2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman problems

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My father has the same year mini cooper and has a recall on the foot control module. He actually just got it fixed even though he hadn't had any issues with it yet. My mini has had the foot control module go bad. My car is unusable. I have no interior lights, no dash lights, no turn signals, no blowers, the windows controls don't work. I had to drive it once because I hit a deer with my other vehicle and nearly got rear ended because they didn't know I was turning and it over heated............ I do not understand why my dad got a recall and I haven't. Please HELP

NHTSA complaint #11644516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My father has the same year mini cooper and has a recall on the foot control module. He actually just got it fixed even though he hadn't had any issues with it yet. My mini has had the foot control module go bad. My car is unusable. I have no interior lights, no dash lights, no turn signals, no blowers, the windows controls don't work. I had to drive it once because I hit a deer with my other vehicle and nearly got rear ended because they didn't know I was turning and it over heated............ I do not understand why my dad got a recall and I haven't. Please HELP

NHTSA complaint #11644516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My father has the same year mini cooper and has a recall on the foot control module. He actually just got it fixed even though he hadn't had any issues with it yet. My mini has had the foot control module go bad. My car is unusable. I have no interior lights, no dash lights, no turn signals, no blowers, the windows controls don't work. I had to drive it once because I hit a deer with my other vehicle and nearly got rear ended because they didn't know I was turning and it over heated............ I do not understand why my dad got a recall and I haven't. Please HELP

NHTSA complaint #11644516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the battery became drained. The contact replaced the battery. The contact stated that after replacing the battery, the turn signals and brake lights failed to work as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to get the vehicle shipped to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA complaint #11587828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the battery became drained. The contact replaced the battery. The contact stated that after replacing the battery, the turn signals and brake lights failed to work as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to get the vehicle shipped to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA complaint #11587828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the battery became drained. The contact replaced the battery. The contact stated that after replacing the battery, the turn signals and brake lights failed to work as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to get the vehicle shipped to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA complaint #11587828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated while parked there was white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the battery and CS module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA complaint #11461317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated while parked there was white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the battery and CS module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA complaint #11461317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE COOLANT THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS ALWAYS MAKING A PROBLEM. I SEE THERE IS EXTENDED WARRANTY ON OTHER YEARS MODEL. BUT IT HAS TO BE INCLUDED MY VEHICLE'S YEAR. THEY USES SAME THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND MAKING A SAME PROBLEM. LEAKS OR IT STUCK OPENED/CLOSED VERY EASILY. WITHIN A 3 YEARS I NEED TO CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING/ TIMES WITH OEM PART. FIRST TIME IT MAKES A PROBLEM AT AROUND 90000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11387266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF DURING THE COURSE OF TRAVEL OR SITTING STILL. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, WHETHER IT BE ON A CITY STREET, FREEWAY, ETC.

NHTSA complaint #11143593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF DURING THE COURSE OF TRAVEL OR SITTING STILL. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, WHETHER IT BE ON A CITY STREET, FREEWAY, ETC.

NHTSA complaint #11143593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY TURBOCHARGER FAILED IN 2017. I REPLACED WITH A NON OEM TURBOCHARGER. WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MIN EXTENDING THE WARRANTY AFTER OUR REPAIR. MINI IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE PARTS COST AND INSTALL BECAUSE NON OEM PARTS. THIS SHOULD NOT MATTER ACCOUNT PARTS WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO EXTENDED WARRANTY BEING COMMON KNOWLEDGE.

NHTSA complaint #11142708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGHINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE PURCHASE IN 2015 AND WE HAVE ALREADY INVESTED SEVERL $ TRYING TO GET TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM. IT ALWAYS COME BACK ON POWER LOSS AND RATTLING SOUND TOOK TO BMW DEALER AND PAID FOR "TROUBLESHOOTING" WAS TOLD BY BMW SERVICE TECH NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT COULD SMOKE AD DIE! THE TIMING CHAIN AND GUIDES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL AND LAWSUIT FOR THIS THROUGH 2010 BUT MY VEHICLE IS A 2011....CAR COULD SMOKE OUT AND DIE ANY MOMENT. 86272 MILES YEAR 2011 CALLED BMW FILED A COMPLAINT BUT THATS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. WE DO NOT FEEL THAT WE SHOULD INVEST ANOTHER 5K+TO FIX THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11109819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGHINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE PURCHASE IN 2015 AND WE HAVE ALREADY INVESTED SEVERL $ TRYING TO GET TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM. IT ALWAYS COME BACK ON POWER LOSS AND RATTLING SOUND TOOK TO BMW DEALER AND PAID FOR "TROUBLESHOOTING" WAS TOLD BY BMW SERVICE TECH NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT COULD SMOKE AD DIE! THE TIMING CHAIN AND GUIDES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL AND LAWSUIT FOR THIS THROUGH 2010 BUT MY VEHICLE IS A 2011....CAR COULD SMOKE OUT AND DIE ANY MOMENT. 86272 MILES YEAR 2011 CALLED BMW FILED A COMPLAINT BUT THATS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. WE DO NOT FEEL THAT WE SHOULD INVEST ANOTHER 5K+TO FIX THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11109819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CODE CAME UP DURING A SMOG CHEG INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #11101355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AFTER A BATTERY FAILURE (LOSS OF CHARGE OR BATTERY REPLACEMENT) CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURES ARE DISABLED UNTIL THE CAR IS RETURNED TO A DEALER TO "PROGRAM THE NEW BATTERY". THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT ARE DISABLED INCLUDE: 1) TURN SIGNALS, 2) 4 WAY FLASHERS, 3) FRONT WINDOWS LOWERING, 3) CONTROL OF THE HEADLIGHTS (NO CONTROL OF DIMS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS), AND 4) DASH LIGHTS (CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER). WHILE A SIMPLE WARNING LIGHT IN THIS SITUATION WOULD WORK, THE MANUFACTURER CHOSE TO DISABLE CRITICAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR. IN MY CASE, ITS A 1 1/2 DRIVE IN AN UNSAFE CAR TO GET THE SITUATION CORRECTED. THIS SITUATION IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY OTHER DRIVERS AND OTHERS CAN BE FOUND WITH A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH.

NHTSA complaint #11039530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTER A BATTERY FAILURE (LOSS OF CHARGE OR BATTERY REPLACEMENT) CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURES ARE DISABLED UNTIL THE CAR IS RETURNED TO A DEALER TO "PROGRAM THE NEW BATTERY". THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT ARE DISABLED INCLUDE: 1) TURN SIGNALS, 2) 4 WAY FLASHERS, 3) FRONT WINDOWS LOWERING, 3) CONTROL OF THE HEADLIGHTS (NO CONTROL OF DIMS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS), AND 4) DASH LIGHTS (CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER). WHILE A SIMPLE WARNING LIGHT IN THIS SITUATION WOULD WORK, THE MANUFACTURER CHOSE TO DISABLE CRITICAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR. IN MY CASE, ITS A 1 1/2 DRIVE IN AN UNSAFE CAR TO GET THE SITUATION CORRECTED. THIS SITUATION IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY OTHER DRIVERS AND OTHERS CAN BE FOUND WITH A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH.

NHTSA complaint #11039530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ENABLES AIRBAG WHEN EXTREMELY LIGHT ITEMS ARE PLACED IN THE SEAT SUCH AS A CELL PHONE. CAR COULD DEPLOY AIRBAG WITH SMALL OCCUPANT IN SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10864960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10811178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2014 THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE KEY SLOT. THE KEY IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE INSERTED TO START THE CAR BUT SIMPLY WITH YOU. HOWEVER, MY DAUGHTER HAD BORROWED THE CAR AND INSERTED THE KEY SO I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DATE MENTIONED OR EARLIER. IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 25TH, 2014 SO SOMETIME BETWEEN THE TWO DATES THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER, MINI OF DES MOINES, AND THEY ALSO COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY. THEY NOTICED THAT WITHOUT THE CAR RUNNING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL NOT DEPRESSED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER COULD BE MOVED TO ANY POSITION. THEY DID NOT KNOW IF THIS WOULD OCCUR WITH THE CAR RUNNING, I.E. INADVERTENTLY HITTING THE SHIFTER INTO REVERSE OR PARK WHILE DRIVING. THEY ALSO DID NOT KNOW IF THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY IN PARK WHEN INDICATED SO. I LEFT THE CAR, WAS GIVEN A LOANER, AND WHEN THEY CALLED ME THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT LIQUID HAD SPILLED IN A CUP HOLDER AND LEAKED THROUGH THE UNSEALED SCREW IN THE BOTTOM ONTO AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I AM WELL AWARE OF LIQUID SPILLING INTO THE CUP HOLDER AS THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR DUE TO THE SPRING LOADED HOLDERS IN THE SIDE OF THE CUP HOLDER THAT I THEN REMOVED . THEY ARE ENGINEERED INCORRECTLY AND ALTHOUGH THE MANUAL STATES TO USE "LIGHTWEIGHT, NON-BREAKABLE CONTAINERS" THESE SPRING RETAINERS WILL POKE A HOLE IN STYROFOAM CUPS AND WILL COMPRESS A PAPER CUP, LIKE STARBUCKS, ENOUGH THAT LIQUID WILL EXPEL THROUGH THE TOP VENT HOLE AND DRINKING SLOT. IN ADDITION, WHILE ONE WOULD ASSUME THAT LIQUID WOULD OCCASIONALLY BE SPILLED IN A CUP HOLDER, AN ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING ERROR WAS MADE WHEN NO SEALING WASHER WAS USED ON THE RETAINING SCREW IN THE BOTTOM AND ANY LIQUID THE WOULD LEAK ON TO ANOTHER UNSEALED COMPONENT AND CAUSE THIS FAILURE. A $1,100.00 REPAIR COST FOR BMW'S INEPT ENGINEERING???

NHTSA complaint #10658584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2014 THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE KEY SLOT. THE KEY IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE INSERTED TO START THE CAR BUT SIMPLY WITH YOU. HOWEVER, MY DAUGHTER HAD BORROWED THE CAR AND INSERTED THE KEY SO I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DATE MENTIONED OR EARLIER. IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 25TH, 2014 SO SOMETIME BETWEEN THE TWO DATES THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER, MINI OF DES MOINES, AND THEY ALSO COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY. THEY NOTICED THAT WITHOUT THE CAR RUNNING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL NOT DEPRESSED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER COULD BE MOVED TO ANY POSITION. THEY DID NOT KNOW IF THIS WOULD OCCUR WITH THE CAR RUNNING, I.E. INADVERTENTLY HITTING THE SHIFTER INTO REVERSE OR PARK WHILE DRIVING. THEY ALSO DID NOT KNOW IF THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY IN PARK WHEN INDICATED SO. I LEFT THE CAR, WAS GIVEN A LOANER, AND WHEN THEY CALLED ME THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT LIQUID HAD SPILLED IN A CUP HOLDER AND LEAKED THROUGH THE UNSEALED SCREW IN THE BOTTOM ONTO AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I AM WELL AWARE OF LIQUID SPILLING INTO THE CUP HOLDER AS THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR DUE TO THE SPRING LOADED HOLDERS IN THE SIDE OF THE CUP HOLDER THAT I THEN REMOVED . THEY ARE ENGINEERED INCORRECTLY AND ALTHOUGH THE MANUAL STATES TO USE "LIGHTWEIGHT, NON-BREAKABLE CONTAINERS" THESE SPRING RETAINERS WILL POKE A HOLE IN STYROFOAM CUPS AND WILL COMPRESS A PAPER CUP, LIKE STARBUCKS, ENOUGH THAT LIQUID WILL EXPEL THROUGH THE TOP VENT HOLE AND DRINKING SLOT. IN ADDITION, WHILE ONE WOULD ASSUME THAT LIQUID WOULD OCCASIONALLY BE SPILLED IN A CUP HOLDER, AN ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING ERROR WAS MADE WHEN NO SEALING WASHER WAS USED ON THE RETAINING SCREW IN THE BOTTOM AND ANY LIQUID THE WOULD LEAK ON TO ANOTHER UNSEALED COMPONENT AND CAUSE THIS FAILURE. A $1,100.00 REPAIR COST FOR BMW'S INEPT ENGINEERING???

NHTSA complaint #10658584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WITH JUST OVER 16000 MILES ON MY 2011 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN, MY CLUTCH IS BURNED OUT! HAVING IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST MINI DEALERSHIP AT 70 MILES AWAY, THEY ARE SAYING THE FAILURE IS DUE TO ABUSE AND IS NOT COVERED BY MINI USA WARRANTEE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVER FOR OVER 40 YEARS WITH MOST OF MY CARS BEING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CLUTCH. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, THE CLUTCH SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE 2011 & 2012 COUNTRYMAN MODELS AND NOW HAVE SAID...'AS PART OF THE CONTINUAL REFINEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF MINI VEHICLES' THEY WERE MODIFYING THE CLUTCH ON THEIR 2013 MODELS! I AM STILL IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH MINI USA ON WHO WILL PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ON WHAT I SEE AS DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10538114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE STALLS FROM 1ST GEAR WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THE "SPORT" BUTTON (REGARDLESS OF TERRAIN). COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVE LINE COMBINED WITH THE STANDARD MINI CLUTCH LACK THE FEEL TO THE POINT OF CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT OFTEN CAUSING IT TO STALL. BMW/MINI DEALERSHIPS DENY ANY PROBLEM OCCURRING / EVER HAS OCCURRED. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT NEEDS TO REFLECT VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUES ALREADY IN OPERATION BUILT PRIOR TO THE LISTED DATE. OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM MINI USA: "AS PART OF THE CONTINUAL REFINEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF MINI VEHICLES, WE HAVE IMPROVED THE TAKE-OFF CONVENIENCE AND PERFORMANCE OF ALL OUR MINI COUNTRYMAN CLUTCHES BY IMPLEMENTING SOME SOFTWARE UPDATES AS WELL AS CHANGING THE CLUTCH FACING MATERIAL TO IMPROVE THE FEELING OF THE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT. WE ARE SURE THAT THESE CHANGES WILL EVEN FURTHER IMPROVE THE CONVENIENCE OF OUR MINI COUNTRYMAN MODELS, AND WILL BE RECOGNIZED AND APPRECIATED BY OUR CUSTOMERS. THESE CHANGES COINCIDE WITH THE START OF PRODUCTION OF OUR MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS COUNTRYMAN AS OF NOVEMBER 2012."

NHTSA complaint #10508465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE STALLS FROM 1ST GEAR WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THE "SPORT" BUTTON (REGARDLESS OF TERRAIN). COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVE LINE COMBINED WITH THE STANDARD MINI CLUTCH LACK THE FEEL TO THE POINT OF CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT OFTEN CAUSING IT TO STALL. BMW/MINI DEALERSHIPS DENY ANY PROBLEM OCCURRING / EVER HAS OCCURRED. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT NEEDS TO REFLECT VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUES ALREADY IN OPERATION BUILT PRIOR TO THE LISTED DATE. OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM MINI USA: "AS PART OF THE CONTINUAL REFINEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF MINI VEHICLES, WE HAVE IMPROVED THE TAKE-OFF CONVENIENCE AND PERFORMANCE OF ALL OUR MINI COUNTRYMAN CLUTCHES BY IMPLEMENTING SOME SOFTWARE UPDATES AS WELL AS CHANGING THE CLUTCH FACING MATERIAL TO IMPROVE THE FEELING OF THE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT. WE ARE SURE THAT THESE CHANGES WILL EVEN FURTHER IMPROVE THE CONVENIENCE OF OUR MINI COUNTRYMAN MODELS, AND WILL BE RECOGNIZED AND APPRECIATED BY OUR CUSTOMERS. THESE CHANGES COINCIDE WITH THE START OF PRODUCTION OF OUR MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS COUNTRYMAN AS OF NOVEMBER 2012."

NHTSA complaint #10508465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.