10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 80,451 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.
Car has just over 100000 miles but has been constantly overheating (have to fill tank almost every day). Cannot find out the source, but I noticed a recall on the water pump on other similar models, but VIN search said mine was okay. I feel this is an error. Please inform me of my next step. Getting very frustrated. I wouldn't consider this high mileage for this car, and I take care of it.
- Berkeley Springs, WV, USA
While driving on a city street, I was stopped in traffic. I pulled off in first gear and the car died. Several other drivers helped me push my car to a safe lot.I then had the car checked out to find the timing chain broke and ruined the engine. I bought the car through car max with their pre owned, pre certified program. My car now has 80,000 miles as it has since March 10th 2017. I'm still making payments and full coverage insurance payments on a car I can't drive. Do I have any recourse? are automobile manufacturers not held accountable. Under different circumstances, I could have died or been seriously injured that day. This is widespread. There are literally 100S of thousands of MINIowners with the exact same issue. The timing tensioner breaks causing the timing chain to give way. God forbid this happens at highway speeds. England has recalled all their MINIcoopers a repaired them. What about America! sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Knoxville, TN, USA
I took my car in for a service engine soon warning light. The engine was/is burning oil. The MINIstaff told me that this was a design flaw with this engine. I need to check my oil level every week or whenever I fill up. Keep putting in more oil when the level gets low. I have spent a lot of money for their design flaw. No offer from MINIabout replacing the engine. MINItold me to write to hq, which I have but nothing has come of it. I am tired of paying for their design flaw and I don't think I should have to pay for their mistake.
- Lorton, VA, USA
I was driving down the highway, and there was no acceleration of my car, the valves were clattering and had no power.
- Panama City Beach, FL, USA
Leaking turbo oil feed line. Oil feed line leaks oil causing smoke and strong smell.
- West Reading Pa, PA, USA
The timing chain assembly is failing after having the car for less than 5,000 miles after buying it used from a MINIdealership who had performed their usual inspections and resale maintenance. Apparently the timing chain is inside the engine casing and the metal chain runs along a plastic guide. The top portion of the plastic guide has, it appears, failed, causing a very loud engine noise and risking complete timing failure which, of course, could potentially present serious mechanical and safety issues if it happens at high speed. I have found wide reports of this happening similarly in other cars, however after a quick search, I don't see this issue listed on this NHTSA site, so I thought it should be added. See these links for reference: www.consumeraffairs.com/news/consumers-complain-of-MINIcooper-timing-belt-failures-080113.html and blog.autoworkstx.com/2014/10/MINIcooper-timing-chain-issues/
- Louisville, KY, USA
Playing golf, car is in parking lot. Engine catches fire, destroyed front half of car, engine fell on pavement.
- Covina, CA, USA
- Council Bluffs, IA, USA