What 71 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman

The FRM module went bad. Lost signal lights, windows, headlights.

NHTSA ODI 11718034

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that there was a damp odor inside the vehicle after it rained. The contact stated that the vehicle started having electrical failures. The contact stated that the electrical system had stopped working on the driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the windows were not rolling up or down and the doors were not locking as needed. Additionally, the turn signals and the driver's side headlight and taillights were inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was a recall associated with the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11664610

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that water was entering the cabin of the vehicle from the sunroof. The contact stated that water was dripping on and into other electrical systems, causing malfunctions of the brake light and lights on the instrument panel. The water caused sizzling sounds and burning odors from other electrical controls. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ODI 11647407

Thermostat sensor malfunction. Mini coopers all around world had issues with the first generation thermostats and sensors, they created an entirely new system for all new minis with a new thermostat house and different sensor type. Yet they did not recall all the other minis when they don’t even sell the old thermostat anymore. So the new house and sensor won’t fit on the first gen models. This is a worldwide issue with first gen models

NHTSA ODI 11645399

2 weeks ago my niece borrowed my 2013 mini countryman to go upstate NY and have a flat tire, went to Mavis to fix, when she returned the car I noticed the tire installed is not to the specs. required for the Mini w/ no spare tire due to run flat tire for the car required. Mavis should have installed the specified tire for safe driving. So far nothing happen because I immediately replaced it with a correct tire the next day after I noticed the improper tire installed. Subject: Tire size: - 205/55R17 95V (1624), Load index: - 95, Speed Rating: - V No Marking found indicating a run flat tire which are shown on other 3 existing tires.

NHTSA ODI 11622146

Passenger occupancy sensor malfunctions all the time and there are hundreds of claims regarding this issue but was never addressed by the manufacturer The same issue prompted a recall in older models but has not been corrected in newer ones

NHTSA ODI 11621760

As per NHTSA there was a recall the replace OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT but I never received recall notice and just passed 10 years with 40K millage and started getting air bag light, dealer is not replacing it under warranty, if they was a recall they should have replaced my seat earlier so that I would not have this issue today. is there a way to extend warranty to longer time or recall all the cars and replace them so that we do not have to spend 2k to replace it? "01 11 16_OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES"

NHTSA ODI 11617003

Blinkers stopped working and windows are no long rolling down

NHTSA ODI 11609881

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11595123

The problem started with fog lights blinking on and off while the car was off. As I entered the vehicle I noticed a pool of water on the floor bed. The car has a sunroof which was closed at the time, as well as all of the windows - water came in from somewhere else. I proceeded to turn on the car to see what was happening and the car did not turn on. I thought maybe the battery is dead - tried to give it a boost and it did not work. I replaced the battery - it turned on the car but most lighting areas and power windows do not work. The two front windows are not working properly, they do not go up or down, only the back windows. I do not have control of the headlights - it just stays on one setting. The directional lights do not work. The console lights do not work. This puts myself and others at risk because I can’t aware other drivers when I making a turn or changing lanes. I can’t see the console panel at night, unaware of gas, speed, or radio functions. The car has been driven locally only during the day to avoid accidents and when I arrive at my destination - I notice smoke coming out of the hood. There is an active recall (23V-337) on the R55 & R56 models but not R60 models - which is my car. The exact description of defect (see below) is what is happening to my car and I’d like to have this model added to the recall. It is very dangerous to keep driving this car which I need for daily use. “This safety recall involves the Footwell Control Module (FRM), an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which controls various lighting and power window functions, and is installed near the bottom of the driver's side A-pillar behind an interior trim panel. Due to several contributing factors (environmental, certain US States' wintertime road treatment, vehicle design configuration and age), over time, the FRM could become susceptible to corrosion. For vehicles equipped with a sunroof, after a multi-year period involving large temperature changes, multiple freeze/thaw cycles..”

NHTSA ODI 11592805

Battery module malfunction. No use of blinkers, windows, radio, or hazard lights. Alert comes up that says "Lighting System! Stop Vehicle!" And the vehicle periodically needs to be jumped.

NHTSA ODI 11584594

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11576036

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11575352

Freeze plug randomly popped out while driving causing vehicle to stall in the middle of traffic almost causing a major accident and or death. Research indicates there has been numerous complaints by Mini Cooper owners experiencing the same issue of a premature unexplained failure with no action taken from Mini to mitigate this safety issue. I’m lucky to be alive.

NHTSA ODI 11574805

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Hardtop. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11571475

Car was taken to shop for not wanting to start. And they said the junction box where the computer that runs the car had water damage due leak from windshield that was notified by mini visa tsb. I was told my car was not part of recall but showing the same signs. Please help.

NHTSA ODI 11568178

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the passenger's side seat occupancy sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11567358

I wrote to you before. My complaint number is/was:11559619. I never received a response from you. I explained in my previous complaint that I purchased a used car from Carvana in August of 2022. I bought a 2013 Mini Cooper S. This car comes standard with run-flat tires. When I took possession of the car there were 4 brand new tires on it. I drove the car for a year or so, and got a flat tire one night. There is no spare in this car because there is no room for a spare. I was stranded on the side of a busy highway with NON-run-flat tires and no spare because Carvana replaced the standard run-flats with non-run-flat tires. I had no way of knowing this until I got a flat and found myself stranded on the side of the road, alone, at night. Carvana never informed me that the tires they put on the car were not run flat tires, and they did not provide me with any type of flat tire pump or anything like that. They sold me an unsafe car! I am STILL driving a car with no spare and non-run-flat tires all because Carvana wanted to save a few bucks and figured I wouldn't find out until the 7-day or 30-day warranty had long ago expired. Carvana is guilty of selling an unsafe car. They know that the Mini Cooper comes with run flat tires and that there is no spare in the car, yet they didn't care and replaced the tires with cheaper non-run-flat tires. I have contacted Carvana multiple times but they just tell me that since I didn't report this issue within the 7-day return window I'm out of luck. How would I have known the tires they put on the car before selling it were not standard tires until I had a flat tire! I am not able to schedule my flat tire so that it happens within their short warranty window. I have contact the States Attorney General's office, the BBB, Consumer Affairs and eveyone tells me that they don't handle these types of complaints. I need you to help me get Carvana to replace the unsafe equip they put on the car with safe tires! PLEASE!!

NHTSA ODI 11567151

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH on a slight incline and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was sluggish and delayed while responding. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving on a slight incline. The contact stated that a service warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11564406

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the footwell control module had failed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and diagnosed that the footwell control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11563554

BMW/MINI have known about a faulty airbag sensor in the seats, yet never did a recall. The passenger side airbag does not operate when someone sits in the seat due to a faulty sensor on the seat cushion. BMW was around $1600 to replace this. Big safety concern if a crash happens and air bag does not go off. Should be a factory recall.

NHTSA ODI 11562952

The footwell module that controls the lights, brake lights windows and dashboard is faulty on all mini cooper of this module. Every time I change my battery or disconnect it the module brakes and the dealership knows this problem and still want to charge 1300 dollars to fix it it is a safety and hazard issue.

NHTSA ODI 11562296

I purchased a used car from Carvana. It had brand new tires on the car when I took possession of it. The make and model of my car comes standard with run-flat tires because my car does not have a spare tire. Before Carvana sold the car they replaced the tires with non run-flat tires but did not inform me of this. One year after I took possession of the car, I had a flat tire and was stranded on the side of a busy highway for hours because I had no spare and the tires Carvana put on the car were not run flat tires. I think Carvana put my safety at risk just to save a few bucks. I have contacted them multiple times and they won't help me. I think they should replace the tires on my car with run flat tires since I'm still driving an unsafe car. They knew the car comes standard with run flats and they knowingly replaced the tires with non run flats. Can you help me?

NHTSA ODI 11559619

I have 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman S and I was driving and I almost got rear ended because my turn signals were not working. There were no signals on the car indicating that the module failed. I took it to get inspected and It turns out that the footwell module failed and this is a known issue for Mini coopers, that has forced Mini to extend the warranty. [XXX] Apparently the footwell module is known to fail under very normal repair conditions when the battery is disconnected or jumped. Unfortunately, my car meets the warranty mileage limit but not the 10 year service data limit as the car's in service date was in January 2013. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11548813

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that the turn signal became inoperable, and the windows failed to roll up or down. The contact stated there was an unknown red warning light illuminated. The message to "Take Vehicle to BMW Dealer Immediately" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the foot well control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 56,750.

NHTSA ODI 11542058