Owners have filed 72 complaints
about the 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible with NHTSA between 2011 and 2026.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Mini Cooper S Convertible. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 29
5.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 28
17% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2005 compares with every other Mini Cooper S Convertible
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
23.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
2233.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1725.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1624.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
913.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2011peak 5Jun 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA11005Opened 4 May 2011Closed 5 Jan 2016STEERING
Loss of power steering assist
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include MY 2002 and 2003 vehicles that use the same steering system.The subject vehicles now include MY 2002, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pres...
Recalls on the 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
15V205000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Risk: An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20151477,865 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue over time. As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating the airbag warning lamp and the passenger airbag ON/OFF lamp. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the occupant detection mat. Note: This recall is an expansion of recalls 2008-307 and 2013-238.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 80,000 milesMadison, ALFire
STEERING
DRIVING APPROX. 15 MILES - MOSTLY INTERSTATE - TO ATTEND A FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY DINNER. WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. I PROCEEDED TO A PARKING SPACE AND SAW SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I RELEASED THE HOOD I COULD SEE AN ORANGE GLOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE (NIGHT TIME). WITHIN 30 SECONDS IT BURST INTO FLAMES. A 911 CALL TO LOCAL FIRE FIGHTERS WAS PLACED WHO RESPONDED WITHIN 15 MINUTES. SINCE THERE WERE TWO RESTAURANTS IN THE COMPLEX, EMPLOYEES OF EACH ONE HAD COME OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY WORK PLACE, FROM MY WORK PLACE TO ANOTHER CITY FOR REPAIRS. ONLY THE ACTUAL REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE TOWING OR RENTALS. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND A WEEK AFTER PICKING MY CAR UP, I HAD OTHER THINGS TO GO OUT ON THE CAR CAUSED BY THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE. (DOMINO EFFECT). THE CAR HAD TO GO BACK INTO A SHOP WHERE IT TOOK MORE THAN 3 WEEKS TO GET ALL PARTS IN AND REPAIRS MADE, WHILE I INCURRED YET MORE EXPENSE OF A RENTAL CAR. I AM NOW IN DEBT ALMOST $3,000.00 AS A DIRECTLY RESULT OF THIS FAULTY SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10609876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,500 milesBartlett, TNFire
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY DAUGHTER'S CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ABOUT THREE (3) WEEKS AGO WHILE SHE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LUCKILY SHE THOUGHT ENOUGH AND TURNED THE CAR OFF SO THE DAMAGE WAS ONLY TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND WIRING HARNESS . ONCE WE DISCOVERED WHAT HAD CAUGHT FIRE WE DID RESEARCH ON HOW TO MAKE THE REPAIR(S) AND CAME ACROSS THE RECALL FOR 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLES POWER STEERING PUMPS, THEY ARE RECALLING THEM BECAUSE THEY FAIL AND SOMETIMES CATCH FIRE. THE RECALL IS FOR CARS PRODUCED UNTIL FEBRUARY 2005 AND MINE, ACCORDING TO THE DOOR STICKER, WAS PRODUCED IN MARCH 2005 SO MINI WILL NOT MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY 'FIXED' THE ISSUE. ONCE WE GOT UNDER THE CAR AND PULLED THE POWER STEERING PUMP OFF YOU COULD CLEARLY SEE IT WAS BURNED, THE LARGER POWER STEERING PUMP CONNECTOR WAS COMPLETELY BURNED AND MELTED TOGETHER, WE COULDN'T EVEN REMOVE THE PUMP WITHOUT CUTTING THE WIRING HARNESS. WHEN WE GOT THE PUMP OFF YOU COULD SEE THE PUMP WAS BURNED ON THE INSIDE AS WELL SO APPARENTLY THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMPS FAILING AND CATCHING FIRE. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH MINI NORTH AMERICA AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUED BECAUSE WELL, THERE'S NOT AN ISSUE, AGAIN ACCORDING TO THEM. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE SO I WILL RESEARCHING THAT AVENUE.
NHTSA complaint #10555751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,740 milesAurora, COFire
STEERING
MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE WHEN HE SMELLED WIRES BURNING AND SMOKE, WENT TO PULL OVER AND THE CAR WAS HARD TO CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE POWER STEER PUMPS ELECTRONICS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THE ADJACENT PARTS. UPON CONTACT RAULPH SCHOMP MINI COOPER DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CARS BEING REPLACED FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE CAR JUST HAD MAJOR WORK DONE TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM A YEAR AND HALF AGO BY THE SAME DEALER. SPOKE WITH THE MINI USA REP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT BEING COVERED.
NHTSA complaint #10546245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesPortland, ORFire
STEERING
MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE HAD A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPORTEDLY CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF MY CAR. I HAD NO PROBLEM STEERING THE CAR UP TO THAT POINT. I GOT OUT AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. MY WIFE CAME INSIDE AND TOLD ME MY CAR SMELLED FUNNY AND WAS SMOKING (LIGHT) UNDER THE HOOD. I RAISED THE HOOD AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HEAT SHIELD IN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE, WHICH IS BELOW THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR AND ABOVE THE PS PUMP. I COULD HEAR SIZZLING, WHICH I INTERPRETED AS WATER. I WENT INSIDE TO CALL A MECHANIC FRIEND AND THEN REALIZED IT WASN'T A GOOD IDEA TO LEAVE A SMOKING CAR ALONE. WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE AGAIN, THE SMOKE HAD TURNED DARK AND HEAVIER. WHEN I REACHED THE CAR, I COULD SEE A RAGING FIRE BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD. I RAN INTO MY GARAGE AND RETURNED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHICH I USED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER THAT THE PUMP CAUSED THE FIRE AND THEY WOULD ONLY REIMBURSE FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING PUMP, NOT FOR THE PUMP ITSELF. I WAS TOLD THAT PS FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MINI COOPERS OF MY YEAR (AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS) AND MODEL. AFTER CHECKING THE INTERNET, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A MFGR.'S RECALL AND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A NHTSA INVESTIGATION. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY CATASTROPHIC!
NHTSA complaint #10421530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Corpus Christi, TX
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the steering wheel was significantly loose and turned excessively. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel felt like it would detach from the column. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11741577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesLoveland, CO
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY. MINI OF LOVELAND (4055 BYRD DR, LOVELAND, CO 80538, (970) 292-5020) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS NOT SCHEDULED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM: SI M32 02 15 (STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT). AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
NHTSA complaint #11193136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesSioux Falls, SD
STEERING
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAS LOUD WHINE OR MOANING SOUND WITH ONLY 42,000 MILES ON IT. FLUID LEVEL IS GOOD AND SO FAR THE POWER STEERING IS STILL WORKING. IT DOES GET LOUDER WHILE TURNING BUT ALSO ANNOYING WHEN JUST IDLING.
NHTSA complaint #11001581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carlisle, PA
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 2013. MECHANICS TELL ME THAT IT IS A WEIGHT-SENSING MAT ON THE SEAT. MINI RECALLED 2005 MINI'S BUT THIS ONE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR FOR THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10985814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesPeoria, AZ
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FUNCTION FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRO HYDRO POWER STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
NHTSA complaint #10980464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesFranklin, NC
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS ERRATICALLY AND/OR SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT WHILE IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #10956757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesSanta Teresa, NM
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10947977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesHonolulu, HI
STEERING
MY MINI COOPER S CONV, 2005, HAS BEEN HAVING STEEERING ISSUES FOR SOME TIME NOW. IT WILL RANDOMLY LOSE WHAT SEEMS LIKE THE POWER STEERING WHILE I AM DRIVING! I HAVE FOUND THAT BY TURNING THE CAR OFF (IF I AM STOPPED AND IN AREA WITH TIME TO TURN OFF MY CAR) THAT IT WORKS AGAIN FOR 10 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES. OTHER TIMES I CAN DRIVE FOR 45 MINUTES NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. HOWEVER, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THE STEERING GOES OUT IS NOT WORKING AS SOON AS I TURN THE CAR ON. I K NOW THAT I HAVE TO SELECT A DATE OF WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I AM PUTTING TODAY'S DATE SINCE IT HAPPENS DAILY. HOWEVER, I WANT IT NOTED IT IS NOT ONLY TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #10818946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesArlington, MA
STEERING
I WAS LEAVING WORK LATE AT NIGHT WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE STEERING DISAPPEARED. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR AT THE MINI DEARLSHIP EARLIER IN THE WEEK TO REPLACE LIGHT BULBS SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHERE WHAT THIS COULD BE, WHERE I COULD CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVELS. THEY WERE NOT THAT HELPFUL. THEN LATER I LOOKED ONLINE AT ALL THE STEERING COMPLAINTS AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND MY CAR (VIN#) WOULD BE COVERED FOR 13 YEARS/150,000. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE ALL MINI'S WITH THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED. DEALERSHIPS SHOULD CHECK VEHICLES FOR RECALLS WHEN CUSTOMERS CALL WITH PROBLEMS. I LIKE MY DEALERSHIP BUT I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT I HAD TO RESEARCH THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10794973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebastopol, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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.
NHTSA complaint #10783348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesSAN Carlos, CA
AIR BAGS
NOTIFIED THAT MINI WOULD RECALL DUE TO FAULTY SENSOR FOR AIRBAG ON MAY 1. NOW 4 MONTHS LATER, AND STILL NO RECALL. MINI SAYS THEY ARE GATHERING DATA ON THE AFFECTED CARS, NO INFO ON WHEN RECALL AND REPAIR WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10762289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ridgefield, CT
AIR BAGS
ON APRIL 20, 2015, I TOOK MY 2005 MINI S CONVERTIBLE TO MINI OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN DARIEN, CT BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I RECEIVED A VERBAL QUOTE OF APPROXIMATELY $1200 TO REPAIR. LATER THAT DAY I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE SHOP FOREMAN STATING THAT MINI WAS AWARE OF AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR AND THAT MINI WAS LOOKING INTO A COURSE OF ACTION. A FEW DAYS LATER THE PRESS REPORTED THAT A RECALL WAS BEING DONE FOR THIS ISSUE AND I CALLED AGAIN, WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT A LETTER WOULD COME FROM MINI WITH DETAILS. SOMETIME BETWEEN THEN AND JUNE 15, I RECEIVED A LETTER (DATED "JUNE 2015") STATING THAT A RECALL WAS GOING TO BE ISSUED, AND I SHOULD NOT CARRY PASSENGERS IF THE LIGHT WAS ON (IT HAD BEEN ON SINCE APRIL), AND AGAIN CALLED MINI OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, WHERE THEY REITERATED THE INFO IN THE LETTER THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR YET ANOTHER LETTER. I CALLED MINI CUSTOMER CARE BOTH ON JUNE 15 AND AUGUST 25 TO REQUEST INFORMATION ON THE TIMING, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION BEYOND WHAT THE DEALER TOLD ME. IT IS NOW AUGUST 25, AND OVER FOUR MONTHS THAT I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO SAFELY CARRY A PASSENGER IN THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS MEETS THE STANDARD NOTED IN THE RECALL LETTER "IF YOUR MINI DEALER IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE DEFECT WITHOUT CHARGE OR WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME", ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS GIVEN A VERBAL QUOTE IN APRIL TO FIX THE ISSUE. MINI HAS ALSO DECLINED TO PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE WHILE MINE IS DISABLED. I REQUEST THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE WHETHER MINI INTENDS TO PROPERLY CARRY OUT THIS RECALL (15V-205).
NHTSA complaint #10759164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,268 milesSacramento, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE HAD A NEW PROBLEM EVERY WEEK WITH THIS CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE CAR WASH JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS ON BOTH SIDES, AT THE 1ST BEND. THE WATER WAS DRIPPING AT A FAST PACE. I HAD THE TOP CHECKED OUT FOR ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO PURCHASING AT WHICH I WAS TOLD NOTHING APPEARED TO BE NEEDED. THE WEATHER STRIPPING AND TOP HAD NO CRACKS ARE SIGN OF WEAR. JUST ANOTHER HEADACHE WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE.
NHTSA complaint #10726724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,268 milesSacramento, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE HAD A NEW PROBLEM EVERY WEEK WITH THIS CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE CAR WASH JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS ON BOTH SIDES, AT THE 1ST BEND. THE WATER WAS DRIPPING AT A FAST PACE. I HAD THE TOP CHECKED OUT FOR ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO PURCHASING AT WHICH I WAS TOLD NOTHING APPEARED TO BE NEEDED. THE WEATHER STRIPPING AND TOP HAD NO CRACKS ARE SIGN OF WEAR. JUST ANOTHER HEADACHE WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE.
NHTSA complaint #10726724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesOrocovis, PR
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING WHEN I SUDDENLY LOSS MY POWER STEERING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10712877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesSeattle, WA
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR TURNS OFF EVEN THOUGH A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE LATEST RECALL NOTICE BUT MINI USA HAS NOT INCLUDED MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10706703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,811 milesSunderland, MA
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER DETECTOR ON MY PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN MINI COOPERS AND BMWS OF THIS AGE. THE FIX IS COMPLETE $1500 SEAT REPLACEMENT AT THE DEALER. BMW HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE PARTS FOR ALL THE BMWS WHERE THIS OCCURS, BUT NOT THE MINIS.
NHTSA complaint #10701510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,400 milesDaly City, CA
STEERING
ON THE FIRST DAY OF OCCURRENCE, THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING. VERY DIFFICULT AND HARD STEERING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. MANAGED TO PARK SAFELY. STOPPED CAR AND TURNED OFF IGNITION. WAITED A FEW MINUTES. TURNED ON IGNITION AND NORMAL POWER STEERING RESUMED. OCCURRED ONE MORE TIME ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER. OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE COMING DAYS. IF IGNITION IS SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON, IT WILL RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULT STEERING AND MAINTAINING OF LANE ESPECIALLY ON CURVED ROADS AND TURNS.
NHTSA complaint #10694585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesWest Chester, PA
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR/MAT FAILS WHICH RESULTS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG BEING DISABLED. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY FOR THE PASSENGER IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT COSTS OVER $1300 TO FIX BUT MINI WILL NOT ISSUE A WARRANTY CLAIM FOR IT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT MINI WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL ISSUED BY BMW (NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V564000).
NHTSA complaint #10676540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesMassillon, OH
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE RESULTING IN HARD TO STEER SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10654845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,685 milesHarrisburg, PA
AIR BAGS
SAW ON THE WEB THAT MINI RECALLED AND THEN EXTENDED WARRANTY RECALL ON AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. THE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW DAYS AGO, BUT I CAN NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUTH IN THAT STATEMENT. SUPPOSEDLY 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10633101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,685 milesHarrisburg, PA
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SAW ON THE WEB THAT MINI RECALLED AND THEN EXTENDED WARRANTY RECALL ON AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. THE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW DAYS AGO, BUT I CAN NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUTH IN THAT STATEMENT. SUPPOSEDLY 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10633101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,732 milesLexington, KY
STEERING
POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENT. UPON REVIEW OF THIS SITE WARRANTY EXTENSION ON POWER-ASSIST STEERING PUMP AND COOLING FAN PUMP WAS ISSUED. DESPITE THE EXTENSION OF WARRANTY AND LACK OF DEALER OR AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITY IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, MINI REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY UNLESS CUSTOMER TOWED VEHICLE, AT CUSTOMER'S EXPENSE, TO NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 80 MILES AWAY. LEAVING WARRANTY EXTENSION ON KNOWN PROBABLE DEFECTIVE CONDITION WORTHLESS. BELIEVE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE IF RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED RELATING TO POWER ASSIST STEERING PUMP FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10627535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMadison, ALFire
STEERING
DRIVING APPROX. 15 MILES - MOSTLY INTERSTATE - TO ATTEND A FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY DINNER. WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. I PROCEEDED TO A PARKING SPACE AND SAW SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I RELEASED THE HOOD I COULD SEE AN ORANGE GLOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE (NIGHT TIME). WITHIN 30 SECONDS IT BURST INTO FLAMES. A 911 CALL TO LOCAL FIRE FIGHTERS WAS PLACED WHO RESPONDED WITHIN 15 MINUTES. SINCE THERE WERE TWO RESTAURANTS IN THE COMPLEX, EMPLOYEES OF EACH ONE HAD COME OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY WORK PLACE, FROM MY WORK PLACE TO ANOTHER CITY FOR REPAIRS. ONLY THE ACTUAL REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE TOWING OR RENTALS. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND A WEEK AFTER PICKING MY CAR UP, I HAD OTHER THINGS TO GO OUT ON THE CAR CAUSED BY THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE. (DOMINO EFFECT). THE CAR HAD TO GO BACK INTO A SHOP WHERE IT TOOK MORE THAN 3 WEEKS TO GET ALL PARTS IN AND REPAIRS MADE, WHILE I INCURRED YET MORE EXPENSE OF A RENTAL CAR. I AM NOW IN DEBT ALMOST $3,000.00 AS A DIRECTLY RESULT OF THIS FAULTY SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10609876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesNorman, OK
POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE BY MINI USA. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND UNSAFE AS THE TRANSMISSION COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME, STRANDING THE DRIVER OR CAUSING A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10574290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.