Page 2 of 2 · complaints 51–92 of 92

2010 Mini Cooper complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2010 record →

Engine
Filed Jul 22, 201875,806 milesCA

'DEATH RATTLE,' A RATTLING SOUND THAT COMES FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. 002D50 DME:SUPER KNOCKING 002D9C DME: KNOWCKSENSOR, SIGNAL CAR RUNS ROUGH FOUND SUPER KNOCKING PLAUSIBLITY FAULTS AND RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE. TIMING CHANIN IS FAULTY REPLACED TIMING CHAIN CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TIMING CHAIN KIT CHAIN GUIDE BOLT SEAL CHAIN GUIDE BOLT SEAL TIMING RAIL BOLT CAMSHAFT BOLT CAMSHAFT BOLT SPARK PLUG ILZKBR7B-8D TIMING RAIL BOLT VALVE COVER GASKET SET BROKEN TIMING CHAIN GUIDE ==COMPLAINT== BROKEN TIMING CHAIN GUIDE IN OIL PAN ==CAUSE== CORRECTION: REMOVED OIL PAN, CLEANED CLOGGED OIL PUMP AND RESEALED OIL PAN CHEMICAL GASKET BMW OIL SERVICE COST OF ALL REPAIR IS LABOR$1450.00 PARTS$534.89 TAX$52.15 TOTAL$1922.04 PAID$1922.04

Engine
Filed Jul 11, 201897,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AFTER SAFELY PULLING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BLUE RIDGE MOTOR WORK (2424 FORT HENRY DR., KINGSPORT, TN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST DUE TO NO RECALLS BEING ATTRIBUTED TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 18, 2018800,000 milesCA

THE TIMING CHAIN IS FAILING AT 80,000. DEALER AND MINIUSA HAVE AGREED SHOULD LAST 4 LIFE OF THE ENGINE AT LEAST 120,000. . CAUSED OIL TO BURN OFF , WHICH CAUSED WEARING AND DAMAGE TO EXHAUST CAMSHAFT,SEAL , AND VANOS. TIME CHAIN FAILURE HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ON OTHER MODELS AND CLASS ACTION SUIT HAS DETERMINED MINI IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILURE AND KNEW ABOUT FAILURE IN THE 2010 AS WELL AS FAR BACK AS 2008. MINI HAS REDUCED REPAIR COSTS FROM 4200$ TO 1400$ BUT ARE REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY THIS FAR FOR FULL REIMBURSEMENT. TIME CHAIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WHEN TIME CHAIN BEGAN TO RATTLE

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 6, 201763,000 milesTX

MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ON A CITY STREET WHEN I WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND WOULD NOT RUN. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT ALL. IT WAS VERY SCARY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHO ADVISED THAT THE TENSIONER THAT SECURE THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND RUINED THE ENGINE. IN MAY, I HAD A WATER PUMP FAILURE THAT I HAD REPAIRED AND I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN LAWSUITS ON BOTH, MINI TELLS ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THAT LAWSUIT THAT ONLY CONVERTIBLES WERE COVERED FOR THAT YEAR. THEY GAVE ME A NUMBER TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE PUMP. I STILL OWE $6K AND THE CAR IS TOAST. ;-(

Engine
Filed Jan 13, 201775,000 milesFL

CAR SHUT DOWN ENROUTE TO HOSPITAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING (AS CHARACTERIZED BY MANY OWNERS). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPUTABLE REPAIR FACILITY. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD DISINTEGRATED AND CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO "SLIP". THEY RAN A COMPRESSION TEST ON THE 4 CYLINDERS. TWO OF THE CYLINDERS HAVE 0 COMPRESSION AND THE OTHER TWO HAVE SERIOUSLY LOW READINGS. THEY TOLD ME THAT ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE IS INDETERMINATE. THE EXACT SEQUENCE OF EVENTS BEGINNING WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN GREAT NUMBERS. THIS RESULTED IN RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM UP TO THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. WHY WASN'T THIS EXTENDED TO THE 2010 MODEL YEAR?

Engine
Filed Jan 13, 201767,000 milesTX

TIMING CHAIN ISSUES THAT WOULD MAKE CAR RANDOMLY RATTLE THEN JUST TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC OR AT A STOP LIGHT. CAR WOULD SKIP GEARS AS WELL. OUR 2009 HAS THE SAME ISSUES AND MINI HAS TOLD US IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN AS WELL. WE SPENT OVER $1800 FIXING THIS ISSUE THAT APPARENTLY HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH OTHER MINI CARS.

Engine
Filed Dec 8, 201670,000 milesTX

PURCHASE PREVIOUSLY OWNED (BY 1 OWNER, LOW MILEAGE) 2010, MINI COOPER FROM DEALERSHIP 2 YEARS AGO. CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 70K MILES. LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING, TIMING CHAIN FAILED SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING $3100+ IN ESTIMATED DAMAGES. FIRST ISSUE I HAVE IS HOW DOES A TIMING BELT LAST ONLY 70K MILES ON A SUPPOSED HIGH-END, HIGH-PERFORMANCE VEHICLE LIKE MINI/BMW? EVERY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED (FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC) RECOMMENDS CHANGING TIMING BELT AROUND 100K MILES, SO THE THOUGHT OF CHANGING A TIMING CHAIN WAS FOR AT LEAST 20K MORE MILES NEVER CROSSED MY MIND. SECOND ISSUE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO MINI COOPER OWNERS (SAME MAKE AND MODEL) ON OR ABOUT 2010 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. HOWEVER, MINI COOPER CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THE ONLY LOCAL MINI COOPER SERVICE CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS SETTLEMENT...EVEN THOUGH THE CAUSE AND AFFECT OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM MY MINI COOPER EXPERIENCED WITH ONLY 70K MILES. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 21, 201670,000 milesVA

"PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WITH THE SEAT BELT ON, AND VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS WAS EXPRESSED TO MINI, WHO HAS A RECALL FOR EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM ON EARLIER MODELS, AND MINI HAS EXPRESSED THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS OCCURRING IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN WATCHING IT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 20, 201636,000 milesLA

WHILE ON A RECENT ROAD TRIP, PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LAMPS BEGAN TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. AT FIRST, THE SYSTEM SEEMED TO RESET WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SWITCHED OFF, BUT OVER THE COURSE OF 2 DAYS, IT STOPPED RESETTING AND THE WARNING LIGHTS, AS WELL AS THE WARNING TONES, WOULD JUST GO ON AND OFF SPONTANEOUSLY WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED. NOW THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR LAMP ABOVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR, WARNING LAMP NEAR TACHOMETER (AREA 1 AS INDICATED BY MINI OWNER'S MANUAL), AND AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE LAMP (AREA 2) ARE CONTINUOUSLY LIT WHEN PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED. I HAVE NOT HAD THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY A MECHANIC YET; CURRENTLY, THE NEAREST MINI DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER IS 202 MILES FROM ME. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON ISSUE REPORTED HERE AND ON SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER ALSO FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED IN SPRING OF 2015.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 21, 201668,000 milesFL

FAULTY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR FOR AIRBAG. WEIGHT SENSOR FAILS TO DISTINGUISH WHEN SOMEONE IS OR IS NOT IN THE SEAT, CAUSING THE AIRBAG FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER CONSTANTLY READ "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF."

Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2016KY

TENSIONER BROKE CAUSING TIMING CHAIN SHEARED THE CAMSHAFT GEAR AND DESTROYED ENGINE...HAD CAR 7 MONTHS...BOUGHT USED AT TOYOTA OF NICHOLASVILLE IN NICHOLASVILLE KY

Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2016NY

THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE RAIL, CHAIN TENSIONERS,SLIKE RAIL FRICTION WHEEL ETC ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED AND IT ONLY HAS 13000 MILES I KNOW THAT BMW IS BEING SUED AND HABBERSTAD SAID THAT WE WOULD BE INFORMED OF THE SUIT IF OUR VEHICLE IS PART OF THE SUIT. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS MATTER.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 23, 201669,500 milesVA

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS SEATED THERE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR EARLIER MODEL COOPER AND COOPER S MODELS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS THAT ARE LISTED IN THAT RECALL, AND ACCORDING TO THIS SITE SO HAVE 2009 COOPER OWNERS. THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED ACCORDINGLY.

Engine
Filed Feb 20, 201660,000 milesCA

THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING. WE TOWED IT TO A MECHANIC AND THE ENGINE BROKE DOWN. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY MANY OTHERS AND A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS IN THE WORKS. I DON'T HAVE THE $5000 TO REPAIR IT. I'D LIKE FOR MINI/BMW TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS AND COVER THIS REPAIR SINCE IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 11, 201680,000 milesCA

PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WILL NOT RESET AND LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY. DON'T KNOW IF SYSTEM IS WORKING OR NOT.. NO FIX AVAILABLE AND NO PARTS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. DEALER SAYS, TRY IN A MONTH. FROM WHAT I READ EARLIER MODELS WERE RECALLED DO TO THIS DEFECT. WHY NOT ALL OF THEM. NO ONE CAN TELL ME THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE.

Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2015MA

THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT IN THIS VEHICLE FAILED. AFTER GETTING IT REPLACED AT THE DEALER I LEARNED LATER THERE IS A RECALL (THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED). I ALSO LEARNED THAT THE THERMOSTAT MAY HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY (THE DEALER SAID IT WASN'T BECAUSE THE LIGHT WASN'T ON).

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 13, 201553,000 milesTX

MISS FUNCTION WITH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, EVERY MORNING I HAVE PROBLEMS TO START UP MY MINI. LOSS OF POWER RESULT FROM THIS MISS FUNCTION WHICH REPRESENT A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON A HIGHWAY BY NOT HAVING THE POWER TO REACT TO ANY SITUATION. I TOOKED TO LOCAL DEALER AND THEY GAVE ME A LIST OF POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS, INCLUDING TO CHANGE THE HIGH PRESURE FUEL PUMP. NOW I HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR OTHER OWNERS IF THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND I DID FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGS TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I AM CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY SAFETY WHEN THEY DRIVE WITH ME. PLEAES CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE DETAILS ON THIS ISSUE. [XXX] I DO NOT UNDERS STAND WHY MINI/BMW CONTINUES NOT ACCEPTING THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, HOPE NO BODY GET HURT AS A RESULT. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

EngineFire2 injured
Filed Sep 11, 201561,000 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR FOR A 300 MILES TRIP, NEVER HAD AN ISSUE BEFORE. AFTER STOPPING IN SAN ANTONIO THE FANS KEPT RUNNING FOR AT LEAST 15MIN. STOPPED AT A CONVEINIENCE STORE AND TOPPED OFF COOLANT WHICH WASNT MISSING ANY AND CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND ADDED ONE QUART OF OIL. TAKING ON THE TRIP TO AUSTIN TX, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AT 70MPH WHEN MY LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON. TEN SECONDS LATER PULLED TO THE SIDE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE. LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FIRE STARTED BLAZING THROUGHOUT THE CAR BURNING ALL OUR BELONGINGS.

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 1, 201545,274 milesCA

ON THURSDAY,JULY 30, 2015 MY HUSBAND WAS HEADED TO WORK. HE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE HE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SEVERE WHIPLASH AND HAS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE PERSON WHO HIT MY HUSBAND ADMITTED FAULT IMMEDIATELY. TWO VEHICLE INSPECTIONS WERE DONE BY AN ADJUSTER. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING A MINI COOPER AND HE WAS REAR ENDED. THE ADJUSTER INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A STEEL PLATE. HENCE, THE IMPACT TO THE BACK OF HIS VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN MUCH GREATER. AFTER SPEAKING WITH AN ADVISOR AT THE CONCORD, CA MINI COOPER DEALER, I LEARNED THAT THE STEEL PLATE IN THE MINI COOPER IS STANDARD AND A REQUIRED SAFETY FEATURE. THE MINI COOPER WAS PURCHASED FROM CARMAX.COM ( CARMAX IN FAIRFIELD, CA ). MY CONCERN AND QUESTION IS WHETHER ON NOT CARMAX KNEW THIS AND DO THEY GENERALLY SELL USED VEHICLES THAT DO NOT MEET STANDARD SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED CARMAX ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 11, 2015143,000 milesMN

OUR 2010 MINI COOPER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THIS CAR (PREVIOUS WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE). IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN MINI'S. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS POSSIBLY DEADLY CONDITION IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AS RESCUE/MEDICAL PERSONNEL COULD NOT GET US OUT OF THE DOOR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HAVE BMW/MINI OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND HAVE A SECOND, MECHANICAL, WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR.

Engine
Filed Feb 20, 201541,000 milesOH

I PURCHASED MY 2010 MINI COOPER HARDTOP IN OCTOBER OF 2010 WITH 2,446 MILES ON IT. THIS CAR CAME FROM A MINI DEALERSHIP. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS WITHOUT ONE MECHANICAL ISSUE. TODAY I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 41,000 MILES ON THE CAR. ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2015, I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT AND A LOW OIL INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED. LIVING IN A COLD WEATHER CLIMATE, I THOUGHT THE ENGINE NEEDED TIME TO WARM UP. AFTER LETTING THE CAR WARM UP, I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT AND THE CAR FAILED AS I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN ONTO A MAIN ROAD. MY HUSBAND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MINI SPECIALIST WHERE WE WERE TOLD THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY LOW ON OIL DUE AN INTERNAL LEAK COMING FROM THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER SEAL. WE WERE TOLD THE LEAK HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE; HOWEVER, THE FIRST INDICATION OF LOW OIL WAS ONLY MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR FAILED. THE CAR HAD BEEN TO A LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP FOR REGULAR SERVICE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. IN ADDITION THE MECHANIC FOUND COOLANT IN THE CYLINDERS AND IS UNSURE OF HOW THIS OCCURRED. THE MECHANIC FEELS IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK OR CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. ADDITIONAL TESTING WOULD NEED TO BE DONE ON THESE PARTS TO CONFIRM. AT THIS TIME, MY HUSBAND AND I ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO REPLACED ON A CAR THAT ONLY HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE ESTIMATED COST WE RECEIVED WAS $10,315. THIS IS A TOUGH PILL TO SWALLOW CONSIDERING IT IS A "YOUNG CAR," IN OUR MINDS. WI

Engine
Filed Jan 29, 201550,270 milesNJ

WE PURCHASED A USED 2010 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE FROM SCHWARTZ MAZDA IN, SHREWSBURY, NJ ON DEC. 27, 2014. AFTER TWO SEPARATE MINI COOPER DEALER SERVICE DEPTS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIME CHAIN WAS BEYOND SPECIFICATION BY 6 MM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, WE GOT NO WHERE OR SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION WITH THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN. WE FEEL THAT OUR SAFETY IS AT RISK AND SHOULD BE FIXED, AS EXPRESSED IN THE LIMITED WARRANTY OF THE VEHICLE GIVEN BY SCHWARTZ MAZDA. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 26, 201551,000 milesCA

I HAVE A RELATIVELY NEW MINI COOPER (2010 HATCHBACK) WITH 51,000 MILES. RECENTLY, I STARTED HEARING A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON DOING A SEARCH ONLINE, I CAME ACROSS HUNDREDS OF OTHER OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE - KNOW AS THE DEATH RATTLE, THE TENSIONER AND TIMING CHAIN COMES APART (A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT) AND CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO EITHER STALL WHILE IN MOTION AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE - AS THE CHAIN IS METAL. THE ISSUE HAS RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT ATTENTION AND EXTREME FRUSTRATION - LEADING MINI TO TRY TO SILENTLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE ON A ONE-OFF BASIS RATHER THAN ISSUING A VOLUNTARY RECALL. FOR CUSTOMERS WHO COMPLAIN (EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY), MINI HAS BEEN PAYING FOR HAVING THE TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER FIXED. FOR THE HAPLESS CONSUMERS THAT DO NOT KNOW, EITHER THEY PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED OR FIND THEMSELVES IN AN ACCIDENT. MINI COOPER IS ALLOWING A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO CONTINUE UNADDRESSED AND FOR THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WHO HAVE A RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE COULD BE SUBJECT TO EXTREME RISK - IF THE TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER FAILS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS REDDITT POST - PLEASE SEE THIS REDDIT POST: HTTP://WWW.REDDIT.COM/R/MINI/COMMENTS/2RVH26/MINI_DEATH_RATTLE/ - WHICH EXPLAINS HOW MINI HAS BEEN PAYING FOR CERTAIN REPAIRS TO SILENT THE CUSTOMERS WHO COMPLAIN THE MOST. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE - IF MINI IS PAYING FOR REPAIRS OUTSIDE

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Aug 26, 201451,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR HATCH DOOR BECAME AJAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 4, 201445,000 milesPA

RADIO NOT WORKING, FIRST THE CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH PREVIOUSLY. THEN THE RADIO STARTED TO GO IN AND OUT OF SERVICE. SOMETIMES WORKING AND THEN NOT WORKING. IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN, THE REPLACEMENT COST IS 1000.00. WHEN THE INCIDENT FIRST STARTED WAS AT ABOUT 41,000 MILES AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN WAS 45,000 MILES. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 30, 201448,000 milesNJ

MINI COOPER 2010. STARTING/STALLING ISSUES. CAR DOESN'T START. IT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AS WELL. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED 1 AND BROUGHT TO PRESTIGE MINI IN NJ (CAR DEALER) FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES. AFTER REPLACING BATTERY AND AN ENGINE SENSOR, THE PROBLEM PERSIST. THE CAR WILL BE TOWED AGAIN TODAY (JAN 30, 2014) FOR FURTHER COSTLY REPAIRS. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR BUT EVEN WITH THAT, THE COST OF REPAIRS AND TOWING ARE NOT COVERED. THIS IS A VERY POOR, UNRELIABLE CAR (MINI COOPER 2010). RESPONSIVENESS FROM PRESTIGE MINI IS ALSO VERY POOR. SERVICE MANAGER DOESN'T RESPOND TO CALLS OR RETURN VOICE MAILS. VERY POOR SERVICE. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 8, 201350,600 milesMO

ENGINE SEEMED TO BE LACKING POWER INTERMITTENTLY DRIVING TO WORK. FELT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT NO INDICATOR LIGHTS DISPLAYED SO I CONTINUED DRIVING. NOTICED HEATER BEGAN BLOWING COLD AIR, YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING ENGINE WAS BEGINNING TO OVERHEAT. WITHIN 10 SECONDS, RED WARNING LIGHT REPLACED THE FIRST LIGHT (ENGINE OVERHEATING!). CONTINUED ON UNTIL I COULD SAFELY STOP. CALLED WRECKER TO TAKE TO REPAIR SHOP. FOUND COOLANT & OIL HAD EXPLODED FROM ENGINE WITH VISIBLE CRACK IN THE PLASTIC HOUSING. THANKFULLY, CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. MINI DEALERSHIP HONORED THE WARRANTY. STATED THE VACUUM PUMP HAD FAILED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE. ENGINE IS BEING REPLACED. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Nov 7, 201316,347 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,347.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe1 injured
Filed Aug 8, 201330,230 milesCA

I HAD JUST PARKED IN OUR GARAGE AND GOT OUT TO GET ITEMS OUT OF THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. MY LEG TOUCHED THE TAIL PIPE OF THE CAR AND THERE WAS IN INSTANT BURN TO THE CALF OF MY LEG. IT ONLY TOOK ONE SECOND. IT WAS THE SIZE OF A QUARTER AND SKIN WAS BURNED OFF INSTANTLY. IT IS QUITE PAINFUL. I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE INJURY AND I ALSO TOOK A PICTURE OF THE TAIL PIPE TO SHOW THAT IT STICKS OUT BEYOND THE BUMPER. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A POOR DESIGN IN REGARDS TO SAFETY. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 28, 201348,230 milesGA

I RECENTLY HAD MY FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS CHANGED ON MY MINI COOPER IN MARCH OF 2013. WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY CAR'S WARNING SENSORS FOR THE BRAKES HAS GONE OFF AGAIN. AFTER CYCLING THRU IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKES NOW NEEDED CHANGING. I RECENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY SERVICE SHOP WHO GENERALLY DOES MY REPAIR WORK AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT MY LEFT REAR BRAKES WERE FINE - NO MAJOR PAD WEAR OR ROTOR DAMAGE - HOWEVER THE RIGHT SIDE CALIPER WAS WORKING OVERTIME AND HAD WORN DOWN THE REAR INSIDE BRAKE PAD COMPLETEY WHICH IS WHY THE WARNING BRAKE SENSOR WAS ACTIVATED. MY VEHICLE HAS SOMEWHERE AROUND 48250 MILES & STILL UNDER THE 4YR/50000 MILE WARRANTY. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE CALIPERS AT THIS STAGE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO GLOBAL IMPORTS (SATURDAY 5/25/13) TO ASK THAT VEHICLE BE PUT ON LIFT TO INSPECT & WAS TOLD AFTER ONLY LOOKING UP MY VIN INFO IN THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT IT WAS LIKELY TIME TO REPLACE BRAKES AND HOW MUCH IT WOULD COSTS. I ASKED TO HAVE VEHICLE LOOKED AT TWICE - WHICH THE SERVICE REP WOULD NOT HAVE VEHICLE LOOKED AT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW/MINI. I DO NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE HARD AND MOST MILES ARE IN THE CITY GOING TO & FROM WORK AND HOME. SOME HIGHWAY MILES, WHEN TRAVELING. SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE FROM GLOBAL IMPORTS ATLANTA IN MAY 2010 - THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I'M WONDERING IF I WAS SOLD A LEMON. I'M BEING TOLD BY MY BRAKE SERVICE GUY THAT JUST TO

Engine2 injured
Filed Aug 1, 20125,600 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED BURNS TO THEIR LEGS FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE WHILE PLACING AN ITEM IN THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,732.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 30, 201216,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER S HATCH BACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WOULD OFTEN RESIST STARTING ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EVERY TIME THE STALLING FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE INSTRUMENT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILDUP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 03/14/12 *BF THE TIMING CHAIN WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/18/12

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jan 17, 201245,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MINI COOPER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BROWN SPOT ON THE HOOD AND FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE ALSO SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND DECLARED DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Dec 31, 2011LA

MY DAUGHTER GOT OUT THE PASSENGER DOOR AND WALKED AROUND TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO GET GROCERY BAGS FROM INSIDE OF THE TRUNK AREA OF THE HATCHBACK. AS SHE LEANED FORWARD TO GRAB BAGS FROM INSIDE OF THE HATCHBACK AREA WHICH WAS OPENED BY MYSELF SHE SUDDENLY WAS TAKEN BACK BY A STINGING FEELING ON HER LOWER LEG. AS SHE STARTED TO SCREAM I ASKED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. SHE TOLD BE THAT HER LEG FELT LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. AS I LOOKED DOWN I SAW A CRESCENT SHAPED DARK RED AREA ON HER LOWER LEG THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE TAIL PIPE THAT PROTRUDES SLIGHTLY FROM THE BUMPER. SHE DEVELOPED A BURN ON HER LOWER LEG THAT NOT ONLY HURT BUT SHE IS AFRAID SHE WILL LEAVE A SCAR. THIS SHOULD BE CORRECTED IN SOME MANNER TO PREVENT ANYONE FROM SUFFERING FROM BURNS EITHER USING A HEAT RESISTANT METAL OR A SHORTER TAILPIPE. ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OR WRITE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *KB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System1 injured
Filed Jul 1, 20119,000 milesFL

THE TAILPIPE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE EXTENDS BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER. MY LOWER LEG INADVERTENTLY MADE CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST AND, AS A RESULT, I SUFFERED A SERIOUS "C"-SHAPED BURN. THE INJURY HAS REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. *TR IT APPEARS THAT THE MANUFACTURER RECALLED A PRIOR YEAR'S MODEL FOR THE IDENTICAL AND/OR SIGNIFICANTLY SIMILAR ISSUE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLE IS A SISTER AND/OR CLONE OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS RECALLED.

Structure › Body › Hood
Filed Mar 7, 201112,500 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HOOD SCOOP WAS DESIGNED WITH DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND CAUSED IT TO MELT DUE TO THE HOT CLIMATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HOOD BONNET SCOOP WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AS THE PRIOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD WARRANTY THE DEFECTIVE HOOD BONNET SCOOP FOR A LIFE TIME YET, IF THE SCOOP SHOULD FAIL AGAIN, IT WOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE BONNET SCOOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,496.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 16, 201110 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, SHE COULD HEAR A LOUD AND ABNORMAL KNOCKING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE NOISE WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR THE VEHICLE YET THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FUEL FILTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 17, 20115,500 milesOH

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Oct 22, 2010FL

2010 MINICOOPER. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING A STRESS CRACK THAT DEVELOPED ON THE WINDSHIELD UNRELATED TO ANY IMPACT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRACK WAS A STRAIGHT LINE, NOT CONSISTENT WITH AN IMPACT WHICH LEAVES A SPIDER LIKE CRACK. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 22, 2010GA

COLD / WARM START KNOCKING NOISE NOTHING DONE BY GLOBAL IMPORTS. *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Oct 4, 20107,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL YET THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON SCENE TO ASSIST, HOWEVER A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOT BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BUT WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Sep 26, 2010475 milesDC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND UNATTENDED FOR OVER 7 HOURS. IT WAS REPORTED TO THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDER REPORT NUMBER 10-140-031. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED IT WAS MECHANICAL DEFECT. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2010 Mini Cooper → · Every Cooper year → · How the figures are calculated →