MINI Complaints

The passenger seat occupancy detection module and program failed. The red airbag and seatbelt lights went on. According to the dealership, the default setting is that the airbag will not go off if the module is broken. A Google search suggests that this is a common problem; so much so that there is an electronic gadget you can buy and videos on YouTube on how to install it to do a "workaround" to get the light to go off without fixing the module.

On October 4, 2022, the Mini Cooper hardtop 4 door was hit in a head-on collision by a driver who was going at least 40 MPH, possibly more. The car that hit the Cooper was a Toyota Prius. All the Prious' airbags deployed. No airbags deployed on the Mini Cooper hardtop 4 door. None. The Mini Cooper, after assessment, was considered to be a total loss.

Car shows signs of passenger seat occupancy sensor recall. Mini acknowledges the recall has not been performed. Mini expanded recall to 10 years from date of service but because previous owner didn't get recall done I cannot. This is a known issue with these cars and should not have an expiration date! Dealer I purchased car from used says that because recall isn't listed here then they aren't liable to fix it...

In July 2022, I kept getting a warning that the passenger restraint system is malfunctioning whenever somebody sits on the passenger seat. I brought my car to Mini of Austin and they had the system being reset but the warning came up again a few days later when somebody sat on my passenger seat. In August 2022, I brought my car back to Mini of Austin and a week later they told me that they had to replace the airbag sensor and it would take weeks since they had to order it from Germany. They told me they would let me know when the part arrived but they didn’t tell me that the part had arrived until I asked them in October 2022. I brought my car to Mini of Austin again to have the sensor replaced but after 10 days they told me the replacement that they got was faulty so they had to reorder the replacement and it would take weeks again. I’ve had my car back ever since and the problem got worse. I got the passenger restraint system malfunction warning even when nobody sits on the passenger seat. The seatbelt warning is also always on even when nobody sits there, so I have to buckle the seatbelt at the passenger seat even when nobody sits there in order for the car to not giving me noisy alarms telling me to buckle the seatbelt on the passenger seat when I’m driving on my own. Mini of Austin hasn’t charged me since the car is still under warranty. However, the warranty will end on November 26 2022 and they told me I would have to pay for the service and replacement if the issue comes up again after the warranty ends. I believe that my car is faulty and should have been recalled or at least have my warranty extended in case the issue comes up again not long after the warranty ends.

Our Mini Cooper Countymen S was being towed behind our motorhome. I. saw smoke coming from the car I stopped and the car started to catch on fire. I got out motorhome disconnect just in time before the Mini was consumed by fire, it was a total loss. The Fire Investigator stated he believed the fire started in the right side of the engine compartment.

I purchased this vehicle on 9/03/2019 with 29,871 miles. I had to replace the clutch on 5/11/2020 at 39,690 miles. I am now having to purchase yet ANOTHER clutch on 10/17/2022 with 58,850 miles. Two clutches within 3 years is just unacceptable!

Vehicle stalled 10/01/2022. Towed home and it started. Stalled again 10/07/2022 and had it towed to third party mechanic. Could not identify the problem. Took to another mechanic who is experienced in Mini Cooper BMW engines. Problem was condensation in the electric fuel pump control module caused corrosion. Had to be replaced. Could not identify where the condensation build up starts. Contacted Mini Cooper dealership in Charlotte NC. They stated no recalls. Contacted Mini Customer Relations. Car is under warranty but they will not reimburse because repair done at a 3rd party mechanic. Car has 37,648 miles.

At about 6:40AM on September 23, 2022, the 2011 Mini Clubman car caught on fire. The car was parked in the driveway, locked with everything off, key removed and unoccupied. It was last driven the evening of September 22nd. About 6:40AM the interior behind the steering wheel and dashboard erupted into flames. The car filled with smoke and flames. The fire burned for about 5 -10 minutes and self extinguished. Just prior to the fire the headlights were reported to be on. After the fire, the windshield wipers were operating with no way to turn them off. At a reasonable time after the flames were no longer visible (10-15min), the driver's door was opened by the emergency key to vent the smoke. Upon inspection, the area around the left footwell near the driver's door was heavily charred with insulation burned off all wiring and co-located electrical devices. The hood release latch was melted. The air vent to the left of the steering wheel was missing and all the ductwork to that vent was missing. There was a large deformation and hole in the dashboard above and slightly to the right of the steering wheel and the windshield was cracked about 2-3 inches above the dashboard. It appears that electrical components and wiring inside the dashboard were also engulphed in flames but no detailed inspection of the damage occurred. Significant smoke damage occurred to the entire interior. The local fire department was called and they were able to open the hood and disconnect the battery which stopped the windshield wipers. The car was a stock car with no modifications. Reasonably maintained by professionals. The odometer reading before the fire was approximately 103,000 miles. No problems were noted prior to the incident. Insurance has considered the car a total loss and unrepairable. In general it is assumed by the writer that Mini's or any other car should not experience electrical fires when unoccupied, all devices are off, no key is present. Kindly investigate.

When refueling, fuel is rejected after dispensing about 1/8 US gallons, about 4 oz. Of course, fuel spills are a hazard - both in possibly of fire, and to the environment - by contaminating ground water. Dealer said that there are several solenoid operated valves and replaced fuel tank and fill pipe, a cost to me of $2400.00. There are many reports of this on social media, one person suggested holding the fuel nozzle upside down which made a larger spill.

Transmission-get message when opening car door to put parking brake on to secure vehicle from rolling… Car does not roll, goes into gear with no problem… on the mini message board a lot of owners getting the same message….