Timing chain broke at 80000K after replacing tensioner at 60000K from oil leak. Also replaced water pump & thermostat due to car overheating. Now at 82000K have a burnt out valve. Big problems on my MINICooper S '07.

- Napa, CA, USA

Cold start issues and eventual "check engine" triggered by defective high pressure fuel pump. Dealer replaced under warranty. Additional problem with excessive heat from engine causing warping of plastic hood scoop (3rd replacement).

- Parker, CO, USA

As I approached the street on where I live, the car started to severely shake and jerk, as if power was not going to the engine. I was able to park it on my driveway, but the next morning, the car had to be towed to the dealer because it would not start. When the car arrived at the dealer after being towed in, the car could not be jump-started, even after several attempts. Two weeks prior, I had brought my car in for service because the check engine light came on. They replaced the timing chain and found several misfire faults, which were supposedly corrected. The cylinder head was removed and disassembled and found to have carbon build up. The intake valves and exhaust valves were cleaned. Since the incident, the car is still at the dealer. An extended road test is scheduled to be performed within these next few days. No word on what has caused the car's engine to die.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

Improper idle. Stalling, deiseling when cold started.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

The vehicle will not start. This occurs randomly (mine has had this happen twice in the last month). Vehicle will not start for several days then apparently all of a sudden will start again. Vehicle was towed to dealer after the first time but they said they could not recreate the condition, so nothing was done. No codes were stored in the computer. This second time it has not started for the last 4 days. Engine will crank, I pulled a sparkplug and put it in the ignition coil and it would fire, but the engine will not start, like it isn't getting fuel. This could be a safety issue if you need to rely on your car to be somewhere. If it wont start I am worried that it could also die while going down the road, which would be a huge safety issue, although it has not done this, its just a concern. I do not expect a car that is only a little over 3 years old to not start. I have contacted MINIusa but they are hesitant to recommend anything other than to have it towed to the dealer again.

- Vance, AL, USA

The vehicle is constantly sputtering and loosing power. It hesitates on taking off and the performance is down significantly from when it was originally purchased. I have brought the car to the dealers several times and the stated that this was due to the fact that I was using poor quality gas. Since then I have changed to premium gas and the problems still persist. I finally brought the car to a renowned MINImechanic and he explained to me that this is a recurring problem with the fuel pump.

- Miami, FL, USA

I have experienced multiple failures of the fuel pump on my 2007 MINIcooper 7. it is now experiencing the early symptoms for a third time. The dealership failed to fix the problem on 4 occasions prior to the fuel pump seizing. They returned the "repaired" vehicle, and the replacement fuel pump was leaking (was overcome by the fumes trying to drive it home from work the same day it was returned). They repaired it a second time, and I had it checked by a second dealer. What are my rights in this situation? I am concerned there is a serious defect with my vehicle, and that the fuel pump could seize again suddenly (as it did last time). I have now met at least 3 other owners of the same make and model car who have experienced the same problems (and with the same dealership, westchester MINIBMW).

- Valhalla, NY, USA