What 69 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Mini Cooper S Hardtop

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

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 11539835

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 not contacted. 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 11538845

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. 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 11538611

In July 2023, a recall letter I received from MINI states a defective Footwell Control Module “could potentially result in a short circuit, resulting in a potential thermal event which could increase the risk of a fire or injury.” It also states “a remedy is currently being developed.” I called the local MINI dealer service department, and that department had never heard of the defect or the recall, sending me in to MINI Customer Relations. The gentlemen I spoke with said he thought the car was safe to drive (nowhere mentioned in the letter), and he could not offer anything in writing to back-up his claim. When I said what if there is a fire in the car, he suggested I “evacuate the vehicle.” I asked for a loaner since I was and still am concerned the car is not in fact safe to drive without an official written confirmation from MINI explaining why and how MINI knows my affected car is safe to drive in light of “increased risk of a fire or injury” identified in the recall letter. He could not answer and sent me on to MINI’s “Executive Office.” I received a call from Alyssa in that office who confirmed that no loaner or alternative transportation would be provided and who offered no other solution beyond another assurance the car was safe to drive despite the specific reference to increased “risk of fire or injury” in the recall letter. Again, no supporting information was provided for that claim, so I remain uncertain as to the safety of my vehicle and will not drive it without a remedy. I offered to have MINI buy back the car if they are so sure it is safe since I will not try to sell the car to anyone else under the circumstances. Since then, nothing whatsoever has happened and my car just sits idle. Surely there is some remedy available for this sort of callous disregard of customer safety and lack of any remedy about a safety issue that MINI itself has acknowledged. I am hoping your office can help me get this resolved quickly.

NHTSA ODI 11538090

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. 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 engine was running rough while idling. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would not exceed 65 MPH and 4,000 RPM while driving. The message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that cylinder #1 was misfiring because it was not receiving proper communication from the ECU. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic and was informed that the ECU was operating as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that he replaced the spark plugs and the coils; however, the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was notified of the failure. 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 and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11536485

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 and the manufacturer were 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 11532263

The fuel pump relay circuit board has a failed point in the soldering, causing the car to intermittently stall and die on the road. My safety was at risk because my car died randomly with no warning on a busy road. Can not even limp car to side of road. The part is being replaced by dealer where car was purchased, but a quick internet search provides thousands of similar results. There were no warning lights or any kind of code stored in the computer. I only had the car for one day before the car died so I am not aware of any prior warning signs.

NHTSA ODI 11527183

There have been at least 7 write-ups about air bag failure on this model reported to you. When a passenger sits in the seat of my car, with the seat belt on, 01 the airbag light and seat belt light come on. If I have an accident the airbag on the passenger side will not deploy, leading to death or injury to the passenger. This has been reported to a MINI dealership. They will inspect it at my cost to see if it rates as a safety item. It is available for inspection as I can't drive it with a passenger and I can't leave my disabled wife alone at home. The car has 92323 miles on it. [XXX]--- [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11505013

When passenger is seated with safety belt on the seat belt light comes on along with a message that the passenger seat air bag will not deploy.

NHTSA ODI 11494448

The vehicle has a faulty seat sensor that causes the vehicle to default to having a non-occupied seat with warning lights. In this situation, a passenger will not have an air bag deploy even if they’re heavy enough to otherwise trigger the weight sensor. This is happening on my vehicle and, based on internet research, most other R56 models to the point of a market existing for electronic bypass modules. Mini will not repair for a reasonable cost.

NHTSA ODI 11457950

The passenger seat OC3 Occupancy Sensor has malfunctioned, leading to the ECU to believe the seatbelt is unbuckled and disabling the passenger airbag while the car is in motion. This is a frequent occurrence which can be seen across all of the Mini/BMW forums for an untold number of owners of this build.

NHTSA ODI 11451191

Repeated experiences of sudden engine operational failure and reduced and/or complete loss of power while driving. The engine malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Car stalls and stops in traffic on the highway and on streets blocking traffic. Will not start again until powered off for periods between 5-15 minutes if at all. -First experienced the issue February 2020 and have intermittently experienced the same issue ever since. -Occurs when driving at a variety of speeds and a variety of fuel levels. -If diagnostics were able to reveal an issue both fuel pumps were noted as the cause on different occasions. The High Pressure Fuel Pump has been the most diagnosed and repaired issue. -Car has been diagnosed by the dealer and 3 independent service repair shops. Dealer stated no recall or existing issue that would cover this problem and have not received any notifications from the manufacture.

NHTSA ODI 11449140

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR IS FAILING. THE DASH LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTINGLY WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED AND THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. THE PROBLEM STARTED 03/19/2021. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG(S) MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. MINI HAD A RECALL IN 2015 FOR 2005-2008 CARS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11405023

MY CAR HAS PROTRUDING TAILPIPES, IT CAUSED ME AND MY HUSBAND 3RD-DEGREE BURNS AFTER A SHORT DRIVE TO COSTCO.

NHTSA ODI 11342154

REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING MELTED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN TAIL LIGHT OUT INDICATOR TURNED ON.

NHTSA ODI 11341505

TAKATA RECALL: THE WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON THE PAST 6 MONTHS SAYING MY AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MINI DEALERS WANT TO CHARGE ME $145 PLUS TO CHECK IF THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE. DON'T THEY HAVE TO CHECK THIS AT NO CHARGE FOR ME? I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY PASSENGERS, BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO DO THIS.REPAIR SHOP SAID RF SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT. COST $1082. ADVISED ME TO CHECK WITH YOU IF THAT IS COVERED BY MINI. ISSUE #2: HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 FAULTY IGNITION COILS. SERVICED THROTTLE BODY. COST ME MANY $$$$

NHTSA ODI 11229943

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED CLASSIC MINI COOPER AT 440-585-9910 (LOCATED AT 2573 SOM CENTER RD, WILLOUGHBY HILLS, OH 44094) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,320.

NHTSA ODI 11209000

I HAVE A 2013 MINI COOPER ONLY 59K MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TRIED USING THE OBD MACHINE TO TURN IT OFF BUT IT WON'T TURN OFF. I HAVE P052B AND P013C CODES.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY.

NHTSA ODI 11191139

2013 MINI COOPER BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT THE DEALER DUE TO MELTED PLASTIC ADJACENT TO LIGHT BULB CONTACTS. QUOTING THE DEALER SERVICE RECORD "FOUND LEFT TAG LIGHT BULB OUT AND RIGHT LOWER BRAKE LIGHT MELTED. REPLACED TAG LIGHT BULB AND RIGHT TAIL LIGHT ASSY." THAT SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AT A MINI DEALER IN 2018. THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AT A DIFFERENT MINI DEALER IN 2017. SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON THIS WEBSITE (NHTSA VEHICHLE COMPLAINTS), AND THE PROBLEM WAS FAMILIAR TO THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT BOTH DEALERSHIPS. MINI HAS A STANDARD PRACTICE OF ISSUING "WARRANTY EXTENSIONS" FOR KNOWN "DEFECTS IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP" WHICH COVER THE EXPENSE (BOTH PARTS AND LABOR) FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY, BUT DOES NOT RISE TO THE LEVEL OF A FULL RECALL. MINI ALSO KEEPS DETAILED, NON-PUBLIC, RECORDS TRACKING THE FREQUENCY OF COMMON VEHICLE REPAIRS. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THIS ISSUE RECEIVE THE NEXT LEVEL OF INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF EITHER A WARRANTY EXTENSION OR A FULL RECALL IS INDICATED. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS NOTE.

NHTSA ODI 11174757

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICING FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING WAS DISPLAYED. TECHNICIAN SAID THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY HAS A SENSOR FAULT. NO GUARANTEE THE AIRBAG WOULD INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT. $1123 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE. IS THERE A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS? IF SO I HAVE NOT SEEN IT. CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THAT, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS IN SOME WAY? SEEMS MANDATORY TO ME THAT MINI COOPER WOULD COVER THIS. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 35K ON IT MILEAGE. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY PASSENGERS IN FRONT SEAT.

NHTSA ODI 11156739

THE 2013 COOPER S WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHERE THE CAR HESITATED TO ACCELERATE, AS IT IS USUALLY DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE HISTORY. WHAT HAPPENS IN REAL DRIVING SITUATIONS IS THAT WHEN YOU CRUISE AT AROUND 2,000 RPM AND THEN DECIDE TO ACCELERATE THE CAR LOSES THE POWER, COMPLETELY! SO BASICALLY, WHEN YOU'RE ON THE FREEWAY OR ON A TWO-WAY ROAD AND DECIDE TO OVERTAKE ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE MINI WILL NOT ONLY NOT ACCELERATE, BUT JUST COMPLETELY LOSE POWER FOR A SECOND OR TWO. IT IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. AT THE BEGINNING IT WASN'T TOO FREQUENT, BUT RECENTLY IT STARTED DOING IT ALL THE TIME, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE MINI SERVICE REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS, PERFORMED SOME CLEANING AND ALSO SUGGESTED TO ME TO USE A FUEL ADDITIVE WITH EACH FUEL UP. NONE OF THOSE THINGS HELPED, THE ISSUES PROGRESSIVELY STARTED TO GET WORSE. IT ALL STARTED WHEN THE ODOMETER WAS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 75 AND 80 THOUSAND MILES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT AROUND 97,000 MILES THEREFORE SLOWLY REACHING ITS WARRANTY END (100,000 AND/OR 6 YEARS). DURING MY RECENT SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT MINI OF RENO I INSISTED ON REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT AT THIS STAGE MINI OF RENO, NOR MINI USA KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND ONLY THING THEY CAN TRY IS ATTEMPT ON CLEANING THE CARBON BUILD-UP, WHICH THEY QUOTED ME $1386,86, MAKING IT CLEAR AT THE SAME TIME, THAT THIS IS JUST AN ATTEMPT AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. CONTACTING MINI USA YIELDED NO RESULTS, THEY DIDN'T OFFER TO FIX OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11124763

I BOUGHT MY MINI BRAND NEW IN 2013. I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED REGULARLY AT CREVIER MINI AND I TOOK IT EVERY TIME I HAD A SERVICE LIGHT COME ON, WHICH WAS MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS. THE WARRANTY LASTED UNTIL JUNE 2017. IN NOVEMBER 2017, I NOTICED A MUSTY SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS, AND NOTICED LIQUID WAS LEAKING FROM MY CAR. I TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MINI TECHS FOUND THAT MY THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILED AND LEAKED, AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO LEAK COOLANT. MINI USA HELPED WITH THE COST OF MY REPAIR TO MY CAR WHICH ONLY HAD 37,000 MILES ON IT BECAUSE OF ITS LOW MILEAGE, FOR WHICH I WAS VERY GRATEFUL. NOW, IN AUGUST 2018, I NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN WHICH IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE THERMOSTAT WAS NOT TURNING (THE FAN WAS STILL FUNCTIONING WHEN CONNECTED TO POWER). I TOOK IT TO GET SERVICED AND MINI TECHS FOUND THAT MY ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED TO THE POINT OF BEING CRITICALLY DAMAGED. THERE WAS COOLANT FOUND IN THE SPARK PLUGS WHICH MEANS MOST LIKELY THAT THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE PRIOR REPAIR, I WAS TOLD IT IS DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT THE EXACT REASON THIS HAPPENED. HOWEVER, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN INDICATOR LIGHT TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF CRITICAL PROBLEM BEFORE IT IS IRREVERSIBLE AND CAN'T BE FIXED, BUT THERE WAS NOT. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR A SERVICE CHARGE OF AROUND $7500. THIS IS WORTH MORE THAN THE CAR ITSELF. WHAT I LEARNED IS THAT EVEN IF YOU DO EVERYTHING RIGHT, BY THE BOOK, AND PER RECOMMENDATION FROM MINI, YOUR CAR CAN STILL FAIL AND DIE WITHIN 5 YEARS- RIGHT AFTER THE COMPANY WARRANTY WEARS OFF. THIS HAS SHAKEN MY FAITH WITH THE MINI COMPANY. FOR NO REASON SHOULD A CAR HAVE FAILED AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR AROUND 40,000 MILES WHILE RECEIVING SERVICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ITSELF.

NHTSA ODI 11120568

64,000 MILES - WINTER 2017 MY 2013 MINI COOPER PACEMAN SALL4 WAS TAKING ON WATER IN THE BOOT- DIDNT KNOW IF IT WAS FROM MELTING SNOW ETC. IN CAR. DRIED OUT. WATER CAME BACK AND FLOODED BACK SEAT FLOOR. BROUGHT TO MINI- THEY TOLD ME I HAD A TAILLIGHT SEAL LEAK WHICH CAUSED WATER TO GET DOWN INTO THE CAR WHICH FRIED A COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT CONTROLLED MY AWD AND OTHER THINGS. AWD IS NOT OPTIONAL WHERE I LIVE. MY WARRANTY HAD JUST ENDED. THE QUOTE FOR THE WORK WAS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I CONTACTED MINI CORPORATE THEY OFFERED TO COVER 15% OF THE BILL. I DENIED THAT AND CLAIMED IT ON MY INSURANCE WHICH NOW SHOWS NEGATIVELY AGAINST MY CAR. I DIDNT EVEN KNOW A TAILLIGHT SEAL COULD LEAK? THEN TO HAVE A COMPUTER GET FRIED AS A RESULT OF IT. THIS IS A MINI DEFECT, I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR IT. NOT TO MENTION MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR SEVERAL WEEKS OF REPAIR. THEY HAD TO COMPLETELY TAKE THE CAR APART TO DRY EVERYTHING OUT, ORDER PARTS AND REPLACE IT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11120591

HORN IS NOT WORKING. MY HUSBAND HAS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND HIS IS NOT WORKING AS WELL. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND TRIED TO HONK, ON A FEW OCCASIONS, AT OTHER DRIVERS THAT WERE ABOUT TO HIT ME BUT THE HORN DIDN'T WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11113558