2005 MINI Cooper Complaint Log

AROUND JUNE 2008 MY MINI COOPER S 2005 BEGAN EXHIBITING WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENT SPEED WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT RPM. I EXPERIENCED SLOW, OR SLUGGISH ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON SPORADICALLY. I TOOK MY MINI, WHICH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY IN FOR SERVICE TO BMW/MINI OF SAN ANTONIO AND WAS REASSURED THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING NORMAL SHIFTING MECHANICS. THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DETECT WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. I EXPERIENCED THESE IDIOSYNCRATIC ISSUES CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND BEGAN TO NOTICE THE CAR JUMPING HIGHER AND LOWER IN SPEED DURING ACCELERATION IN MORE REGULAR INTERVALS. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010 THE ENGINE WOULD LURCH INTO GEAR, SECONDS AFTER FAILING TO CHANGE GEARS EFFECTIVELY. AT TIMES, THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY DROP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. I BEGAN TAKING MY CAR INTO A BMW/MINI CERTIFIED SHOP IN AUSTIN, TX. AFTER MUCH TIME, MONEY, AND TROUBLE, PLUS MANY VISITS TO THE MECHANIC, MY MINI COOPER'S CONDITION DETERIORATED COMPLETELY. WHILE IN BUSY TRAFFIC MY MINI LURCHED FORWARD AND STALLED COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE DRIVING BEFORE I COULD GET IT OFF THE BUSY ROADWAY. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY VEHICLES BEHIND MINE, THESE DRIVERS HAD TO MAKE EXTREME EVASIVE MANEUVERS IN ORDER NOT TO HIT ME, THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM, OR BE REAR ENDED THEMSELVES. THIS UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS INCIDENT ENDANGERED MY LIFE, AND WAS THE LAST FOR MY MINI, RESULTING IN COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN JULY 2011. I SOUGHT OPINIONS ON MY OPTIONS, SHOP QUOTES TO FIX MY VEHICLE, ALL AROUND $10,000. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED OR ALTERED, IT STANDS AS IT DID THE DAY OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT WAS TOWED FROM THE SHOP TO STORAGE. MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCE DOCUMENTED. WHY WAS THERE NO RECALL? CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS IN CALIFORNIA AND NEW JERSEY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A BMW MINI COOPER S. THE AIR BAG COVER EMBLEM HAS A DEFECTED EDGE. IF THE AIR BAG WERE TO DEPLOY, IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COVER THREE TIMES, BUT THE DEFECT IS STILL UNCORRECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON FORUMS SEE THAT THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS. TURNS OUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT DEALERSHIPS EVEN CARRY EXTRA PARTS BECAUSE OF THIS. I SEE THAT SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR JUST HAPPENED WITH OTHER BMW'S. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST. IT APPEARS THAT IN AN ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR

I HAVE NOW HAD A SECOND FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR (SENSOR MAT IN PASSENGER SEAT). THE FIRST MAT FAILED AT 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND THE REPLACEMENT LASTED JUST OVER 2 YEARS (WARRANTY ON PART IS 2 YEARS). *TR

4/10/2008 AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY - MINI DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM 9/23/2008 AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND STAYED LIT - MINI DEALER FOUND MICRO-CRACKS IN OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT CODE FC71 STORED IN MR55K CHECKED FAULTS REPLACED OC3 SEAT MAT INSTALLED SEAT AND ENABLE SEAT MAT WITH GT1 CLEARED FAULTS SUMMER 2011 - AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY OCTOBER 2011 - AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND STAYED LIT 11/15/2011 - MINI DEALER REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THIS COMPONENT HAVING A HISTORY OF BEING DEFECTIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT WHICH HE FOUND TO BE FRACTURED. LATER, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE FAILURES WITH THE REAR BRAKES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AND LATER, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE AN ABNORMAL RATTLING FROM THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER THEN ADVISED THAT THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10025903- POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION) REGARDING REPLACING THE CLUTCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,800.

1 NORMAL DRIVING ALL THE SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD TO MOVE , THEN IT LOOSENED UP AND THEN CAUSED OVERSTEER 2 POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE PUT CAR INTO DITCH DAMAGED 2 TIRES/RIMS 3 REPLACED THE FAN UNIT ONCE THEN THE ENTIRE PUMP THE SECOND TIME IT IS CURRENTLY OUT FOR THE THIRD TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *TR

I COMPLAINED TO MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP ABOUT NOISE COMING FROM UNDERSIDE OF THE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND THE LAST TIME I COMPLAINED THEY BLAMED IT ON "WORN TIRES". AT 52,000 MILES I NOTICED A HIGH PITCH SQUEALING FROM UNDER THE CAR WHEN I HAD THE CLUTCH PRESSED IN. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO MINI SERVICE, THEY SAID THAT "CLUTCH MATERIAL PROBABLY GOT CAUGHT IN THE FINGERS OF THE CLUTCH". THEY SAID THAT SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS UP (OVER AT 50,000 MILES) AND THAT THIS WAS A "FRICTION MATERIAL" ISSUE, THE COST OF THE REPAIR ($2,200 - $2,800) WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. SINCE THIS COST WAS SO HIGH AND THE EARLY FAILURE SO FAR OUTSIDE OF NORMAL EXPECTED DUTY TIME, I REFUSED THE SERVICE. SINCE THERE ARE MANY REPORTED CASES OF EARLY CLUTCH FAILURE AND FLYWHEEL FIELD UPGRADES, I CONTACTED MINI USA AND ASKED FOR MY ISSUE TO BE REVIEWED AS A WARRANTY ISSUE. THEY WOULD NOT AGREE TO COVER THE REPAIR, BUT SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $700 TO CHECK OUT TO EVEN CONSIDER THIS AS A WARRANTY. THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO BRING THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR REVIEW. SINCE INDEPENDENT SHOPS CHARGE ABOUT HALF THE AMOUNT FOR CLUTCH REPLACEMENT, I WANTED THAT OPTION IN CASE MINI REFUSED TO COVER ANY COSTS. THE MINI CS REFERENCE NUMBER FOR THIS ISSUE IS 2000736002924. ON 12/25 (CHRISTMAS DAY) MY CLUTCH FAILED COMPLETELY. SINCE MINI IS NOT WILLING TO GIVE ANY MATERIAL SUPPORT TO THIS ISSUE, AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER CASES OF EARLY CLUTCH FAILURE REPORTED I OPENED THIS COMPLAINT TO SEE IF NHTSA COULD HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

ABSOLUTELY NO UNUSUAL NOISES OR ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. CAR HAS ABOUT 53,000 MILES ON IT, POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED- CAR IS NOW EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO STEER & A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVE. THANKFULLY I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, SO NO CRASHES OR INJURIES OCCURRED. POWER STEERING PUMP & FAN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT HAVE NOT HAD IT DONE YET, AS I AM TOLD IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1500 FOR THIS REPAIR & I AM ABOUT 3000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY NOW. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2002-2006 MINI COOPERS. *TR

1. STEERING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS 2. POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR CUTS IN AND OUT, MAKING CONTROL DIFFICULT AND UNPREDICTABLE: STEERING GETS HEAVY SO ADDITIONAL FORCE IS APPLIED BUT THEN THE POWER ASSIST 'REACTIVATES' CAUSING DRAMATIC OVERSTEER. FIRST OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 60000 MILES, TURNED CAR ON/OFF STEERING WAS FINE. RE-OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 100000 MILES AND HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. 3. MECHANIC HAS SUGGESTED REPLACING ASSIST MOTOR. *TW

POWER STEERING PUMP ON 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE STARTED MAKING NOISE (EVEN WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF, DRAINING THE BATTERY), THEN ULTIMATELY FAILED. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS REPAIR COSTS APPROX $2000 TO FIX, AND THAT REPLACEMENT POWER STEERING PUMPS FAIL REGULARLY, SO WE'VE BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HER PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,528 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

SUDDEN STRESS CRACK APPEARED DIRECTLY BEHIND REAR VIEW MIRROR. NO ROCK CHIP OR OTHER IMPACT EVIDENCE. WE'D JUST GONE FROM COOL (MID 50'S ) TO RECORD HEAT (100) IN 24 HOURS. HAVE LESS THAN 4,500 MILES ON THE CAR. CAME OUT IN THE MORNING TO FIND THE CRACK, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 6" LONG GROWING VERTICALLY. THE CAR IS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. *JB

COMPLETE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUT, STRUT TOWER, MOUNT AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING CAUSED BY AN IMPERFECTION ON A PUBLIC, WELL TRAVELED ROAD. REPORTS ON ENTHUSIAST FORUMS OF OVER 216 OTHERS SUFFERING THE SAME FAILURE ON THE SAME MODEL CAR AND A REPORT IN THE SEPT-OCT 2007 EDITION OF MC2 MAGAZINE CITING THE NEED TO LOOK FOR THESE COMMON FLAWS ON THIS MODEL CAR WHEN CONSIDERING PURCHASING A USED ONE.

SOMETIME WHEN AM DRIVING ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEELS, IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS! HAPPEN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AT DIFFERENT TIMES. IF I TURN THE WHEELS TOO MUCH, I NOTICE IT HAPPEN TOO.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH AND ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT USED TO GO ON AND OFF WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. STARTING IN 2011, IT CONTINUES TO STAY ON, MEANING THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG SENSORS WERE BAD AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATE OF $1,000. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT CONFIRM THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD OR WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF THE CAR FACED IMPACT AND SOMEONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NO FAULT OF THE CAR OWNER. PLEASE RECALL THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR DIES. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON (INDICATING AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION/INOP.) AND AUTO MANUFACTURER HAS NO FIX, DEFINITELY A SAFETY PROBLEM. 2005 MINI COOPER. *TR

(1) I RECENTLY TRADED MY 2003 MINI COOPER IN FOR A 2005 MINI COOPER S AT A PRIVATE DEALERSHIP. (2) UPON INSPECTING THE 2005 COOPER S, I NOTICED THAT THE STRUT TOWERS WERE DEFORMED, BUT SINCE THIS WAS NOT A MINI DEALERSHIP, NOTHING COULD BE DONE BY THEM. I BOUGHT THE CAR THINKING THIS COULD BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER CALLING THE CLOSEST MINI DEALERSHIP WHICH IS 200+ MILES AWAY, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS CONSIDERED ABUSE TO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PREVIOUS OWNER MUST HAVE HIT A POTHOLE. THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS SITUATION IS THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE MINI COOPER'S SHOCK TOWERS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO A CAR. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFETIME, AND NEVER HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER TO EXPERIENCE THIS AND IT IS A PRETTY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN MINI COOPERS. I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS SITUATION CAUSES THE CAR TO WANDER ON THE ROAD. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I'M GETTING FEEDBACK FROM OTHER OWNERS. SOME SAY THEIR DEALERSHIP IS FIXING THE DEFORMATION, OTHERS, LIKE MYSELF ARE DENIED. I'M A LITTLE FRIGHTENED AT WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THE CAR OVER TIME FROM THIS. WILL THE SHEET METAL GET EVEN WEAKER AS TIME GOES ON? I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. (3) I HAVE NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR YET, BUT THE FIX IS TO EITHER PAY MONEY TO HAVE THE SHOCK TOWERS CUT OUT AND HAVE NEW ONES WELDED IN, OR POUND DOWN THE OLD ONES UNTIL THEY ARE FLAT, THEN BUY REINFORCEMENT PLATES FROM A VENDOR TO KEEP THE ALREADY STRESSED METAL FROM BENDING AGAIN. *JB

OUR 2005 MINI COOPER S HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH AN ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE WE FIRST PURCHASED IT IN JULY OF 2005. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP SUDDENLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. WE'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER A NUMBER OF TIMES AND REQUESTED SERVICE APPOINTMENTS. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD EACH TIME THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO BRING THE CAR IN AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS BEING CAUSED BY A LOOSE GAS CAP. LIVING IN THE STATE OF NJ WHERE YOU CANNOT PUMP YOUR OWN GAS, WE CONSISTENTLY REMIND THE GAS ATTENDANT TO PROPERLY ATTACH THE GAS CAP AND WE CHECK THE CAP AFTER GETTING GAS. THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. HOWEVER, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE PROBLEM IS BEING CAUSED BY THE GAS CAP, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. MY WIFE WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT AND DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES THIS OCCURRED. SHE WAS STUCK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC FOR 10 MINUTES WHILE TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED VERY SOON, SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. *JB

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY AS INOPERATIVE WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF AIRBAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A QUALIFYING CRASH FOR THE PASSENGER. *TR

CRACKED WINDSHIELD 2005 MINI COOPER S. *JB

WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. CRACK STARTED AT TOP CENTER EXTENDED DOWN ABOUT 4 INCHES, THEN HORIZONTALL FOR ABOUT 4 INCHES AND IS NOW MOVING DOWN AGAIN. *NM

I SLOWED DOWN FROM APPROXIMATELY 40MPH TO 35MPH AS I ENTERED A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT FROM THE MAIN STREET WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP OR SHUT OFF. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND COASTED TO A SAFE STOP BARELY MISSING PARKED CARS. SIMILAR SITUATIONS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND SPORADICALLY WITH NO RECOGNIZABLE PATTERN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. I MENTIONED THE STEERING LOSS AT THE SERVICE APPOINTMENTS, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SITUATIONS. THE MINI SERVICE AT THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED ANY PROBLEMS TO ME SO I ASSUMED IT WAS JUST AN ELECTRONIC GLITCH. MOST RECENTLY THE BATTERY WAS RUN DOWN AND WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE. WHILE PURCHASING A NEW BATTERY THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS STUCK OR STAYING ON AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF THUS RUNNING DOWN THE NEW BATTERY. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE PRICE OF A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP ONLINE I FOUND SITES WITH COMPLAINTS THAT WERE VERY SIMILAR, IF NOT EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE PROBLEMS I HAD EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST WITH STEERING POWER LOSS. THE MINI DEALER THAT INSTALLED THE NEW POWER STEERING PUMP WAS NOT WILLING TO OBLIGE ME DUE TO MY MINI BEING 8,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE, AND I FEEL THAT MINI SHOULD REFUND ME THE MONEY SPENT REPLACING THIS DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. *JS

FRONT WHEEL RUBBING NOISES AT LOW SPEED WHEN TURNING HARD LEFT OR HARD RIGHT. MINI DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL, NOTHING WAS DONE. *JB

(1) EVENTS: DRIVING LONG DISTANCE, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS I NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS MAKING CLUNKING NOISES. I SLOWED DOWN, AND THE NOISE GOT WORSE. EVENTUALLY, I SLOWED DOWN, PULLED OVER, AND THE CAR KEEPS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN, AND THEN AFTER I STOPPED IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD ANYMORE. (2) FAILURE: LOST 3 OUT OF 4 LUG BOLTS ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, AS A RESULT, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL IS ALMOST FALLING OFF OF THE CAR. THE LEFT FRONT RIM WAS ALSO BENT. (3) CALLED BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, TOWED THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED 3 OF 4 LUG BOLTS AND ALSO REPLACED THE BENT RIM. *JB

THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I GOT THE CAR AND I READ THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH PUTTING BAGS ON THE SEAT. I LATER DISCOVERED THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THERE IS A BAG, A PERSON OR AN EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IT HAS FREQUENTLY GONE INTO WHAT DEALERS AND OTHER OWNERS CALL "LIMP MODE". IT BASICALLY LOSES ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND IS ENTIRELY UNSAFE AND UNACCEPTABLE. IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE FOR ANY CAR TO STALL THIS OFTEN LET ALONE A NEW CAR. THIS CAR IS MONTHS OLD AND WE ARE HAVING SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEMS. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS AND HAS MADE SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS AT REPAIRING THEM ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE NEVER NOTIFIED ANY OWNER OR DONE A FORMAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (ACCORDING TO BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE REP.). THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS CONSIDERING WHAT IS AT STAKE . THIS IS A MAJOR MECHANICAL SAFETY PROBLEM NOT A CONVENIENCE ITEM FAILURE. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO OWNS THIS VEHICLE TO ADDRESS THIS WITH YOUR DEALERS BEFORE IT STARTS HAPPENING TO YOUR VEHICLE. WE ONLY FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE THINGS TO BE DONE WHEN ART DEALER LOOKED AT OUR VIN NUMBER AT OUR REQUEST. NO NOTICE WAS GIVEN, AND OTHERS SEEM TO REPORT THE PROBLEM CONTINUING AFTER THE CURRENT FIX IS APPLIED. GOOD LUCK! *NM

CONSUMER HAD 2005 MINI COOPER IN SHOP FOR COLLISION REPAIRS THAT WERE NOT MADE. *TS THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE BODY SHOP FOR OVER 2 MONTHS, BECAUSE THE AUTO BODY SHOP RECEIVED THE WRONG PART 3 TIMES. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING, AND TURNING THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT OR NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES. OWNER HAD TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER, BUT DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS . OWNER CONTACTED MINI-COOPER CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE OWNER CALL NHTSA AND REPORT THE PROBLEM. THE OWNER DID SEND AN E-MAIL TO INFORM NHTSA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE OWNER DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHY VEHICLE FAILED. HE HAD NOT RUN OVER ANY KIND OF OBJECTS. WHEN STARTING THE CAR POWER STEERING WORKED, BUT AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 100 YARDS POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. OWNER PROVIDED ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WAS AVAILABLE. THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE A CRASH OR INJURY THAT COULD RESULT IN FATALITIES. THIS WAS A MINI-COOPER S CONVERTIBLE.*AK

I HAD MY BRAND NEW 2005 MINI COOPER S AUTOMATIC FOR LESS THAN ONE MONTH WHEN IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET - THE ENGINE JUST STALLED OUT OR WENT INTO WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS "LIMP MODE". LUCKILY, THE STREET WASN'T CROWDED AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. BUT WHAT IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY???? I'VE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND BMW KNOWS ABOUT IT, BUT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! BMW SAID IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE MADE UPDATES, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN CORRECTED. I AM STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY FOR FEAR OF BECOMING A STATISTIC! BMW SHOULD AT LEAST NOTIFY ALL MCS AUTOMATIC OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARD! *JB

MY 2005 MINI COOPER S AUTOMATIC SUDDENLY STOPPED TWICE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS ONLY 4 MONTHS OLD, ABOUT 4000 MILES ON CAR. I WAS ACTUALLY IN MOTION, AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING! I HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. EML AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON ONCE THE CAR STOPPED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN WENT OFF, SO I ASSUMED IT WAS A FLUKE AND NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT (OTHERWISE I ASSUME THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON). THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS EXACTLY THE SAME SCENARIO AS THE FIRST. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT MINI IS CALLING THIS "LIMP MODE", BUT I HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM MINI, OR ANYTHING INDICATING THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE DID KNOW, BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ OF OTHERS WHO COMPLAINED TO THEM ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS!! YET MINI APPARENTLY DID NOT NOTIFY DEALERSHIPS, BECAUSE THE FIRST ONE I CALLED HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WHICH I DESCRIBED, AND WASN'T GOING TO TAKE ME FOR SERVICE UNTIL 2 WEEKS LATER. I CALLED A SECOND DEALER WHO IMMEDIATELY KNEW THE PROBLEM, AND SAID IT WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL. STILL I HAD NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM MINI USA. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND IT WAS FIXED IN AN HOUR--THEY REPROGRAMMED THE DME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! I STILL HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM MINI ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM! MAYBE THEY DIDN'T NOTIFY ME BECAUSE I HAD IT TAKEN CARE OF ALREADY, BUT HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, RATHER THAN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I COULD BE DEAD NOW! WHY ISN'T MINI NOTIFYING OWNERS WHO PURCHASED THE 2005 AUTOMATICS!! WHY AREN'T THEY ISSUING A RECALL? ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE KILLED? *JB

ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AFTER TRAVELING A FEW HUNDRED YARDS OR SO OUR MINI WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND GO INTO A "LIMP MODE" AS WE MOVE FROM EITHER A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN THE INTERSECTION CAUSING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. THE VEHICLES SES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE THREE TIMES TO GET THIS DEFECT ADDRESSED. MINI STATES THAT IT IS A "KNOWN" PROBLEM WITH THE CURRENT SOFTWARE. I NOW HAVE A THIRD VERSION OF THE SOFTWARE, BUT WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR TO "TEST" IT OUT. I HOPE EITHER MINI OR THE NHTSA WILL POST A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. *JB

DT: CONSUMER'S WIFE PARKED THE CAR ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IN THE DRIVEWAY, ABOUT 3-5 MINUTES LATER, SHE HEARD A LOUD CRASH. THE CAR WAS IN THE WOODS. THE CAR HAD ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY A TOTAL OF ABOUT 150 FEET. DEALER SAID THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. THIS WAS THE FIRST FAILURE. CONSUMER FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THE SAME THING.*AK *JB

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN PEOPLE STARTING HONKING AND WAVING AT CONSUMER. BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. CONSUMER HAD DEALER COME AND GET VEHICLE, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER SAID THAT VEHICLE WAS IN HER POSSESSION FOR 24 HOURS WHEN BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW FROM DEALER , WHO SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. BUT CONSUMER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO CHECK TO SEE IF BRAKE LIGHTS ACTUALLY WORKED. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS SIGNIFICANT THAT THIS HAPPENED AFTER DEALER HAD DONE THE SAFETY PREPARATIONS FOR DELIVERING THE CAR. DEALER SAID THAT THE PREPARATIONS WERE DONE, AND THEY CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND ALL THE FLUID LEVELS.*AK

STARTED VEHICLE IN THE EVENING WHEN LEAVING WORK THEN DROVE OUT ONTO THE STREET AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THE DEALER SAID A TEMPERATURE SENSOR TOLD THE COMPUTER IT WAS OUT OF RANGE AND SENT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO A LIMP MODE. AFTER PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING THE CAR IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO MAP SENSORS AND AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MOTOR, BUT IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED UNTIL THEY CORRECT THE SOFTWARE. THERE ARE 7 MINI COOPER S AUTOMATICS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AT THIS DEALER AND MANY MORE THROUGHOUT THE U.S.

AIRBAG COVER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS A DEFECT EDGE ON THE MINI EMBLEM WHICH COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A DEPLOYMENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED; AFTER THE RESTART, THE STEERING CAPABILITIES RETURNED. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND BECAME WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER TO THE WHEELS AND DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FOUND OR CORRECTED. A SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED A FEW WEEKS LATER, AGAIN AS THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THIS TIME, THE POWER RETURNED WITHOUT HAVING TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. *JB

WHILE STOPPED THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FOR 5-7 SECONDS.. THE ENGINE RPM DID NOT INCREASE EVEN WITH THE FOOT PEDAL PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE RPM DID INCREASE THE CAR ACCELERATED NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT EPISODE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. *AK *BF *NM

PURCHASED CAR NEW 10/2004. IN FEBRUARY 2005 IT BEGAN TO ACT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE AT LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN FIRST STARTED. WHEN THE RPMS ARE LOW IT ACTS AS IF IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL. CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP RE: THIS PROBLEM WERE MET W/ "MINI KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A FIX BY MAY." I BROUGHT UP MY CONCERNS REGARDING SAFETY AND WAS TOLD TO "BE CAREFUL". HAVING THE CAR DIE IN MID-TURNS OR WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE ACROSS AN INTERSECTION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TODAY AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MINI THERE IS NO FIX TO THIS PROBLEM AND OWNERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE GASOLINE IN THE USA IS "BETTER".I HOPE THE NHTSA WILL BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS "UNFIXABLE" PROBLEM.NUMBER OF FAILURES NOTED WAS CALCULATED BY MULTIPLYING APPROX.# OF DAYS SINCE THIS PROBLEM BEGAN BY THE AVE # OF STARTS PER DAY.