in my make/model/year mini, fail (not catch fire but fail as they normally do - i.e. windows won't go up or down, OR turn signals and or/headlights won't work, etc. the fix for that also address the recall issue: REPLACE THE FOOTWELL WITH THE SAME PART with these modifications to address the corrosion/fire recall: They remove the old broken module. They clean out the entire footwell removing any signs of corrosion from the leaked in water. THEY PACK the module with material that will prevent moisture from seeping in. AND then they close it back up! AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER> I WANT THIS FIX! I deserve this fix as do other mini owners who are affected by this recall to prevent death or severe burns or both from failed footwell modules. THANKS

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2017 MINI CLUBMAN
    - Granite Falls, WA

    on 10-15-2024 while i was on my way home my mini caught fire while driving. total loss, i was driving about 65mph and my coworker who travel the same direction flagged me down then calling me to tell me my car was smoking really bad. after i pulled directly over to the side of the road and went to pop the hood and saw nothing but smoke rising up from under the hood. with in 5-10 mins the whole front of the are was engulfed in flames. the damage was so bad that it was undetermined what caused the fire.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 MINI COOPER COUPE
    - ODESSA, MO

    Seatbelt restraint has been inspected by a mechanic and a computer was connected for electronic fault codes. No codes were discovered, yet the car displaces a seatbelt restraint malfunction and request it be inspected at the nearest dealership. It also displays the seatbelt connection alert and sounds the alert buzzer. Mechanics find no issues or default codes I have personally inspected the components and had them replaced with not result

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2014 MINI COUNTRYMAN
    - paisley, FL

    Footwell module is bad. My safety is at risk everyday that I drive the vehicle. The high beams don't work, turn signals don't work, inside dash lights don't work,windows don't roll down, side mirror's don't work,inside lights don't work, doors don't lock.My car was in the shop for another issue and the mechanic said my floor boards were wet up front,( Hurricaine Helene) my car was at the shop during the hurricaine.I have never had an issue with my sunroof leaking. No the car wasn't inspected by any of the representatives.I have no clue why my car wasn't included in the recall. The clubman and the mini hardtop was in the recall for the foot well module. The car had a car up on a lift meaning needs serviced. The car stated having problems on 09/30/2024 the light came on.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE