10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 51,959 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Takata recall, I have a 2007 MINIcooper that only has 84000 miles and have had to have the time chain replace 4 times. The repair garage is telling me that MINIkeeps updating the kits for every repair. The time chain was replaced in 2009, 2012,2016,2018. Once thing they did tell me that I don't keep enough oil in the car, but if the oil light doesn't come on how am I to know this. I don't have $2000 to $2500 every couple of years to keep getting the car repaired. So I'm thinking about getting read of the car. Has anyone else had this problem.
- Austell, GA, USA
Passenger door seal failed resulting in flooding of the entire passenger side. Moisture caused the starting sensor to fail and the vehicle not to start. There was also rapid growth of mold in the vehicle from this moisture. The only resolution was to remove the entire interior, shampoo the carpet, and dry everything out. On-line research (after the fact) revealed that apparently this is a known issue but there doesn't seem to be a recall issued.
- Cedar Bluff, VA, USA
2007 MINICooper hardtop purchased May 7, 2015 suffered major engine failure due to manufacturer defective timing chain & timing tensioner issues, resulting in loud ticking inside of the engine on the passenger side..estimates totaling up to $2400 in repairs.....vehicle at this point is inoperable.
- Eastvale, CA, USA
My car started to act funny. Almost sounding like it was suffocating. It would die about ten to fifteen times every morning before I would finally get the car started. It would shut off when I stopped at intersections. The only time it ran decent was when I was driving highways speeds for 20 minutes or more. I changed out filters, spark plugs, and fluids but none of it changed the way it was running. Come to find out it that the chain and chain tensioner had broken. This damage caused roughly $1000 to fix. Luckily I caught it in time before it did additional damages to the crank shaft. With low miles the mechanic even told me its a fault part and brakes easily. He has had to replace numerous american model minis in italy. My country code is 39 if you call.
- Apo, AE, USA
The car stopped at the stop sign as usual, however, the engine didn't start again. However, it's only 7 years. I called the BMW service to report the issue. They refused to solve the problem... I'd done some researches online. And, I've found that many other MINIs owners had found the same problems. Can government do something to protect the customers ? thanks
- Burlingame, CA, USA
I tried to start my car and only heard a spinning sound. First I thought the transmission or starter would need replacing but after having it towed to the MINIdealership, I was informed it is the timing chain. Upon further review I was informed that the timing chain belt had shattered and bent the valves, and now the pistons are blocked and a plethora of other things. The total to repair this domino effect of damage is above $8,000 and just the chain alone is 1500 but I was informed would be a grand mistake because the car will not run. I am a college student who is financially challenged and am now in too deep to even try and float.
- Somerset, NJ, USA
MINICooper called for recall lately to replace the thermostat and thermostat housing on all minicooper S type manufactured on the year 2007-2008. They used exactly the same thermostat and thermostat housing in all MINICooper non- S type as well. I have a MINICooper manufactured in Dec. 2007 and it was released on 2008. Right now, it was diagnosed that I need new thermostat and thermostat housing in my MINICooper but the MINICooper dealer said that it was not included in the recall because it was a non-S type one that was also manufactured in the year 2007-2008. Those non-S type MINICoopers should be included in the recall as well. They used completely the same parts with the S-type one. This issue needs to be brought up to the MINICooper recall department asap. They should not get away with it. They should recall the non-S type as well for the year 2007-2008. Please help me to get this case in the right department. Thank you for your help! happy labor day!
- Long Beach, CA, USA
Turbo oil feed piping fails at connector. Banjo type fitting on tubing fails on connection above turbo, spilling oil on turbo unit. Produces smoke and a potential fire hazard.
- Bryan, TX, USA
One month after MINIof concord replaced my high pressure fuel pump for the gasoline leak and strong gas smell within the cabin, again the gas smell started up in the cabin (for all trips). I took it back to MINIof concord (this is 14 months after buying car), and they again found a leak in the high pressure fuel pump and line, and replaced the parts - again. This was the third of four replacements of the high pressure fuel pump on my car.
- Santa Rosa, CA, USA
While driving in heavy traffic following extended highway speed, stopped at traffic light and engine died with no warning and would not restart. Car had to be towed a considerable distance to original dealership. Learned that the vacuum pump seized / locked up, causing a chain reaction of catastrophic results that totally destroyed engine. Car needs complete new engine at 74,000 miles (out of warranty)and MINIusa attitude is that such engine failure is not their responsibility even though this particular MINIwas impeccably maintained beyond MINIservcie requirements, but to no avail as engine blew at a very young 74,000 miles of age and there are repeated instances of same engine failure on internet BMW/MINIblogs. Note: This catastrophic damage follows last year's large out of warranty expense of replacing the entire electronic steering lock system as vehicle could not be driven safely and again MINIfelt no responsibility for equipment failure even though the problem was subsequently acknowledged by the fact that electronic steering lock is no longer installed in new MINIcoopers!
- White Stone, VA, USA
My mint condition 2007 MINICooper S was destroyed by fire on 3/31/11. I had just driven it 4.5 miles to work, parked it, when approximately 12-15 minutes later I was alerted by the company security department that my car was on fire. The township police and fire department were already on the scene putting out the blaze. The cause of the fire appears to be electrical and started in the engine. My pristine car without a scratch or dent on it, had only been driven 15,000 miles -- and it was destroyed. The car had been faithfully maintained and I believed it to be in perfect running condition. Fortunately no one was hurt and no other cars were damaged. But what if this would have happened when the car was parked in my garage" I was shocked to read online that other owners have shared similar experiences and that you can find numerous video clips on you-tube showing minis on fire. What is BMW doing about this" updated 08/17/11 updated 02/02/2012
- Dayton, OH, USA
The car has a loud rattle sound when started when cold, or the first time after sitting overnight. Noise will subside as engine comes up to running temperature. Has developed into a hard starting issue over time. At times it takes as many as ten attempts cranking the engine to get it to start. When researching online, I have found a forum on MINIcooper problems that describes the issue exactly and also has a video with sound that exactly matches my cars problem. They describe it as the timing chain and timing chain tensioner that could cause engine failure if not corrected.
- Bridgeport, WV, USA
Dangerous level of heat in the driver's footwell after car is driver for a while.
- Coral Springs, FL, USA
- Manchester, CT, USA