2008 MINI Cooper Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG FAILURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,500. UPDATED 09/25/15*LJ UPDATED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V1205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE CLOSEST DEALER WAS EIGHTY MILES AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR, BUT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF THE LABOR FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE MADE FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2008 MINI COOPER (ATTN: JOSIAH MANZO) DOCUMENT IS HARD TO READ. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIMING CHAIN. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE TO FAIL.*JB

AIR BAG SENSOR GOES OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR 2005-2008 MINI COOPERS, BUT NOT ALL MAKES. THE 2005-2006 MODELS ARE THE MINI COOPER, MINI COOPER S, MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE AND MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE S. THE RECALL IS EXTENDED THROUGH 2008 MODELS BUT THOSE MODELS ONLY INCLUDE THE CONVERTIBLE AND THE CONVERTIBLE S. THE 2007-2008 MINI COOPER AND MINI COOPER S ARE ALSO HAVING THIS AIR BAG ISSUE, AS NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED ON VARIOUS MINI FORUMS, AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ..UPDATED 09/03/15 *BF

(SORRY FOR MY ENGLISH) THE CAR TURN ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR EVERY TIME. I DONT HAVE PASSENGERS ANY TIME BUT THIS PROBLEM APPEARED. THERE IS A MINI RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEMS BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT IN THE RECALL LIST.

AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WILL COST $2600 TO REPLACE THE PARTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, NOT WEAR OR TEAR. EXISTING RECALLS FOR AIR BAGS HAVE NOT INCLUDED MY VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL.

I PURCHASED MY 2008 MINI COOPER BRAND NEW FROM MINI OF THE WOODLANDS IN TEXAS. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED ILLUMINATING RANDOMLY, WHICH DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHILE IT IS ILLUMINATED. THIS HAPPENED MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY, UNTIL IT STAYS ILLUMINATED MOST OF THE TIME NOW. I BROUGHT IT TO MINI IF THE WOODLANDS FOR EVALUATION, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT SENSOR HAD GONE BAD, AND IT WOULD COST $1,900 TO REPLACE IT. I FIND THIS FAILURE TO BE A LITTLE ODD, CONSIDERING THAT MY MINI'S PASSENGER SEAT HAS ALMOST NEVER HAD ANYONE IN IT! ALSO, SLIDING THE SEAT FORWARD/BACKWARD SEEMS TO AFFECT THE FREQUENCY & DURATION OF THE SENSOR FAILURES; THOUGH THE OVERALL FREQUENCY & DURATION CONTINUES TO INCREASE. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN ONLINE, AND HEARD FROM OTHER REPAIR FACILITIES, MINI'S PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR AFFECTS FAR MORE MODEL YEARS THAN THOSE FOR WHICH BMW HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED RECALLS. I'D EVEN BE HAPPY IF MINI COULD JUST CIRCUMVENT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR, AND HAVE THE AIRBAG DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THAT'S A FAR BETTER OPTION THAN HAVING IT DEACTIVATED WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S A PASSENGER IN THE CAR! BUT MINI OF THE WOODLANDS TOLD ME THAT THERE'S NO WAY THEY CAN DO THAT.

THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE IS A KNOWN FAILURE POINT ON THE ENGINES PUT IN THIS GENERATION OF MINI COOPER S MODELS. THE OIL LINE USES A "O" RING GASKET BEHIND A PINCH/CRIMP CONNECTION. THIS CONNECTION IS DIRECTLY IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT SIDE OF THE TURBO AND FAILS DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THIS ALLOWS ENGINE OIL TO LEAK OUT OVER THE TURBO AND DOWN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RUN LOW ON OIL AT BEST. AT THE WORST IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF THE TURBO GETS HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE OIL THAT IS LEAKING OUT. *TR

I TOOK MY 2008 MINI COOPER IN FOR ITS ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK AND IT DID NOT PASS. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS FAULTY, IT DOES NOT DETECT THAT THERE IS IN FACT A PERSON OCCUPYING THE SEAT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MINI COOPER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, AGAIN, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PART TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR RANGES FROM $1200-$1400 DEPENDING ON THE RETAILER. THE COST OF THIS PART IS OUTRAGEOUS. THE LABOR HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE 2-4 HOURS DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY RE-UPHOLSTERED. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS FAULTY SENSOR AND THAT MINI COOPER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS SAFE. *TR

8;30 AM THREE CAR INTERSECTION ACCIDENT. TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROLLED 4 WAY INTERSECTION, AUTO TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND RAN RED LIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH TWO CARS TRAVELING EAST BOUND THROUGH INTERSECTION AT APPROX 35 MPH.. 1ST CAR IMPACTED TOYOTA MINI VAN DRIVERS SIDE. FORCE OF ACCIDENT SO SEVERE THAT IT FORCED MINI VAN INTO MY AUTO. THE MINI VAN IMPACTED MY MINI PRIMARILY INTO MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. ALL THREE VEHICLES HAD TO BE TOWED FROM SCENE OF ACCIDENT. MY MINI COOPERS DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DEMOLISHED. FORCE OF IMPACT SO GREAT THE IT BENT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS DOOR 3-4 INCHES ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR FACILITY IT WAS TOWED TO. VIP AUTO BODY. THE WINDOW THAT WAS APPROX 1/3 OPEN SHATTERED THE WINDOW. I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO NECK, BACK,SHOULDER AND RIGHT SIDE OF HEAD WHICH HIT THE DOOR PANEL UPON IMPACT. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH SINCE THIS ACCIDENT AND THERE ARE SEVERAL AIR BAGS AND SIDE DOOR IMPACT BAG CURTAINS IN THE MINI COOPER AND NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED. THERE IS AN ACTUAL SENSOR IN THE MIDDLE OF EACH DOOR TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS, OBVIOUSLY THE ONE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS NOT WORKING. THIS CAR SUPPOSEDLY HAS A 5 STAR CRASH RATING ACCORDING TO MINI USA AND MY ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER. I CONTACTED MINI USA THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND THEY INSTRUCTED ME NOT TO HAVE ANY REPAIRS DONE UNTIL ONE OF THERE TECH'S CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE MINI AND DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. I DID SO. THE TECH CAME OUT 5 DAYS LATER, AND A WEEK AFTER THAT THE RESULTS CAME IN AND MINI USA SAID EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY AS FAR AS THE AIR BAGS. LIARS. ANYONE WITH ANY COMMON SENSE CAN SEE THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH THE FORCE OF THIS IMPACT. THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ACCIDENT. MY MINI COOPER WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. ANY INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ACCIDENT WOULD BE VERY APPRECIATED MAYBE EVEN SAVING A LIFE IN THE FUTURE ....UPDATED 04/23/15 *BF

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY IN DICKSON, TN MY 2008 MINI COOPER LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS DURING AN ICE STORM. WE HAD TO WAIT HOURS ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY WITH NO HEAT, AND VEHICLES STRUGGLING TO STAY ON THE ROAD, UNTIL A TOW TRUCK DRIVER FROM AAA WAS ABLE TO PICK US UP, SAYING HOW LUCKY WE WERE TO HAVE NOT BEEN HIT. WHEN BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MINI DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO LOW OIL LEVEL. THE INCIDENT OCCURED IN FEBRUARY, MY OIL WAS CHANGED ON DECEMBER. UPON REPAIR FROM MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN THAT COLLAPSED. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT MINI COOPER IS AWARE OF THE TIMING CHAIN DEFECT, AND IN FACT SENT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ON BEHALF OF CURRENT MINI DRIVERS AND POTENTIAL BUYERS I URGE YOU TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE IN HOPES OF PREVENTING POTENTIAL INJURIES OR DEATHS.

TURBOCHARGER OIL FEED LINE LEAKING. THE PART IS POORLY DESIGNED AND ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE DEALER WANTS $1200 TO REPLACE IT. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE PERSON ABOUT THE HEAT SHIELD RECALL FROM JUST LAST YEAR TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE FROM OCCURRING, HE REASSURED ME THAT THE HEAT SHIELD RECALL WAS BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF PAINT JOBS THEY HAD TO DO ON HOODS FROM THE HEAT OFF THE TURBO DAMAGING THE HOOD PAINT. I THINK MINI SHOULD COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE OIL SUPPLY LINE SINCE THEY ARE WELL AWARE THAT THIS PART IS FAULTY, IT GETS TOO HOT AND LEAKS. THE HEAT SHIELD RECALL DOESN'T STOP THE DAMAGE ALREADY DONE. IT SEEMS MY 2008 MINI IS NOT IMMUNE TO ANY OF THE "KNOWN" ISSUES THIS CAR HAS. EVERYTIME I VISIT THE MINI DEALERSHIP IT'S ANOTHER WELL KNOWN ISSUE/REPAIR. WHILE THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY HELPFUL WITH THE LAST ISSUE (TIMING CHAIN), THEY WERE NOT WITH THIS LATEST ONE. THEY SAID BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR

I OWN A 2008 MINI COOPER S AND IT HAS 38600 MILES ON IT I HAVE OWNED IT FOR A YEAR AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE TIMING CHAIN CHANGED ONCE BEFORE AT 13,485 BY A MINI DEALER. AS FOR THIS TIME IT IS STILL DRIVABLE AND HAS NOT CAUSED ANY INCIDENTS. *TR

WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATING ON THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, THERE WAS A SMALL JERKING MOTION. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ONE THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT DATE, 01/08, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE CAR HAVE A LOUD ENGINE SOUND, SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS CHOCKING FOR AIR. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH THE RPM POINTER RUNNING UP AND DOWN (GAS PADDLE IS UNTOUCHED). TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE NEXT DAY AND THEY FOUND THERE IS OIL LEAKING FROM THE OIL FEED LINE TO THE TURBO. $1200 TO REPLACE THE PART. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND MANY MINI OWNER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

PASSENGERS AIR BAG APPEARS OFF WHEN SOMEONE ARE SEAT. THIS EVOLVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT.

LOW MILEAGE 2008 VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISES FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DIAGNOSED AS TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER FAILURE. APPEARS TO A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OVER $2000. MECHANICS SAY NOT "IF" BUT "WHEN" THIS WILL HAPPEN TO ALL 2008 MCS. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED ON A RECALL. VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY UNTIL REPAIRED; DELAY WILL RESULT IN TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT REMAIN ON IN THE VEHICLE. I WILL NOT PAY THE OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY THE DEALERSHIP WANTS THE FIX OR REPLACE WHATEVER IS WRONG WITH IT. MAYBE ILL BE THE FIRST PERSON INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT THAT A RECALL ACTUALLY IS ISSUED FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. IT DID GO OFF WHEN A PASSENGER SAT IN THE SEAT. SENSOR SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED, A COSTLY JOB. SEAT WAS REPLACED. THE ONLY WAY I RECOGNIZED THE ERROR WAS WHEN THERE WAS NO PASSENGER. I FEEL THAT IF I ALWAYS DROVE WITH A PASSENGER I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN OF THE MALFUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNKNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER AS IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED ON WEBSITES AND WHEN MENTIONED TO NON MINI REPAIR SHOPS, THEY WERE AWARE OF IT. *TR

LEADING UP TO INCIDENT CAR WASN'T SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AND WOULD BECOME STUCK I THIRD GEAR WITH YELLOW GEAR LIGHT WITH EXCLAMATION ILLUMINATED. IF YOU STOP AND TURN ENGINE OFF THEN START AGAIN THE LIGHT TURNS OFF AND CAR DRIVES NORMAL. YESTERDAY THE CAR SLAMMED INTO PARK WHILE DRIVING 25MPH. GEAR SELECTOR WAS IN DRIVE THE WHOLE TIME. YELLOW GEAR LIGHT CAME ON WITH EXCLAMATION MARK AND TRIP COMPUTER SAID CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE, COOLANT, AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS ADDED ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT THE COOLANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ONE WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, AND ENGINE WERE MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

FAILURE OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SAME BMW SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT (OC3) THAT WAS REFERRED TO IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V-384 HAS BEEN FAILING IN MINI COOPERS ON A WIDE SCALE. THIS CAUSES THE AIRBAG TO BE DEACTIVATED WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN OCCUPANTS OCCUPY THE SEAT AND ARE INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE AIRBAG'S ACTIVATION COULD PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SURVIVABILITY. I BELIEVE THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER BMW CORPORATE MAKES AND MODELS, SUCH AS MINI, WHICH INVOLVE THE SAME SEAT SENSOR. *TR

THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY OIL FEED LINES TO THE TURBO WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH FOUND THE COUPLINGS THAT ATTACHES THESE LINES TO THE TURBO ARE DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND WILL COST APPROX: $1500.00. THE DEALER INSTALLED A TURBO SHIELD TO HELP WITH THE HEAT THAT IS CAUSING THE LINE TO PREMATURELY FAIL. WITH SO MANY EFFECTIVE SHOULDN'T MINI BE FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND CAR JUST STALLED. I MADE IT TO SIDE OF FREEWAY. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BEING ON FREEWAY IN SMALL CAR THAT STALLED. LUCKILY, I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE SO I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THERE WAS ADDITIONAL SERIOUS COLLATERAL ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO TIMING CHAIN BREAKING. CAR IS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND REGULARLY SERVICED. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE HEAD AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON AND CANNOT BE RESET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP (WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW) WILL NOT WARRANTY OR REFER TO MANUFACTURER, BUT WILL CHARGE OVER $1,200.00 TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND/OR SENSOR NOT KNOWING IF IT IS ACTUALLY DEFECTIVE. THE CAR (NOT EVEN SIX YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 47K MILES) SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. OTHER RECALLS FOR AIR BAGS HAVE NOT INCLUDED MY VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL...YET. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IS GOING OFF WHEN EITHER A PASSENGER OF AVERAGE WEIGHT (150LBS.) IS OCCUPYING SEAT OR A SMALL BUMP IN ROAD IS HIT. THE AIR BAG SENSOR FOR WIRING AND SEAT CUSHION REPLACEMENT IS NO LONGER UNDER A WARRANTY FOR 2008 MODEL, BUT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM COSTING APPROXIMATELY $1200.00 TO REPAIR AT THE DEALER. THE 2002-2006 MODELS HAD RECALL BY MINI FOR THIS. ALONG WITH THE BELOW SERVICE BULLETIN. SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: SIM-65-08-03 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10043927 MANUFACTURER: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC SUMMARY: BMW MINI: AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON: MRS FC 02, 03, 05, 06. *KB I WOULD LIKE A RECALL ON THIS MADE FOR THE 2008 MODEL AS THIS IS A MASSIVE SAFETY ISSUE AS I DON'T KNOW IF IN AN ACCIDENT EITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY. WITHOUT A RECALL OWNERS MUST PAY $1200 FOR WHAT IS A KNOWN DEFECT BY MINI. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GET INJURIES FOR THIS TO BECOME A RECALL? *TR

I WAS DRIVING IN A THREE LANE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE 2008 MINI COOPER S WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MINI DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD COLLAPSED. MINI USA INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE TENSIONER WHICH MY CAR QUALIFIED FOR AND IF THE DEALER COULD STATE THAT WAS THE CAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE THE CONNECTION AND REFUSES TO TELL ME AFTER A TEAR-DOWN WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. MINI IS TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY AND I'M LEFT WITH A $12000 REPAIR BILL, BEYOND WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE TENSIONER CAUSES ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

STARTING AROUND 65,000 MILES PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN CAR WOULD BE TURNED ON AND WOULD REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING EVEN THOUGH NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HAD IT CHECKED BY LOCAL MINI WORKSHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAT IN 2001-2008 MODELS. THEY LOOKED UP MY CAR FOR RECALL USING MY VIN AND MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED, THOUGH THE 2008 COOPER S CONVERTIBLE THAT USES THE SAME EXACT PART WAS INCLUDED. THIS MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE WHATSOEVER. THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL!! ALL MODELS SHOULD BE INCLUDED SINCE ALL MODELS HAVE THE PROBLEM!! IT IS COMPLETELY ABSURD THAT MINI WOULD PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH OF THEIR CUSTOMER'S LIVES THEY WANT TO SAVE. I AM BEING QUOTED BETWEEN $700 AND $1200 TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. MINI SHOULD FOOT THAT BILL; THEY INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE PART THAT IS CRUCIAL IN THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THEY NEED TO OWN UP TO IT.

WAS DRIVING ON HWY, AT 55 OIL SUPPLY LINE TO TURBOLEAKING OIL ORDER REPLACEMENT LINE OIL LINE HAS DEFECTIVE RUBBER SEALS AFTER HEATING UP FAIL CO WAS AWARE OF THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED I MAY REPAIR WITH FACTORY PCS THAT DID NOT WORK CO SHOULD RECALL DO TO FIRE POSSIBILITY OIL POURS OUT OF ENGINE ON TO MUFFERS VERY UNHAPPY. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

I HAVE NOW EXPERIENCED MY SECOND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE WITHIN A THREE YEAR PERIOD. COUNTLESS REPORTS ARE SURFACING AROUND THE GLOBE OF THE FAULTY DESIGN, AND THE MANUFACTURER (BMW) HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A DESIGN FLAW. THEY HAVE YET TO ISSUE A RECALL AS THE FEDERAL GOVT HAS NOT YET MANDATED THE REPAIR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION (AND EXPENSIVE ~ $2K) SHOULD THE SYSTEM FAIL. THE ONLY NOTICE IS A RATTLING SOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PRIOR TO FAILURE. BMW CLAIMS THE TENSIONER SHOULD BE GOOD FOR UPWARDS OF 120K MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50K AND THIS IS THE 2ND FAILURE I'VE EXPERIENCED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF MINI COOPER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, A NATIONWIDE RECALL IS THE ONLY MEASURE TO ENSURE THIS PROBLEM IS ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED. *TR

THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY OIL FEED LINES TO THE TURBO WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH FOUND THE COUPLINGS THAT ATTACHES THESE LINES TO THE TURBO ARE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND WILL COST APPROX: $1200.00. THE DEALER INSTALLED A TURBO SHIELD TO HELP WITH THE HEAT THAT IS CAUSING THE LINE TO PREMATURELY FAIL. WITH SO MANY AFFECTED SHOULDN'T MINI BE FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR

FOUND LARGE OILY MARK UNDER PARKED CAR. TURNS OUT TO BE THE THERMOSTAT HOSE LEAKING DUE TO CRACKS BECAUSE OF BEING MADE OF PLASTIC. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN ISSUE BY MINI/BMW THAT COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE TO OVERHEAT PRODUCING A FILE OR BLOWING THE ENGINE. THIS SHOULD COME UNDER A RECALL. CHECKING ONLINE, YOU CAN SEE THAT IT WAS SUCH AN ISSUE LAST YEAR, THAT DEALERS WERE NOT EVEN ABLE TO GET PARTS FOR WEEKS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES. CALLING THE DEALER, THEY READILY ADMIT IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE TO REPLACE LOTS OF THEM. OF COURSE, IT IS $600 A POP FOR THE FIX. DUE TO THE LARGE COST AND ADMITTED DESIGN FLAW, THESE SHOULD ALL BE PLACED UNDER A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS BADLY HURT. ALSO ANYONE THAT HAS HAD TO HAVE THIS FIXED SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THAT EXPENSE. *TR

THE 2008 MINI COOPER S STARTED MAKING THE INFAMOUS "DEATH RATTLE" NOISE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN IMPORTS. HE CHANGED THE OIL, WHICH WASN'T DUE FOR ANOTHER 2,000 MILES, AND HE CHANGED THE OIL FILTER. THE NOISE CONTINUED SO HE ADDED OIL STABILIZER TO ENSURE THAT OIL WAS BEING FILTERED. THE NOISE STILL PERSISTS AT START-UP, AND GOES AWAY AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP FOR A COUPLE MINUTES. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I'D HAVE TO GET THE TIME CHANGING BELT REPLACED TO FIX THE "DEATH RATTLE," WHICH IS A COMMON THING IN MINI CARS. *TR

WHEN YOU START THE CAR IN THE MORNING WHILE ITS COLD AND START DRIVING, YOU HEAR A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE WHICH COMING OUT OF THE TIMING-BELT AREA. IT STARTED 5 DAYS AGO. *TR

THE WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THAT DETERMINES WHETHER TO DEACTIVATE THE AIRBAG WHEN A CHILD IS SEATED, OR IF THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED, IS BROKEN. THIS HAS CAUSED THE FRONTAL AIRBAG TO BECOME PERMANENTLY DEACTIVATED AT ALL TIMES. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF OTHER CARS FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT BMW REFUSES TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE DESPITE IT BEING THE SAME YEAR AND EXPERIENCING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM.

TURBO CHARGER FUEL SUPPLY LINE IS LEAKING ON MY 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE DEALER SUGGESTED A REPLACEMENT COST OF $750. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE LEAK IS HAPPENING DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THE LEAK MAY CAUSE FIRE DAMAGE AND MIGHT CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE ENGINE AND BEFORE SHE COULD SHIFT INTO GEAR, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD TAPPING NOISE BEFORE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ UPDATED 10/27/16.*JB

AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, THE HOOD IN THE FRONT STARTED TO RELEASE SMOKE. THERE WAS ALSO A SMOKING SMELL. THIS CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE RIDE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO INDICATES THAT THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE ENGINE, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO EXIST AFTER I REPLACE THE OIL PIPE. *TT

CAR HAS HAD ISSUES WITH CVT TRANSMISSION. YESTERDAY I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT URGING OF OTHER MINI OWNERS IN THE SAME SITUATION, I AM REPORTING PROBLEM TO YOUR AGENCY IN HOPES TO HAVE BMW RECALL THE CARS AND REPLACE THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED BY INTERMITTENLY TURNING ON> NOW ITS IS ON ALL THE TIME. SAME ISSUE AS OTHER MINI COOPERS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WAS TOLD I HAVE TO REPLACE THE SENSOR SEAT MAT. THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY MINI (BMW).

DRIVING MY 2008 MINI COOPER S AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DIED. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING THE MOTOR TO BLOW UP AND THE TIMING CHAIN POPPING THROUGH THE VALVE COVER, THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IS UNDER A FACTORY INSPECTION NOTICE, I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE TO INFORM ME OF THE PART FAILURE. NOW THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

THE CAR STARTS VERY ROUGH ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER. I WAS TOLD BY A MINI DEALERSHIP THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO LACK OF OIL, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE AS THE OIL WAS JUST CHANGED. ALSO WHEN IN TRAFFIC COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WILL DROP IDLE AND STALL OUT. THE CAR WILL STALL IN NEUTRAL OR WITH CLUTCH FULLY PRESSED IN. RESEARCHING ONLINE AND WATCHING SOME VIDEOS, IT SEEMS MUCH LIKE THE TIMING TENSION/CHAIN ISSUES KNOWN BUT NOT YET HAVING MUCH DONE WITH THEM. IT WOULD BE NICE IF BMW/MINI WOULD SORT OUT THE ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF ITS A DESIGN FLAW. KINDA DISAPPOINTED AS ITS NOT THAT OLD AND HAS FEWER THEN 50K MILES ON THE ENGINE. *TR

STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL, BUT RECALL IS ONLY ON THE TYPE S MODELS. *TR

TURBOCHARGER OIL FEED LINE LEAKING. THE PART IS POORLY DESIGNED AND ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE PART IS NOT COVERED BY THE CPO WARRANTY AND THE DEALER WANTED $1400 TO REPLACE IT. I REPLACED IT MYSELF WITH A BETTER DESIGNED AFTERMARKET PART. I THINK MINI SHOULD COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE PART WITH A BETTER DESIGN. *TR

TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE IS LEAKING OIL ON MY 2008 COOPER S, THE DEALER HAS RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $900. I INITIALLY TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A RECALL TO INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD ON THE SAME OIL LINE, SOME ONLINE RESEARCH (INCLUDING MANY OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS HERE) HAS SUGGESTED THAT THE LACK OF A HEAT SHIELD HAS CAUSED THIS FAILURE, YET IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. YET ANOTHER UNFORTUNATE DEFECT IN THE MINI DESIGN, I'VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER DEBACLE. *TR

IT HAS OIL LEAKS AROUND TURBO LINE WHICH THE OILS MAKE SMOKES AS THE OIL DRIP CONTACTS WITH DOWN PIPE. THIS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY MINI THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN MINI'S. THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE CRANKCASE VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS BUILT INTO THE VALVE COVER. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED MY TIMING CHAIN IS ALMOST RUINED ALSO. I HAVE BEEN HEARING THE TIMING CHAIN RATTLE UPON START UP. *TR

I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP AFTER I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FROM ONLINE DESCRIPTIONS, I SUSPECTED IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. I CONTACTED MINI CORPORATION AND OPENED A REPORT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A WEEK LATER AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER NEEDED REPLACED. IT WAS A $3500 FIX. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED MINI TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR AND THEY REFUSED SAYING THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES. THEY CHANGED THE OIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER MY SON WAS AT A RED LIGHT, STOPPED AND THE CARS STALLED. WE HAD IT FLAT-BEDDED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SNAPPED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5700. I JUST SAW WHERE MINI ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND I CONTACTED THEM BUT THEY HAVE NOT REPLIED. *TR

TIMING CHAIN MAKING TERRIBLE RATTLE. AFTER RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A NEW AND QUITE COMMON PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR