2003 MINI Cooper Complaint Log

SPONTANEOUS CRACK FORMING IN MINI COOPER WINDSHIELD. OVERNIGHT, A CRACK APPEARED IN MY WINDSHILED STARING AT THE BOTTEM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, MOVING DIRECTLY UPWARD ABOUT 5 INCHES THEN ANGLING 90 DEGREES TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE OFR SEVERAL INCHES. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN 6 MONTHS THAT THE SAME FRACTURE HAS APPEARER OVERNIGHT. FIRST WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED.*AK

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

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 MINI COOPER, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK BEGAN UNDER THE TRIM, MOVED UP, TURNED A FEW INCHES UP, AND THEN SPREAD TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. TWO WEEKS LATER, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR IT'S FIRST SCHEDULED OIL SERVICE, WHERE I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR, PETER WARK OF MINI OF THE MAIN LINE IN BALA CYNWYD, PA, ABOUT THE WINDSHIELD. HE PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE POINT OF A SMALL SCREWDRIVER AND RUN IT ALONG THE CRACK. ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH ABOVE THE TRIM, AND IN A PLACE WHERE IT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A ROCK TO HIT, THE SCREWDRIVER CAUGHT A SMALL NICK IN THE GLASS, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A GRAIN OF SAND. HE INFORMED ME THAT THAT NICK WAS CAUSED BY A ROCK, WHICH CAUSED THE CRACK, WHICH WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. HE THEN TOLD ME ABOUT HOW THE PROCESS THEY USE OF GLUEING THE GLASS ON CAUSES THE ENTIRE BOTTOM FEW INCHES OF GLASS TO BECOME VERY WEAK, AND THAT ANYTHING HITTING THE GLASS IN THAT AREA, EVEN A TINY ROCK, WOULD CRACK THE GLASS. I FOUND THIS TO BE UNACCEPTABLE, SO I CALLED THE MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AT 1-866-ASK-MINI. I SPOKE TO A "MARTY" WHO MERELY REPEATED OVER AND OVER THAT HE WAS "SORRY THEY MADE THAT DETERMINATION, BUT A ROCK CHIP IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY." AFTER RECEIVING NO HELP FROM THE COMPANY, I HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE GLASS. I FEEL THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BECAUSE THE WAY THEY MANUFACTURE AND ATTACH THE GLASS CAUSES WEAKNESS, AND THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, WHICH IS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR SUPPLYING A CUSTOMER WITH A WARRANTY. I HAVE VIDEO AND PHOTOS OF THE CRACK AND NICK, AS WELL AS RECEIPTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE CRACK WAS FIRST NOTICED AND SPREAD AUGUST 12, 2004 AND MY SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS AUGUST 24, 2004.*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

AFTER THE 10,000 MILE OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, IT IDLED ROUGH AND SOMETIMES STALLED WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, DRAINED THE FUEL AND PUT IN OTHER GRADE OF FUEL. *JB AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE FUEL PUMP AND INJECTORS WERE REPLACED BUT REMAINED TO LOSE FUEL PRESSURE OVERNIGHT. *SC

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON MY MINI COOPER FROM DEBRIS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPERS. DOZENS AND DOZENS OF MINI OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ON THE MESSAGE BOARDS ON WWW.ROADFLY.ORG. THE WINDSHIELDS ON THESE CARS ARE PRONE TO CRACKING. I'VE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 1.5 YEARS AND ONLY HAVE 5000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD SOMETHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD. IF SO MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, IT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO WARRANT SOME SORT OF INVESTIGATION INTO THESE WINDSHIELDS AND WHY THEY ARE SO PRONE TO CRACKING. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE BRACKETS THAT SUPPORT THE MUFFLER HAVE ROTTED. UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, THE BRACKETS THAT SUPPORT THE HORN HAVE ALSO ROTTED. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,600.

THE SLIGHTEST PEBBLE CAUSES STARS, CHIPS, AND CRACKS IN MY MINI COOPER WINDSHIELD. I'M ON MY THIRD ONE AND IT ALREADY HAS 2 STARS AND A CHIP. I'M TIRED OF REPLACING IT, BUT IT'S A STRUCTURAL SAFETY ITEM.

COMPUTER(S) FAILURE RESULTING IN A LOST OF ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD OR REARWARD. THE ENGINE COMPUTER(S) HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION.

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

MINI COOPER WINDSHIELD IS THIN AND WEEK. THERE IS NO AFTERMARKET GLASS FOR IT EITHER SO REPALCEING GETS PRICY.*AK

THE MINIS WINDSHIEL BEING SOFT AND WEAK WHICH LEAVES IS MORE PRONE TO PITTING, CHIPPING AND TO CRACKING. *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

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

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

2004 MINI COOPER S WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM 1/32 INCH "PIT"...ONLY 3,100 MILES ON CAR.*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 , FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *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.

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

THIS CAR IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. SO FAR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED, THE RADIO WAS REPLACED, THE PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM DISPLAY IS ABOUT TO BE REPLACED, AND TWO RED MARKS ON THE TAKOMETER NO LONGER LIGHT UP.*AK

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.

WINDSHIELD: CRACKING BECAUSE OF FRAME STRESS, MAYBE INDUCED BY PIN SIX ROCK STRIKE. *CB

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 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"

WHILE DRIVING ON A LOW SPEED, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC IN THE FREEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND I WAS STOPPED IN THE FIRST LANE OF THE FREEWAY. I TRIED TO RE-START THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SUCESS, AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES THE ENGINE STARTED. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE SUV DRIVING BEHIND WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING MY BUMPER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND HAD THE CAR TOWED BUT THE ENGINE STARTED AS SOON AS I GOT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD ONLY CHECK WHEN THE THE CARS IS STALLED. I HAVE 2 LITTLE KIDS AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE WITH THE CAR.*AK

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

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

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK

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

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

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

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

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

MINI COOPER 2003 CVT STALLS IN SLOW TRAFFIC OR STARTING FROM STOP LIGHT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. IN ADDITION, IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN A MONTH CONSIDERING THAT THE VEHICLE IS ONLY A MONTH OLD. ALSO, THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS VERY JERKY AND COULD SURGE ON AN OCCASIONAL BASIS. INFORMED THAT IT'S A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND NO REPAIR IS NEEDED AT THIS POINT. I THINK IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *LA

THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2003 MINI SUFFERED A 5 INCH CRACK AFTER BEING HIT BY A SMALL PEBBLE. THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WASN'T REPAIRABLE DUE 1-1/2 INCHES OF IT BEING SUBSURFACE. ON MY OTHER CARS, A 1993 LEXUS LS400 AND A 1993 ISUZU RODEO 4WD, NEITHER CAR HAS EVER SUFFERED A CRACKED WINDSHIELD DUE TO A PEBBLE HIT. WHAT'S WORSE IS THE 2003 MINI WINDSHIELD CRACKED JUST 11 DAYS AFTER OWNING THE CAR. THE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED BY MY AAA INSURANCE. *JB

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

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.

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

"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. I WOULD ONLY LIKE TO ADD THAT A CAR HAD TO MOVE INTO THE MEDIAN BECAUSE MY MINI LOST POWER WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY. *JB

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

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

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

WINDSHIELDS ON MINI COOPERS CRACKING,CHIPPING EASY AND FREQUENTLY. I HAVE HAD FOUR WINDSHIELDS REPLACES IN THE LAST 8 MONTHS. 2 COVERED UNDER WARRANTEE FOR STRESS RELATED CRACKS AND TWO DUE TO SMALL ROCK STRIKES. I HAVE NEVE BEEN THRU WINDSHIELDS LIKE THIS BEFORE AND FEEL THAT THE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN OF THE MINI WINDSHIELD MAKES IT SUBSTANDARD IN PROTECTION.*AK

MY MINI COOPER JULY 2003 BUILD HAS WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS EITHER A "STUMBLE" OR A "HICCUP". BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE ENGINE MOMENTARILY CUTS OUT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, CAUSING A PAUSE AND THAN RESUMIING WITH A JOLT. THIS PROBLEM IS BEING COMPLAINED ABOUT BY NUMEROUS MINI OWNERS FOR OVER 1 YEAR (SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SUBJECT AT HTTP://WWW.MINICOOPERONLINE.COM/MOD...OPIC&TOPIC=9951 AND ALSO AT MINI2.COM YET THE MINI DEALERS CLAIM IGNORANCE ABOUT THE PROBLEM, OR SAY THEY HAVE HEARD OF A FEW COMPLAINTS ON THE S BUT NOT ON THE COOPER. SOME MINI USA REPS (1-866-ASK-MINI) ADMIT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON BOTH THE COOPER AND THE COOPER S. OTHES CLAIM IGNORANCE. THEY GIVE PEOPLE DIFFERENT RESPONSES, BUT GENERALLY WHEN THEY DO ADMIT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THEY ALSO SAY THAT "ENGINEERING IS COLLECTING COMPLAINTS" OR "THEY ARE WORKING ON A FIX" BUT THEY OFFER NO PROJECTED FIX DATE AT ALL. THEY DO TAKE SOME PEOPLE'S VIN NUMBER WHEN FILING THE COMPLAINT, BUT SAY THEY HAVE NO SYSTEM OF LETTING YOU KNOW IF OR WHEN A FIX IS TO BE EXPECTED. WE MINI OWNERS ARE FRUSTRATED OVER THIS ONGOING, ANNOYING, AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL DEFECT. MINI SHOULD BE PUT TO THE TASK OF REPAIRING THIS ISSUE OR TO STOP SELLING THE CAR PERIOD. THEY ARE FULLY AWARE THAT THEY ARE SELLING CARS WHICH HAS THIS DEFECT WTIH NO FIX. THEY ARE STEALING (MISREPRESENTATION) AND ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC.

THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2003 MINI COPPER S CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE CENTER WHEN I SPRAYED IT WITH A HOSE WHILE WASHING IT. THIS WAS NOT A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE, JUST A REGULAR GARDEN HOSE. I BELIEVE IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO A TEMPERATURE CHANGE. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT A PARTICULARLY HOT DAY, BEING BARELY ABOVE 70 DEGREES. I HAVE WASHED THIS CAR AND ALL OF MY PREVIOUS CARS IN WEATHER HOTTER THAN THAT! ADDITIONALLY, A SEARCH OF THE WEB SHOWS THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH "STRESS" CRACKS WITH MINI WINDSHIELDS. ANYWAY, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY DISTURBING AND (IN MY EXPERIENCE) VERY UNUSUAL.*AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT 3 MONTHS USAGE AND 4,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I KNOW THIS TO BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE COOPER AND COOPER S AS I HAVE MONITORED THE MINI COOPER MESSAGE BOARD FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW AND HAVE SEEN MANY FAILURES POSTED(MANY OF THEM MULTIPLE FAILURES). DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET THE COMPANY TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS IT MONITORS THE MESSAGE BOARD CONTINUOUSLY BUT HAS YET TO OFFER OWNERS ANY OPTIONS FOR THE POOR QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE GLASS.*AK