MINI Complaints

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DETECTION LIGHT SAYS OFF EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND THE AIRBAG CODE READ WAS A 71 INDICATING THAT THE OC3 MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS FAULTING. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT THE AIRBAG MAY OR MAY NOT WORK EVEN IF A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WOULD COST UP TO 3000.00 FOR MY CAR TO REPLACE THE OC3 MAT!!! NO SAFETY RECALL WARRANTY AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AS THERE IS ON OTHERS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH JUMP-STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT DAY AND SHE WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE JUMP-STARTED A SECOND TIME. THE DEALER REMOVED THE BATTERY AND THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WATER SURROUNDING THE BATTERY BOX. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION FOR A WHILE UNTIL THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS ENTIRELY ENCASED IN WATER AND EXHIBITED CORROSION. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BST CABLES AND FUSE ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE EXCESSIVE WATER IN THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY CONTINUE TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 28,326.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL POP COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE, SPECIFICALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

ON MY WAY UP DRIVEWAY I NOTICED A SHARP STINGING SENSATION IN THE LUMBAR OF MY BACK. FELT SORT OF LIKE AN "CONTINUOUS ELECTRIC SHOCK". I IMMEDIATELY ARCHED MY BACK AS A REACTION TO THE STING AND HAD TO STRAIGHTEN MY BACK IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. WHEN STRAIGHTENING MY BACK I FELT SOMETHING HOT, VERY HOT THIS TIME LIKE SOMETHING THAT WAS ON FIRE. I COULD NOT LONGER CONTROL THE VEHICLE GRABBED FOR THE HANDLE OPENED THE DOOR AND ROLLED OUT ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THE VEHICLE BUCKED AND STALLED OUT. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE INTERIOR AND NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS SMOLDERING AND THERE WAS A HOLE THE SIZE OF A QUARTER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT IN THE LUMBAR. IT WAS A 100 DEGREE DAY SO I WASN'T USING THE SEAT HEATER, NONETHELESS IT WAS ON, MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSED A FIRE WHICH RESULTED IN ME JUMPING OUT OF THE MOVING VEHICLE. I ALSO READ ONLINE ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO ANOTHER 2004 MINI COOPER S "PASSENGER SEAT" AS WELL. *TR

MY MINI COOPER S HAS LESS THAN 27,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY DRIVEN AND HAS SUSTAINED NO CRASH DAMAGE. HAD SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON THE CAR AND HAD FAILURES WITH THE ABS, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, AND FRONT WHEEL SENSOR. IN ADDITION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD "MUSHROOMING" AND CRACKED FRONT SHOCK TOWER MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR, AND THAT ALONE WOULD COST OVER $1,400 TO REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT HITTING POTHOLES OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS CAUSED THIS. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER, ROADSHOW MINI IN MEMPHIS, TN, STATED THAT THE SHOCK TOWERS AND FRONT BUSHINGS WERE CONSIDERED WEAR ITEMS, AND THAT THEY COULD BE REDAMAGED IMMEDIATELY IF THE CAR CAME IN CONTACT WITH ANOTHER POTHOLE. ADDITIONALLY, I WAS TOLD BY MINI USA THAT NO ENGINEERS OR NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES COULD BE CONTACTED, AND THAT THE DEALER WOULD HANDLE ALL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY UPGRADES AND FIXES OFFERED BY MINI AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NONE. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL AFTERMARKET COMPANIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE,. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT HE SEES THIS PROBLEM ON 3-4 CARS IN THE SHOP EVERY MONTH. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, THAT THERE CAN BE STRUT COLLAPSE OR SUSPENSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, AND THAT MINI SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. FOR NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS TO HAVE RESULTED IN DEFORMED AND CRACKED STRUT TOWERS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND REPRESENTS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. I HAVE NEVER OWNED AN AUTOMOBILE THAT HAD STRUT TOWER FAILURE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

ISSUES WITH AIRBAG LIGHT IN 2006 MINI COOPER S, WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT IF THEY ARE NOT SITTING JUST THE RIGHT WAY THE LIGHT WILL GO ON, WARNING US THE AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED, SOMETIMES THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO ON FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH NOBODY IN THE SEAT. SOMETIMES THE SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON WITH NO ONE IN THE SEAT AS WELL. MOVING THE SEAT WILL SOMETIMES CORRECT THE ISSUE. COMPLAINTS TO MINI AND DEALER WERE ON DEAF EARS. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY QUITS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL WORK ON AND OFF. *TR

LEAVING FROM WORK AROUND 5:00 PM (CAR HAD BEEN IN THE PARKING LOT SINCE 7:20 AM), I DROVE FOR A MILE OR LESS WHEN AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR BY MY SIDE TOLD ME ABOUT SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. I DROVE TO THE CLOSET PARKING LOT, OPENED THE HOOD (THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE) AND I COULD SEE 2 WIRES RED HOT. I WENT TO TRY TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND LUCKILY AND AMBULANCE ON DUTY (COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE HE HAD A PATIENT) GAVE ME A SMALL BOTTLE OF WATER. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR WITH THE WATER THERE WERE FLAMES ABOUT 10" TALL ON A SMALL AREA, ALREADY TOUCHING THE PIPES THE COME OUT OF THE TURBO (PIPES THAT BRING AIR INTO TURBO AND OUT TO THE INTERCOOLER) AND WITH THE 500ML BOTTLE OF WATER I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OFF. DALER (MINI OF STERLING) REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE (CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY). DEALER FOUND THAT THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP SHORTED, AND THIS MUST HAVE CAUSE THE WIRES TO OVERHEAT. DEALER REPLACED AUXILIARY WATER PUMP AND WIRES AND PARTS THAT BURNED. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEN WITH MINI USA, BOTH REFUSED TO CHANGE ENGINEERING TO PREVENT A FUTURE FIRE IN CASE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP HAS A SHORT-CIRCUIT AGAIN. *TR UPDATED 1/27/2012 *LN *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 MINI COOPER ON THE HIGHWAY FROM LA TO SAN DIEGO. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING IN MY CAR EVAPORATED AND I ALMOST HIT THE SIDE OF RAIL. THE CAR WOULD RUN BUT I COULD HARDLY STEER IT. I TOOK IT INTO A AUTO SERVICE CENTER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP. SEVERAL MINI COOPERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE FOR MINI COOPER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A BMW/MINI DEALERSHIP EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALREADY GOT A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING $145.00 JUST TO LOOK AT THE CAR EVEN THOUGH WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT TELL ME HOW LONG THIS WOULD TAKE TO GET RESOLVED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE CARS AND THIS PART REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE. IN ADDITION, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME TO GET MY CAR FIXED WHEN THIS IS CLEARLY MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE THE DOT TO RECALL THIS CAR AND MAKE THE PART AND SERVICE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

BOTH MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND AIRBAG WARNING LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS ILLUMINATED DEACTIVATING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND REMAINS ON WHEN PASSENGER SEAT IS VACANT WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS ALSO 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSB) I'M AWARE OF RELATING TO THIS MALFUNCTION: TSB: SI M-65-02-06 AIRBAG WARNING ILLUMINATED, FC55 FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 31, 2005 - APRIL 25, 2006. NHTSA 10026024 (MY VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED IN AUGUST 2005 AS INDICATED ON MY DRIVER DOOR PANEL). TSB: 720106 AIRBAG WARNING LAMP FOR OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT, AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES TOGETHER WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP. NHTSA 10019981. I SPOKE WITH 2 SERVICE MANAGERS AT MINI INDICATING FAULTY DETECTION MAT, PARTS WERE IN STOCK AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT ESTIMATED AT APPROXIMATELY $1000.00. MY ONLY RECOURSE IS TO REPAIR IT, FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING MY VEHICLE OR TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON PASSENGER AIRBAG DETECTION MATS TO 10 YRS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR SPECIFIC BMW MODELS RANGING FROM MY04 THROUGH MY06, WHO OWNS MINI OF NORTH AMERICA. I'VE READ SEVERAL FORUMS RELATING TO THIS ISSUE, ONE OF WHICH STATES MINI DID EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON MODELS PRIOR TO MY05, BUT PROBLEM HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED IN MODEL YEARS THEREAFTER AS MENTIONED IN MY COMPLAINT AND OTHER NHTSA BULLETINS. I CONTACTED MINI OF NORTH AMERICA WITH NO POSITIVE RESPONSE. *TR