2009 MINI Cooper Complaint Log

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY, THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE PREVIOUS YEARS HAVE EXPERIENCED AND HAD RECALLS ON AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL HAVE NO PROTECTION.

WE PARKED THE CAR AND 3 HOURS LATER IS WAS ON FIRE. IT SEEMS TO HAVE EMANATED FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP AREA BUT CANNOT TELL WITH ALL THE FIRE DAMAGE. THE CAR IS MOST LIKELY A TOTAL LOSS.

RECALL ID #167856 THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AND IT BEGAN TO SMOKE, HEAT AND SMOKE BEGAN TO ARISE FROM THE ENGINE AFTER I JUST PICKED IT UP FROM CARMAX AND WAS REASSURED THAT THE CAR WAS FIXED AFTER PAYING +900 DOLLARS FOR MY VEHICLE FROM BEING IN THE SHOP TO NOT BE FIXED. VIN NUMBER IS [XXX] I BELIEVE MY COPPER IS APART OF THIS RECALL THAT OCCURRED IN 2012 I LEASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 2016 AND NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER IS MY CAR ABLE TO DRIVE AS THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE OCCURRED SOMETIME IN FALL/WINTER 2016. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *PM *TR

BOUGHT A 2009 MINI S FOR MY DAUGHTER IN AUGUST OF 2015 WITH 36K MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN I'VE SPENT OVER $5000 IN REPAIRS AND THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND NOT BEING DRIVEN BECAUSE NOW THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR IS 5 MONTHS PAST THE "WARRANTY" PERIOD FOR THIS SERVICE BULLETIN CAMPAIGN, AND THIS REPAIR WILL LIKELY COST ANOTHER $3000OR MORE I'VE PAID FOR TO REPAIR THE OIL LEAK IN THE TURBO LINE AS WELL AS THE WATER PUMP FAILING, AND REPLACED THE VALVE COVER DUE TO OIL LEAKING, ALL WELL KNOWN ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER ISSUES ARE WELL KNOWN BY BMW/MINI AS WELL AND THERE IS NO RECOURSE FOR OWNERS OF THESE CARS AT THIS POINT. MY CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES ON IT! THERE IS NO REASON FOR ALL OF THESE PARTS TO BE FAILING THE WAY THEY ARE. I WILL HAVE SPENT MORE THAN DOUBLE WHAT I PAID FOR THIS CAR BEFORE ITS DRIVABLE AGAIN. VERY UNHAPPY WITH MINI!!!!!

MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY AND MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR MAT PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL FOR 2005-2008 MODELS IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V205000. I'VE CALLED MY LOCAL BMW/MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENT, BUT THEY SAY IT'S NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO.

TURBO OIL LINE LEAKS AND DRIPS ON TURBO MANIFOLD CAUSING BURNING OIL SMELL AND SMOKE. THE ENGINE CAUGHT A SMALL FIRE, LUCKY I WAS PARKED ON SIDE OF A HIGHWAY ROAD UP IN THE MOUNTAINS. (NO FIRE STATIONS OR VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC) I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING UNDER TO HOOD WHEN IT HAPPENED AND CAUGHT THE FLAMES IN TIME TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. 2 SEATTLE AREA MINI DEALERS STATE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE TURBO ENGINES IN THIS CLASS. THEY WANT YOU TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR IT'S A $1300 FIX. I BELIEVE THAT MINI/BMW NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAIR/RECALL THE TURBO OIL LINE BECAUSE IT POSES A SAFETY ISSUE THE CAR COULD CATCH FIRE AND POTENTIALLY INJURE SOMEONE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, OR WORSE DEATH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR HAD ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATING, THE AIR BAG WARNING CHIME WAS ACTIVATED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.

I WENT OUT OF THE COUNTRY FOR 21 DAY AND LEFT MY MINI PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF MY CAR AND TAKE PRIDE IN APPEARANCE AND MAINTENANCE. I WAS EXTREMELY SURPRISED WHEN I RETURNED THE WARNING LIGHTS WAS ON. THE MILEAGE IS JUST UNDER 60000. THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON OUT OF THE BLUE (STAYS ON). WHEN I TOOK MY MINI TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP, IT WAS SUGGESTED TO LOOK FOR RECALLS FIRST. UPON RESEARCH FOUND ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALLS FOR 2009. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING AND BMW SHOULD BE ASHAMED. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER PRODUCT FROM BMW AND WILL WARN OTHERS BEFORE THEY CONSIDER MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE. I WILL BE TRADING MY CAR IN FOR AN AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE.

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WHETHER A PASSENGER IS SEATED OR NOT IN FRONT SEAT. IT ORIGINALLY WENT ON AND OFF AT SPORADIC TIMES AND MIMI TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD NOT PLACE ANYTHING ON PASSENGERS SEAT LIKE MY HANDBAG AS IT WILL ASSUME A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE LATER PART OF JUNE 2016, IT CAME ON AND STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY. CURRENTLY, HAVE AN OUTSTANDING REPAIR ORDER WITH MINI BUT WAS TOLD PART HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR WELL OVER A MONTH. PRICE QUOTED FOR REPAIR $1240.00. I DRIVE THE INTERSTATE ON A DAILY BASIS AND AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I'M INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE LIGHT COMES ON AS SOON AS THE CAR IS STARTED AND WILL SOMETIMES GO OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES WHILE DRIVING, BUT WILL THEN COME BACK ON.

THE CAR HAS 55000 MILES AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. AFTER RESEARCH THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR, ALSO KNOWN AS A PASSENGER OCCUPANCY MAT. MINI HAS RECALLED MANY VEHICLES FOR THIS REASON, HOWEVER THEY CONTINUE TO REFUSE THE PROBLEMS CONTINUES WITH THE 2009 MODEL. THIS IS A SAFETY AND COSTLY ISSUE.

IT'S THE ENGINE BURNED UP WAS DRIVING CAR GOT HOT STARTED SMOKING AND THE ENGINE BURNED UP VERY DISAPPOINTED DIDN'T EVEN FINISH PAYING FOR IT.

CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. INFACT IT WAS SERVICED JUST A FEW THOUSAND MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY COMING HOME FROM WORK THEN IT SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED AND EXPLODED. HAD SHE NOT NOTICED THE FLAMES SHE WOULD HAVE DIED. THIS IS NOT OKAY.

AT ABOUT 65,000 THE CAR WOULD JUST RANDOMLY RATTLE & TURN OFF AT ANY STOP INCLUDING DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN CAR HAD TO COME TO A ROLLING STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC. CAR ALSO SKIPPED GEARS, ALSO JUST RANDOMLY. WE WERE UNABLE TO TAKE TO A MINI SERVICE CENTER DUE TO MY DAUGHTER HAVING IT AT COLLEGE WHERE MINI WAS NOT AVAILABLE. WE DID TAKE TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC AND UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSTICS NOT TELLING HIM ANYTHING HE COULD NOT "FIX" THE PROBLEM.....TWICE. WE KNOW THAT MINI HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND THEY CLAIM THAT OUR MODEL AND YEAR IS NOT PART OF THIS ISSUE. WELL WE ALSO HAVE A 2010 MINI COOPER AND THE SAME TIMING CHAIN ISSUE WITH SIMILAR SYMPTOMS HAS JUST BEEN REPAIRED FOR OVER $1800.

MY MINI HAS UNDER 50,000 MILES AND IS A 2009, AND TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT, ONE WEEK AFTER A NEW OIL CHANGE A RATTLING STARTED IN THE TIMING CHAIN REGION UNDER THE HOOD. THERE ARE SEVERAL ONGOING AND RECENT LAWSUITS INVOLVING THE FAULTY TIMING COMPONENTS, HOWEVER BMW HAS REFUSED TO DO A RECALL. I HAVE NO OTHER OPTION WHERE I LIVE THAN TO TAKE IT TO A MINI DEALERSHIP, WHICH IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS SITUATION, QUOTING A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF $2000-$4000 FOR A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICS/REPAIR. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW COMMON THE PROBLEM IS AND THE FACT THAT A COMPANY THAT IS KNOWN FOR BEING REPUTABLE, BMW, IS BEING SO UNPROFESSIONAL IN ADMITTING THE FAULT. ALSO, I HAD TO TOW MY MINI TO PREVENT THE CHAIN FROM SPONTANEOUSLY BRAKING ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL, JUST ANOTHER FEE, TO PREVENT INCURRING AN EVEN PRICIER DAMAGE TO THE TURBO ENGINE, JUST UNBELIEVABLE.

I NOTED THAT AT IDLE THE ENGINE OF MY 2009 MINI COOPER WAS NOT RUNNING SMOOTH AND INSTEAD BEGINNING TO PULSATE/VIBRATE. WITHIN IN 3 DAYS I HAD MY MINI AT THE SERVICE CENTER. ON THE WAY TO THE APPOINTMENT THE ENGINE CUT OFF AT IDLE AT A STOP LIGHT BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. NO SENSOR LIGHT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. AS A RESULT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE DAMAGE ALSO CAUSED AN OIL LEAK SO THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WITHOUT OIL, THOUGH I'D RECENTLY RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE. ADDITIONALLY, THE VACUUM PUMP WAS ALSO LEAKING. AT NO TIME DID ANY SENSOR LIGHTS COME ON AS A WARNING, INCLUDING A CHECK ENGINE, LOW OIL, OR LOW COOLANT . I WAS INFORMED THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE UPWARDS OF $3500.00, OVER HALF OF THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. DESPITE THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT THAT I INQUIRED ABOUT, MINI FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SETTLEMENT OF THE LAWSUIT RESULTED IN EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE TO 7 YEARS/100,000MI. MY MINI ONLY HAD 64,000MILES AND WAS WITHIN THE 7 YEAR MARK. ADDITIONALLY, I LEARNED THAT MINI HAD PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE VACUUM PUMP. HOWEVER, I WAS REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT FOR BOTH OF THESE ISSUES "[MY] VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES."

OCCUPANCY SENSOR 15V/205 R56 IS BUSTED

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHING ON INTERMITTENTLY DURING OPERATION OF VEHICAL AND PASSENGER AIR BAG OVERHEAD STATUS LIGHT COMING ON SAYING AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED WHILE AN ADULT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAPPENS BOTH WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING AND STOPPED. PROBLEM IS ONGOING.

TIMING CHAIN , PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WHEN IN MOTION.

PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT WORKING

TAKATA RECALL THE WARNING INDICATOR THAT MY PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF COMES ON FREQUENTLY (WITH OR WITHOUT PASSENGER). I AM AFRAID TO LET ANYONE RIDE IN MY CAR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT MAT SENSOR, THAT I HAD NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM, THAT THERE WAS A WORLDWIDE SHORTAGE OF THE PART, AND THAT IT IS A $1200.00 FIX. I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT REPAIR!! I WROTE TO BMW IN JULY---NO RESPONSE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE SOMEWHERE---WITH OR WITHOUT PASSENGER. IT COMES ON AND OFF.....DRIVING OR STATIONARY, ALL SITUATIONS. THE ONLY DOCUMENTATION I HAVE IS COPY OF THE DEALERSHIP LABOR REPORT FROM THE DIAGNOSIS AND A COPY OF MY 7-19-2016 LETTER TO BMW SENT VIA EMAIL TO MINIUSA.COM. I HAVE NO WAY TO SCAN THOSE TO ATTACH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

MY 2009 MINI COOPER HARDTOP WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION CONSUMES ONE QUART OF ENGINE OIL PER 1000 MILES. THIS IS TRULY UNACCEPTABLE. IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND EXPENSE THAT IS VERY ANNOYING. NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY SIDE OF IT AND THE POSSIBILITY OF BURNING OUT THE ENGINE. BMW/MINI NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND REBUILD AND REPAIR THE ENGINE TO CORRECT THIS VERY IMPORTANT PROBLEM.

I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE AUTO SHOP FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND TO CHECK THE AIR BAG LIGHT SINCE IT CAME ON AT 56,000 MILES. I FIGURED IT WAS AN ERROR AND JUST NEEDED TO BE RESET, AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO PAY $1,100 FOR A AIR BAG MAT SENSOR FRONT SEAT PART THAT'S CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER IN GERMANY AND I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BUY ONE TILL APRIL 2016. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. ONE, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEBODY CAN DIE. TWO I CANNOT SEE MY SPEEDOMOTER WHEN I AM DRIVING SO I NO LONGER KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING. I AM VERY UPSET WHE NI EXPRESSED THIS CONCERN TO MINI COOPER CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE AND TOLD ME THE 2009 IS NOT PART OF THE 2008 AIR BAG RECALLS. ARE YOU SERIOUS? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I NEVER EXPECTED THIS FROM BMW/MINI. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE THERE IS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH!

AT 89,044 MILES MY 2009 MINI COOPER, PURCHASED FROM VISTA MINI SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC COOLANT LOSS DUE TO A CRACKED THERMOSTAT HOUSING, AND AS A DIRECT RESULT THE VEHICLE SEVERELY OVERHEATED IRREPARABLY DAMAGING THE ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE TURNPIKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE CAME ON, AND BEFORE I COULD SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY SLOWED TO A VERITABLE CRAWL (ALLOWING ME JUST ENOUGH TIME TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD). THE VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY TOWED TO A MINI DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACED. WHICH WOULD BE A RATHER COSTLY REPAIR, REQUIRING AN OUTLAY OF FUNDS FAR GREATER THAN THE VEHICLE'S VALUE. THEREBY SUBSTANTIALLY DECREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF COMPLETING THE REQUIRED REPAIRS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BELIEVING IT TO BE A QUALITY PRODUCT, AND ONE CAPABLE OF BEING DRIVEN FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. HOWEVER, THE EXPERIENCE I SUFFERED SEVERELY SHOOK MY CONFIDENCE IN THE PRODUCT, SO I BEGAN TO DO MY OWN RESEARCH ON THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IT TURNS OUT THAT NOT ONLY MINI ENGINES, BUT ALSO THOSE MANUFACTURED BY BMW, SHARE A SIMILAR DEFECT, IN THAT THEY BOTH ARE PRONE TO THE THERMOSTAT HOUSINGS CRACKING AND CAUSING RAPID COOLANT LOSS. COUPLE THAT WITH THE WELL DOCUMENTED CRITICISM OF THE LOCATION OF THE COOLANT SENSOR IN THE ENGINE, AND YOU HAVE CREATED THE PERFECT NUCLEUS FOR GENERATING A CATACLYSMIC MELTDOWN OF THE ENGINE THAT LIES SECRETLY HIBERNATING WITHIN THE PRODUCT LINE. THEREFORE, I DO NOT FEEL THAT IT IS FAIR FOR ME TO HAVE TO BEAR THE BURDENSOME COST OF REPAIR FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS ENDEMIC TO THE PRODUCT LINE AS A WHOLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN A PASSENGER OCCUPIED THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

AIRBAG SENSOR MAT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHETHER A PERSON IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THEREBY NOT ACTIVATING THE AIRBAG; THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON & OFF FOR MONTHS; PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON IMMEDIATELY DESPITE OCCUPANCY WHILE PARKED AND DURING DRIVING (ALL CONDITIONS-HIGHWAY, CITY STREET, TURNING. THIS ISSUE STARTED RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS OVER. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IN CASE OF IMPACT. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WHICH INVOLVED DISABLING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

2009 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND VEHICLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SMD *TR

SAME ISSUE AS MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. RECENTLY PURCHASED WITH 68K MILES. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINS ON NO MATTER IS A PASSENGER IS SITTING THERE OR NOT. AIR BAG SEAT MAT SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEEDS REPLACEMENT BUT THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT THERE ARE NO SEAT REPLACEMENTS AVAILABLE OR EVEN IN PRODUCTION. NOR IS THERE A POSSIBLE DATE FOR A REPLACEMENT. THERE IS NO WAY TO MAKE THE CAR SAFE TO TRANSPORT PASSENGERS.

AT APPROXIMATELY 65,000, 2009 MINI COOPER R56 AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF, BUT NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. NO IDEA IF THIS MEANS THAT AIR BAGS WILL FAIL.

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG GOT DISCONNECTED AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THE LIGHTS INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF REMAIN ON AT ALL TIMES. AT THE EXACT SAME TIME THE LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS NOT FASTEN CAME ON AS WELL AND IT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES WHILE THERE IS NOBODY ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN IF I FASTEN THE SEATBELT. I WENT TO MINI DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY $140 IF I WANTED THEM TO INSPECT MY CAR, I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSTEAD WHO TOLD ME AFTER INSPECTION ($95 FOR THE INSPECTION) THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSORS IN THE SEAT AND THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED ($1100 TO REPLACE IT). THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE SINCE THE AIRBAG WILL NOT OPERATE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. I KNOW SEVERAL MINI OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME INCIDENT BUT MINI DEALERS REFUSE TO ASSUME THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT (YELLOW CEILING LIGHT) WILL INTERMEDIATELY TURN AND STAY ON TO INDICATE AIR BAG IS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT.

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER ON MY MINI WAS CHANGED AS PART OF SILENT SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH AUGHT TO BE A RECALL. BY THE TIME IT WAS REPLACED IT WAS TOO LATE, NOW A YEAR LATER MY TIMING CHAIN IS OUT OF SPEC AND RATTLING AWAY IN MY CAR WITH A REPLACEMENT SET TO COST ABOUT $2000 FOR PARTS THAT MINI CLAIMED WOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. MINI REFUSES TO REPLACE ANY PARTS UNTIL THEY'VE FAILED SO I'M STUCK EITHER PAYING OUT OF POCKET AND NEVER SEEING A DIME BACK, OR RISKING LIFE AND LIMB ON THE ROAD UNTIL THESE PARTS FAIL SO THAT MINI CAN OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKE...

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG ALARM IS ON CONSTANTLY. WE WERE TOLD BY MINI DEALER THAT THE PAD THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAG IS FAULTY, OR CRACKED. THEY ALSO INFORMED US THAT THIS EXACT PROBLEM IS UNDER RECALL FOR MODELS 2005 TO 2008, BUT NOT OUR 2009. WE CONTACTED MINI USA AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T CONTROL RECALLS.

WHEN I WAS DRIVING HIGHWAY, A RED WARNING LIGHT OF "LOW ENGINE PRESSURE" CAME ON, AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE NOISES. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO COME DOWN FROM THE HIGHWAY, AND SOON AFTER THAT, THE ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY. IT WAS A VERY SCARY MOMENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY REPORTED, "SIGNIFICANT OIL SPLASH ON RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE. ADDED 3 QUARTS OF OIL TO TRY AND START ENGINE TO DETERMINE IF ENGINE DAMAGE HAD OCCURRED FROM LOSS OF OIL. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF CHAIN HAD JUMPED TIMING OR ENGINE DAMAGE HAD OCCURRED. RESEARCHED VEHICLE AND FOUND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) RELATING TO SEAL ON TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING AND CAUSING TENSIONER TO LEAK AND LOOSEN. MAY HAVE LOOSENED, CAUSING JUMPED TIMING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. JOB REQUIRES EXTENSIVE LABOR AND SPECIAL TOOLS WE DO NOT HAVE. RECOMMEND SEEKING DEALER FOR FUTTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AGAIN TO A MINI DEALERSHIP. THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS: FOUND OIL LEAKING OUT AT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, OIL LEVEL LOW. CRANK BUT NOT START REMOVE VALVE COVER AND FOUND TIMING WAS OFF, RE-ADJUST TIMING, RETORQUED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, PERFORMED COMPRESSION TEST, 8 CRANKS FOR EACH CYLINDERS CYL 1: 60 PSI CYL 2: 55 PSI CYL 3: 35 PSI CYL 4: 30 PSI PERFORMED CYLINDER LEAK DOWN TESTS, ALL WERE BELOW 50%. USED SCOPE AND INSPECT INSIDE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS AND CYLINDER WALLS. FOUND DAMAGED AND CRACKED WALL CAUSED LOOSING COMPRESSION. NEED NEW ENGINE REQUIRED ALSO: WATER PUMP LEAKING AND CONTAMINAITED THE PULLY, FRICTION WHEEL AND DRIVE BELT THERMOSTAT IS LEAKING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON AT ABOUT 28,000 MILES. FROM WHAT I READ ONLINE THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH OTHER MINI MODELS, WHICH HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS REASON (PRIOR YEARS). IT SEEMS TO MEAN THAT THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND HAS TO BE REPLACED OR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WILL NOT INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT.

FAULTY SEAT BELT LIGHT/ AIRBAG ON.

I TOOK MY MINI COOPER TO PASSPORT MINI IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY MARYLAND FOR THE HPFP FAILING WHERE THEY CHANGED IT AND THEN TOLD ME THAT THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE IS LEAKING AND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD STRETCHED AND WAS GOING TO FAIL. AFTER I TOLD THEM THAT I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINED SOME THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD COVER 30% OF THE CHAIN REPLACEMENT AND A COMPLETE DETAIL OF MY CAR AND THAT THEY WERE BEING "GENEROUS". I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I WANTED MY DEFECTIVE CHAIN FIXED NOT A CAR WASH. AFTER READING THIS WEBSITE I AM HOPING TO GET THE OIL FEED LINE REPLACED TOO. IT TO IS VERY WELL DOCUMENTED. IF IT GOES UP IN FLAMES WHILE MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ARE IN THE CAR WHICH ONE OF THE EXECUTIVES AT MINI OR BMW WILL WRITE ME TO APOLOGIZE FOR THIS? THIS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR FOR A COMPANY. LAWYERS WONT HELP MINI WONT HELP BMW WONT HELP. NO ONE WANTS TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE CONSUMER ANYMORE! ALL OF US DESERVE TO BE TREATED FAIRLY. THIS IS WHY WE HAVE GOVERNMENT, FOR TIMES LIKE THIS WHEN THE BIG COMPANIES RUN US OVER AND LAUGH AT US! *TR

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SIGN WAS COME OUT, EVEN THOUGH PASSENGER IS SEATING AND GETTING SEAT BELT. ANY DAMAGE DIDN'T BE GOTTON ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, IT IS JUST SUDDENLY APPEARED. IT WILL MAKE SERIOUS SITUATION WHEN I GET ACCIDENT. AIRBAG IS REALLY RELATED WITH SAFETY. I STRONGLY BELIVE THAT IT HAS TECHNICAL PROBLEM AT MINI. THIS PROBLEM WILL COME OUT MORE AND PEOPLE MAY BE INJURED BY THIS PROBLEM. I SAW ARTICLE ABOUT AIRBAG PROBLEM AT MINI, AND MINI MADE A PROGRAM THAT RECALLS TO FIX AIRBAG MAT. HOWEVER, IT AFFECTS TO UNTIL 2008MINI. I DON'T THINK THIS PROBLEM ONLY AFFECTS TO UNTIL 2008 MINI. BWM MINI HAVE TO INVESTIGATE NEWER MODEL AND RECALL THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG AS WELL.

AIRBAG OCCUPANCY LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN PASSENGER IS NO LONGER IN CAR, SOMETIMES OCCUPANCY LIGHT GOES ON AND TURNS BACK OFF WHILE PASSENGER IS SITTING IN CAR AND DRIVING AT SPEED. MINI/BMW CLAIMS THAT THE 2009 HARDTOPS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THEIR RECENT RECALL FOR EARLIER MODELS, BUT THE PROBLEM OBVIOUS STILL EXISTS. REALLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR!

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD, AND SUDDENLY I SAW THE CAR START TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD,AND I SAW THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF ENGINE .THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS THE ENGINE TOTALLY IS COLLAPSING,AND NEED NEW ENGINE. *TR

I WAS ON THE I-40 HIGHWAY FROM GATLINBURG TO NASHVILLE. THERE WAS A HOLE ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR PASSED THE HOLE THEN FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BECAME CURVED. ALSO, I HAVE BLACK BOX IN MY CAR. I CAN PROVE IT. I NEED TO CHANGE MY WHEEL IT TAKES MORE THAN 500 DOLLARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 6/3/15*CN UPDATED 06/30/15*JB

LEAK IN TURBO OIL LINE DUE TO CRACKS IN PLASTIC O-RING. AFTER HUNDREDS OF HEAT CYCLES, THE O-RING COOKS ITS SELF AND STARTS TO LEAK OIL ONTO THE TURBO. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE PRODUCT RECALL AND INSTALLATION OF THE OIL LINE HEAT SHIELD BY NTSB SHOULD HAVE ALSO INCLUDED RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TURBO OIL LINE. THE OIL LINE HEAT SHIELD HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM OF THE BAKED O-RING IN THE TURBO OIL LINE AND THEREFORE THE TURBO OIL LINE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER RECALL/DEFECT! *TR

THE ENGINE WAS RATTLING HEAVILY WHEN THE CAR IGNITION WAS ON AROUND 5 PM AT THE WORKPLACE PARKING LOT . IN THE MEANTIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE CAR FAILED TO DELIVER THE POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION. A FEW DAYS LATE, MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND DIAGNOSED WITH LEAK OIL FROM ONE OF TIMING BELT TENSIONERS AND A BROKEN TENSIONER. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE BROKEN ONE WITH A NEW TIMING BELT KIT TOGETHER WITH TENSIONERS AS A GOODWILL FROM THE MINI COOPER USA (85% WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE). EVEN THOUGH, I FELT THE QUALITY OF THIS IMPORTANT ENGINE PARTS WAS UNACCEPTABLE WITH SUCH A LOW MILEAGE ON THE CAR. THE TIMING BELT OF THIS MODEL WAS A METAL CHAIN LOCATED INSIDE THE ENGINE BOX AND SUPPOSED TO LAST LIFE-LONG WITHOUT WORRY. I WAS LUCKY THAT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED JUST IN THE PARKING LOT. I COULD NOT IMAGINE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES IF THIS INCIDENT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I SINCERELY BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURE BMW/MINI SHOULD BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH A DEFECT PRODUCT AND A PROPER ACTION BY THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TO AVOID SUCH AN INCIDENT HAPPENING TO OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO OWN THIS MODEL. *TR

AIR BAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. BMW-MINI HAS RECALLS FOR MODEL YEARS UP TO 2008, BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM EXISTS ON 2009 AND NEWER CARS (SOME 2009'S WERE BUILT IN 2008, IN THE AFFECTED RECALL TIME FRAME, BUT BECAUSE THEY WERE DESIGNATED 2009, THESE CARS HAVE BEEN IGNORED)

MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AT FULL SPEED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE MY VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS AROUND 15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. IT TOOK OVER 2 HOURS FOR A TWO TRUCK TO ARRIVE AND MY WIFE AND I WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY KIT IN THE VEHICLE AND WERE ABLE TO USE THE INCLUDED SPACE BLANKET TO SURVIVE THE FREEZING TEMPERATURES. BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED I AM CERTAIN THAT MY VEHICLES TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER AND INABILITY TO START. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE MODEL HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE AND WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER SINCE IT WAS RECOGNIZED BEFORE ANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AROSE BUT THIS TIME I WAS NOT SO LUCKY. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW BUT REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR PROPERLY FIX IT. MY WIFE AND I WOULD HAVE CALLED EMERGENCY SERVICES BUT WERE TOLD BY THE TOW SERVICE THAT WE WOULD BE HELPED SOONER THAN WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. I FEEL THAT THIS KNOWN MANUFACTURERS DEFECT PUT ME AND MY WIFE'S LIVES AT RISK. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND DIAGNOSTICS SHOW THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT. THIS REQUIRES COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO DANGER TO THE PASSENGER (AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY), THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WHEN IT COMES DUE IN NOV 2015. *TR