NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 MINI Cooper. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 , this recall was not for my vehicle. according to the numbers and years but, it was manufactured at the same time in 2007 . SAME AS CONVERTABLE BY THE SAME COMPANY... plus they have not fixed FRM.i boutght this car possibly 3rd hand but i regisdtered with Mini. so my codes are up and the wanring lights are there and i was wanting the information as to what the part number or serial number is for the recalled part, would that not be a way to confirm if it is part of a problem?
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the windows would roll down independently and the sunroof would fail to close completely. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the braking system; however, the contact stated that new brake hardware had been installed on the vehicle. The contact related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper Hardtop. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted and determined that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure the contacts headlight went out. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that the rear headlight remained illuminated after turning off the vehicle. The contact was forced to put the key in and out of the ignition or disconnect the battery to resolve the issue. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Occupant side airbag sensor is defective my mechanic put a code reader to verify it’s a 2008 hatchback and I see they have recalled all the convertibles but not the sedans I would think the same airbag sensor is in my car are there any updates to my car because the replacement is very very expensive and the airbag failure light is a pain to have displaying That contact added that the vehicle only had about 36,000 miles on it.
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the electrical system became inoperable. The contact stated that the windows, headlights, radio, and other safety features were inoperable. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was caused by a rusted footwell control module. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
While driving the car at aproximately 25mph, the engine and the car stopped running. All dashboard warning lamps were off prior to the engine failure The car rolled to the side of the road to get out of the way of other traffic. The service engine warning lamp was on after the engine shut off and stopped running. The car was towed to a service station, and they too could not get the car to start. The mechanic's troubleshooting ultimately found the engine's internal timing chain had broken, causing multiple of other internal engine components to become damaged. The engine required detailed repair to replace the damaged engine parts to get it to start operating again. The costs for the repairs were over $5000.00.
Timing Chain and tensioner rattle. Known recall issue but not showing recall
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Airbag Warning Light has come on indicating a malfunction with this safety system and consequently that the airbag safety system may not deploy in the event of an accident. This problem is not unique to my specific vehicle and appears to be a very common issue amongst BMW Mini vehicles as evidenced by much discussion on forums across the internet.
This vehicle just went over 66,000 miles and the airbag warning light started appearing. An independent mechanic and dealership both diagnosed and said it's a defective front passenger seat occupant detection mat and I'd need to replace the entire system/seat. Several other vehicles with the same part have recalls however my specific 2008 model is not included in this recall. I believe it should be included in the recall as this is clearly a known issue and an obvious safety system/design flaw. No sort of crash or collision occurred and now the vehicle will not pass safety inspection and is unusable because of this until I spent roughly $2000 on the repair.
Hello, An airbag sensor recall was issued in 2015 and Mini Cooper refuses to fix this safety issue. They are saying this recall is expired, but it has not been 10 years and the car only has 54,000 miles. This is a known defect. Car is currently broken. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15355121/bmw-recalls-91800-mini-coopers-for-airbag-sensors/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bmw-recalls-91-000-mini-coopers-over-air-bag-sensor-n344226 https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/minicooper-recall-81033/ https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2005-08-mini-cooper-recalled-for-airbag-problem.html This should be covered by the manufacturer. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the headlights and taillights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact was able to drive safely to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with footwell (FRM) module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG OCCUPANT SENSOR/MAT FAILED CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT TO BE ON AND FOR AIRBAGS NOT TO DEPLOY INCASE OF A ACCIDENT . MINI DID NOT RECALL THIS ISSUES BUT PUT A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 10YEARS FOR THIS DEFECT THEY ARE AWARE ABOUT. THIS HAS EXPIRED FOR MANY VEHICLES INCLUDING MINE . THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE THAT'S A POTENTIAL RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH INCASE OF A ACCIDENT AND THE FACT THAT MINI COOPER DOES NOT RECALL THIS MATTER IS INHUMAN . PLEASE HELP WITH THIS MATTER.
WHEN PRESSING THE BREAK, THE ENGINE REVS. I TURNED ON THE CAR AND PRESSED THE BREAK. THE ENGINE REVVED. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE AGAIN IT REVVED UP TO 7000 RPM. I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. I WAS AFRAID TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A MONTH AGO THE MINI ENGINE RPM RAISED AND THE CAR WENT FASTER EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT PRESSING THE GAS. I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT.
MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THE MACHANIC SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PASSENGER SEAT TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSOR. A NEW SEAT WILL COST $1500 AND LABOR WILL COST $500. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT.
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT ACTIVATE IN A CRASH WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. RECALLS ACTIVE FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR THE SAME MAKE IN OTHER YEARS AND MODELS ARE CURRENTLY RECALLED HOWEVER OTHERS ARE EXCLUDED.
TIMING CHAIN JUMPED OUT OF TIMING AND CAUSED BENT VALVES.
TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS OFF LINE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS THAT IT IS NOT TURNING ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE TACHOMETER WHEN I START THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND STATIONARY.
WARNING MESSAGE FOR SEAT BELT TENSION/AIR BAG MALFUNCTION AND BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON. THE VEHICLE HAS 40+ THOUSAND MILES ON IT, I AM A SECOND OWNER. THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED ON MAY 29, 2020. NO ACCIDENTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. COST FOR REPAIR IS OVER $2000 AND SO FAR THERE'S ONLY RECALLS FOR 2008 CONVERTIBLE WHICH I TOTALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND. THIS LOOKS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE MINI AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS BEING AFFECTED. I CURRENTLY HAVE NO PHOTOS BUT CAN READILY SUPPLY PHOTOS UPON REQUEST. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT/AIR BAG EMBLEM SHOWS ON THE DASH SCREEN WHEN ENTERING THE KEY WHILE STATIONARY, NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND DOES NOT GO AWAY WHEN OCCUPIED. *TR
AIRBAG SENSOR FAILS TO PASS THE VEHICLE'S INTERNAL SAFETY CHECK AND A WARNING LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. THIS LIGHT INDICATES THAT THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE AIRBAG, AND IT WILL NOT DEPLOY IF INVOLVED IN A WRECK WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ON. FOR THE PAST 9 MONTHS, THIS SENSOR HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, AND NOW IT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS/YEARS OF THE MINI COOPER, BUT WHEN I LOOK UP MY VIN IT SHOWS NO RECALL. IN ONLINE SEARCHES, I SEE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME MAKE/MODEL OF MINI COOPER WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, ONE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER, NOT AN EXPENSE I SHOULD HAVE TO INCUR.
TIMING CHAIN DEFECTIVE. *TR
RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2008 MINI COOPER. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND ALWAYS STAYS ON. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT MINI HAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY/RECALL. I TOOK VEHICLE TO BMW/MINI DEALER IN BIRMINGHAM, AL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR RECALL EXPIRED IN 2018, OR WITH VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 120,000 MILES. MINE HAS 123,000 MI. ALSO CALLED MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RECEIVED THE SAME INFORMATION. MANY VIDEOS EXIST ON INTERNET/YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT AND HOW TO BYPASS PROBLEM BY INSTALLING A PART THAT BYPASSES THE SENSOR OR BY USING A SCAN TOOL TO ERASE THE CODE TO REMOVE THE WARNING LIGHT. NEITHER OF THESE SOLUTIONS SEEM SAFE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR'S PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD FAIL TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. HERE IS A VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS THE PROBLEM AND A POSSIBLE UNSAFE FIX: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GDLMTYGUIPM&T=615S
MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO CEL OR ERRORS ON THE DASH DISPLAY. CAR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. I NOTICED SOME SMOKE. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING NORMALLY. I SHUT OFF THE MOTOR AND GOT OUT. BYSTANDERS EMPTIED AN EXTINGUISHER THROUGH THE FRONT GRILLE BUT WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED. CAR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND CONSUMED THE INTERIOR.
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAT MAT IS DEFECTIVE. JUST STOPPED WORKING. COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $2000. SO, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSOR REMAINS ON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A LEFT TURN LANE AS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MINI OF THE WOODLANDS (16675 I-45, CONROE, TX 77385, (936) 344-1258) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DME (ENGINE COMPUTER) FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER INADVERTENTLY BUMPED INTO THE EXHAUST PIPE LOCATED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, SHE SUSTAINED A SECOND DEGREE BURN TO THE RIGHT LEG WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED REGARDING THE INCIDENT AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF BEDFORD (LOCATED AT 209 S RIVER RD, BEDFORD, NH 03110, (833) 785-4497) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IF THEY REMOVED IT TO REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
ENGINE HAS DEVELOPED THE "DEATH RATTLE" AT LOW REV AND LOW TEMPERATURE , INDICATING A FAILING, DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONE
AT 32000 MILES AN OIL LEAK WAS NOTED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE FOREIGN CAR REPAIR SHOP TROUBLESHOT THE LEAK. FINAL OUTCOME: REPLACE SUPERCHARGER ASSEMBLY, VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. TOTAL COST $3,014.78 FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS A TRADE-IN VALUE OF LESS THAN $5,000. THE FOREIGN CAR EXPERT WAS AMAZED THAT THE TURBO HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE.
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON I-71 N & N. BROADWAY EXIT IN COLUMBUS, OHIO ON MARCH 1, 2019 THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND BENT ALL VALVES AND CYLINDER HEAD AND VALVES RESULTING IN $8821.97 IN DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IS DUE TO THE PRINCE/PSA ENGINE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT ADMITTED TO IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT KNOW AS JOSHUA SKEEN AND LAURIE FREEMAN V. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, L.LC. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY CIV. NO. 2:13-CV-1531-WHW-CLW. BMW DECLINED TO REPLACE MY ENGINE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AGREED TO IN THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT OF THE ABOVE CITED ACTION. ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND MY ENGINE FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED LOSS OF LIFE. MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE CLASS VEHICLES, R56 N14 ENGINE PRODUCED BETWEEN 2006 THRU 2010. THIS IS A PRODUCT LIABILITY SAFETY CLAIM THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY STATUTORY/WARRANTY TIME LIMITATION. ALL CLASS VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE LOSS OF LIFE AND SAFETY RISKS. DO NOT WAIT FOR LOSS OF LIFE TO ENFORCE THE LIABILITY OF BMW FOR THEIR FAILURE TO SELF REPORT THE DESIGN DEFECT AND FAILURE TO VOLUNTARILY RECALL ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED, CAUSING A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. ALL THE VALVES AND CYLINDER HEADS WERE BENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MIDWESTERN AUTO GROUP, 6335 PERIMETER LOOP RD, DUBLIN, OH 43017, (614) 889-2571 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $8,000. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED A CLAIM NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST WITH THE WARRANTY OR RECALL,S BUT OFFERED TO PAY $2,000 TOWARDS THE REPAIR COST. THE OFFER WAS GOOD FOR SIX MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,674.
PURCHASED FROM CARMAX (11/18/17), NEVER INFORMED OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING THE TIMING CHAIN WITH THIS VEHICLE. AFTER ONLY 4 MONTHS AND ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES, THE PROBLEMS BEGAN. FIRST TRIP TO MECHANIC, THE ENGINE VALVE COVER WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. REPLACED FOR JUST OVER $700. LESS THAN 10 MONTHS LATER AND WELL UNDER 2000 MILES, I WAS IN TRANSIT TO WORK, ON THE HIGHWAY OFF RAMP AND THE MINI SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, WOULD NOT START BACK UP. HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. TOWED BACK TO AUTO MECHANIC AND ANOTHER $200 TO FIND THE GUIDE TO TIMING CHAIN BROKE OFF, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. MINI WAS TOWED BACK TO CARMAX TO FIND THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED, BUT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME TYPE OF ENGINE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. SENIOR TEAM AT CARMAX IS CURRENTLY EVALUATING MY CASE. POSSIBLE BUY BACK OF VEHICLE, STILL AWAITING A VERDICT.
MY MINI COOPER HAS A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM IT RATTLES UPON STARTING AND I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT .....I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, WHEN A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATES THE AIR BAG IS NOT ON.
ENGINE MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN COLD AND GETS LAUGHTER
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON SPEEDOMETER IS ON. I HAVE HAD IT RESET AND IT COMES BACK ON. THE FAILURE CODE IS "93B1 HEAD AIRBAG, FRONT PASSENGER." WHAT HAS FAILED HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET. THE VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 112,000 MILES. THIS WARNING CAME ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, PARKED.WHEN THE CODE IS RESET, IT WILL STAY OFF FOR AWHILE AND THEN RETURN.
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE (WHICH LED TO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT) CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. OWNERS THAT WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS LAWSUIT OR DID NOT VEHICLE AT THE TIME STILL AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECTIVE PART PUTTING DRIVERS IN DANGER YET COMPANY HAS NEVER ISSUED RECALL.
THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND A MINI DEALERSHIP HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE VALVES (POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE TIMING BEING OFF). MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS WITH MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAIN IN THIS VEHICLE. DESPITE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH NECESSARY REPAIRS TO THIS DEFECTIVE PART (AND OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DEFECT). THESE TIMING CHAIN ISSUES ARE NOT ONLY AN UNDUE BURDEN ON THE CONSUMER, THEY CAN BE POTENTIALLY FATAL IF A TIMING CHAIN FAILS AT AN UNFORTUNATE MOMENT. MINI NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL.
WHILE TRAVELING ON I-10 IN TALLAHASSEE, FL AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. BEING I THE CENTER LANE OF EIGHT (FOUR EACH DIRECTION) IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. SEVERAL VEHICLES MADE ABRUPT MANEUVERS TO AVOID A CRASH. ALSO AS I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY OTHER CARS. I LATER FOUND OUT THIS WAS DUE TO A FAILED TIMING CHAIN WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND NO RECALL. THERE WAS ALSO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AND STILL NO RECALL. THIS COULD HAVE WELL BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH BAY MINI (18900 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE, CA 90504) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,072. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
CAR TAKES A WHILE TO "WARM UP" HOWEVER AFTER A VERY SHORT DRIVE THE HOOD IS HOT TO THE TOUCH. IT ALSO SMELLS HOT. I LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND THERE IS ACTUALLY AN AFTER MARKET 'DEFLECTOR' TO CHANNEL HEAT FROM THE HOOD. I HAVE NOTICED THE PLASTIC HOOD SCOOP IS DEFORMED FROM HEAT. I FEEL IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A FIRE OR OTHER REACTION, E.G., HEAT CAUSES ANOTHER PART TO FAIL AND CAR WONT STOP, ACCELERATE OR OTHER CAUSING A CRASH. I ALSO NOTICED THE HEADLIGHT WIRING TO BE FRAYED AS IF IT HAS BEEN HOT.
TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE. I HAD TO REPLACE CHAIN, TENSIONERS AND CRANK GEAR ON MY 2008 MINI WITH 81,000 MILES.
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND NOT CERTAIN WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF AIRBAG NEEDS TO DEPLOY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM BASED ON INTERNET SEARCH. MINI RECALLED FIRST GENERATION MODELS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE SECOND GENERATION VEHICLES (MINE).
CVT TRANSMISSION BELT BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR CAME TO A. STOP . I COULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED BY A BIG TRUCK THAT WAS BEHIND LUCKILY HE WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND ME
SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING CAR. CALLED LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" FOR SEAT MAT SENSOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SPECIFICALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED AND CAUSED STEERING CONTROL TO BECOME DIFFICULT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD OVERHEAT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO PARK THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT COOLED IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT CALLED MINI OF KENNESAW (2275 BARRETT LAKES BLVD, KENNESAW, GA 30144; 678-496-9565) WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OR A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
CVT TRANSMISSION STICKING IN 2ND GEAR.