2003 Mini Cooper S complaints

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD CRACK. *JB

THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2003 MINI COOPER S HAD THREE SIGNIFICANT CRACKS AND MULTIPLE CHIPS WITHIN A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP.*AK

PARKED VEHICLE OUTSIDE GROCERY STORE. RETURNED AFTER <5 MINUTES TO FIND SMOKE POURING FROM THE HOOD. OPENED HOOD TO DETERMINE CAUSE AND SMELT ELECTRICAL SMOKE, AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. DOUSED FLAMES USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM STORE, AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY. INITIAL DEALER INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND WIRING HARNESS. HAD I NOT STOPPED FOR GROCERIES, I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNLIKELY TO NOTICE THE SMOKE/FIRE EARLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. INSURANCE AND DEALER ROOT CAUSE INVESTIGATION IS STILL PENDING, BUT AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET (MOSTLY HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=73527) I FOUND AT LEAST 10 OTHER INSTANCES OF A FAULT IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUSING FIRES. BMW IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS, AS THEY MADE CHANGES TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND POWER STEERING FAN WIRING HARNESS IN 04 MODELS ON. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS A SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MINIS. NO FUSE BLEW, AND TO HAVE AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT RUN TO THE POINT WHERE IS COMBUSTS, WITHOUT ANY FUSE OR THERMAL FUSE PROTECTION SEEMS A GROSS DESIGN DEFICIENCY TO ME. *NM

AFTER READING INTERNET FORUMS REGARDING THE MINI COOPER CARS. I LEARNED OF A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS DEFORMING UNDER REGULAR DRIVING CONDITIONS. UPON INSPECTION OF MY OWN MINI COOPER BY MYSELF I FOUND THAT MY TOWERS WERE DISTORTED IN A MUSHROOMING OF THE TOP SHEET METAL . I FOUND ONLINE THE MANUFACTURER OF A MACHINED ALUMINUM PLATE THAT BOLTS ON TOP OF THE TOWER ADDING ADDITIONAL STRENGTH TO THE TOP OF THE TOWER. MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE CRACKS IN THE TOWER BUT OTHER PEOPLE ARE FINDING CRACKS AS WELL AS THE DISTORTION. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE TOWER WHERE TO CRACK COMPLETELY THAT THE FRONT STRUTS WOULD BE FORCED UP AND CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL STEERING. *NM

RUST IS DEVELOPING ON THE SHEET METAL ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE BODY FRAME COVERED BY THE RUBBER DOOR SEAL. THIS RUST IS IN AN AREA THAT IS UNPAINTED (BARE SHEET METAL). THE RUBBER DOOR SEAL TRAPS MOISTURE AGAINST THE STEEL. *NM

ONE MORNING DRIVING ABOUT 100 MPH GOING UP TO CT I PAY A TOLL TAKE OFF THE CAR HESITATES IN FIRST GEAR THEN GOES OK ABOUT A 2 MILES FROM THE TOLL I AM DOING ABOUT 100 MPH AND SWITCH TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THE CAR JUST STOP GIVING ME POWER SO I GO TO CHANGE TO 5TH GEAR NO LUCK SO I LET THE CAR ROLL TO THE SHOULDER CALL MINI ROADSIDE AND THEY TOW TO NEAREST DEALER TO MY HOUSE. THE DEALER HAS MY CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 8 DAYS AND TELL ME THE L/FRONT AXLE WILL NOT STAY IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEN THE DEALER SAY THAT ITS NOT COVERED@ FIRST THEN TELLS ME THAT WILL COVER IT A DAY LATER AFTER THE MINI SPECIALIST TAKE A LOOK @ IT AND SAY WE WILL COVER IT THIS TIME AS A FAVOR. NOW IT IS TEN DAYS LATER AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPEN AGAIN THIS TIME I HAVE TO PAY FOR TOWING AND I CANT WAIT TO HAVE A TALK WITH THE DEALER. I WILL KEEP U GUYS POSTED. *NM

JUST DRIVING ALONG ON A STRAIGHT SMOOTH ROAD AT 40 MPH WHEN THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE CLEAN IN HALF NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AS THE WHEEL ROTATED UP INTO THE FENDER WELL. SCOTTSDALE MINI INSISTS THAT THIS ARM SHOULD ONLY BREAK IF THE CAR WAS CRASHED AND THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE NEVER HIT ANY SIGNIFICANT POTHOLES OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR CASES OF THIS FAILURE REPORTED ON THE INTERNET BUT MINI IS APPARENTLY RELUCTANT TO CLASSIFY IT AS A DESIGN FLAW. *JB

ON 1/26/06 I TOOK MY CAR INTO TUFFY AUTO TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED, AT THE TIME THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD A CRACK IN IT. AT THAT TIME I CALLED MINI AND TOLD THEM THAT MY RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DAMAGED. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MINI THAT MY DRIVING WAS THE CAUSE OF THIS AND THAT IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN TOOK PICTURES OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WHILE IT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO MY CAR, THESE PICTURES SHOW THAT THERE WAS A SHEARING EFFECT ON THE REAR-MOST PART OF THE ARM AND THERE WAS NO BENDING ON THE ARM. I THEN HAD THE CAR TAKEN BY FLAT-BED TO MY MINI DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE REPLACING THE LOWER AND UPPER CONTROL ARM. MY PICTURES REFUTE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS BEING A DRIVERS FAULT AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO WARRANTY THE WORK.*JB

1) GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE CAR WHILE BRAKING. 2) UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE PADS HAD WORN DOWN COMPLETELY ALTHOUGH THE LEFT REAR BRAKE PADS HAVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 PAD REMAINING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR WARRANTY SERVICE. 3) VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT GLOBAL IMPORTS MINI IN ATLANTA AWAITING INSPECTION BY A SPECIAL BMW ENGINEER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS UNUSUAL WEAR OF BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE BRAKE CALIPERS THAT OPERATE THE BRAKE SYSTEM ARE SUSPECTED TO BE DEFECTIVE/FAULTY. THIS SAME PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED ON THIS SAME VEHICLE ON MAY 8, 2004. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SENT TO GLOBAL IMPORTS IN ATLANTA WHERE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR FOR THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE NOT INSPECTED OR REPLACED BY GLOBAL IMPORTS AT THIS TIME. BECAUSE THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON THE SAME VEHICLE, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH A SUSPECT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT GLOBAL IMPORTS (ERIC PETERS) HAS STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THIS TYPE OF INCONSISTENT UNEVEN BRAKE WEAR IS CONSIDERED "NORMAL" PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN AT THE TIME OF RECENT OCCURRENCE ARE AVAILABLE TO SHOW A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE BRAKE PAD THICKNESS ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THESE PHOTOGRAPHS. *NM

WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK, THE REAR OF MY MINI COOPER S MADE A NOISE. THE CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT, REAR SUSPENSION BROKE. WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE REAR, THE CONTROL ARM WAS IN TWO PIECES, BROKEN IN THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER AND I WILL BE REQUESTING THE PART BACK. *JB

WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT BEING STRUCK BY OBJECT.*AK

COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE INTERNAL CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK, RESULTING IN BLOWN ELECTRONICS, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, DSC LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT. CAUSE WAS APPARENTLY A FAULTY RADIO. HOWEVER, A REPLACEMENT RADIO FAILED WHEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, BRINGING MORE CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK PROBLEMS.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON WHICH INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES ALREADY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. WILL BE TAKING IT IN FOR THE FOURTH TIME TOMORROW. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY TOLD ME THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AGAIN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I'M CURIOUS WHAT THEY WILL SAY THIS TIME. MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME AIRBAG LIGHT PROBLEM ON THE MINI CHAT ROOMS. THE SCARY THING IS THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON, EITHER ONE OR BOTH OF MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.*AK

DYNAMIC STABILTY CONTROL, FLAT TIRE AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS REPLACED DYNAMIC STABILTY CONTROL MODULE, PART 34 51 6 765 289. ALSO FOUND LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CRUSHED BETWEEN SUBFRAME AND CAR. REPLACED PART 34 52 6 756 384. *AK

DYNAMIC STABILTY CONTROL, ABS AND FLAT TIRE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITENTLY WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AND DO NOT GO AWAY UNLESS VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL MODULE FAULT. *AK

DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW WILL LOCK UP AND NOT MOVE, MOTOR AND REGULATOR REPLACED AGAIN. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING.*AK

VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES STALL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAS THE LATEST VERSION OF ENGINE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE THAT HAS CORRECTIONS FOR STALLING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE DOORS FROZE. ONCE GETTING IN THE VEHICLE ONE CANNOT GET OUT OR ONCE OUT CANNOT GET IN. CONTACTED THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 20 MINUTES WITH NO PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WITHIN SECONDS THERE WAS FIRE THROUGH THE FIREWALL, INTO THE CAR. I JUMPED OUT AND THE CAR IS NOW ASHES. MINI HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE HEY DO NOT FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE

WAS DRIVING DOWN A 2-LANE CURVY ROAD AT NIGHT, DRY WEATHER, 75 F AT 30 MPH WHEN CAR BEGAN TO WHINE WHENEVER STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. AS I DECELERATED TO 10-15 MPH TO MAKE A 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN AROUND A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SUDDENLY EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. ALMOST T-BONED A CAR TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AROUND SAME CURVE. WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR BACK IN MY LANE, AND GET IT HOME, BUT NOT WITHOUT A LOT OF EFFORT. CALLED BMW SERVICE, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THEY'VE SERVICED A FEW MINIS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND WAS MOST LIKELY A POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. CAR WILL BE TOWED TODAY. *JB

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER S AND LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF MINIS, MY WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. I DO BELIEVE MINI SHOULD COME UP WITH A NEW DESIGN AND DO A RECALL. *AK

BMW MINI COOPERS HAVE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS THAT CRACK REPEATEDLY WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. THE GLASS CRACKS DUE TO STRESS OR TEMP. CHANGES. NOT RELATED TO STONE IMPACTS. CHECK OUT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING THREAD ON THE MINI2.COM WEB SITE. WE ARE ON OUR 2ND WINDSHIELD IN TWO WEEKS. BMW IS COVERING UP THE PROBLEM WHILE QUIETLY INTRODUCING STRONGER GLASS. *JB

LARGE WINDSHIELD CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF ANY IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

MY 2003 MINI COOPER'S WINDSHIELD CRACKED SHORTLY AFTER I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE NEW CAR. IT WAS NEVER HIT BY A ROCK, AND MANY OTHER MINI COOPER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED STRESS FRACTURES CAUSED BY WEAK WINDSHIELD GLASS. *AK BMW/MINI-USA REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY

WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS DUE TO PREMATURE PITTING, CHIPPING, AND CRACKING. MANY OTHER MINI COOPER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *AK

WINDSHIELD IN MINI COOPERS ARE TO SOFT. I AM FIXING TO HAVE MY SECOND WINDSHIELD INSTALLED. JUST HAD ONE REPLACED IN AUGUST. A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD BOTH TIMES. THE SECOND TIME IF I HAD BEEN ANY CLOSER TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THE ROCK WOULD HAVE COME THROUGH AND KILLED ME OR MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT. HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THE SAME THING. THERE WAS AT LEAST TWO CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE OTHER CAR. ALSO THE WINDSHIELD HAS MANY ROCK PITS IN IT AND IT IS ONLY 7 MONTHS OLD. *JB

MINI COOPER S 2003 MODEL PURCHASED SEPTEMBER 27, 2003 HAS DEVELOPED A WINDSHIELD CRACK NEAR LOWER EDGE AT CENTER. MANY MINI OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR CRACK, AND MINI/BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM HERE. AT GREAT MAJORITY OF THESE CRACKS ARE OCCURRING IN ONE OF THREE PLACES. CRACKS ARE HAPPENING REPEATEDLY TO SOME OWNERS (3 NEW WINDSHIELDS IN ONE YEAR FOR AT LEAST ONE OWNER.) WE WOULD LIKE MINI/BMW TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND TO REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR CRACKED WINDSHIELDS NOT CAUSED BY ACCIDENTS.*AK

2004 MINI COOPER S WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM 1/32 INCH "PIT"...ONLY 3,100 MILES ON CAR.*AK

WINDSHIELD, CRACKED , FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

A 1" LONG VERTICAL FISSURE (CRACK) JUST APPEARED OVERNIGHT ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER S WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN A SINGLE CAR GARAGE (AND I DON'T HAVE KIDS OR PETS), AND WAS VISIBLE ON WINDSHIELD THE MORNING OF FEB 11, 2004. ON THE EVENING OF FEB 10, 2004, THIS CRACK WAS NOT THERE. THE CRACK ORIGINATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD FROM BELOW THE AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT IS EXPOSED TO ROAD HAZARDS LIKE STONES AND ROCKS, AND NO SUCH HAZARDS HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS GROWING EACH DAY LIKE MY VOCABULARY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NOW 8" LONG NOW AFTER 1 WEEK AND HAS HUNG A LEFT. I'VE READ ON NUMEROUS MINI OWNERS FORUMS ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2003 MINIS AND THAT 2004 MINIS HAVE ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. *AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN LOWER CENTER. DEALER CLAIMED THE CRACK WAS CAUSED BY A SMALL CHIP IN THE GLASS. I COULD NOT SEE ANY CHIP IN THE GALSS.*AK DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY USING GUIDLINES SET BY THE MANUFACTURE.

DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW WOULD NOT OPEN FOR 18 HOURS. THIS OCCURRED AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM AND DID NOT CLEAR UNTIL AFTER A 20 MINUTE DRIVE THE FOLLOWING DAY. ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE WINDOW THE DAY AND EVENING OF THE FAILURE WHILE PARKED AND DRIVING ALL FAILED. *CB

WINDSHIELD CRACKED THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. I DON'T REMEMBER ANY STONE DAMAGE BEING DONE. WHEN I WASHED MY CAR (HOT DAY), A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE MID-RIGHT BOTTOM BORDER OF MY WINDSHIELD. I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS STONE DAMAGE.

MY 2003 MINI COOPER S, UPON ACCELERATION, EXPERIENCES AN EXCESSIVE LOSS OF POWER THAT HAS PUT ME IN THE POSITION OF NEARLY BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FLOW. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER IN CINCINNATI 5 TIMES, AND THOUGH THEY CLAIM THE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED, AND DRIVES 'NORMALLY' IT STILL NEARLY STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STANDSTILL. *AK

2003 MINI COOPER S PURCHASED NEW; AT APPROX 4500 MILES 6-INCH CRACK APPEARED OVERNIGHT IN LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE ANYWHERE ON WINDSHIELD. SINCE THEN, CRACK HAS PROGRESSED NEARLY TO CENTER OF WINDSHIELD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CRACK WAS THE RESULT OF A STONE HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. SERVICE MANAGER "PROVED" THIS BY TRACING CRACK WITH A BALLPOINT PEN UNTIL IT ENCOUNTERED A MICROSCOPIC, NEARLY INVISIBLE "PIT" ALONG THE CRACK. DEALER DECLINED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. PERSONAL OPINION, SUPPORTED BY EXPERIENCE OF OTHER MINI OWNERS: STRESS CRACK PROBABLY CAUSED BY INCORRECT INSTALLATION OR UNDERDESIGNED WINDSHIELD. IN ANY CASE, MINI HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT IN SOLUTION, REPLACING SOME CUSTOMERS' WINDSHIELDS UNDER WARRANTY AND REFUSING TO REPLACE OTHERS, LIKE MINE.

BELOW IS A QUOTE OF ANOTHER PERSON,I AM EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR "TOTAL LOSS OF POWER" WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ME. ALSO, THE STUDDERING PROBLEM IN FIRST GEAR IS GREATLY REDUCED WHEN THE "ACTIVE SKID CONTROL" IS DISABLED.*AK MY MINI COOPER S WAS PURCHASED IN MAY 2003. "NEW MINI COOPER S AUTOMOBILE (PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2003) EXPERIENCES A NOTICEABLE AND SIGNIFICANT STUMBLE WHEN ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE STUMBLE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A STALL CONDITION AND RESULTS IN UNRELIABLE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE AT HIGHER RPM ENGAGEMENTS, IN HOTTER WEATHER, AND WITH THE AC ENGAGED. THE STUMBLE FEELS LIKE A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER AND THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER, POWER IS RETURNED TO THE WHEELS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON VIRTUALLY EVERY ENGAGEMENT BUT IS CONSIDERABLY WORSE ON THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE PROBLEM IS LESS SEVERE WHEN TURNING THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR. THIS ISSUE RENDERS THE THROTTLE RESPONSE UNRELIABLE AND CAN STALL THE AUTOMOBILE AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. NO CRASHES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO A STALL OR A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION DUE TO STALLING WHEN CROSSING AN INTERSECTION IS PRESENT. ADDITIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND THROTTLE RESPONSE OCCUR IN THE SAME AUTOMOBILE HAVE OCCURRED BUT THESE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT AND DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE. IN GEN

MINI COOPER S HAS SEVERE HESITATION WHEN STARTING FROM A STANDING START. THE PROBLEM IS UNRELATED TO THROTTLE OR CLUTCH PEDAL POSITION. CAR BOGS FOR A FEW SECONDS (WHEN MAKING A LEFT AGAINST TRAFFIC IT FEELS LIKE AN ETERNITY) WHEN IN FIRST GEAR AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 RPM THEN RESUMES ACCELERATING. SERVICE ADVISOR AT DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT'S A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE CAR. REPRESENTATIVE AT MINI USA TOLD ME THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE WORKING ON A FIX. THE IS NO FIX AT THE PRESENT TIME AND NO ESTIMATE AS TO WHEN THERE WILL BE ONE. FOR THE TIME BEING, MINI OWNERS HAVE TO PRAY EACH TIME THEY ENTER AN INTERSECTION. *LA

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE VEHICLE THAT REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE PUSHED IT INTO THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED THE SEAT BEING BROKEN. CONSUMER NOTED THE SEAT HIT THE BACK OF THE CALVES AND BRUISED THEM. HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, FRACTURED NOSE AND RECEIVED A CONCUSSION. VEHICLE TOTALED WITH FRONT END DAMAGE AND A CRACKED WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND WAS SITTING PRETTY FAR BACK. SHE MANAGED TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SHE HIT IN THE REAR WAS ALSO TOWED. THAT VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE REAR. CONSUMER'S HOOD WAS PUSHED UP AND HEADLIGHT WAS DAMAGED. *PH

THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER S JUST GOT A STRESS CRACK TODAY. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE MINIS INTRODUCTION AND WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED WITH REINFORCED A PILLARS ON 04S. IT HAS ABOUT 2500 MILES ON IT. MANY MINI OWNERS WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM TO BE RESOLVED, PERMANENTLY.*AK

ENGINE POWER LOSS STARTING OFF IN 1ST GEAR. WHEN STATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP IN 1ST GEAR THE CAR WILL HESITATE FOR APROX. 2-3 SECONDS BEFORE THE RPMS INCREASE. THERE IS NO COMBINATION OF CLUTCH AND THROTTLE THAT WILL ALLEVIATE THIS SITUATION. THE COMBINATION OF WARM TEMPERATURES AND RUNNING THE A/C CONTRIBUTE HEAVILY TO THE POWER LOSS. COLDER WEATHER DOES IMPROVE THIS POWER LOSS.*AK

VEHICLE HESITATES (STIMBLES) UPON ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A SERIOUS SAFTEY CONCERN. ALSO, THE VEHICLE YO-YOS UPON DECELERATION. *LA

CAR LOSES POWER SUDDENLY AND LURCHES IN FIRST GEAR WHEN MOVING OFF FROM A STANDING START. *LA

EXCESSIVE PITTING ON WINDSHIELD ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. *JB

THE FRONT WINDSHEILD CRACKED, EXTREMELY SMALL CHIPS ON WINDSHEILD. CRACK APPEARS WHEN CAR IS PARKED FOR A WEEK. I HAD HUGE ROCKS LANDED ON MY WINDSHIELD BEFORE AND NOTHING MORE THAN AN EXTREMELY SMALL CHIP, UNLIKE OTHER CARS THAT ARE DRIVEN DAILY. I BELIEVE THE CRACK IS A STRESS CRACK AND NOT CAUSED BY A ROCK. MANY COMPLAINTS WHERE FILED AT HTTP://WWW.MINICOOPERONLINE.COM IN REGARDS WITH THIS MATTER. *LA

CRACKED WINDSHIELD LOWER LEFT CORNER OF ONE WEEK OLD CAR. CRACK APPEARED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. LONG BEACH MINI DEALER CLAIMS ROCK DAMAGE.

WHILE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ANOTHER DRIVER POINTED OUT THAT REAR AXLE HAD SNAPPED FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

"2003 MINI COOPER S AUTOMOBILE EXPERIENCES A NOTICEABLE AND SIGNIFICANT STUMBLE WHEN ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE STUMBLE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A STALL CONDITION AND RESULTS IN UNRELIABLE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE AT HIGHER RPM ENGAGEMENTS, IN HOTTER WEATHER, AND WITH THE AC ENGAGED. THE STUMBLE FEELS LIKE A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER AND THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER, POWER IS RETURNED TO THE WHEELS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON VIRTUALLY EVERY ENGAGEMENT BUT IS CONSIDERABLY WORSE ON THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE PROBLEM IS LESS SEVERE WHEN TURNING THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR. THIS ISSUE RENDERS THE THROTTLE RESPONSE UNRELIABLE AND CAN STALL THE AUTOMOBILE AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. NO CRASHES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO A STALL OR A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION DUE TO STALLING WHEN CROSSING AN INTERSECTION IS PRESENT. ADDITIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND THROTTLE RESPONSE OCCUR IN THE SAME AUTOMOBILE HAVE OCCURRED BUT THESE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT AND DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE. IN GENERAL, THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS SEEM TO OCCUR IN ON TEMPERATURE DAYS WITH AC ENGAGED AND INCLUDE A FULL LOSS OF POWER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND A NOTICEABLE SURGING DURING ACCELERATION AS IS THE DRIVER WAS PRESSING AND RELEASING THE GAS." I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

NEW MINI COOPER S AUTOMOBILE (PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2003) EXPERIENCES A NOTICEABLE AND SIGNIFICANT STUMBLE WHEN ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE STUMBLE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A STALL CONDITION AND RESULTS IN UNRELIABLE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE AT HIGHER RPM ENGAGEMENTS, IN HOTTER WEATHER, AND WITH THE AC ENGAGED. THE STUMBLE FEELS LIKE A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER AND THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER, POWER IS RETURNED TO THE WHEELS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON VIRTUALLY EVERY ENGAGEMENT BUT IS CONSIDERABLY WORSE ON THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE PROBLEM IS LESS SEVERE WHEN TURNING THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR. THIS ISSUE RENDERS THE THROTTLE RESPONSE UNRELIABLE AND CAN STALL THE AUTOMOBILE AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. NO CRASHES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO A STALL OR A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION DUE TO STALLING WHEN CROSSING AN INTERSECTION IS PRESENT. ADDITIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND THROTTLE RESPONSE OCCUR IN THE SAME AUTOMOBILE HAVE OCCURRED BUT THESE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT AND DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE. IN GENERAL, THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS SEEM TO OCCUR IN ON TEMPERATURE DAYS WITH AC ENGAGED AND INCLUDE A FULL LOSS OF POWER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND A NOTICEABLE SURGING DURING ACCELERATION AS IS THE DRIVER WAS PRESSING AND RELEASING THE GAS. *JB

2003 MINI COOPER S. THERE IS A "STUMBLE" WHEN STARTING OFF IN FIRST GEAR. THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER AND LURCH MOMENTARILY. NO COMBINATION OF CLUTCH AND GAS PEDAL MOTION SEEMS TO FIX THIS. ISSUE HAS BEEN HEAVILY DOCUMENTED AND DISCUSSED ON MINI ENTHUSIAST FORUMS, SO IT IS NOT A DRIVER CLUTCH-USER ERROR. *JB