2003 MINI Cooper Complaint Log

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH 67K MILES ( OUT OF WARRANTY). TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL TO MY HOME, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I COULD BARELY MAKE IT UP THE HILL AND HAD TO CHANGE TO THE SLOW LANE AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. AFTER DOING MUCH SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT MANY WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVE CHAIN COMPONENT THAT SHOULDN'T GO OUT AT 67K. THE CVT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE FLAWED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS THEY DO NOT PUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS INTO THE NEWER MODELS. ALSO IT SEEMS, EVEN OUT OF WARRANTY MINI'S GET TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED; WITH THE OWNER ONLY HAVING TO PAY FOR LABOR IF THE OWNER CAUSES A "STINK" OR ALLUDES TO MAKING PROBLEMS FOR MINI. IF THE MANUFACTURER REALLY BELIEVED THE CVT TRANSMISSION WERE NOT FAULTY, I BELIEVE THEY WOULD STICK TO THEIR POSITION WITH ALL CUSTOMERS, INSTEAD OF MAKING EXCEPTIONS. MINI SHOULD BE ORDERED TO RECALL CARS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. *TR

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM WHERE IT MEETS THE HOOD OF THE CAR. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT GO DOWN. I ONLY HEAR A CLICKING SOUND. WATER PUMP, OIL PAN AND VALVE COVER GASKETS FAILED PREMATURELY. I CAN'T SHIFT THE CAR INTO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS.

2003 MINI COOPER, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DEALERS STATES IT WOULD COST SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND FIX. WITH THE CAR ONLY WORTH DOUBLE THAN THAT IT IS AN SHAMEFUL ACT ON MINI FOR DOING THIS TO CUSTOMERS. SOUNDS OF RATTLING AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, DEALER STATES IT IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THE COOPER BUT THERE IS NO RECALL OF ANY SORT. *TR

THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN STEERING AND NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AS I TURNED INTO MY HOME DRIVEWAY. UPON TOWING THE VEHICLE TO CREVIER AUTO IN SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING, CREVIER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE VEHICLE. ON MONDAY, JUNE 30, AFTER MUCH CONSTERNATION, CREVIER FINALLY LOCATED THE VEHICLE AS THEY HAD IT ON THEIR PREMISES SINCE THE PREVIOUS FRIDAY. TUESDAY, JULY 1, A SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED ME THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD GONE OUT ON THE 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN GENTLY THROUGHOUT ITS LIFETIME. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED IN MARCH 2008. LUCKILY IN MASSACHUSETTS THEY HAVE A LAW REQUIRING WARRANTIES FOR ALL USED CARS FOR X NUMBER OF MILES/MONTHS DEPENDING ON MILEAGE AT TIME OF SALE AND ALL THAT. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE MUFFLER RE-WELDED INTO PLACE WHERE ITS MOUNTS FAILED. THE ONLY REASON IT DIDN'T FALL OFF IS BECAUSE MINI INCLUDED A SAFETY "CATCH" BAR FOR WHEN/IF THIS HAPPENS. BUT MY BIG PROBLEM NOW IS THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS GONE OUT; IT HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY. THE REPAIR COULD BE DONE OUTSIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP BUT I'M AFRAID TO TAKE A GERMAN MADE MACHINE OF THIS QUALITY TO A CHOP-SHOP AND HOPE THEY CAN GET IT DONE. I CALLED A VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNSURE THEY KNEW HOW TO DO THE REPAIR. *SHIVER* MINI IN BOSTON WANTS $900-1000.00 TO DO THE REPAIR AS THE PART IS ABOUT $800 AND THE TIME INVOLVED WILL BE ABOUT 2 HOURS AT $125 PER HOUR. PRAY FOR ME, PLEASE! *TR

1. THE MALFUNCTION HAPPENS SPONTANEOUSLY 2. THE POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONS AND CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE STIFF PLACING ME OR ANYONE ELSE DRIVING/ON THE ROAD IN DANGER DUE TO THE RELUCTANCE OF THE WHEEL TO TURN. 3. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO MONETARY SUPPORT BUT INSTEAD TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO ABOUT IT BUT TO REPLACE IT AND ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE ME $1000 DOLLARS IN CASH. INSTEAD I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS CHARGED $700. A RIDICULOUS PRICE TO PAY FOR MY SAFETY. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER S HAD A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT APROX 60 MPH ON AN EXPRESSWAY NEAR BUFFALO, NY. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED BY ME AT A COST OF APROX $800.00. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

MY CVT IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER FAILED AT 85000 MILES.. SUDDENLY AND IT SEEMS A RARER LARGE PERCENT ARE FAILING. WITH AN AVERAGE REPLACEMENT PRICE OF $7000.. FOR A CAR THAT COST $21,000.. NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION FAIL LIKE THIS.!! CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER.. APPRO 1.4 MILES AWAY AND WE WERE GIVEN A LIFT HOME... APPROX 24 MILES AWAY. WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE REPAIR COST WILL BE BUT RESEARCH GAVE ME THE NUMBER ALREADY OF $7000. TO BE HONEST.. I CANT AFFORD THAT !!! *TR

CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

MY CAR WAS PARKED AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR 20 MILES OR SO. WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF BEING PARKED, MY OFFICEMATE RAN INTO THE OFFICE SAYING MY CAR WAS SMOKING. IT WAS ACTUALLY ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT IT IS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I NEED TO REPLACE IT, THE FAN, AND MOST OF THE WIRING AROUND THE PART. RIGHT NOW, I'M TRYING TO FIND A WIRE FOR HIM THAT MINI WILL NOT GET HIM. IT IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING CORRECTED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE MINI COOPER WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY LONGER. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM HOME AND CALLED FOR HELP. WE HAD TO PUSH THE CAR ALL THE WAY HOME. COME TO FIND OUT, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION. THEY NOTED SOMETHING ABOUT THE CVT TRANSMISSION THAT MINI TRIED EXPERIMENTING WITH. I'VE READ MANY STORIES WHERE MINI CARS JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. MANY MINI TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN GIVING OUT AROUND 70,000 TO 80,000 MILES WHICH IS UNORTHODOX FOR A TRANSMISSION. THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WAS APPROX 8,000. *TR

CVT FAILURE AT 37,000 MILES DEALER ESTIMATES COST AT $8,400 TO REPLACE (THERE IS NO REPAIR OPTION). *TR

2 TRANSMISSIONS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 1 1/2 YEARS. 1ST TRANS WAS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2006 AFTER EXPERIENCING GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. ON FRIDAY MAY 2, 2008 HEARD A POP WHILE TURNING LEFT AND EXPERIENCE THE GRINDING NOISE. DEALER NOW STATES THAT IT'S THE TRANSMISSION AND WANT $5,000 TO REPLACE. I COMPLAINED THAT THIS IS THE SECOND ONE IN 1 1/2 YEARS AND WAS TOLD THAT A CALL WAS PLACED TO THE ENGINEER AND WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE ON WHETHER THEY WILL COVER THE COSTS. *TR

CVT (CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION) FAILURE. *TR

OVERHEATING OF POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 MINICOOPER. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED ON MY MINI IN ADDITION TO THE COOLING FAN AND THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE PUMP. THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH ALL MINI COOPERS MADE BETWEEN 2002 AND 2006. IT IS A POOR DESIGN THAT RESULTS IN AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT WILL ONLY REPEAT ITSELF BECAUSE THE REPAIR DOES NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE OF PLACEMENT OF THE PUMP RIGHT OVER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT I HAS ALSO ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS RESULTED IN FIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AND THE ENGINE RESPONSE SEEMED SLUGGISH. CALLED A MECHANIC FRIEND, HE SAID IT'S EITHER THE SPARK PLUGS OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. BOOK APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 83,000KM. MINI COOPER HAS SAID THAT I NEED A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION, BEING JUST OFF WARRANTY BY 3,000KM I WAS QUOTED APPROXIMATELY $9,000 FOR REPAIRS. *TR

BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS ARE STUTTERING WHEN I TRY TO ROLL THEM UP OR DOWN. THIS IS WHEN I AM EVEN ABLE TO GET THEM TO WORK. FOUND THAT WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT, THEY WON'T WORK AT ALL!! MEANING I AM HAVING TO WAIT FOR IT TO COOL DOWN TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN IF I AM LUCKY AND HAVE ON ONE OCCASION GOT STUCK IN MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CAR DOOR HANDLE ALSO WOULD OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND I COULDN'T OPEN THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR, WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I HAD A CHILD WITH ME. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY AND JUST GOT MY DOOR REPAIRED AND STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THE WINDOWS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DO ANYTHING THAT REQUIRES A DRIVE THROUGH, OR AT MY PREVIOUS APT YOU HAD TO ENTER A CODE TO GET INTO THE GATED COMMUNITY AND I HAD TO GET OUT OF MY CAR TO DO THIS, AND I LIVE IN COLORADO, AND IT GETS VERY COLD. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, DUE TO MANY FORUMS AND OTHER MINI OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES! FROM FORUMS SHOWS THAT EVEN REPLACING THE MOTOR WON'T FIX THE ISSUE, WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!! THIS NEEDS TO A RECALL ONCE AGAIN, CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP GETTING THIS FIXED AND DISHING OUT MONEY, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE A KID WITH ME FROM TIME TO TIME. UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER USES A CVT TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AFTER ONLY 75,000 MILES. I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ACTUALLY FAILED BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERS SERVICE CENTER THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS THE TRANSMISSION COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. I NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED A TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT AND ONLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A STRANGE SOUND. HAD I NOT TAKEN IT IN I COULD HAVE LOST THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS OF VEHICLES LIKE MINE AND IT APPEARS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM USED IN THESE CARS IS UNRELIABLE (I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER STOPPED USING IT AFTER 2004 OR 2005). THERE COULD POTENTIALLY BE A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE CARS ON THE ROAD WITH TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE ABOUT TO FAIL AT ANY TIME WHOSE OWNERS ARE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN FIRST GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO RANDOMLY MAKE WHIRLING NOISES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT EXPLAIN WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY REPAIRED AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPAIRED WITHIN FIVE YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

MY CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 65K MILES ON IT. AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, MY POWER STEERING FAILED. MY RESERVOIR IS FULL, AND I HAVE YET TO FIND A GARAGE WHO IS WILLING AND/OR ABLE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM (HAVING ALREADY STOPPED AT 3 TODAY). *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE DAY WHEN SEVERAL LIGHTS LIT UP IN MY CAR. I WAS SCARED BECAUSE THESE LIGHTS WERE: LOW TIRE PRESSURE, LOW BRAKE PADS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, & ABS BREAK LIGHT. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE CAR, AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, THEY STILL WERE LIT UP. I AM NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THIS AS I WASN'T DRIVING ERRATICALLY, JUST NORMAL. I STILL DO NOT KNOW WHY EXACTLY THEY ARE ON, HOWEVER I FIGURE IT IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS A CRACKED WINDSHIELD THAT RESULTED FROM STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS. IT IS L-SHAPED AND IT STARTED AT THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT A SHUTTER, THEN A LOSS OF POWER AND SMOKE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. I TURNED MOTOR OFF AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS OK. ONCE STOPPED, I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. SAW MORE SMOKE AND SPARKS FROM THE TAIL PIPE. I THEN SAT AND STARTED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, WHEN I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD SCOOP. I POPPED THE HOOD AND UPON OPENING IT, NOTICED A FIRE AT THE FRONT OF THE MOTOR, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE SUPERCHARGER. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT OUT THE FLAME, SO I CALL 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON SITE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE IN A FEW MINUTES, BUT BY THEN THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. ALLSTATE CALLED IT A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, SHE COULD STILL HEAR THE MOTOR FAN RUNNING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. ALSO, ALL OF THE WINDOWS ON HER VEHICLE WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY OPEN. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN DEACTIVATED THE CONVENIENCE POWER SYSTEM FOR THE POWER WINDOWS. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY (NO WARNING) WHILE DRIVING, MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DANGEROUS. *TR

1 - DRIVING NORMALLY - HEARING NOISE FROM UNDER HOOD GETTING LOUDER 2 - DROVE TO MECHANIC WHO TOOK TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO VERIFY NOISE WAS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND MORE SPECIFICALLY THE DIFFERENTIAL WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION - THE CAR WOULD STILL DRIVE AND SHIFT PROPERLY. (THE GRINDING NOISE IS THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION CASING) 3- LOOKING FOR AFTER MARKET PARTS TO REPAIR. CURRENT ESTIMATE FROM DEALER FOR PARTS ALONE IS $7500. *TR

I WILL BE INSTALLING WHAT WILL BE THE THIRD MANUAL 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION IN MY MINI. SAME PROBLEM, SEEMS TO BE THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING IS FAILING LIKELY DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. I HAVE RECORDS OF ALL SERVICE AND CHECK IT REGULARLY AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN LOW. THE BEARING IS APPARENTLY NOT GETTING A PROPER SUPPLY OF FLUID. PROBLEM NUMBER TWO, MY POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED ON ME ONCE. IT EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE HOSES BASICALLY GOT TOO HOT AND BLEW UP. I FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT TO A SHOP WITHOUT ANY FIRE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE POWER STEERING FAN CONTINUED TO RUN EVEN WHEN THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF, NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PUMP THIS TIME WHICH COST ME $500 INSTALLED WITH A REMANUFACTURED PUMP. THIRD, I HAVE HAD TO PUT THREE WINDSHIELDS IN THE CAR. NONE OF THESE REPAIRS WERE WARRANTED! MINI NEEDS TO SUCK IT UP AND CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE SHODDILY MADE CARS, THEY HAVE MADE THEIR MONEY AND DON'T CARE TO HELP WITH ANYTHING. I AM A LOYAL BMW CUSTOMER BUT I THINK I WILL STICK WITH THE OLDER MODELS NOW AS THEY AREN'T IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON AND FIND PARTS FOR. GOD KNOWS I WILL NOT PAY 23 GRAND FOR THIS NIGHTMARE AGAIN. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE (POWER) WINDOW OF MY 2003 MINI COOPER S (50K MI) FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHILE IN AN UP POSITION. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PROVES INCONVENIENT, TO SAY THE LEAST, PARTICULARLY WHEN ENTERING/EXITING PARKING GARAGES AND TOLL BOOTH STATIONS. MY MECHANIC WILL REPLACE THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR FOR $600. GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF GROUSING I'VE SEEN ON THIS SUBJECT, I SHOULD THINK THAT BMW SHOULD STAND BY ITS PRODUCT. *TR

ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO SCHOOL PARKING LOT, POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING, STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING HAS INTERMITTENTLY FALTERED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR BUT HAS NOW FAILED ENTIRELY. *TR

FIRST POWER STEERING PROBLEM OCCURRED AROUND 31,000 MILES, IN THE FORM OF A SLIGHT VIBRATION. SINCE THE 50,000 MILES MARK, POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ON INNUMERABLE OCCASIONS, FREQUENTLY 5 OR 6 TIMES WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, AND WHILE DRIVING AND TAKING SHARP TURNS, POTENTIALLY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST, TURNING IGNITION ON AND OFF TEMPORARILY RESOLVED THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THIS IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. OTHER POWER FUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED AS WELL, SUCH AS POWER LOCKS AND POWER WINDOWS, SOMETIMES LOCKING YOU IN THE CAR (DOOR LATCH MECHANISM IS ALSO UNPREDICTABLY FAULTY AT THE SAME TIME, RESULTING IN BEING POTENTIALLY LOCKED IN WITHOUT ANY MEANS TO EXIT THE CAR-THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS). THE POWER STEERING IS NOW STAYING ON EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED, AND AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY IS BEING DISCHARGED. BASED ON AVAILABLE INFORMATION, THIS IS THE FINAL STAGE BEFORE THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHES ON FIRE. I AM NOW IN A SITUATION WHERE MY CAR IS AT RISK OF SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING ON FIRE, AND MY LOCKS AND WINDOWS FREQUENTLY UNEXPECTEDLY MALFUNCTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONS, POTENTIALLY LOCKING ME INTO MY CAR, WITH A STEERING PUMP THAT WILL NOT SHUT OFF AND THREATENS TO CATCH ON FIRE. CATCH ON FIRE WHILE I'M LOCKED INTO MY CAR... *TR

WITHOUT NOTICE, THE BATTERY DIED. UPON INSTALL OF A NEW BATTERY, A FAN STARTED RUNNING BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ELECTRICAL STEERING PUMP AND STEERING PUMP FAN HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT SAID I NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I LAST HAD IT SERVICED. I CONTACTED CORPORATE SERVICES WHO INFORMED ME THAT I WAS ELIGIBLE FOR A GOODWILL WARRANTY EXTENSION PROVIDED I TOOK TO THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE DEALER WHERE I LAST HAD IT SERVICED. THE SERVICE DEALER, AND CORPORATE RELATIONS, WOULD NOT PROVIDE A GOODWILL EXTENSION BECAUSE THEY MAINTAINED THAT MY MECHANIC CAUSED THE STEERING PUMP TO FAIL. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPAIR THE PARTS FOR ABOUT $1900 FOR A NEW PUMP AND $140 FOR A NEW FAN. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, INCLUDING INFORMATION THE DEALER TOLD MY MECHANIC, THIS FAILURE IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THE EARLIER MINI MODELS AND THE DEALERS KEEP ADDITIONAL PARTS IN STOCK TO REPAIR VEHICLES AS THEY COME IN. ADDITIONALLY, I READ THAT MINI SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THIS COMPONENT TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BUT NEVER INFORMED PRIOR OWNERS OF THIS CHANGE. MOREOVER, I ALSO READ THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH MINI DURING THE INITIAL 50,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP, AND IN SOME CASES THE FAILURE OF THE PUMP FAN HAS CAUSED ENGINE FIRES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP STOPPED WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN IT WENT OUT, AND I FREAKED OUT. I COULD HARDLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND STARTED IT BACK UP, AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHERE IT WOULD KICK ON EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, AND THEN IT WENT OUT FOR GOOD. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED FOR AROUND $1000 TO GET IT REPAIRED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS ISSUE FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. THE ONLY GOOD THING, IS THAT IT HAS GREATLY STRENGTHENED MY ARM MUSCLES... *TR

REPLACED THE CLUTCH TWICE IN 10 MONTHS IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER. I BOUGHT IT USED IN MAY, 2006. JANUARY AND OCT 2007 HAD TO HAVE THE CLUTCH REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABUSED. 18,000 MILES BETWEEN THE TWO REPAIRS. *TR

1) NO NOTICE GIVEN UP TO FAILURE OF POWER STEERING 2) POWER STEERING GAVE OUT ON CAR AFTER WHITE SMOKE POURED OUT OF ENGINE AREA 3) CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW. *JB

2003 MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 70,000 MILES, 4 YEARS. MINI USA AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF THIS FAILURE AND REFUSE TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS, CLAIMING IT'S A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. SMELLS OF DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES TO ME. NOT TO MENTION A MONOPOLY-- THERE ARE ONLY TWO DEALERSHIP IN DALLAS/FORT WORTH THAT SERVICE MINI COOPERS, BOTH TELL ME THAT THE COST WILL BE BETWEEN $6K-9K TO REPLACE W/LABOR COSTS. PEP BOYS AND OTHER INDEPENDENTS WON'T OR CANNOT TOUCH IT BECAUSE IT'S A MINI COOPER AND ONLY MINI AUTHORIZED DEALERS SUPPOSEDLY HAVE SPECIALTY SOFTWARE/PARTS TO PERFORM JOB. THIS IS A RACKET, MINI AND BMW NEED TO STEP UP AND STOP SELLING DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AND REPLACE THIS AT THEIR COST AND STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY FIRST GENERATION MINI'S AS I HAVE LEARNED FROM MY RECENT ON-LINE RESEARCH. BMW/MINI HAS CHANGED THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE MINI 2007 MODEL -- WONDER WHY?? THEY ADVERTISE THAT THIS CAR IS A SAFE, DEPENDABLE AND LONG LASTING CAR, BUT TO THE CONTRARY, LOOK AT THE LIST OF PROBLEMS PEOPLE ARE REPORTING WITH THEM. GOD HELP THEM. *JB

PARKED MY 2003 MINI COOPER ON THE STREET. SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE. POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW THE SMOKING CONTINUOUSLY EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN PRINCETON. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED; THAT IT LEAKED AND MELTED THE ENGINE HARNESS AND POWER SUPPLY CABLE AND POWER STEERING FAN CONNECTORS. ALSO, THE MAIN COOLANT FAN WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY; AND THERE WAS ANOTHER LEAK IN MY VALVE COVER GASKET. I HAVE READ MANY INSTANCES WHERE FIRES HAVE BEEN STARTED FOR THE SAME REASON, AND AM LUCKY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME. HOWEVER, THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR TOTALED OVER $3400. I HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED; ALONG WITH THE ENGINE HARNESS, POWER SUPPLY CABLE, POWER STEERING FAN AND MAIN COOLING FAN. IF THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY MINI COOPERS ESPECIALLY 03 AND 04 EDITIONS, I THINK THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND ENSURE THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR

I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT ONLY 58,000 MILES FOR MY 03 MINI COOPER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I'M BEING ASKED TO PAY $2,500 FOR LABOR. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION CRASHING AT 60,000 AND I'M SURPRISED THAT BMW AND MINI AREN'T DOING MORE TO KEEP ME AS A LOYAL CUSTOMER. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A RATCHETING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO TOWN, AND AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION: $7,200.00. NO REBUILD AVAILABLE. IT HAD JUST TURNED 90,000 MILES, DRIVEN BY MYSELF (RETIRED) AND MY WIFE; VERY EASY DRIVING. THIS WAS OVER HALF THE VALUE OF THE CAR, SO WE DROVE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THAT WE WERE AWARE OF FOR A SECOND OPINION. ON THE TEST DRIVE AT THAT SHOP, THE TRANSMISSION "BLEW UP" AND LOCKED UP EVERYTHING ON THE STREET. THE STEEL BELT IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME APART, DESTROYING EVERYTHING INTERNALLY. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY OR A BUSY STREET, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. UPON RESEARCHING THIS TRANSMISSION, I FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT AT ALL UNCOMMON. I BELIEVE MINI SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THESE EARLY MODEL CVT TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH OBVIOUSLY HAVE SOME MECHANICAL DEFECTS BUILT INTO THEM. *TR

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY MINI-COOPER ONCE WHEN IT WAS IN WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED, ONCE AGAIN, AND IT WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY AND I PAID 3000$ TO HAVE IT FIXED AND ONCE AGAIN WHEN THE 2ND TRANSMISSION WAS IN WARRANTY AND MINICOOPER FIXED IT. THIS CAR WAS A LEMON AND MINI NEVER ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

SUDDEN AND INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE MAINTAINING CONTROL OF VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 MINI COOPER S THAT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE TODAY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING AND THE POWER STEERING JUST QUIT WORKING. I CAME TO A STOP, THEN SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE CAR. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND OPENED THE HOOD - THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE EXHAUST BY THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I WAS ABLE TO GET A BUCKET OF WATER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO SITES (SEE: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/MINI.HTML HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=015B1E186260B0639D13CF8A7D6522DD&T=73527&PAGE=8 WHERE MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL? I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY DEATHS, BUT SEVERAL REPORTS OF FIRES. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING 70 ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE POWER STEERING QUIT AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I SEE WHERE AN INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED IN APRIL (PE07022), BUT PLEASE MOVE ON THIS. I AM VERY AFRAID THE NEXT PERSON WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DOUSED THE VEHICLE WITH A BUCKET OF WATER. THE DEALER AND THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN HIS GARAGE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FROM THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY EIGHT OTHERS WHO HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

2003 MINI COOPER S. BOTH WINDOWS ARE STUCK AND DO NOT WORK. HAD BOTH MOTORS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AND NOW THE CAR'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *TR

PURCHASED 2003 MINI COOPER IN 3/03 AT MINI STERLING IN VA. MOVED TO PA, SERVICING CAR UNDER WARRANTY AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, OTTO'S MINI IN WEST CHESTER (50 MI AWAY). MINOR ISSUES CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN LATE 2005. IN JULY 2007, AT 78,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO DRIVE IN GEAR AND I PULLED OVER (LUCKILY SAFE - TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT 60-70 MPH). ENGINE RAN BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALL SIGNS POINTED TO MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN YORK (NEAREST RECOMMENDED SHOP) WHO CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION ISSUE. CALLED MINI OF TOWSON (NEAREST DEALER) FOR QUOTE ON REPLACING TRANSMISSION - IT WAS $7800! CAR WAS ONLY WORTH $12,000-$13,000 AT THAT TIME - REPAIR WAS OVER 50% OF CAR VALUE. LOCAL SHOP TRIED FIX IT WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION. TURNED INTO 7 MONTH NIGHTMARE AS MULTIPLE REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS DIDN'T WORK DUE TO COMPUTER CODE ISSUES, SO CAR TOWED TO MINI OF TOWSON TWICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD CORRECT ISSUES, BUT EACH TIME DEALER ONLY OFFERED TO FIX WITH NEW TRANSMISSION FROM THEM AT $7800. TRIED TRADING CAR TO THEM FOR NEW MINI, BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED ME $4000 FOR THE CAR, SAYING THEIR COST TO FIX WAS STILL $6000. LOCAL SHOP FINALLY GAVE UP, REFUNDING MY DEPOSIT AND RETURNING CAR WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION THAT WILL ONLY DRIVES IN LOW GEAR AT 20 MPH. NOW HAVE MINI IN MY GARAGE (WITH BALANCE ON CAR LOAN) THAT SHOULD BE WORTH $10,000 BUT IS UNUSABLE. MINI IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW (NEW CARS HAVE DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION), WHICH IS UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED, AS THEY SAY. NETSCAPE SHOULD ORDER RECALL OF THESE CARS AND REPAIR AT MINE'S COST. I HAVE INFORMED MY CONGRESSMAN BROTHER ABOUT THIS ISSUE (HE SITS ON HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE) - HE IS AWAITING WORD ON HOW NETSCAPE AND MINI RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT (OBVIOUSLY SHARED MY MANY OTHERS). THANK YOU. *TR

PURCHASED 2002 MINI COOPER IN 3/03 AT MINI STERLING IN VA. MOVED TO PA, SERVICING CAR UNDER WARRANTY AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, OTTO'S MINI IN WEST CHESTER (50 MI AWAY). MINOR ISSUES CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN LATE 2005. IN JULY 2007, AT 78,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO DRIVE IN GEAR AND I PULLED OVER (LUCKILY SAFE - TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT 60-70 MPH). ENGINE RAN BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALL SIGNS POINTED TO MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN YORK (NEAREST RECOMMENDED SHOP) WHO CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION ISSUE. CALLED MINI OF TOWSON (NEAREST DEALER) FOR QUOTE ON REPLACING TRANSMISSION - IT WAS $7800! CAR WAS ONLY WORTH $12,000-$13,000 AT THAT TIME - REPAIR WAS OVER 50% OF CAR VALUE. LOCAL SHOP TRIED FIX IT WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION. TURNED INTO 7 MONTH NIGHTMARE AS MULTIPLE REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS DIDN'T WORK DUE TO COMPUTER CODE ISSUES, SO CAR TOWED TO MINI OF TOWSON TWICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD CORRECT ISSUES, BUT EACH TIME DEALER ONLY OFFERED TO FIX WITH NEW TRANSMISSION FROM THEM AT $7800. TRIED TRADING CAR TO THEM FOR NEW MINI, BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED ME $4000 FOR THE CAR, SAYING THEIR COST TO FIX WAS STILL $6000. LOCAL SHOP FINALLY GAVE UP, REFUNDING MY DEPOSIT AND RETURNING CAR WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION THAT WILL ONLY DRIVES IN LOW GEAR AT 20 MPH. NOW HAVE MINI IN MY GARAGE (WITH BALANCE ON CAR LOAN) THAT SHOULD BE WORTH $10,000 BUT IS UNUSABLE. MINI IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW (NEW CARS HAVE DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION), WHICH IS UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED, AS THEY SAY. NTSB SHOULD ORDER RECALL OF THESE CARS AND REPAIR AT MINI'S COST. I HAVE INFORMED MY CONGRESSMAN BROTHER ABOUT THIS ISSUE (HE SITS ON HOUSE TRANSPIRATION COMMITTEE) - HE IS AWAITING WORD ON HOW NTSB AND MINI RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT (OBVIOUSLY SHARED MY MANY OTHERS). THANK YOU. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY QUITS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL WORK ON AND OFF. *TR

MY CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND REAR BRAKE REPAIR ON TUESDAY (JUNE 26, 2007). WEDNESDAY EVENING (JUNE 27, 2007) THE CAR WAS DRIVEN 15 MINUTES, PARKED FOR ALMOST AN HOUR, THEN DRIVEN A MERE 30 SECONDS TO CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT PARKING SPOT. WALKED AWAY FOR A MINUTE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. UPON OPENING THE BONNET, THERE WAS FLAMES COMING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TEMPORARILY PUT OUT THE FIRE, THEN IT RE-IGNITED WHICH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS THEN CALLED TO PUT IT OUT SAFELY. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT THE NEXT MORNING (JUNE 28, 2007) TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS NOT LOOKED AT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY (JUNE 29, 2009). THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE STEERING PUMP FAILED, UPON WHICH IT OVERHEATS CAUSING THE FIRE. THE FIRE THEN DAMAGED THE LOOM (HARNESS, OR MAIN WIRING FOR THE VEHICLE), WHICH ALSO RUINED THE BATTERY. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO SIGNS THAT THE STEERING WAS FAILING, NOR ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS ANY OTHER POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CAR MILEAGE WAS AT 65,500 AT THE TIME IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, AND ABOUT 65,525 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. NOTHING WILL BE DONE UNTIL THE INSURANCE AGENTS FROM BOTH THE CONSUMER AND DEALERSHIP ASSESS THE DAMAGES. *TR

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED BACK IN JUNE 27, 2007. I PARKED MY CAR AND THEN NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. OPENED THE BONNET AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TEMPORARILY PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT IT RE-IGNITED AND AT THIS POINT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT IT OUT SAFELY. THE BMW DEALER KEPT SAYING THERE WAS NEVER A FIRE, JUST SMOLDERING. THE "SMOLDERING" WAS THE CAUSE OF A STEERING PUMP FAILURE WHICH OVERHEATS, WHICH IN TURN DAMAGED THE LOOM (HARNESS, OR MAIN WIRING FOR THE VEHICLE), WHICH ALSO RUINED THE BATTERY. THE COST WAS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR THE "SMOLDERING" DAMAGES. PRIOR TO THE STEERING PUMP FAILURE, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WERE STEERING PROBLEMS, NOR ANY POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CAR MILEAGE WAS AT 65,525 AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR