2003 MINI Cooper Complaint Log

THIS MINI COOPER A 2003 W/130K MILES DRIVEN BY A YOUNG FEMALE. SHE HAD NO IDEA HER WHEEL WAS GOING TO FALL OFF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT. SHE HAD CALLED FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND INTERMITTENT BATTERY FAILURE. IT WAS ASK THAT I DRIVE THE CAR AND LISTEN TO A POP COMING FROM THE WHEEL SECTION. THE POP WAS THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY MOVING FORWARDS AND BACK BUMPING THE WHEEL WELLS AS THE CAR WENT FORWARD. NEEDLESS TO SAY I DIDN'T DRIVE FAR NOR DID I ACCELERATE FASTER THAN 10 MPH. I TOLD THE PARENT OF THE DRIVER THAT THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE UNDER ANY CONDITION AND THAT IT NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING RUBBER WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT. THIS PART IS A MOUNT AND IT'S HOLDING MANY COMPONENTS OF THIS CAR TOGETHER. IT IS NOTHING LIKE I HAVE SEEN BEFORE USED AS A MOUNT. I HAVE SEEN THE RUBBER WORN FROM THIS TYPE PART BUT THEY WERE NOT BEING USED AS A MOUNT. WHEN THE RUBBER ON THIS PART DETERIORATES IT CAUSES THE MOUNT TO BE UNSTABLE RESULTING IN THE WHOLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY MOVING LIKE A SWING FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS WHILE DRIVING. IN A TRAFFIC SITUATION THIS COULD BE DEVASTATING TO MORE THAN JUST THE DRIVER OF THIS CAR BUT ALSO TO THE CARS DRIVING NEAR IF THE WHEEL WERE TO COME OFF IN THEIR TRAFFIC. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE MINI COOPER WOULD IMMEDIATELY FAIL IN TRAFFIC WITH THE BRAKE CYLINDERS HITTING THE ROAD CAUSING FLYING SPARKS, IF REAR ENDED IT WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY FLIP. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SCENARIO. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED SECOND HAND AS ARE A LOT OF CARS. THIS IS NOT A PART ON ANYONE'S CHECK LIST AND NOT ONE YOU CONSIDER TO BE ONE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BUT I AM NOT THE OWNER OF THIS CAR. I AM MERELY CONCERNED AT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE DETERIORATION OF THE RUBBER AND WHAT THOSE IMPLICATIONS MEAN TO THE OTHER PURPOSE THIS PART IS SUPPOSE TO PERFORM AND CAN'T WHEN THE RUBBER IS GONE. *TR

NIGHT DRIVING IN COLORADO MTNS. LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER AND POWER STEERING FAILED. FOUND SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND TURNED OFF LIGHTS AND ENGINE. RESTARTED AND TURNED LIGHTS BACK ON TO RESUME DRIVING WITHIN A FEW MINUETS LIGHTS FLICKERED AND POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. HAD TO CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MILES UNTIL IT WAS SAFE TO PULL OVER AGAIN. ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF HEAD LIGHTS AND USE FOG LIGHTS ON COUNTY DIRT ROAD, STILL LIGHTS FLICKERED/DIMMED AND POWER STEERING FAILED. CURRENTLY VEHICLE IS PARKED AND WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO RESEARCH RECALL MATTERS WITH THIS MALFUNCTION. SUPERIOR DRIVING SKILL IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITH NONFUNCTIONAL POWER STEERING. AVERAGE OPERATORS WILL HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING SAFE OPERATION OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THIS ISSUE WILL LEAD TO LOSS OF LIFE IF NOT ADDRESSED. NEAREST DEALER FOR MINI IS 130 MILES DISTANT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO NEARLY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR REMAINED ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO EJECT THE BATTERY OUT OF THE VEHICLE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF BECAUSE THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE STREET TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, BAM! MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I COULD NOT STEER. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. LUCKILY I SLOWED DOWN AND MADE THE CORNER SLOWLY. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, I TURNED THE CARE OFF, CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID, AND TURNED IT BACK ON. NOW THE POWER STEERING WORKS AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. NOT SURE WHY IT INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT BUT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. *TR

8/13/2014- I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IN A MALL PARKING LOT AND SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR AND AT THE SAME TIME STARTED COMING THROUGH THE VENTS INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I TRIED TO SHUT OFF THE CAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. A BYSTANDER CAME RUNNING AND OPENED THE HOOD, SMOKE POURED OUT, TOLD ME TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AS HE WAS OPENING HOOD AND THEN TOLD ME TO HANG UP AND CALL 911 THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA BUT THERE WAS TOO MUCH SMOKE. THE ENGINE FAN WAS STILL RUNNING. ANOTHER PASSERBY HAD AN COMMERCIAL EXTINGUISHER AND EMPTIED IT ON MY VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPT. WAS PULLING UP AS THEY WERE TRYING TO PUSH IT ASIDE, THE CAR RE-IGNITED AND IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPROX. 15 TO MAKE DOUSE THE FIRE WITHOUT IT RE-IGNITING. ALL OF THESE PEOPLE LOOKED MY VEHICLE OVER AND COULD FIND NO REASON FOR IT TO IGNITE. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO AND HAVE PUT ABOUT 3000 MILES ON IT WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC DOWN THE ROAD AND THEY ARE TO CONTACT ME TOMORROW TO SEE IF THEY CAN SEE WHY THIS OCCURRED. LUCKILY, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR AND BE IN AN AREA CLOSE TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND GOOD SAMARITANS...UPDATED 10/06/14 *BF *TR UPDATED 7/15/2015 *JS

ON 08/13/2014, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 MINI COOPER, CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I WENT TO START OUT THRU THE INTERSECTION AND LOST ALL POWER-I MANAGED TO GET IT THRU ABOUT THE TIME THE LIGHT HAD TURNED RED, AGAIN! I COASTED TO THE CURB, PUT IT IN PARK, SAT THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TRIED, AGAIN, TO TAKE OFF. IT SEEMED TO BE FINE, THIS TIME,( EXCEPT FOR SOME TAKE-OFF JERKING, AND RPM'S SPIKING).DROVE 42 MILES THEN CAME TO A ONE WAY STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF US HWY 40 & US HWY 56, WHEN TRAFFIC CLEARED I WENT TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION AND MY CAR JERKED AND DIED!!! I HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE INTERSECTION WHILE CROSS TRAFFIC HAD TO STOP & WAIT ON ME! NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, IN FACT, I QUESTIONED WHETHER OR NOT THEY EVEN WORKED. IT'S NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I PURCHASED IT, USED, ON 07/29/2014, GETTING DIAGNOSED. *TR

I WAS EXITING AN EXPRESSWAY AND WHILE ON THE RAMP COMING OFF, THE STEERING BECAME VERY UNRESPONSIVE AND HEAVY. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IT SOUNDS LIKE MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TO TURN, SLOWED DOWN TO SAY HI TO MY ROOMMATE WHO WAS LEAVING AND WENT OUT OF GEAR WHEN I WENT BACK IN MY STEERING WAS EXTREMELY STIFF AND I COULD BARELY MOVE THE WHEEL. *TR

DRIVING IN 2ND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AND THE CAR BRAKES EVERYTHING LOCKED UP SKIDDING TO AN IMMEDIATE, VIOLENT STOP THAT SQUEALED THE TIRES AND MADE SMOKE, OIL EVERYWHERE ON THE ROAD, ENGINE STILL RUNNING FINE. SCARY, COULD NOT EVEN PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK IN GEAR. WARRANTY COMPANY TOWED IT TO A MINI DEALER IN VALENCIA, CA. TWO WEEKS LATER, THEY GRANTED WARRANTY WORK HOWEVER, THE PRICE TAG IS $4000!! WARRANTY ONLY COVERS $2000 SO I HAVE TO GET ANOTHER USED TRANSMISSION! I SEE WHERE THERE IS A RECALL ON ALL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS 2003-2007 BECAUSE OF A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST MINI COOPER. ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THE SAME THING WRONG WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS ALSO HAPPENING WITH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS? I CAN'T AFFORD THIS EVEN WITH THE WARRANTY AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO RISK PUTTING ANOTHER FAULTY TRANSMISSION THAT LOCKS UP, WHAT IF I WAS DOING 65? I'D ROLL AND BE DEAD, THAT'S WHAT! THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND I FEEL THE NEW, APPROVED TRANSMISSION IS THE ONLY ANSWER. THIS ISN'T ABOUT MONEY, IT'S ABOUT THE FACT THE CAR LOCKED UP WITH NO SIGN OR WARNING WHATSOEVER. THOUGH, IF THERE IS A RECALL I WOULD LIKE REIMBURSED FOR THE COSTS OR HOWEVER THAT WORKS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WAS APPROACHING AIRPORT PARKING LOT (DRIVING WAY TOO FAST, BECAUSE I WAS LATE!) WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY "FAILED"! IT WAS REALLY FRIGHTENING TO HAVE NO CONTROL, AS THE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO CARS COMING FROM BEHIND. JUST BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE POWER STEERING MYSTERIOUSLY "RETURNED". IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILST DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE, IT WOULD SURELY END WITH FATALITIES. (THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ONLY ONCE, HOWEVER, I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR ONLY 8 1/2 MONTHS!). *TR

ON FEBRUARY 6, 2014 MY MINI COOPER S WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP MINI COOPER OF CONCORD FOR A RECALL IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. SHORTLY, AFTER IN MARCH MY CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE AND MY CAR BURSTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND TURNED DOWN THE FIRE, HOWEVER MY CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. I CALLED MINI COOPER OF CONCORD, HOWEVER NO ONE COULD PROVIDE HELP. I ALSO EMAILED THE HEAD OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. I INVESTIGATED ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE WATER PUMP LEAKING AND CATCHING FIRE IN THE ENGINE. I CALLED MINI USA AND FILED A CASE,AND THEY PROMISED TO RESPOND WITHIN 3 DAYS. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT ONLY UNTIL I CALLED VARIOUS TIMES AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO REACH A REPRESENTATIVE. JAMES INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO EVALUATE THE MINI COOPER WAS AS AT FAULT AND ONLY TRIED TO SELL ME A NEW CAR. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MINI COOPER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LACK OF SUPPORT. MY CAR IS NOW A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

THE CAR WOULD NOT EASILY SHIFT GEARS. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IS "SEALED", SO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CANNOT BE CHECKED OR CHANGED. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH. THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE A SEALED TRANSMISSION IF IT CAN DEVELOP A LEAK SO EASILY.

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR FAILED WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GO THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING TO STOP WORKING. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE OF THIS. I WAS NEARLY HIT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF MY LOCATION. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE MINI DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A KNOW PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT AND THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LAMP IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WANTS THOUSANDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH OTHER MODEL YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WE DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL OPERATE CORRECTLY IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COPPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED INTO A PARKING SPACE WHERE THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S PLACE OF RESIDENCE BUT HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

MINI COOPER WITH A CVT AUTO TRANSMISSION: I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD "REV." UP WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT OF THE ENGINE, THAN RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND MOVED AHEAD. LATER THE "SLIPPING" HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN; AT ALL SPEEDS AND WITH A COLD OR HOT ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 55+MPH, AND THIS REQUIRES COASTING OVER TO A BREAKDOWN LANE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE CONDITION STILL EXISTS AND I AM TRYING TO LOCATE AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND HOPEFULLY RECTIFY THE PROBLEM AT A REASONABLE COST. MINI COOPER DEALERS ARE ASKING BETWEEN $5000 TO $9000.00 TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT MINI KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS EARLY AS 2005. ASIDE FROM DOING WARRANTY REPAIRS NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE BY MINI TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND/OR OFFER TO REPAIR/REPLACE THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING ITS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUIDS ALL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE AND SOMETIME I SMELL BURNING. *TR

ACCELERATING AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LOST POWER STEERING, SMOKE CAME OUT OF HOOD, ENGINE TEMPERATURE REDLINED, AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

WE BOUGHT 2 2003 MINI COOPERS IN 2003. BOTH VEHICLES HAD ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES, ONE IN MARCH 09 AT 143060 AND THE OTHER MINI IN JULY 2010 AT 133380. WE RECEIVED THE EPS EXTENDED WARRANTY LETTER AND SENT IN OUR CLAIM, USPS DOCUMENTED DELIVERY TO MINI USA ON JUNE 29, 2013. I HAVE CALLED MINI "CUSTOMER SERVICE" ON AUGUST 8, AUGUST 29, AND TODAY SEPTEMBER 26. NO ONE THERE CAN TELL YOU ANYTHING AND THEY DO NOTHING EXCEPT APOLOGIZING FOR NOT KNOWING ANYTHING. THEY SAY RESPONSES ARE TAKING 12 WEEKS WHICH IS WHERE I AM ON THE CALENDAR. MY REPAIR COSTS WERE IN EXCESS OF $2000. TODAY I AM SENDING A HAND WRITTEN COMPLAINT LETTER WITH COPIES OF ALL RECEIPTS TO JIM MCDOWELL VP MINI USA. NHTSA NEEDS TO FOLLOWUP ON THIS. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS INTENDED TO HEAD OFF A RECALL BUT THEY ARE NOT HANDLING IT IN A PROPER MANNER. TURN UP THE HEAT! *JS

THE VEHICLE FOR MONTHS WOULD MAKE A SMALL JUMP FORWARD WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE. THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN IN DRIVE. THE CAR WOULD FEEL SPONGY IN DRIVE WHEN FIRST STARTING OFF IN THE MORNING AND AT FULL STOPS.

EHPS EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE 4/11, I PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH 88327 MILES. 7/2011 THE POWER STEERING PUMP BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING, WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. 5/24/13 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MINI USA OFFERING TO REIMBURSE THE COST OF STEERING PUMP REPAIRS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 4 ' 6 WEEKS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE ONLY OTHER ITEM IN THE ENVELOPE WAS A CHANGE OF ADDRESS CARD. I CALLED THE TOLL FREE NUMBER AND FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS. 5/25/13 I MAILED COPIES OF THE LETTER AND THE RECEIPT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 7/16/13, WAS PUT ON HOLD SEVERAL TIMES, THEN TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE MY RECEIPT. BUT THEY HAD THE EMAIL ADDRESS I HAD HAND WRITTEN ON THE RECEIPT (CORRECTED, AS THE EMAIL ON THE RECEIPT HAD CHANGED.) WHEN I POINTED THAT OUT, HE PUT ME ON HOLD AGAIN, THEN CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T HAVE MY VIN #. HOW, SINCE THEY LOCATED ME FROM THE VIN #? HE INSISTED I SEND IN THE INFORMATION AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH THE VIN# NOTED. I ASKED WHY I HADN'T RECEIVED ANY KIND OF LETTER SAYING MY DOCUMENTATION WAS NOT COMPLETE. HE TOLD ME THE LETTER WAS SENT THE DAY BEFORE MY CALL. 6 WEEKS AFTER THAT CALL, I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY LETTER FROM THEM. 7/16/13 I RE- SENT ALL THE DOCUMENTATION. ON 7/26/13 I AGAIN SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER RELATIONS. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD RECEIVED MY COMPLETE PAPERWORK AND ALL OF IT WAS IN THEIR SYSTEM AS OF 7/24/2013. ON 8/23/13 I AGAIN CALLED CUSTOMER RELATIONS. AFTER VERIFYING MY NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL, AND VIN # HE PUT ME ON HOLD. WHEN HE RETURNED, AT FIRST TRIED TO SAY MY INFORMATION WAS NOT ALL IN YET. I TOLD HIM I HAD SPOKEN WITH [XXX] WHO HAD CONFIRMED THE INFORMATION WAS ALL IN THEIR SYSTEM AS OF JULY 24TH. HE GAVE ME FURTHER RUN-AROUND, WOULD NOT GIVE ANY INDICATION OF WHEN I MIGHT EXPECT PAYMENT AND IN GENERAL STONE WALLED ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

LUCKILY, I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE (LOW SPEED, HIGH MANAGEABILITY) AND MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE TURNS. I STOPPED AT A MECHANIC SHOP - FLUIDS AND BELTS WERE FINE. IT'S THE FAN/PUMP THAT HAS SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN, HYDRAULIC FLUID PUMP CHF 1 CORE CHARGE) AND HOSE CLAMP WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER 5 DAYS EARLIER. MINI COOPER/BMW SENT ME A LETTER FOR VOLUNTARY REPLACEMENT BECAUSE MY MINI COPPER 2003 HAD TOO MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING OK EXCEPT FOR THE POWER STEERING AFTER THE REPLACEMENT I ONLY DROVE ABOUT 70 MILES BECAUSE I WAS OFF FROM MY SCHOOL. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON JULY 15, 2013 APPROXIMATELY AT 3:45 PM. I DROVE ABOUT 30 MILES BACK FROM WORK. PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF RITE AID IN RANCHO PALOS VERDES. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR IT WOULDN'T START. USED JUMP CABLES FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WITHOUT SUCCESS. WENT TO MY MECHANIC CLOSE BY. MY MECHANIC CAME TO LOOK AT THE CAR, HE WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. I DROVE BACK HOME ABOUT 6 MILES. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR THE CAR WAS VERY HOT AND MOST OF THE LIGHTS IN THE PANEL WERE LIGHTEN. I MUST MENTION THAT MY CAR HAS A NEW BATTERY AND NEW STARTER (BOTH WERE REPLACED 9 MONTHS AGO). IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART ON 7/17/2013. *TR

MINI COOPER BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED. PROBLEM IS THE DEFECTIVE CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE BELT BROKE IN TRANSMISSION. FOUND OUT ONLINE OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. REPAIRS TO COST BETWEEN 6000 AND 9000 DOLLARS. SEVERAL CLASS ACTION SUITS FILED ALREADY. WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE BMW RECALLS AND REPAIRS PROBLEM? DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE WHEN ONE OF THESE INFERIOR TRANSMISSIONS LETS GO? *TR

MINI COOPER BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED. PROBLEM IS THE DEFECTIVE CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE BELT BROKE IN TRANSMISSION. FOUND OUT ONLINE OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. REPAIRS TO COST BETWEEN 6000 AND 9000 DOLLARS. SEVERAL CLASS ACTION SUITS FILED ALREADY. WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE BMW RECALLS AND REPAIRS PROBLEM? DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE WHEN ONE OF THESE INFERIOR TRANSMISSIONS LETS GO? *TR

THE CAR STALLS(REDUCES SPEED 0-10MPH) IT MAY SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN AT TIMES THIS HAS BEEN THE SAME CONSISTENT PROBLEM SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE THE USED CAR DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE DOP AND FOR A MOMENT I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN SOLVED BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED BACK IN JULY-AUG 2013. THE MINI DEALER ALSO, THOUGHT THEY FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM BUT CONSISTENTLY JUST CHARGED ME MONIES FOR PROBLEM THAT NEVER TURNED OUT TO BE THE SOURCE SO I STOPPED GOING TO THEM. I TRIED TO FILE A LEMON LAW SUIT BUT WAS TOLD I COULDN'T PURSUE BECAUSE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. SO LAWYER REF ME TO CONTACT THIS OFFICE AND FILE A CLAIM BECAUSE I'VE SPENT NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED I STILL FEEL UNSAFE AND SCARED FOR MY LIFE WHEN I DRIVE BUT I'M LIMITED IN MONEY TO KEEP TRYING TO FIND THE SOURCE THAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM. ONE THING NOTED THAT THE CAR ENGINE HAS BEEN REBUILT. ALSO, I'M PAYING A CAR NOTE . PLEASE IF THERE IS ANYWAY YOU CAN'T HELP I FEEL I WAS PREYED UPON AND TAKE. ADVANTAGE OF BECAUSE THE DEALER KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND WITHHELD IT.

THE MANUAL TAILGATE RELEASE CABLE WAS NOT FITTED IN THIS AND OTHER EARLY PRODUCTION MINI COOPER S CARS, THOUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATES THAT THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS PART OF THE DESIGN. THE MANUAL TAILGATE RELEASE CABLE ALLOWS ACCESS TO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, WHICH IS IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A BATTERY FAILURE. WITHOUT THE MANUAL RELEASE CABLE, THE BATTERY IS INACCESSIBLE IN THE EVENT OF A FAILED BATTERY OR OTHER ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE BATTERY IN MY CAR FAILED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH NO CONVENIENT ACCESS TO REMOVE THE BATTERY. FURTHER, THE ABSENCE OF THIS MANUAL RELEASE CABLE MEANS THAT THE TAILGATE COULD NOT BE USED AS AN EGRESS FOR VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. ONCE IT CAME BACK ON IT DOESN'T SHUT OFF RUNNING THE BATTERY DEAD. *JB

POWER STEERING ISSUE WHICH MINI USA REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH NTSB TO AVOID A RECALL BY PROVIDING AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY." SPOKE WITH MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND INFORMED THEM MY STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING NOISE AND HAD GONE OUT INTERMITTENTLY TWICE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT DUE TO THE FACT THIS WAS NOT AN OFFICIAL "RECALL" BUT RATHER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE STEERING UNIT WOULD HAVE TO CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL BEFORE THEY WERE PERMITTED TO REPLACE IT. WHAT KIND OF A SAFETY BOARD IS THE NTSB THAT WOULD ALLOW SUCH AN AGREEMENT TO BE REACHED WHEREIN SOMEONE HAS TO BE PUT AT RISK TO DRIVE A VEHICLE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A STEERING UNIT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN ACCIDENT, BODILY INJURY OR EVEN DEATH, BEFORE THEY WOULD COMPEL THE AUTOMAKER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE TO MAKE IT SAFE? THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!! I AM SUPPOSED TO CONTINUE DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE STEERING, PUTTING MYSELF, FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD AT RISK AWAITING "CATASTROPHIC FAILURE" ....... NOT KNOWING WHEN, WHERE OR UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT IS GOING TO OCCUR? MINI USA & BMW YOU WILL NEVER GET ANOTHER PENNY FROM ME AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ACTIVELY BOYCOTT THEIR PRODUCTS & DEALERSHIPS! *TR

MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAD BEEN LOSING FLUID, RANDOMLY CONTINUING TO RUN AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND FINALLY GAVE OUT TWO OR THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL AND THAT STATED THE PUMP HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ITEM. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE WORK PERFORMED, I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE ADDING FLUID SINCE THIS WAS NOT A FORMAL RECALL ITEM. I ADVISED THEM THE PUMP HAD FAILED TWICE (AT THAT TIME) AND THEY STILL INSISTED I REFILL THE FLUID AND I WOULD BE FINE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A CHEAP WAY TO AVOID A RECALL AND THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY FIXING THE ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED AGAIN AND BMW/MINI NEEDS TO FIX THESE ISSUES BEFORE A CATASTROPHIC EVENT HAPPENS THAT COSTS MORE THAN A STRESSFUL SITUATION.

AUTO TRANSMISSION CVT FAILURE. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2003 MINI COOPER WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES AND THIS CAR IS JUST SITTING IN MY GARAGE. THE MINI DEALER WANTS $9,000 TO R&R THE TRANS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX. I FEEL BMW / MINI SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEM SELVES. LAST YEAR THE MINI DEALER CHARGE ME OVER $2,100 TO R&R THE STEERING PUMP WHEN THE CAR HAD UNDER 50,000 MILES ON IT. BMW / MINI SHOULD HAVE TO PAY UP OR REPLACE THESE CVT TRANS. T/Y *TR

5/18/13 - AFTER PARKING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONTINUED TO OPERATE WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE KEY WAS INSERTED BACK INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION. THE POWER STEERING PUMP STOPPED RUNNING. 5/28/13 - WHEN RETURNING TO WORK AFTER LUNCH THE CAR STARTED PERFECTLY AND NO PROBLEMS WERE APPARENT. I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND SAT WAITING ON THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED I STARTED ACCELERATING IN 1ST GEAR AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY HEAVY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUMP WAS NOT OVERHEATING. THE PUMP HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AT THIS POINT AND THE CAR IS ABLE TO DRIVE, ALBEIT DANGEROUSLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE EMERGED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. .... UPDATED 10-17-13 *BF

BACK IN MAY OF 2013 THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTING BEING VERY LOUD AND MAKING NOISES. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO QUITE HARD TO TURN SINCE THEN. THIS COULD END UP BADLY WHEN COMPLETELY FAILS WHEN I'M MID-TURN OR SOMETHING. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP. *TR

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES A SHORT DISTANCE AND PARKING THE CAR, A FIRE IGNITED IN THE ENGINE BAY. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF PRIOR TO THE FIRE TRUCK ARRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER WHO, UPON INSPECTION, INDICATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND/OR ASSOCIATED HARDWARE HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. *TR

CVT (AUTO TRANSMISSION) NEEDS REPLACING. MINI COOPER QUOTE IS $9,000 TO REPLACE. MINI DEALER KNOWS THAT THERE' S MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THESE CVT (AUTO TRANS.) *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER FROM A PRIVATE PARTY IN THE DALLAS,TEXAS A FEW YEARS AGO. I JUST RECEIVED THE DREADED NEWS TODAY THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND IT WILL COST ME $6000 TO REPAIR. ACCORDING TO MINI THIS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHANGED DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD SO THIS WOULD BE THE 2ND TRANSMISSION FOR THIS CAR. THE REPAIR IS EQUIVALANT TO THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE 2 OR SO YEARS AGO. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY THIS PRICE AND UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURENCE WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE SO IT WOULD SEEM THAT A RECALL WOULD NEED TO BE ISSUED. OTHERWISE I HAVE TO ATTEMPT TO SALE THIS CAR AND TAKE A LOSS. *TR

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN APPROACHING A BUSY INTERSECTION. I BARELY MADE IT THROUGH A FEW CURBS BEFORE ENTERING A PARKING LOT. I LET THE ENGINE COOL OFF FOR 30 MINUTES, THEN THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. I DECIDED TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, ABOUT 3 MILES HIGHWAY, AND ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE DEALERSHIP I LOST THE POWER STEERING AGAIN. FORCING THE CAR THROUGH THE LAST FEW TURNS, DRIVING SLOWLY, I MADE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REPLACEMENT PUMP & FAN SET ME BACK ABOUT $1,500. *TR

I WAS CHANGING LANES TO PREPARE TO EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK. AS I MADE THE LANE CHANGE NOTICED STEERING WAS TIGHTER. AFTER EXITING THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT RAMP. THE TURN MADE WAS VERY WIDE NEARLY MISSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SUSPECT POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP DOESN'T SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR DOES. THE PUMP RAN UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED. *TR

GOT IN CAR ONE MORNING AND NOTICED WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED IN CENTER FROM TOP OF WINDSHIELD AND FROM BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD, AND I'M HOPING THE CRACK DOESN'T MEET IN THE MIDDLE! *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM WORK ON FRIDAY NIGHT, 2/22, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME AND I HAD A HARD TIME TURNING IT. IT THEN STARTED WORKING FINE AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THEN IT LOCKED UP AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. SINCE IT WAS ON A HIGHWAY I WAS DOING OVER 60 M.P.H. IT WAS TERRIFYING NOT HAVING COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AT THAT SPEED. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAN THEN PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STEERABLE, THE LOSS WAS SURPRISE AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN TURNING OFF A ROAD. IT TOOK A VERY SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND I ALMOST HIT A CONCRETE ABUTMENT. I DOUBT THAT A YOUNG TEEN OR ANY PERSON WHO WAS NOT THAT STRONG, WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WHEN PRESENTED WITH THE REPAIR KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND OF MANY REPORTS OF A NEAR ACCIDENT LIKE MINE. *TR

THE STEERING ON MY '03 MINI COOPER STARTED MAKING WHINING/ GROANING NOISES THAT WERE NOT THE NORMAL STEERING NOISES. THE STEERING HAS LIMITED POWER BOOST, SOMETIMES NEAR NORMAL, OTHER TIMES ALMOST NO BOOST. THE STEERING DOESN'T RETURN TO STRAIGHT AS IT USED TO. AFTER MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE CAR KEEPS TRYING TO TURN THE LAST DIRECTION STEERED. WITH EFFORT, I CAN HOLD THE CAR STRAIGHT, BUT IT PULLS NOTICEABLY THE LAST DIRECTION TURNED. THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR GROANS, CHANGING SPEED UP AND DOWN, EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT MOVING. ALL FLUID LEVELS ARE NORMAL AND THERE ARE NO LEAKS OR DRIPS OF ANY FLUID. THE POWER STEERING FAN AND RADIATOR COOLING FAN ARE OPERATING CORRECTLY. THE STEERING EFFORT IS NOT CONSISTENT. SOMETIMES AT EXPRESSWAY SPEEDS, AS WELL AS SLOWER SURFACE STREET SPEEDS, THE STEERING STIFFENS UP WHERE IT REQUIRES MUCH EFFORT TO CONTROL, THEN MINUTES LATER, WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL BOOST LEVELS. THIS OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN NEGOTIATING LANE CHANGES OR EXPRESSWAY RAMPS WITH WHAT SHOULD BE A STEADY RATE TURN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATES THE ELECTRO- HYDRAULIC STEERING PUMP IS CAUSING THESE ISSUES AND THAT BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IS WHEN I NOTICED THE RPM WAS HIGH AND THE SPEED REDUCING. (ALONG WITH SOME CRACKLING, ROUGH NOISES FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR) I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL (LOWERED THE RPMS), TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T REGAIN SPEED THE CAR EVENTUALLY REDUCED DRIVING SPEED TO 30MPH WITH RPM AT 5. I MOVED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY AND WAITED FOR HELP. WITH A CHILD IN CAR. TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD NOT FAIL ON A VEHICLE AT 50,000MILES. VERY SCARY SITUATION. I HOPE THIS ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE IS ADDRESSED. THAT ISSUE COULD SERIOUSLY HARM ALOT OF PEOPLE I HAVE READ TOO MANY SIMILAR STORIES ONLINE. *TR

PARKED VEHICLE IN HOME GARAGE AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN EVEN WHEN KEY IS REMOVED. I WAS FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE AS MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED IT AND REPORTED. REFER TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA11005. THE PUMP WILL CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL BATTERY DEPLETES OR FIRE OCCURS. THERE IS NO COOLING PROVIDED BY DEDICATED COOLING FAN WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO STOP PUMP FROM OVERHEATING. *TR