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.

  • 2019 MINI CLUBMAN
    - Edgewater, NJ

    My Mini Clubman All4, despite having clocked in a mere 33,000 miles in the past four years, has been plagued with issues concerning its air conditioning system. Initially, I sought assistance from the Mini of Morristown dealership in Morristown, NJ, where my vehicle has been serviced over the years. However, their service proved to be unsatisfactory. Despite reassurances that they had recharged the system and that there were no inherent issues, the problem persisted. Upon contacting them again, I was informed that further diagnostics would be subject to additional charges. Disconcerted, I reached out to Mini's customer service team, only to be met with a reaffirmation that there was little they could do. With no resolution in sight, I sought help from a local independent mechanic, who quickly identified the root cause - a compressor line rubbing against other components, leading to leakage – PART # F56 6453 9209722-04. This diagnosis and the ability to swiftly rectify it contrasts starkly with the inability of the authorized dealership to provide effective solutions. This issue may be indicative of a design flaw requiring a recall to prevent further mishaps that could endanger Mini owners. You are welcome to contact Mini of Morristown, NJ, for all service records associated with this issue. I urge you to take immediate action and rectify this situation, not just for my sake but for the sake of all Mini customers. I HAVE THE PART AND CAN SHIP IT. I ALREADY PROVIDED PICTURES OF THE WEAR IN MY EMAIL. The summer heat with the AC not working is surely a hazard. The issue was confirmed by the independent service center that diagnosed and fixed the problem. The manufacturer has been indifferent thus far. It is only now that I have raised a concern with the company's CEO's office. No warning lamps or messages appeared. The Mini team has been incompetent in addressing the issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2010 MINI COOPER
    - corpus christi, TX

    Passenger seat occupancy sensor failure. This is a very common fault in the R56 series Mini Cooper. The manufacture has not initiated a recall. There are vendors selling "bypass" kits which will cause unsafe air bag deployment in an infant is in the seat.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2009 MINI COOPER
    - Deltona, FL

    Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor fails There's a warning light for passenger airbag off , and also the airbag light on the dash panel never goes away ,even when a passenger is sitting on it. Is a common thing on minis , the dealer charges $100 to reset it within obd tool

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE
    - Yardley, PA

    The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the electronics operated erratically and had limited functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the electronic control module inside the footwell had shorted out due to a water leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 66,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2008 MINI COOPER
    - Norwalk , CT

    Occupant side airbag sensor is defective my mechanic put a code reader to verify it’s a 2008 hatchback and I see they have recalled all the convertibles but not the sedans I would think the same airbag sensor is in my car are there any updates to my car because the replacement is very very expensive and the airbag failure light is a pain to have displaying That contact added that the vehicle only had about 36,000 miles on it.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2008 MINI COOPER
    - Doylestown, PA

    While driving the car at aproximately 25mph, the engine and the car stopped running. All dashboard warning lamps were off prior to the engine failure The car rolled to the side of the road to get out of the way of other traffic. The service engine warning lamp was on after the engine shut off and stopped running. The car was towed to a service station, and they too could not get the car to start. The mechanic's troubleshooting ultimately found the engine's internal timing chain had broken, causing multiple of other internal engine components to become damaged. The engine required detailed repair to replace the damaged engine parts to get it to start operating again. The costs for the repairs were over $5000.00.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2010 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN
    - Westborough, MA

    Since November 20, 2022, my low milage 2010 MINI has Passenger Airbag Warning light in the roof near the mirror and dashboard. The OBD II scanner show that "ACSM/MRS: Seat-occupancy detector, passenger." I contacted dealer Herb Chambers MINI of Boston. I was told no recall for my car. After I searched on internet, I am aware that a lot of customers have same Passenger Airbag issue. They can't afford the high repair cost so that they have to look for alternative solutions beyond recalls, such as Passenger Occupancy Sensor Bypass, modifying system parameters on car computer by themself. All these solutions are obviously potential dangerous for MINI cooper customers. I request that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate MINI cooper Passenger Airbag issue and ask MINI USA to recall defective parts.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 MINI COOPER
    - Layton, UT

    The fuel pump relay circuit board has a failed point in the soldering, causing the car to intermittently stall and die on the road. My safety was at risk because my car died randomly with no warning on a busy road. Can not even limp car to side of road. The part is being replaced by dealer where car was purchased, but a quick internet search provides thousands of similar results. There were no warning lights or any kind of code stored in the computer. I only had the car for one day before the car died so I am not aware of any prior warning signs.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN
    - Ringgold, GA

    Mini coopers have faulty transmission problems, and well mine today it's transmission went out when I had my AC on, the car stalled in the middle of the highway in the middle of the road with oncoming traffic and refused to budge, like seriously this is highly dangerous on the interstate

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2017 MINI COOPER
    - Pensacola, FL

    The contact owns a 2017 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a round quarter sized image was displayed in the in the center of the customer display screen and while the backup camera was activated the image caused a visibility hazard to the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed of the Manufacturer’s Extended Service Campaign regarding the failure however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 35,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE