MINI Complaints

Grinding noise near the front axis especially during tight corners when parking. Mechanics looked at it and saying the steering gear issue.

I’ve been experiencing headaches, dizziness, and sudden tearing episodes while driving and the tearing only happens while driving my MINI. A few of these episodes have occurred on the highway, the painful eye irritation and crazy tearing made it very difficult to keep my eyes open, which has been super dangerous. I forced myself to keep at least one eye open to pull over, and fortunately I'm still alive. I recently found that these symptoms are probably linked to the premature failure (at 10k miles) of the AC system and exposure to the refrigerant leaked from the vent. I noticed AC hissing noise a few days after my warranty expired at only 10k miles, the dealer found super low refrigerant but could not find any leak. They recharged it and said my car was good, but noise came back after 3 months. They were still not able to find the leak, and asked me to replace one part at a time until it's fixed. I called MINI, MINI helped the dealer to find leak from compressor and replaced it. I mentioned a weird odor every time I start my car but they didn't investigate further. The noise came back again after 5 months (at 12k miles). I brought it to another dealer (since I moved) and two independent mechanics (as the previous dealer has been very incompetent), all diagnosed leak from evaporator because of the odor and that the cabin air filter has refrigerant dye all over it upon checking. The previous dealer didn't check the filter at all according to my dash camera, and because of the same odor, the timeline of the repeated failures, I believe the evaporator leak also happened at 10k miles. And one of the independent mechanics who specializes in BMW and MINI mentioned he had seen quite a few such cases in 2018 and 2019 MINIs. I think failure of two major AC components at such low mileage isn't normal, and the unexpected headache, dizziness, and strong eye irritation while driving are super dangerous. The repair cost for the defects should not be customers' responsibility.

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the driveway while both the contact and his wife were in another vehicle parked in the garage. The contact noticed white smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that upon opening the hood of the vehicle, the contact noticed an electrical burning smell and fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The contact then noticed that a blue plug had melted and was smoking. A police report was not filed. There was no injury sustained. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V008000(Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle remained at the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that he would receive a call back. The failure mileage was 111,019.

This complaint concerns my 2016 Mini Cooper Countryman S, All-Wheel Drive. About four months ago, I began experiencing wobbling and noise when making turns at low speed. I took the vehicle to multiple repair shops for diagnosis. The first shop recommended replacing the clutch pack assembly ($2,626 + tax). The second shop suggested replacing the transfer case (~$2,928 + tax). Based on that, I purchased a used transfer case ($407) and had a third shop install it ($580), but the issue persisted. I then went to a fourth shop, which again insisted it was a transfer case problem. However, since my vehicle is relatively new with low mileage, they recommended reinstalling the original transfer case. After doing so, I noticed only minor improvement, and soon the same wobbling and noise returned. So far, I have spent the following on unsuccessful repairs: $108 diagnostic fee $407 for a compatible used transfer case (purchased from eBay) $580 for the installation of the used transfer case $1,058 to replace the rear differential fluid and reinstall the original transfer case This totals $2,153 in expenses, yet the wobbling and noise issue remains unresolved.

FRM Footwell module failed leaving car stranded Problem identified by certified mechanic. Similar models (R55 & R56) in the same age range of my vehicle have been issued a recall, but the convertible model, in the same year, (R57) is not covered. All electric switches in the vehicle failed. Symptoms began with the ABS and parking brake warning lights lighting. Other warning light was a service light.

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt warning light illuminated even though there was no passenger seated in the passenger’s seat. The contact stated that the warning light remained illuminated with the passenger’s seat occupied and the seat belt properly fastened. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

While driving in the rain, the car suddenly applied its brakes, all lights inside the car shut off, and the car came to a stop. The car behind hit it. The car was immediately taken to the service department at Dreyer & Reinbold MINI in Carmel, Indiana. They kept the car for 3 months and I was told the case went all the way to the manufacturer in Germany. When they were finished, they told us their tests could not "confirm" our report that the car came to a stop by itself, but their tests did show the brakes were applied and the car was hit from behind. They basically told us they did not believe my wife's account of the incident. I recently saw that this make and model of car was recalled about a year ago because the car could stall in the rain due to unsealed battery compartments, which is exactly what my wife experienced. I do not believe anyone looked inside the car at all, but merely relied on their computer analyses without interviewing my wife or any witnesses to confirm what happened.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Mini Clubman. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for servicing, the dealer informed the contact that based on the Carfax history report, there was a mileage discrepancy; however, the contact did not have the Carfax information available. Additionally, the contact stated that an inspection form and a GAP waiver document also showed a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a used car dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 108,396 on August 31, 2023; however, the mileage was 108,640 on the inspection form dated July 1, 2023, and the mileage was 108,990 on the GAP waiver document dated August 31, 2023.

Aug 8, 2025, I was stopped in a parking lot, I decided to roll forward, when I took my foot off the break, the car jumped 5-6 ft forward. I immediately slamed on the break to stop it from moving. The car hit with a low speed impact a pole like thing with concrete around it. The speed didn't even register on the speedometer. My car shows no damage, I have photos. However, my car immediately flashed the Yellow warning "Restraint system." along with RED highlighting both the seatbelts and airbags. I called Mini USA as instructed. Mini USA said "That warning should go away a few hours after calling. If you see no damage then it should be fine. If not, call the dealership." It did not go away. I called Schomp Mini the dealership, [XXX] who used to be the general manager said: "Call the insurance company, this sounds like it's not a mechanical defect since it is an outside event." I called Geico. Geico said "If there is no damage on the bumper, then we consider it a manufacturing fault, and the dealer has to pay for it." I then later called Mini USA again, I was transferred to a head technician, who said "Oh, yeah, That warning isn't telling you that the restraint system is broken, it's telling you the forward sensor is. There is no protective barrier between the sensor and the bumper, so it can easily get broken without any damage to the outside of the car. It would be a manufacturing issue. Call the Service Manager at the Dealer to take care of it." The Service Manager, he said "The computer will flag every event if you did a hard stop with the break and it won't necessarily tell when the sensor is broken." So I said "So then if someone hit my car in a parking lot I wouldn't know?" he said "yes." There are thousands of reports of lurching with 2025s. This is clearly a manufacturing defect. I might be stuck with a bill nobody will pay. This is frightening me. Apparently you can even KICK the sensor on any mini and break it without anyone knowing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I

The contact owns a 2019 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that a rock had hit the driver's side of the windshield due to construction work on a local highway. The contact stated that the passenger's side of the windshield was also hit by a rock while driving. The contact stated that the driver's side of the windshield sustained a minor fracture; however, the passenger's side of the windshield was severely damaged. An unknown dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,485. The VIN was not available.