THE LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IN ON. (RED) EVERY TIME. 94,166 MLS
NHTSA ODI 11291691
Home · 2011 Mini Cooper Hardtop · Complaints
These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.
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THE LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IN ON. (RED) EVERY TIME. 94,166 MLS
NHTSA ODI 11291691
EXHAUST VANOS SOLENOID FAILURE 06/12/2019. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE TO MINI'S AND BMW'S THAT OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS WHICH INTERRUPTS THE POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM. BMW WHO MANUFACTURES THE PART HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART ON BMW'S TO 10 YEARS BUT HAS NOT YET ADDRESSED ALL THE ISSUES THAT MINI OWNERS HAVE HAD WITH THE PARTICULAR PART. THERE ARE TWO IN THE ENGINE AND THEY ARE IDENTICAL (INTAKE/EXHAUST) COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $500. WHY DOES BMW GET A REPLACEMENT AND MINI OWNERS HAVE TO PAY. THE CAR GOES INTO A LIMP MODE WHEN FAILURE OCCURS, SO STILL DRIVABLE BUT AT REDUCED POWER. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND PREVALENT IN BOTH MINI FORUMS AND BMW FORUMS. THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOR MINI OWNERS PART # 11-36-8-610-388. IT IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA ODI 11234357
THERMOSTAT & HOUSING PLUS WATER PUMP HAVE BEEN REPLACED. CAR STILL RUNS TEMPS IN EXCESS OF 230 BEFORE FAN WILL COME ON. I AM FEARFUL THE ENGINE MAY GET ON FIRE DUE TO HEAT AND THEREFORE, I AM NOT DRIVING IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REMOVED 2 RELAYS, ONE OF WHICH CONTROLLED THE ENGINE FAN. I REPLACED THE RELAY.
NHTSA ODI 11231627
MY MINI COOPER FAILED EXTERIOR LIGHTS INCLUDING TURN SIGNALS, MARKER LIGHTS, AND HAZARD LAMPS. MINI COOPER FOOTWELL MODULE OEM R56 GEN2 FAILED LIGHTING ON EXTERIOR LIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI 11196984
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING, A BURNING ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RAY CATENA MINI OF WESTCHESTER (LOCATED AT 543 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607, (914) 347-6464) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE BOOT AND ALL THE CONNECTORS FOR THE TURBO HOSES MELTED. IN ADDITION, A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE OIL HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 11105312. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI 11151193
2011 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS
NHTSA ODI 11120330
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE, CAUSING NUMEROUS AND SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS IN REPAIR COSTS.
NHTSA ODI 11101962
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S US. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PRESSURE PUMP FAILED, STATING THAT THE PRESSURE WAS AT ZERO PSI. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,774.
NHTSA ODI 11083387
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI 11083492
I DO NOT OWN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE, BUT I AM IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. I HAVE ATTACHED 3 PHOTOGRAPHS OF A CLUTCH RELEASE FORK FOR THIS VEHICLE. NOTE THE RED ARROWS ON THE PHOTOS. PLEASE NOT THE PHOTO OF THE NEW CLUTCH RELEASE FORK AND THE STAMPING FLAW THE ARROWS ARE POINTING TO. NOW LOOK AT THE OTHER BROKEN CLUTCH FORKS AND WHERE THE BREAK OCCURRED. THE BREAK OCCURRED AT THE SAME POSITION ON THE FORK. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS A SAFETY CONCERN. IF THE FORK BREAKS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE AND/OR THE CLUTCH WOULD STAY ENGAGED WHILE TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.
NHTSA ODI 11030007
HALF ENGINE LIGHT COME ON DURING DRIVING WHILE CHANGE LANE ON THE FREEWAY, AND GOING UP HELL. NOT LOSING POWER TURBO WORKING FINE. DEALER REPLACE VACUUM PUMP BUT NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. HALF ENGINE LIGHT COME OFF WHEN YOU DRIVE FROM PARK WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL INCREASING RPM TO 15OO, ON THE FREEWAY OR UP ON THE HELL THE HALF LIGHT COME BACK ON. DEALER CAN NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI 10986139
TAKATA RECALL...AIR BAG PASSENGER SIDE WARNING LIGHT IS ON. LOCAL DEALER WANTS $140 TO "LOOK" TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND $800. TO FIX IT. CAN'T AFFORD THIS. WHY CAN'T WE GET HELP FROM DEALER/MGR?.
NHTSA ODI 10903257
CAR MALFUNCTIONED TO INCLUDE, HIGH BEAMS, BLINKERS AND WINDOW MECHANISMS. MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI 10898572
MY VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING MECHANICAL ISSUES AT 78000 MILES. THESE ISSUES INCLUDED THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND MOST CONCERNING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. I WAS ABLE TO AFFORD THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR THE THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP WHICH WAS AROUND 2500$ I LATER GOT A LETTER ABOUT THE WATER PUMP REGARDING A CLASS ACTION. WHICH I'M HOPING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR. SO THE AIRBAG ... =( ..I'VE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE MINI WILLINGLY LOOK INTO THE COMPLAINT WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I CANNOT GET A REASONABLE RESPONSE FROM THEM REGARDING MY COMPLAINT. I AM DIRECTED TO GO TO MY LOCAL MINI DEALER. WHEN HAVING THE OTHER REPAIRS DONE THEY WOULD NOT PERMANENTLY ENABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BUT COULD "LOOK" AT IT FOR 125$ SINCE OTHERS HAVE QUOTED THIS REPAIR COSTING UPWARDS OF 2000$ I DECLINED. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE OTHER REPAIRS. MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE AN OVER RIDE FOR THIS BEING A KEY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS ISN'T BEING ADDRESSED WITH PREVIOUS RECALLS AND MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AS DESCRIBED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS. I'M ONLY ADDING MY COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT IT HELPS MYSELF AND OTHERS RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I WANT TO ALSO NOTE THAT I PURCHASED SEVERAL WARRANTIES WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHICH WERE NOT HONORED AND CANNOT GET A REFUND FOR. ONE WARRANTY INCLUDED DAMAGE TO THE SEATS AND WOULD BE REPAIRED. I FEEL LIKE THESE WARRANTIES SHOULD BE REIMBURSED SINCE NO WORK IS BEING DONE IN REGARDS TO ALL THE ISSUES I'VE HAD.
NHTSA ODI 10892852
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER NOT TO AFFECT THE AIR BAG FUNCTIONALITY. UPON SHIFTING THE WEIGHT ON THE SEAT, THE LIGHTS NEAR THE ODOMETER ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
NHTSA ODI 10865070
I AM THE OWNER OF THIS CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON LINE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THIS CAR. MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ARE LISTED AND YOU ARE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I SUPPOSEDLY NEED TO REPLACE SOME PARTS AND LABOR TO THE TUNE OF $1904!!! I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND I DO NOT HAVE THIS MONEY. SINCE YOU HAVE ISSUED A RECALL FOR CONVERTIBLES IN THE MINI AND RECALLED CARS IN THE BMW LINE FOR THIS, WHY ISN'T THIS A COVERED EXPENSE? IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR IS SET UP TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND THE CUSTOMERS ARE LEFT TO WORRY ABOUT FIXING IT. ANY PRODUCT THAT HAS A DEFECT AND IS STILL SOLD NEEDS TO SHOW RESPECT FOR THEIR BUYERS AND FIX THINGS THAT ARE WELL KNOWN AS PROBLEMS. I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS AND I AM OFTEN IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS DUE TO THE AIR BAG NOT CONNECTED CORRECTLY I FEEL THAT ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE MINI/BMW PLANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE. YOU HAVE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM AND YOU ARE PUTTING PROFIT BEFORE CONSUMERS. THIS IS A DISGUSTING WAY TO RUN A BUSINESS.
NHTSA ODI 10862893
THERE IS A LOUD CLANGING COMING FROM THE MOTOR, THE ENGINE LOST OIL, IT IS BEING TOWED TO A MECHANIC - THE DIAGNOSIS IS A BAD TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, THE CAR HAS ABOUT 65,000 MILES, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2008 - 2010 MINIS FOR THIS PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI 10855015
TIMING CHAIN ISSUE LEAD TO OIL LEAK IN ENGINE. 2008-2010 MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED AFTER A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. MY MODEL IS ONE YEAR OUTSIDE THE OFFICIAL BMW RECALL. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THAT'S WHEN THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME I COULDN'T DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT THE REPAIRS. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS NEARLY $2000 SINCE I AM ALSO OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTEE PERIOD. I HAVE READ THAT IF THIS ISSUE WASN'T FOUND, IT COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE EITHER WHEN IDLE OR DRIVING. I AM LUCKY NOT TO HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES OR INCUR FURTHER COSTS. OTHER 2011 MINI COOPER DRIVERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE SINCE THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL WARNING FROM BMW. BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
NHTSA ODI 10853567
DROVE CAR ABOUT 4 MILES. PARKED AT SHOPPING CENTER, TURNED OFF CAR AND LOCKED IT. RETURNED 15 MINS LATER TO FIND FLAMES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT!
NHTSA ODI 10850122
LETTER FROM SENATOR FLAKE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2011 MINI COOPER. (PLEASE RESPOND BY FAX OR ELECTRONIC MAIL: BOB_BRUBAKER@FLAKE.SENATE.GOV). *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED EXTREMELY, PAINFUL , SCARING BURNS FROM THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WHILE LEANING OVER TO RETRIEVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK. THE CONSUMER STATED IF ONE IS FACING THE CENTER TRUNK, THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE IS LOCATED DIRECTLY TO THE RIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 10 INCHES OFF THE GROUND. THE METAL IS NOT COATED TO OFFER PROTECTION. *JB UPDATED 03/07/16.*JB UPDATED 04/11/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI 10839479
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED EVEN WHEN THE ACCERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
NHTSA ODI 10822111
MY VEHICLE HAS A P0087 CODE WHICH MEANS LOW FUEL RAIL PRESSURE. I SPOKE TO MINI REP AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. MY RESEARCHING HAS SHOWN ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE PAST AND THEY WERE REPLACING THESE PUMPS UNTIL 2009 MINI AND BMW. WHY DID THEY STOP AT 2009 WHEN THERE HASN'T BEEN NO CHANGE TO THIS PUMP. BUT YET THEY KEEP FAILING AT DIFFERENT MILEAGE INTERVALS. 30,000 , MINE AT 65,000 REALLY I'VE OWN DOZENS OF CAR AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A FUEL PUMP. THERES DEFINITELY A PROBLEM HERE AND RIGHT NOW MINE IS INTERMITTENTLY, I WOULD HATE FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT WHEN THEY STEP ON IT AND IT FAILS AT THE WRONG TIME, DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GET HURT BEFORE IT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE. PREVENTION SHOULD COME FIRST THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI 10629498
DSC AND BRAKE LIGHT TURNED APPEARED ON TACHOMETER DISPLAY IN YELLOW AND DOES NOT GO OUT. DSC BUTTON IF PRESSED MAKES NO CHANGES TO DCS/ABS LIGHTS ON DISPLAYS. IMMEDIATELY THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS/ISSUES APPEARED: STEERING STARTED TO FAULT LIKE UNALIGNED, BRAKE PEDAL SLIGHTLY ERRATIC, BLINKER TURN SIGNAL DOES NOW NOT TURN OFF AFTER ACTIVATING AND MAKING A TURN. VEHICLE HAS JCW SPORT BRAKE KIT, INSTALLED AT 30,000 MILES, 3 MONTHS AGO. VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY ALIGNED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. VEHICLE WAS SCANNED WITH TO DIAGNOSE FAULT AND FAULT CODE WAS THAT THE SWITCH UNIT STEERING COLUMN/DSC IS FAULTY.NO MISSING SENSORS, ALL ARE CONNECTED IN PLACE. NO PINCHED OR BROKEN CABLES. REPLACED PART #61319253769 MSP $550.00 AND MECHANIC FEE OF $500.00 (REMOVAL OF PART, INSTALLATION, VEHICLE ECU RECODING, AND RECHECK ECU DIAGNOSIS. NO MORE ERROR CODES AND STEERING, DCS AND ABS BACK TO NORMAL. UNKNOWN ROOT CAUSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10610155
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE WHEN THE CONTACT CLOSED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,786.
NHTSA ODI 10607114
MINI COOPER 2011 OVERHEATED AND BLEW OFF RADIATOR HOSES WHILE DRIVING ON FWY- ENGINE DAMAGE AND HEAD REPLACEMENT.. DEALER IS SAYING BOTTOM RADIATOR HOSE MUST HAVE COME OFF AND LEAKED COOLANT. JUST HAD IT SERVICED. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10598849
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