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 MINIengine RPM raised and the car went faster even though I was not pressing the gas. I was able to stop it.

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2008 MINICooper 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.

- Bogart, GA, USA

Dear NHTSA, I nearly lost my life 3wks back, my car is filled with aftermarket prdt. My cars computer is failed also, which won't alert or record any incident. I tried talking to miniusa&carmax, they wont listen. I have an heart condition now coz of the near death experience. I developed a low high bp 80/103 & fast heartbeat, which I am taking med. After the incident. I wrote letters&posted on their facebook page no response. I need help! I used to be a proud owner of 2008 MINICooper! now my car turned into a death trap! its nothing but a nightmare, so far 3 times car was turned off in the middle of the road & freeway, when it happened I applied my (all three times) break which went to the floor, didn't work, bought the car from carmax with a warranty (extended), also the car has 53,100 miles only! called carmax burbank office no response, then called carmax office of the president after a great deal got response from a rep. Now the car is with universal city MINIof noho! cars break sys. Is an after market prod. My car computer/dash display check engine light or signal comes on every 3-4 months, when it does, the light will stay on for a day or two, then it disappears, when I mentioned this to MINIdealership, car key records all the activities of the cars engine and incidents, when the rep. At dealership downloaded the car key, he couldn't find a single incident, then I showed him the pic I took.. he was surprised... " this car is nothing but a lemon" poorly handled by carmax and MINIThis car will kill someone, if you let it drive. Please save my life and others. Ltrs were sent to carmax&MINIusa CEO's tom folliard CEO of carmax, [xxx] and [xxx]. none of them, even bothered to reply, respond or tried to reach out to resolve this matter: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Reseda, CA, USA