2002 Mini Cooper complaints

POWER STEERING PUMP IS NOISY ALL THE TIME. I AM AFRAID THIS MAY LEAD TO FAILURE OF MY ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE . THE CAR IS A 2002 MINI. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2002 MINI COOPER S, 62,000 MILES, FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING AN INSTANT AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH SHOULD LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FURTHER RESEARCH OF ONLINE FORUMS (MINI2.COM, NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM, ROADFLY.COM) INDICATES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY MINI OWNERS, AND POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE HAS ALSO BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE ENGINE BAY FIRES. *CN

I HAVE A 2002 MINI COOPER WITH 52K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT TWICE IN THE PAST 2 YEARS THE FIRST TIME AT 31K MILES. THE CLUTCH HAS ALSO WENT OUT AS WELL AS THE SUNROOF MOTOR, LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WITH A HOST OF SENSORS, GAUGES ETC... PARTS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AND SERVICE ON A 24K CAR (WHEN NEW) IS AS MUCH AS MY 70K BMW 7 SERIES.*CN

MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2002 MINI COOPER RENDERING THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $6000+ TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO AND THEY JUST RESET THE CODE AND IT WORKED FINE. THEY SAID IF THEY TRIED RESETTING THE CODE AGAIN, THE CAR MAY JUST DIE ON ME WHILE DRIVING. *TR

I JUST FOUND THIS WEB SITE AND AFTER READING THROUGH THE VARIOUS ISSUES OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THEIR MINI, I DECIDED I SHOULD ALSO GO AHEAD AND SHARE MY ISSUES AS WELL. BACK IN APRIL OF 2004, I WAS HIT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY A HONDA ACCORD TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MILES AN HOUR AND MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I NEVER HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR AN AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THAT MATTER BUT IT'S A SCARY THOUGHT NOT HAVING YOUR AIRBAGS DEPLOY, ESPECIALLY AT SUCH A HIGH SPEED OF IMPACT. I USED TO BE IN LOVE WITH MINI'S BUT I HAVE BEEN SO "SOURED" BY THEM AS OF LATE WITH ALL OF THE ISSUES I HAVE BEEN HAVING. MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I CAN'T EVEN START MY CAR. *TR

CONSTANT GRINDING NOISE COMING FRONT MY FRONT BRAKES. HAD SENSORS REPLACED, FRONT AND REAR BRAKES REPLACED AND THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED AS WELL. STILL MAKING THE NOISE AND CAUSING EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. FEELS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 MINI COOPER WITH A CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. THE CARE HAS ABOUT 61,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED COSTING ME AT LEAST $6,000. *TR

2002 MINI COOPER WITH <55,000 MILES (SAME OWNER) THE SHIFT CABLE DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE GEARS. GEAR CHANGES ARE NO LONGER POSSIBLE AND THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN THE LAST GEAR SELECTED! PRIOR TO THIS -BUT WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, ALL THE WINDOW MOTORS DIED SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE FAN BELT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, THE ENGINE CONTINUALLY OVERHEATED (DESPITE REPEATED SERVICE BY BMW), THE HORN FUSE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF (UNTIL IT BLEW), AND THE TRANSMITION IS SLOWLY DYING. 1) THE FAN BELT WOULD NOT TURN OFF -CONTINUOUSLY, DRAINING THE BATTERY. 2) TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED 3) THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING 4) THE POWER WINDOWS *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, HE COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW I READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MINI. *TR

WE PURCHASED OUR 2002 MINI ON 10/10/06, W/55,059 MILES ON IT. 9 DAYS LATER THE CLUTCH WENT OUT, NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WE PURCHASED. WE TOWED IT BACK TO MINI SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE DEPT WHO INSISTED THAT WE WORE OUT THE CLUTCH AND IT WAS OUR PROBLEM, WEAR AND TEAR, ETC. ? AFTER 9 DAYS! UNBELIEVABLE! THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF, BUT WE FELT THIS WAS COMPLETELY UNFAIR. WE THEN HAD TO BATTLE WITH THE SERVICE DEPT AND THEY EVENTUALLY CALLED MINI USA WHO AGREED TO PAY THE OTHER HALF TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH. A FEW MONTHS LATER OUR MINI WAS DUE FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (INSPECTION 2, $390), WHICH WE HAD DON ON 2/6/07, WITH NO NOTABLE PROBLEMS. THEN ON 9/14/07, AT 67,829 MILES, THE CLUTCH WENT OUT AGAIN! TWICE IN UNDER ONE YEAR! WE HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CLUTCH, LET ALONE TWICE IN ONE YEAR! OF COURSE IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP IS INSISTING THAT IT IS OUR FAULT THAT WE BURNT OUT THE CLUTCH, WHICH IS ABSURD. WE WOULD HAVE TO GRIND THE GEARS EVERY TIME WE SHIFT IN ORDER TO BURN OUT A BRAND NEW CLUTCH WITHIN ONE YEAR. MINI USA IS TAKING THE WORD OF THE SERVICE MANAGER AND WILL NOT HELP US. WE ARE NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE RECALL (MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY), HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP/SERVICE DEPT DENIES THAT SUCH A RECALL EXISTS. WHEN SEARCHING GOOGLE WE FOUND MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME OR VERY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF CLUTCHES GOING OUT IN UNUSUALLY SHORT PERIODS OF DRIVING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A BUMP COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AS OF SEPTEMBER 6, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V201000 (POWER TRAIN: MANUAL TRANSMISSION: FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY). THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

I RECENTLY WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SACRAMENTO WHEN MY CAR STOPPED DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.... LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE AND CALL FOR HELP... THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE RPM'S WERE GOING UP, BUT WOULD NOT DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAD JUST HAD THE SECOND INSPECTION SERVICE ON THE CAR ON 4/10/2007 AT THE COST OF $850. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVING FUNNY, NO LIGHTS HAD COME ON, NOTHING WAS ABNORMAL. AAA TOOK MY CAR TO MINI OF SACRAMENTO DEALER WHERE I HAD TO LEAVE IT OVER NIGHT (THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NO LONGER OPEN) AND CHECK MYSELF INTO A HOTEL. I CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY SAID BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT AROUND 5:00 PM. I WAS CALLED LATER THAT DAY AND TOLD THE CAR NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND IT WILL COST $7,500... THE CAR HAS ROUGHLY 59,000 MILES ON IT. *TR UPDATED 02-21-08 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AS WELL AS PIECES OF BURNING PLASTIC FALLING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE THEN NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TRIED TO CONTAIN THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE FIRE CONTINUED TO SPREAD INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SHIFT CABLE COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND PREVENTING THE CONTACT FROM SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SHOP AND THEY RECONNECTED THE SHIFT CABLE. BMW STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 02V201000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,750.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE IS WARRANTY EXPIRED THAT COVERED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION AND, ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME FAILURE. THE COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AFTER STALLING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY SHUTTING OFF AND STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,600. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY ALSO NEEDED REPLACING AFTER 41,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS COST HER $7,000. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN THE 2002 MINI COOPER THE CAR HAD ABOUT 70,000 MILLES ON IT AND I NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOING UP, AND ASSUMED MY CAR WAS JUST OVERHEATING. I PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION AND PUT SOME WATER IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIRAND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RETURNED TO NORMAL, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES I NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AGAIN. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A PARKING LOT. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, I SAW FLAMES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE TH E CAR WAS TOO FAR GONE TO SAVE. I CONTACTED MINI REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THEY ASKED FOR MY VIN, APPROXIMATE MILEAGE, AND CONTACT INFORMATION. I SENT THEM THIS INFORMATION, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. *AK

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN IF THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED WITH THE REMOTE. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WAS GIVEN OVER THE PHONE. THE COMPONENT THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 18,500.

DURING A 10-MINUTE COMMUTE TO WORK, MY RIGHT REAR CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING CONTACT CH95 (GRAND TOURING ALL-SEASON) 175/65HR15, PURCHASED AND INSTALLED ON 6/29/06, FAILED. THE TREAD PORTION SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE SIDES. THE SIDES REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL RIM. THE TREAD, MINUS THE TIRE SIDES, SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL AND WAS FOUND OTHERWISE INTACT ON THE ROADSIDE BEHIND MY DISABLED VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND NO DAMAGE OR PHYSICAL INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A CALL TO THE RETAILER (THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE TIRES AND CAR WERE PURCHASED) RESULTED IN A RESPONSE SUGGESTING THAT SOME ROAD HAZARD CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE AND THAT WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED COMING UNDER THE TIRE WARRANTY. UPON SEEING THE FAILED TIRE, THE NC STATE TROOPER AND EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TECHNICIAN DISAGREED, FEELING THAT THE TIRE MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE. *JB

I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED MINI COOPER WITH 34,000 MILES ON IT. 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, I NOTICED A "STUDDER/HESITATION" ON TAKE OFF FROM A DEAD STOP IN FIRST GEAR. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO DEMONSTRATE THE PROBLEM. ON THE TEST DRIVE, THE CAR MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND ALL GEARS FAILED. THE CLUTCH AND GEAR SHIFT FELT NORMAL, BUT NO GEAR WOULD ENGAGE. THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. AT THAT POINT THE CAR HAD 35,000 MILES ON IT. BECAUSE IT WAS 4 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, MINI REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I FOUND NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THE MIDLAND TRANSMISSIONS BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CAR RECEIVED THE NEWER GETRAG TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE MIDLANDS WERE DISCONTINUED IN 2004 IN FAVOR OF THE MORE RELIABLE GETRAG TRANSMISSIONS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING. IT WAS A DANGEROUS AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN A CAR THAT SUDDENLY WOULD NOT MOVE IN TRAFFIC. *JB

POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILURE ON MINI COOPER. 1 - WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT, AT TIMES ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. 2 - ONCE HOME WHILE PARKING THE CAR, SMOKE STARTED TO BILLOW OUR FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, SMOKE CONTINUED TO BILLOW AND GET THICKER, OPENED THE HOOD, HEARD A SIZZLING SOUND AND NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE WIRES WERE MELTING. IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, THE SMOKE STARTED TO DISSAPATE, THE NOISE STOPPED ETC. 3 - THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. ACCORDING TO THE TOW OPERATOR, BASED UPON THE CONDIDTION OF THE WIRING HARNESS, IF THE BATTERY HAD NOT BE DISCONNECTED QUICKLY, THE CAR WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP MOTOR HAD FAILED AND THAT MINI WOULD REPLACE THE PARTS AT NO CHARGE, BUT LABOR WOULD BE AT OUR COST. TOTAL PARTS WERE APPROXIMATLEY $1,000.00 WITH LABOR TOTALING ABOUT $400.00. THE CAR IS NOW FIXED AND OPERATING PROPERLY. *NM

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. I NOTICED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR WAS EXPOSED DIRECTLY TO THE WEATHER AND MOISTURE BECAUSE IT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE COWL INTAKE AND I FELT THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IT'S EXPOSED TO RAIN, SNOW, AND WINTER ROAD SALT SPRAY - EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN. I OBTAINED THE REPLACEMENT PART AND NOTICED THAT IT HAD A PLASTIC SHIELD INSTALLED TO PROTECT THE MOTOR INDICATING THE MANUFACTURER DOES KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HAS IMPLEMENTED CORRECTIVE ACTION. WHEN I CONTACTED BMW, THEY CLAIMED TO BE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. BMW INSISTS ON CHARGING FOR THE REPAIR ($465.00) AND HAS NOT YET RECOGNIZED THE FACT THAT THERE IS A SAFETY DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE IS ALSO A HIGH LIKELIHOOD THAT THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES THAT COULD EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF LIFE. *NM

2002 MINI COOPER CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 68,000 MILES. NM

THIS IS A FOLLOW-ON TO INVESTIGATION PE05053 ORIGINALLY OPENED ON 09/27/2005. I TOO HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON MY MY 2002 MINI COOPER. THE INCIDENTS OF INTERMITTENT AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION STARTED ON 12 FEB 06 AND HAVE CONTINUED SINCE THAT TIME. THE LAMP ILLUMINATION IS INTERMITTENT AND NOT STEADY. SINCE I LIVE 220+ MILES FROM THE NEAREST BMW/MINI DEALER I HAVE NOT BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE OR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. NO CONSEQUENCES OTHER THAN THE MINOR ANNOYANCE OF THE ILLUMINATED LIGHT ON HAVE OCCURRED, ALTHOUGH I AM CONCERNED THAT ONE OR MORE AIRBAGS MAY NOT INFLATE IN CASE OF IMPACT OR CRASH. *JB

TWO-CAR CRASH AT AN INTERSECTION - AIRBAGS IN 2002 MINI COOPER S FAILED TO DEPLOY. CAR 1 (2002 MINI COOPER S) WAS DRIVING WEST ON TOTTEN POND RD. IN WALTHAM, MA AT APPROX. 30 MPH, APPROACHING GREEN LIGHT AT INTERSECTION OF TOTTEN POND RD/WINTER ST AND WYMAN ST. CAR 2 (2001 CHEVY VAN) WAS TRAVELING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON SAME ROAD (MPH UNKNOWN - APPROXIMATED AT 25 MPH) AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO WYMAN ST. IN FRONT OF CAR 1, STRIKING CAR 1 IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE QUARTER PANEL AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE OF CAR1 (FRONT AND REAR QUARTER PANELS, DRIVER'S DOOR AND TIRES). I WAS THE OCCUPANT OF CAR 1 AND BECAUSE I WAS NOT WEARING A SET BELT, I WAS THROWN INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW, SHATTERING THE WINDOW COMPLETELY WITH MY HEAD AND WAS THEN THROWN INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT AFTER IMPACT. NONE OF THE SIX AIRBAGS IN THE 2002 MINI COOPER S DEPLOYED. AT A MINIMUM, FROM THE ANGLE OF THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AIRBAG AND DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED FROM THE IMPACT. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND SUSTAINED MINOR HEAD INJURIES (MINOR CONCUSSION), MINOR CUTS TO MY HANDS AND BRUISING TO MY LEFT LEG. THE 2002 MINI COOPER S WAS UNDRIVEABLE AND WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIM HAS BEEN FILED WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY (LIBERTY MUTUAL) AND THE DRIVER OF CAR 2'S INSURANCE COMPANY (AMICA MUTUAL) WILL BE NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT IS ON FILE WITH THE WALTHAM POLICE DEPT. IN W

AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS LIT. WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I HAD THE DEALER (FLOW MINI, WINSTON-SALEM, NC) "RESET" IT ON AT LEAST TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. SERVICE EMPLOYEE TOLD ME THE LIT LIGHT WOULD NOT AFFECT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT/SAFETY. WITHIN DAYS (MILES) OF "RESETTING" IT, THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF WITHOUT TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. *JB

(1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE - NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, CAR DRIVEN 40K+ MILES (2) FAILURE & CONSEQUENCE - BOTH BEARINGS IN THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO FAIL. DETAILS NOT EXACTLY AVAILABLE SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INSPECT THEM, BUT BEARINGS WOULD GRIND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THESE WOULD NOT IMPACT DRIVING SAFETY, IF NOT, WHAT IS THEIR PURPOSE? (3) CORRECTIVE ACTION - DEALER REPLACED BOTH BEARINGS SINCE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY (50K MILES). I INQUIRED WITH DEALER IF MINI HAS EITHER IMPROVED THE DESIGN OF THE REPLACEMENT BEARINGS OR IF THE ORIGINAL BEARINGS HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. DEALER STATED THAT NEITHER WAS THE CASE AND THAT IT ISN'T/WOULDN'T BE UNUSUAL FOR STEERING BEARINGS TO FAIL AFTER 40K MILES, WHICH BY TODAY'S STANDARDS IS COMPLETELY FALSE!. *JB

THE SHIFT LINKAGE CAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I HAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. I LOOKED ON THE NHTSA SITE AND FOUND THAT THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THIS EXAC PROBLEM. I HAD ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT SUCH A RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THEY DENIED AND CONTINUE TO DENY THAT SUCH A RECALL EXISTS. AFTER I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, THEY CALLED TO HAVE ME PICK UP MY CAR. THEY THEN MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE TO GET PARTS AND I WILL HAVE TO BRING THE CAR BACK. I INFORMED THAT I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR WITH A SAFTEY RELATED RECALL THAT WAS NOT FIXED. I AM FRUSTRATED THAT THE DEALER AND MANUFECTURER CONTINUE TO DENY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND TRY TO HAVE ME DRIVE THE UNREPAIRED VEHICLE. RCALL CAMPAIGN N. 02V-201 : SHIFT CABLE RETAINING CLIP. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 BMW MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED STEERING FAILURE. THE STEERING WAS NOT OPERATING. . COULD DRIVE BUT COULD NOT STEER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS BROKE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO , AND THEY REPAIRED IT. CURRENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR CAR ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY, HAD TO MUSCLE THE STEERING IN ORDER TO TURN THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN COULD NOT STEER THE CAR, AND IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. DID HAVE ONE STEERING FAILURE BEFORE, AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING MECHANISM. CURRENTLY, HE COULD NOT STEER UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. *AK

DT: CALLER BURNED VERY BADLY HER LEG BECAUSE THE TAIL PIPE STUCK OUT TOO FAR. TAIL PIPE DID NOT HAVE A GUARD OVER IT. THEY WERE LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE IN THE BACK INSTEAD ON THE SIDE OF THE BACK. DEALER SAID TO CALL MANUFACTURER, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT VERY NICE . MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. CALLER SHOWED A REPRESENTATIVE THE PROBLEM AND HE WANTED HER TO TELL THEM HOW TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD CALLER TO LEAVE GROCERIES IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT COOLED OFF.*AK

2002 MINI COOPER S HAS HAD A SECOND AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE. WHEN ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DETECT A FAILURE, THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED UNTIL TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE FIXED. LOOKING UNDER THE SEATS TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE COULD BE, DISCOVERED THE "FIX" PERFORMED BY THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE INTIAL FIX WAS TO COMPRESS THE PLUG TOGETHER WITH "WIRETIES" - NOT TO REPLACE THE PLUGS WITH A BETTER DESIGN. BOTH THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE REPAIR OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND THE SYSTEM ITSELF ARE FAULTY.

DT: THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IF USING THE REMOTE TO LOCK THE DOORS AND IF ANYONE WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE HANDLES NOR THE DOOR LOCK WILL UNLOCK THE DOOR. CONSUMER HAS TO USE THE REMOTE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS SOME TYPE OF COMPUTER DEFECT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND DEMONSTRATED TO THEM THE PROBLEM, AND THEY AGREED WITH THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY DEFECT. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THIS WAS JUST THE WAY THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. *AK *TT *SC *JB

8" CRACK IN FRONT WINDSHIELD. CRACK IS LOCATED ON LOWER RIGHT HAND (PASSENGER) SIDE OF VEHICLE THAT STARTS BELOW THE WINDSHIELD SEAL. THE GOES UP 3" THEN CURVES LEFT AND TRAVELS FOR 5". CRACK APPEARED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A SECURE GARAGE FOR 3 DAYS, AND HAS GROWN ABOUT 1" A WEEK.

THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON 8 TIMES IN 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. (THE INCIDENT DATE I REPORT BELOW IS SIMPLY THE MOST RECENT OCCURENCE) EACH TIME REQUIRES A TRIP TO THE DEALER TO RESET THE SYSTEM. WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAG SYSTEM IS DE-CTIVATED, AND THEREFORE THE SYSTEM RESET IS AN URGENT SAFETY ISSUE. OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS SENSORS, WIRING HARNESS PIECES, AND SEVERAL OF THE AIRBAG UNITS (ESP. THE SEAT AIRBAGS). THIS IS REPORTED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON MINI COOPER FAILURES AND HAS PLAGUED THESE CARS FOR ALL MODEL YEARS IN PRODUCTION. THIS IS AN URGENT SAFETY DEFECT AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE NHSTA TAKE ACTION! (SORRY I DON'T KNOW MY VIN BY MEMORY AND CAN'T ACCESS MY REGISTRATION AT THE MOMENT...IF YOU REALLY NEED THIS, SIMPLY EMAIL ME AND I'LL GLADLY PROVIDE). *AK

2002 MINI COOPER [XXX]. CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FOUR TIMES TO ADDRESS THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING LIT, IN 44,000 MILES. VARIOUS HARNESSES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR ONCE. NOW, AT 44,500 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN FOR A FIFTH TIME. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION WITH THE LIGHT LIT. I SUGGEST THAT MINIUSA BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN WHICH THEY DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE FULLY ISOLATED.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

WENT OUT TO DINNER WITH MY PARENTS - GONE APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS - CAME BACK TO FIND THE CAR COMPLETELY BURNED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BY A NEIGHBOR. THERE WAS NO INDICATION AT ALL THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WHEN WE PARKED THE CAR. HAVE FOUND OTHER CASES (VIA THE INTERNET) IN THE UK THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. *JB

AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT. 2ND TIME IN 2 YEARS. WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR SEPARATED WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOVES ALL THE WAY BACKWARD. DEALER INSTALLED LONGER HARNESS.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN 50-55 MPH, PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL GEAR TO COAST BEFORE SLOWING DOWN, WENT TO GEAR DOWN , AND VEHICLE WILL BRAKE BUT NOT CHANGE GEARS. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL 02V201000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE. BUT, THE CONSUMER WASN'T INFORMED NOR NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL UNTIL RECENTLY.*AK

MINI COOPER 2002 SUFFERED A STRESS CRACK OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO ROCKS OR CHIPS CAUSED THE CRACK. IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE'S 36,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY.*AK

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE OFEXCESS WEAR ON THE WIRING UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE THREE TIMES. A SIMPLE SOLUTION NEEDS TO BE DEVELOPED. AUTO IS 2002 MINI COOPER MFD IN JUNE OF 2002. *AK

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK CAR IN AND TOOK THE CAR TO MINI DEALER. THE SIDE AIRBAG HARNESS IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACE.*AK

I HAVE A JULY 2002 BUILD, MINI COOPER S .TO DATE I HAVE HAD 6 WINDSHIELDS INSTALLED.MOST HAVE SUFFERED STRESS RELATED FAILURE,BUT 2 STARTED AS MINIMAL ROCK STRIKES ,WHICH LATER RESULTED IN LONG (10- 14 INCH) CRACKS.GLASS IS SUB-STANDARD,TOO THIN ,AND TOO SOFT.I DEFINATELY FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AS LONG AS THIS GLASS ISN'T REDESIGNED.*AK

WINDSHIELD ON MY 2002 MINI COOPER S HAS CRACKS IN 2 PLACES WHICH STARTED FROM THE EDGES OF THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH CRACKS APPEARED WHEN THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER SAYS THEY ARE "ROCK CHIPS" THOUGH THERE'S NO VISIBLE IMPACT. *AK

1. INTERIOR DOOR LATCH MECHANISM INOPERABLE IN FREEZING CONDITIONS - WILL NOT RELEASE (UNABLE TO EXIT CAR) - WAS ABLE TO ENTER CAR - CLOSED DOOR - COULD NOT EXIT. BAD SITUATION AS POWER WINDOWS WERE ALSO FROZEN SHUT. 2. WINDSHIELD CRACKS (2ND WINDSHIELD - SEE OTHER THREADS ON THIS KNOWN FAILURE) - OCCURRED WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVE ON PUBLIC STREET - STARTED AT BASE OF WINDSHIELD DRIVERS SIDE-UP 6"-THEN SHARPLY RIGHT-ACROSS WINDSHIELD TO PASSENGER A PILLAR. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED FUEL TANK EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, ENGINE FAILED. *AK

THE CONSUMER ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED THE VEHICLE WITH THE REMOTE KEY WHILE OCCUPANTS WERE STILL IN THE VEHICLE. THE OCCUPANTS COULD NOT MANUALLY UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

MY WINDSHIELD SUSTAINED AN 8 INCH LONG CRACK ON THE LOWER CORNER DRIVER SIDE JUST ABOVE THE VIN NUMBER. THIS HAPPENED ONE COLD MORNING WHILE WARMING UP THE ENGINE AT THE DRIVEWAY. BMW DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE BECAUSE OF A STONE PIT A SIZE OF A PEN DOT ALONG THE CRACKED AREA. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE SAME GENERAL LOCATION (ABOVE THE BIN NUMBER) AS A RESULT OF STRESS FROM THE FRAME. ATTACHED IS A SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION REGARDING CRACKED WINDSHIELDS ON MINI. HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/MODULES.PHP?. *CB

MY 2002 MINI COPPER HAS HAD THE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS NOW. REPAIRED WITH NEW WIRING HARNESS IN 11/03; NOW IN 1/04 BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. DEALER VIA PHONE CANNOT TELL ME IF THE BAGS WORK PROPERLY UNTIL DIAGNOSED. I HAVE CHECKED WEB FORUMS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I WOULD THINK NHTSA OR SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS TO DETERMINE IF THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE AFTER TURNING THE HEATER ON WHILE VEHICLE WAS WARMING UP PARKED ON THE DRIVEWAY. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. *LA

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, WHICH INDICATED THAT AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED WITHIN 2000 MILES.*AK

-STALLING WHEN CHANGING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. HAS ALSO STALLED ONCE ON THE INTERSTATE. -RPM'S KEEP REVVING BETWEEN 3000 & 5000 WHEN I HIT 55-60 MPH. ONCE I PASS 60 MPH THE RPM'S DECREASE TO A REASONABLE LEVEL. THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY WITHOUT FAIL. *LA