2006 Mini Cooper S complaints

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A MONTH AGO IN A PRIVATE SALE. A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE MINI DEVELOPED A STRONG POWER STEERING WHINE. THIS IS NOT THE ELECTRICAL BUZZING NOISE TYPICAL OF THESE MODELS BUT A NOISE HEARD ABOVE THE ENGINE AT ALL SPEEDS OR IN NEUTRAL REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU TURN THE WHEEL. SEVERAL DAYS AGO, THE STEERING BEGAN TO STIFFEN UP ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKING. YESTERDAY, IT FAILED ENTIRELY AND THIS WAS WHILE DRIVING! NOW, I'M A 6' 180 LB MALE AND WAS ABLE TO REACT AND WRESTLE IT SAFELY BUT I'M THANKFUL THAT MY 5' 100LB WIFE WAS NOT BEHIND THE WHEEL. MAKE NO MISTAKE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS!! JUST RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND YOU WILL SEE HUNDREDS (PROBABLY THOUSANDS) OF COMPLAINTS ACROSS THE GLOBE ABOUT THE SAME THING AND IT APPEARS TO BE PRIMARILY 2001-2007 MODELS. OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE MANDATED A RECALL BUT NOT THE SAFETY CONSCIOUS U.S. WHICH SURPRISES ME GREATLY. WHEN OTHER MAJOR MANUFACTURERS HAVE LISTED RECALLS FOR THINGS LIKE SEAT BELT ANCHORS "THAT COULD CRACK" OR AIR BAG SWITCHES "THAT COULD CORRODE" WHY THE HECK ISN'T A MINI COOPER RECALL DONE FOR POWER STEERING SYSTEMS "THAT ARE FAILING"? IF YOU VALUE YOUR FAMILY'S SAFETY, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND STEER (NO PUN INTENDED) CLEAR OF THIS VEHICLE. I WILL BE DUMPING THIS T URD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MY FAMILY IS TOO IMPORTANT TO WASTE ON A FAD CAR. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS ALONG THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE TACHOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. ..UPDATED 07/11/12 *BF THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN CHANGED DOWN TO 2ND GEAR( THE VEHICLE HAS SIX FORWARD GEARS) CAUSING HUGE ACCELERATION AND THEN SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC WORK BY THE MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TACHOMETER HAD FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DOWNSHIFT TO 2ND GEAR. THE FAILURE ALSO NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION.

UNFASTENED SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR STAYS LIT AT ALL TIMES, WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER RIDING IN THE SEAT NO MATTER THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. UNFASTENED SEAT BELT WARNING BELL/DING DOES NOT CHIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

EXECUTING A LEFT TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS ISSUE. DAMAGE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AGAINST CURB. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ON A RECALL!

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR 2ND TIME. THE 1ST. WAS 08-11-10 @ 81,539 MILES.THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. PN: 65-77-184-432. COST FOR THE MODULE WAS $507.00. PART HAS A 2 YEAR WARRANTY FORM BMW. STARTED CAR FRIDAY MORNING TO GO TO WORK AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WILL TAKE BACK TO DEALER. PART SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 1 1/2 YEARS. THIS IS A EXPENSIVE PART AND LABOR WAS $400.00 THE LAST TIME IT WAS REPLACED. AM I THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS AIR BAG PROBLEM. I DO NOT THINK THE AIR BAGS WILL WORK WITH THE LIGHT ON. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM TO ME. *TR

PURCHASED 2006 MINI COOPER S BRAND NEW AT A MINI DEALER IN BOSTON. THE VEHICLE HAS 108K HIGHWAY MILES. I HAD SERVICED THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER UNTIL WARRANTY RAN OUT AND TRANSITIONED TO A NATIONAL CAR CARE CHAIN. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE VEHICLE SLIPPING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR WHEN TRAVELING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND THEY INDICATED THAT I SHOULD BRING IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. DELIVERED THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT MY CVT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE RE-MANUFACTURED. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING AND FAILING. THE POWER STEERING FAN HAD SEIZED AND WAS LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE MINI DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME OVER 10K FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT ONLY DID NOT INQUIRE ABOUT POWER STEERING AND THERE WERE NO PROGRAMS FOR CUSTOMERS IN THIS SITUATION. THIS COST IS MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP WILL DO THE REPAIRS FOR 6K. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY UPON WARM ENGINE RE-START. THE SMELL OF OVERHEATING COMPONENTS IS IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. *JS

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME MAKING DRIVING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. HAVING ONLY 12 MILES TO TRAVEL SHE DROVE HOME FIGHTING THE STEERING ALL THE WAY HOME WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME I OPEN THE HOOD AND COULD SMELL AND SEE SMOKE FROM WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL MELT DOWN ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE ENTIRE WIRING CONNECTORS ARE MELTED AND ASH AND UN USABLE. WE WERE LUCKY THE CAR DID NOT CATCH FIRE. HOWEVER THERE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE THE WIRES WERE ON FIRE. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED COUNTLESS TIMES WITH 2005-2006 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES. THE IDENTICAL PART FROM BMW WAS PART OF A RECALL IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. *TR

SRS WARNING LIGHT REQUIRING OC3 MAT REPLACEMENT AT ONLY 60K MILES. PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF COLLISION. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS QUOTED AS $1374.83. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. OCCURS WHEN PASSENGER IS AND IS NOT IN SEAT. AUDIO FOR SEATBELT OCCURS WHEN PASSENGER IS NOT IN SEAT. MINI DEALER REPAIRED INITIALLY AT ABOUT 30K MILES, OCCURRED AGAIN AT 48K MILES. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED ON. ALSO OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *TR

MY 2006 R53 ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE STEERING BECAME PERIODICALLY STIFF. AFTER PERSISTING FOR 2 WEEKS, IT HAS BECOME INCREDIBLY HARD TO MOVE THE WHEEL AND THE PUMP SEEMS TO HAVE CUT OUT COMPLETELY. IT IS MUCH STIFFER THEN ANY CAR WITH MANUAL STEERING THAT I HAVE EVER TRIED, RENDERING MY MINI TOTALLY UNDRIVEABLE. SOMEHOW THE COOPER S IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FROM TRANSPORT CANADA? ( HTTP://WWWAPPS.TC.GC.CA/SAF-SEC-SUR/7/VRDB-BDRV/SEARCH/RECALLDETAIL.ASPX?LANG=ENG&RN=2012029 ) *JS

I HAVE A MINI S 2006. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO THE DASH AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THEN WENT OFF. NOW THE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A 1300.00 JOB. MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. THE CAR HAS A DEFECT SOMEWHERE, 75000 MILES? THE AIR BAG SENSOR SHOULD NOT BE FAULTY. *TR

BRAND NEW VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR REPAIR AT 7,308 MILES 1/27/10 VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO MISFIRES 1/27/810. MINI SERVICE CLEANED FUEL SYSTEM AND PROVIDED "COURTESY" FIRST TIME INJECTOR SERVICE. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME AND BROUGHT BACK THE NEXT DAY FOR THE SAME MISFIRE FAULTS 2/2/10, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND FUEL RAIL WAS REMOVED. 7,318 MILES, 10 MILES LATER... THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN AGAIN FOR COMBUSTION MISFIRES 24,491 MILES 8/12/11 BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR STRANGE NOISE, MINI SAID IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. 24,783 MILES 8/18/11 VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN DUE TO ENGINE SEIZING...TURBO CARBON BUILD UP, TURBO FEED LINE ISSUES 33,124 MILES 01/31/12 VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISES, BROUGHT IN TO SERVICE, MINI SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO INSPECT THE CAR CLOSER TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I SCHEDULED A SERVICE AND LOANER FOR 2/1/12 (REPORT SAID THAT THERE WERE MISFIRE ISSUES, I WAS NOT INFORMED...UNTIL I NOTICED IT ON THE REPORT A WEEK LATER) 33,250 MILES 2/1/12 VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN ENGINE SEIZED, ENGINE COMPLETELY REPLACED. MINI CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NOT A LEMON IN ANY WAY AND THAT I WILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR MY LEASE UNTIL THE CONTRACT END. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING A CAR, WITH A TRACK RECORD OF SEIZING OR MISFIRING AT ANY TIME ON A HIGHWAY OR ROAD, PUTTING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SEIZE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,650. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. UPDATED 03/06/12

MY POWER STEERING IS GOING IN AND OUT. I MIGHT HAVE IT, AND DRIVE ANOTHER MINUTE ITS NOT WORKING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 58740 MILES ON IT I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THE PUMP SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM. MINI SAYS THERE IS NOT PROBLEM WITH THEIR STEERING PUMPS BUT WHEN I GO ON LINE AND CHECK THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE SAME APPROXIMATE MILEAGE MARK GIVE OR TAKE A FEW. THIS IS OVER A THOUSAND DOLLAR FIX. IS MINI GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE ENOUGH ACCIDENTS BEFORE THEY ADMIT THERE IN PROBLEM? I HAVE CHECKED THE FLUID AND THE FAN ALL IS WORKING AND FINE. IT'S JUST THE MALFUNCTIONING PUMP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE SUPER CHARGER ASSEMBLY, WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY, BYPASS VALVE, AND THE ANTI FREEZE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,000.

PASSENGER SEAT OC-3 AIR BAG SENSOR FAILURE: I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SPORADICALLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT RECENTLY, I'VE BEEN GETTING BOTH THE YELLOW OVERHEAD AIRBAG OFF LIGHT (ABOVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR) AND THE RED WARNING LIGHT ON THE CENTER DASH TURN ON AND STAY ON. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK NOW WHETHER THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. IT CAUSES THE SEATBELT ALARM TO GO OFF AND I HAVE TO BUCKLE AN EMPTY SEAT. MY MAIN CONCERN IS IT JEOPARDIZING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FUNCTION. *TT

THE PAX AIRBAG LIGHT BOTH ON DASHBOARD AND ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR ARE LIT AND STAY THAT WAY AFTER A PERIOD OF ON AND OFF WITH SOMEONE STATING IN THAT SEAT. ON THE BLOG OF MINI COOPERS A LOT OF COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS HAPPENING IN BMW THE MAKER OF MINI COOPERS AND THE 05, 06 MINI COOPER MODEL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE! A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX AT $1500.00 WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL? *TT

COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND A STREET CORNER! I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 15 MPH(NOT VERY FAST) AND I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING AND TOOK ME BY SURPRISE. *TR

PLETHORA OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. HEATED SEATS ARE A MAJOR CONCERN. THEY GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES, SEEM HAUNTED. SOMETIMES, THEY GET SO HOT THEY LEAVE BURN MARKS IN MY LEGS. I AM AFRAID OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE HEATED SEATS GET SO HOT, THEY LEFT BURN MARKS IN MY SEAT. AISIN 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPPED WITH "LIFETIME" FLUID, BEGINS SLIPPING GEARS AT 70K THE SUPERCHARGER HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE "DESIGN" OF THE SUPERCHARGER IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, I WAS FORCED BY BMWUSA TO PURCHASE A REMANUFACTURED SUPERCHARGER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A "COMMON PROBLEM" I HAVE ALSO FOUND OUT FROM FORUMS SUCH AS NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT BMW DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT ITS AT FAULT FOR HOWEVER THEY ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THE WIDESPREAD HAPPENINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE AVAILABILITY OF NEW SUPERCHARGERS IS VERY LOW BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, HENCE ME PURCHASING A REMFGD ONE. REAR WIPER MOTOR FAILED AT 40K QUOTED HUNDREDS TO REPLACE, NOT WORTH IT!!!!! *TR

ON 29SEP2007, MY 2006 MINI COOPER S WAS SERVICED TO PERFORM THE LOW MILEAGE SERVICE AT 3,354 MILES. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN ON 30SEP2007. ON 01OCT2007, THE CAR WAS DRIVEN A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE EACH WAY TO A BUS STOP. THE CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN THE GARAGE BENEATH MY TOWNHOUSE. AT 6:00 AM ON 02OCT2007, WHEN I WANT TO THE LOWER LEVEL OF MY TOWNHOUSE AND OPENED THE DOOR TO THE GARAGE, I SAW THAT THE GARAGE WAS FILLED A "FOGGY SMOKE" AND THERE WAS A "BURNING ODOR". THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE. AS THE SMOKE BEGAN TO SPREAD INTO THE UPPER LEVEL OF MY HOME, THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AS BACK-UP. THE FIREMEN LOCATED THE SOURCE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR AND DETERMINED THE SMOKE TO BE FROM A "BURNED POWER STEERING BELTON THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE". THE FIREMEN MOVED THE CAR TO THE PARKING LOT AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DIVING THE CAR. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE CAR WITH A NEW 2007 MINI COOPER S ([XXX]). I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THAT MINE WAS AN "ISOLATED INCIDENT" BUT HAVE NOW BECOME AWARE THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH MINI COOPER S FROM 2007-2009. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, I WAS ADVISED TO NOT PARK MY CAR IN THE GARAGE UNTIL THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DETERMINED OR IF THERE IS A RECALL. I NOW AM NOT PARKING IN THE GARAGE. I AM SUBMITTING THIS REPORT ON THE 2007 INCIDENT SINCE

MY WIFE NOTICED AN UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL HUMMING NOISE THAT RAPIDLY BECAME PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER COMING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING. VERY QUICKLY IT BECAME HARDER AND HARDER TO STEER UNTIL IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO ASSISTED STEERING AT ALL. SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT SINCE. RECENTLY WENT TO A MINI DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT WITH THE RESULT THAT THEY SAID THE PUMP DID INDEED FAIL. NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AS OF YET, EVEN THOUGH THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ALONG WITH THE SEATBELT LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY FROM STARTUP.TRIED TO RESET BY INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL BUT DIDN'T WORK.MINI SERVICE WANTS 100.00 TO JUST EVALUATE THE PROBLEM.THE PROBLEM IS THAT MINI /BMW KNOW THERE IS DEFAULT WITH THE SEAT SENSORS BUT WON'T TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITY AS THE CAR OWNERS ARE PAYING $1500-2200 + TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK IN THE CAR AT THIS POINT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED OFF. AT THE SAME TIME THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON. HAD BOTH CHECKED AND WHEN CAR WAS RETURNED BOTH LIGHTS WERE OUT. PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM WAS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BOTTOM. NO PROBLEM NOTED FOR THE SEAT BELT LIGHT. 1/2 MILE FROM DEALER BOTH WARNING LIGHTS AGAIN TURNED ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED OFF. AT THIS POINT I AM NOT SURE IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE OR NOT.

I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER. RECENTLY, COMPLETE POWER TO THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOST WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE OVER THE PAST MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED ON A PAVED CITY STREET AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE POWER FAILURES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REQUIRED TO BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE POWER TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTORED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED MINI COOPER REPAIR CENTER (NIELLO MINI, SACRAMENTO, CA) ON 07/26/11. THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NO FAULTS WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAD US DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT "AS IS" WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO BRING IT BACK IN FOR FURTHER TESTING IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. NEXT TIME COULD BE TOO LATE AS THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO OCCUR. *TR

A PROBLEM DEVELOPED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY MINI COOPER "S" (2006). THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMEWHAT GRADUALLY, OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL DAYS TO A WEEK, DURING WHICH THE WHEEL BECAME MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR IN ANY SORT OF INCIDENT. IT HAS LESS THAN THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I TOOK MY MINI TO AN AUTHORIZED MINI-COOPER REPAIR FACILITY WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE KNOCK (SP?) SENSOR AND STEERING MOTOR HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $2,000.00 DOLLARS, HOWEVER IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUES TO BE SLUGGISH AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT WHATEVER IS WRONG WITH THE STEERING IS A DESIGN FLAW, AS NO CAR WITH LESS THAN THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND MILES ON IT SHOULD EXHIBIT SUCH A STRANGE AND CRITICAL FAILURE. *TR

AIR BAG FAILURE LAMP LIGHT ON. 2006 JCW MINI COOPER. ON STARTUP, LAMPS ALL GO THROUGH STARTUP ILLUMINATION THEN GO DARK. AIRBAG FAILURE LAMP RELIGHTS 1 SECOND LATER AND REMAINS ON. NO INTERIOR WIRING DONE, CAR IS AS WAS RECEIVED NEW FROM DEALER. *TR

SUDDEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE ORIGINAL BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS A CONTINUING SOUND LIKE A FAN OR ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING CONSTANTLY. THIS NOISE CONTINUED UNTIL THE POWER STEERING CEASED COMPLETELY DURING A PARKING MANEUVER. AFTER THE STEERING FAILED THE PREVIOUSLY NOTED NOISE STOPPED.

EXITING THE FREEWAY ENGINE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST STEERING. TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO STEER IT TO SAFETY. SOME SMOKE COMING UNDERNEATH. LOCAL MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE COOLING FAN FOR THE HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING HAD STOPPED AND EVERYTHING HAD OVER HEATED. MULTIPLE WIRES AND COMPONENTS COMPLETED MELTED. LOCAL MECHANIC DECLINED TO FIX AND TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO BMW/MINI TO FIX. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE DEFECT AND WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR

2006 MINI COOPER S. MAKES HORRIBLE ENGINE NOISE AND UPON INVESTIGATION MINI FOUND THAT THE AC COMPRESSOR IS OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 44K MILES AND HAS BEEN MINI MAINTAINED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS CLOSE TO 4K WHICH IS ABSURD FOR A PART THAT SHOULD LAST.I FOUND A MECHANIC ( NOT MINI) THAT CAN DO THE WORK FOR 2,800 BUT EVEN THAT IS TOO MUCH FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. MINI SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. NOW, WE CAN'T EVEN TURN ON THE FAN BECAUSE IT WILL TRIGGER A CHAIN REACTION OF PROBLEMS. *TR

THE POWER STEERING FAILED 2 DAYS AGO ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER S WITH ONLY 36,600 MILES. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE & YET BMW/MINI REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT & NOT ON MY DAILY HIGHWAY COMMUTE OR DURING MY RECENT VACATION. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE CHARGE CIRCUIT LIGHT CAME ON AND I SMELLED A HEATED ELECTRICAL SMELL. THE POWER STEERING HAD CUT OUT, SHORTLY AFTER, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO RISE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON AND DROVE HOME. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT THIS MODEL MINI COOPER HAVE POWER STEERING PUMPS THAT FAIL AROUND 70,000 MILES. I DROVE TO MY JOB ON SUNDAY, AND THE CAR MADE THE ROUND TRIP, EXCEPT JUST BEFORE GETTING HOME, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC YET. *TR

ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 12 MARCH 2011, A LOUD, HIGH-PITCHED HUMMING OR WHINING, SERIOUS-SOUNDING NOISE DEVELOPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE LOUDNESS (AND/OR THE PITCH) OF THE NOISE WOULD CHANGE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL, WHICH WAS OK. THE NIGHT OF SUNDAY, 13 MARCH, I LEFT THE CAR AT ATLANTIC MOTORCAR SERVICES OF WISCASSET, MAINE 04578, WHICH SPECIALIZES IN MINI AND OTHER EUROPEAN VEHICLES. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. ATLANTIC FOUND "THE POWER STEERING PUMP (EPAS) IS DEFECTIVE". THEY REPLACED THE EPAS ASSEMBLY (PART # 32 41 6 778 425) AT A COST OF $1212.49; AND BLED, FLUSHED AND FILLED THE SYSTEM (PS SERVICE KITBG $99). THIS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM.

I PURCHASED AT 2006 MINI COOPER AUTOMATIC IN JULY 2010. OCTOBER 2010 I HAD THE KIDS IN MY CAR, KEY IN MY HAND, CAR TURNED OFF AND IN PARK. THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS, DRAGGING ME AND I HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP ROLLING AND NOT ROLL INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. I WAS WORRIED MY KIDS WOULD BE HIT. MINI USA CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW I AM TOLD MY BACK BRAKES ARE WORN, I AM SCARED THEY DID NOT LOOK AT MY VEHICLE PROPERLY, DID NOT TAKE ME SERIOUSLY AND AM SCARED MY CAR WILL ROLL AGAIN. I ALWAYS PARK MY CAR AND PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE I NEVER LEAVE IT JUST IN PARK. I NEED SOMEONE TO MAKE SURE THESE CARS AND MY CAR IS TRULY SAFE. MINI USA AND THE DEALER THAT CERTIFIED MY CAR HAVE BOTH FAILED TO TAKE THIS DANGEROUS MANNER SERIOUSLY. I COULD OF BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT AND MY CHILDREN KILLED BY ON COMING TRAFFIC. *TR

2006 MINI COOPER S: POWER STEERING FAILURE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF POWER STEERING--AT FIRST. VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. VERY DANGEROUS. NOW THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. I'VE NEVER HAD SUCH AN EXPERIENCE IN ANY AUTOMOBILE. I INVESTIGATED THIS EXPERIENCE ONLINE AND FIND A NUMBER OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I'M VERY TROUBLED BY SUCH A FLAW IN THE ENGINEERING OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE FAILURE WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 12/14/11 *CN

THE CAR IS A 2006 MINI COOPER S COUPE. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 57,000 MILES. THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WHICH SHOWS THE AIRBAG IS NOT EMPLOYED. THE DEALER COST TO REPAIR WAS $900 AS QUOTED ON 1/3/11. THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD FUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILURE SENSOR SHOW FAILURE. HAVE HAD IT "REPAIRED" 3 TIMES. SENSOR SHOWS PROBLEM WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF REPAIR EACH TIME. DOES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WORK? *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH THE LOW OIL PRESSURE SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE CONTACT ADDED OIL TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND UPON RESTART THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,500.

POWER STEERING FAN ABOUT TO FAIL, WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE TO PREVENT POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MADE THE ASSESSMENT AND ADVISED THE REPAIR. THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE IN 2004-2006+ MINIS AND AM REPORTING TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH DATA POINTS AND CONSUMER REPORTS OF THE INCIDENCE. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WEIGHT SENSOR HAS GONE BAD AND AS A RESULT, HAS RENDERED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 4K MILES AND THE LOCAL DEALER AND MINI USA HAVE BECOME NON-RESPONSIVE ABOUT FIXING AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT. THE REPLACEMENT PART PLUS LABOR AND FACTORY RESETTING WERE QUOTED AT $1900. SEARCHING OTHER ONLINE POSTINGS REVEALS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM NOT ONLY FOR MINI COOPERS BUT FOR PARENT COMPANY BMWS AS WELL. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP. COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. *TR

I OWN A 2006 MINI COOPER AND RECENTLY, AT 62,000 MILES HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE CYLINDERS LOSING COMPRESSION. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO CARBON BUILD-UP WHICH "PITTED" THE VALVES AS A RESULT OF ETHANOL IN GASOLINE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS BECOMING A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPERS BECAUSE THE CAR CAN NOT HANDLE THE GASOLINE WITH ETHANOL, AS THEY ARE INTENDED TO BE RUN ON PURE GAS. SO DUE TO THE ETHANOL MIXTURE, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE. SHOULDN'T THESE CARS SOLD HERE IN THE UNITED STATES BE ABLE TO RUN ON THE GASOLINE THAT IS AVAILABLE HERE? I HAVE USED HIGH-OCTANE PREMIUM GAS ONLY IN MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD DONE NOTHING WRONG, YET WAS STILL FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE REPAIR. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE PURCHASED THROUGH THE DEALER AND HAVE FOLLOWED THE MINI MANUAL IN TERMS OF FUEL TO USE. THEY TOLD ME THEY ARE SEEING THIS PROBLEM MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE MINI. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THIS IS A VEHICLE PROBLEM AND PERHAPS DESERVES A RECALL. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU CAN HELP ME WITH? THEY CLEANED, MACHINED AND TESTED THE CYLINDERS AND REPLACED THE VALVES AT A COST TO ME OF $4800. THANK YOU. *TR

AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT DEFECTIVE.THIS SENSOR TURNS OFF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING BEFORE DRIVING.MINI WILL NOT CORRECT THE SAFETY ISSUE ON VEHICLES OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

MY 2006 MINI COOPER S HAS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR, THAT I WAS QUOTED 16,000$TO REPLACE IT. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PART THAT BMW RECALLED IN 2008. BMW RECALLED AROUND 150,000 VEHICLES IN NORTH AMERICA TO FIX A POSSIBLE DEFECT THAT MAY KEEP THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG FROM OPENING IN A CRASH, THE RECALLED CARS INCLUDE 2006 3-SERIES, 2004-06 5-SERIES AND 2004-06 X3 VEHICLES. MINI USES THIS SAME RECALLED PART(MINI BEING MADE BY BMW), YET HAS NOT RECALLED THE PART. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PART REPLACED AT THERE OWN EXPENSE SEVERAL TIMES. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

2006 MINI COOPER S JCW GP FIRST TIME IN 2008 JUST NOTICED FAN WOULD COME ON MORE OFTEN AND POWER STEERING WHINED LOUDER. DEALER AT MAIN LINE MINI REPLACED. SECOND TIME IN 2010 STEERING WHEEL FELT LIKE IT LOST POWER BUT REGAINED DURING OCCASIONAL TURNS. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS DUE TO AFTERMARKET PARTS (CAMBER PLATES) BUT THEN REPLACED IT ANYWAYS CAUSE MAIN MECHANIC DROVE IT AND NOTICED PLAY IN STEERING. *TR

AFTER PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND GOING INSIDE THE HOUSE FOR A FEW MINUTES - WE NOTICED A VERY CHEMICAL/PLASTIC SMELL. WE QUICKLY FOUND IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE, ONLY TO FIND OUR 2006 MINI S SPEWING BLACK SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS A FIRE, FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN FAILING, AND CAUSING THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND START ON FIRE. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS BLOGS AND COMPLAINT PAGES ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVEN'T THE MONEY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AT THIS TIME, AND SO THE CAR STILL SITS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR, EVEN AFTER WARRANTY. "PREVENTIVELY REPLACING" THE PARTS IS ALSO A RIDICULOUS THING TO EXPECT VEHICLE OWNERS TO DO. UPDATED 10/13/10*BF PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED IVOQ 10/21/10*JB *TR