2005 MINI COOPER S Electrical System Problems

BATTERY LIGHT FLASHING, POWER STEERING CUTTING OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. ALTERNATOR AND SERPINTINE BELT REPLACED BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SEEMS TO BE DRAINING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Mileage: 172,450

WHEN ADJUSTING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I CONDUCTED TROUBLESHOOTING. I VERIFIED THAT THE WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS FOR THE AIRBAG SENSORS UNDER BOTH SEATS HAD COME LOOSE, AND CERTAIN WIRES DE-PINNED. THE CAR WAS RUNNING, AND PARKED WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

Mileage: 62,527

I GOT HOME FROM WORK PARKED CAR AND HEARD A WHINING NOISE UNDER HOOD I COULD SEE SMOKE AND BURING SMELL COMING FROM STEERING COOLING FAN THE FAN STAYED ON AND WENT INTO EXTREME HIGH SPEED AND CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND WIRING BURNING ,I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY WHICH STOPPED FAN AND ELECTRICAL BURNING I HAVE CAR PARKED IN DRIVE WAY AND CONTACTED MY INSURANCE TO FILE A CLAIM ,I AM AFRAID TO START CAR AND NEED TO HAVE CAR REPAIRED

Mileage: 100,000

ON 2/11/2016 I GOT HOME FROM WORK AND I PARKED MY 2005 MINI COOPER S (53,000 MILES) ON THE DRIVEWAY, TURN OFF CAR AND STAYED WITH MY KIDS & WIFE SINCE THEY WERE WAITING FOR ME OUTSIDE, MY WIFE NOTICE A SOUND & SMOKE COMING FROM THE CAR, THE SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I IMMEDIATELY OPEN THE HOOD & THERE WAS MORE SMOKE COMING OUT, THE HEADLIGHTS & ALL THE LIGHTS TURNED ON & STARED FLICKERING, ALSO THE WIPERS TURNED ON, COUPLE OF SECONDS LATER THE BOTOM OF THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MY WIFE RAN TO GET THE WATER HOSE & I WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WE WERE LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T WALK INSIDE THE HOUSE LIKE I ALWAYS DO, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY FOR ME, MY FAMILY AND EVEN OUR NEIGHBORS. THE NEXT DAY I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO AFTER AN INSPECTION FOUND OUT IF WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP THAT GOT ON FIRE AND DAMAGED ALL THE WIRES AROUND IT, SINCE HE IS A MINI SPECIALIST HE TOLD US ABOUT A RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC PART, BUT TO OUR DISAPPOINTMENT HE RAN OUR VIN # AND FOUND THAT OUR CAR IS EXCLUDED FROM THAT RECALL SINCE ITS A LATE 2005 PRODUCTION. THAT EXACTLY SAME THING HAPPEND TO US WITH THE ACTUATORS, ONE DAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS SHOPPING WITH MY KIDS, THEY JUST GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP, IT WAS A SUMMER DAY AND LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT THROUGH THE BACK TRUNK, WE CONTACTED MINI BECAUSE THERE IS ALSO A RECALL FOR THE ACTUATORS AND THEY ALSO EXCLUDED OUR CAR SAYING THAT IT WAS A LATE 2005 PRODUCTION AND WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THE RECALL. THE WAY WE SEE IT MINI IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS, IT IS NOT FAIR SINCE I HAVE NO WAY TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR WAS BUILD WITH NOT DEFECTIVE PARTS, OBVIOUSLY IT WAS. I AM TERRIFIED BY THE IDEA THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WORST SINCE WE R ALWAYS DRIVING WITH OUR KIDS. U NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS & MAKE MINI LIABLE FOR THESE SAFETY ISSUES.

Mileage: 53,000

POWER STEERING SYSTEM FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

DRIVING TO WORK IN THE AM. I SMELL SOMETHING IN THE CAR. WHEN I LOOK AT MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT I SAW SMOKE. PULL OVER AND GOT A BETTER LOOK AT IT. I HAVE A HOLES IN MY CAR SEAT AND THE TWO VEST THAT I PLACE ON THE SEAT. IT APPEARS THE HEATED SEAT HAD A ELECTRICAL FAILURE. TOOK CAR TO MINI DEALER. THEY SAID IT REAL ODD THIS HAPPEN. THEY ALSO NICE TO SAY I WOULD HAVE TO PAID TO FIX IT. LOOK AT MANY SITE ON INTERNET AND SEEN BMW/MINI AND OTHER COMPANY HAVE ISSUES WITH HEATED SEATS. IT DO NOT SEEM TO ODD TO ME. I DID NOT EVEN HAD THE HEATED SEAT ON BECAUSE NO ONE WAS SEATING THERE. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

STARTED VEHICLE IN THE MORNING OF 11/14/2012. THE SHIFT INDICATOR ON THE DASH SHOWS EP MODE INSTEAD OF D,R,N,ETC. THE CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE BUT THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SHIFTER ELECTRONICS. THE CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT DRIVE MODE IS IN. PUTTING THE AUTO MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTO SPORTS MODE DOES NOT CHANGE THE SHIFT INDICATOR ON THE DASH. IN SPORTS MODES IT STILL SHOWED EP. IN EP MODE THE CAR DOES NOT REV BEYOND 3000RPM AND DRIVES ROUGH AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH A TRANSMISSION SENSOR, OR THE SHIFTER ELECTRONICS. *TR

Mileage: 76,525

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHICH HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,916 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,960.

Mileage: 105,916

EARLIER IN THE DAY I TOOK THE CAR ON A DAY TRIP TO LAKE TAHOE DRIVING A COMBINATION OF INTERSTATE AND MOUNTAIN PASS ROAD. 3 HOURS LATER, MY WIFE HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO RUN AN ERRAND AND CAME HOME AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE COMPLETELY OFF AND LOCKED. 10-15 MINUTES LATER WE HEAR THE CAR ALARM GOING OFF. WE OPENED THE DOOR TO THE GARAGE AND SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS HIGH PITCHED WINING ALSO. WHEN I OPENED UP THE DOOR THE PUT IN NEUTRAL, THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANELS WERE ALL ON WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. OPENED THE GARAGE AND MOVED THE CAR TO THE DRIVEWAY AND AWAY FROM THE HOUSE. CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND I USED AN EXTINGUISHER UNDERNEATH WHERE ORANGE GLOW WAS VISIBLE. THE GLOW OF THE FLAMES WERE TOWARD THE BACK PART OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LOW. SAW NO VISIBLE FLAMES IN THE MAIN COMPARTMENT WHEN THE HOOD WAS POPPED OPEN WHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP THEY USED A GARDEN HOSE TO COOL ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SUGGESTED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHICH I DID. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MINI DEALER IN RENO, NV. *TR UPDATED 8/8/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS THAT SEEMED TO HAVE CAUSED AND WERE DAMAGED IN THE INCIDENT WERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, POWER STEERING COOLING FAN, AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS ALL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF A 2005 MINI COOPER S. UPDATED 08/14/2012 *JS

Mileage: 60,000

VEHICLE FIRE 5/2/2012. CAR PARKED FOR 4 HRS. RETURNED TO CAR & DROVE IT <50 YARDS FOR ~2 MINUTES (MOVED IT FROM STREET TO PARKING LOT). TURNED IT OFF AND WENT IN STORE. RETURNED ~4 MINUTES LATER, NOTICED SMOKE/EXHAUST SMELL; PRESUMED IT WAS ADJACENT CAR. UNLOCKED CAR. CAR WOULD'T START (NO LIGHTS/ELECTRICAL AT ALL). I THEN NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD. OPENED HOOD THEN NOTICED FLAME/FIRE INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WENT IN STORE, GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT FIRE OUT. INVOICE WAS >$3500 FROM MINI DEALER. THE DEALER'S ASSESSMENT: "VERIFIED POWER STEERING PUMP HAS OVERHEATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS BURNED UP INTERNALLY AS WELL AS EXTERNALLY (MELTING ALL THREE CONNECTORS AND THE WIRING LEADING TO THEM). INSPECTED POWER STEERING COOLING FAN AND VERIFIED COOLING FAN IS SEIZING UP WHICH VERY LIKELY LED TO THE OVERHEATING AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. REMOVED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSE BOX TO EXAMINE MEGAFUSE POWERING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FUSE IS INTACT AND DID NOT BURN UP. INSPECTED POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE AND IT APPEARS THE RUBBER SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE WAS SUBJECTED TO THE HEAT/MELTING OF THE MAIN POWER CONNECTOR (IT'S IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CONNECTOR) AND IT APPEARS THE HOSE HAS TAKEN A LEVEL OF DAMAGE FROM THE HEAT. RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF POWER STEERING PUMP, THE WIRING SECTION/CONNECTOR PIGTAIL FROM THE FUSE BOX (THIS IS THE MAIN POWER CONNECTOR), THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS (CONTAINS TWO OTHER ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO THE PUMP WHICH RECEIVED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE), THE POWER STEERING FAN (LIKELY CAUSE OF FAILURE), POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE (HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC LINE WHICH HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THE MAIN CONNECTOR MELTING AND SUBSEQUENT HEAT), AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE COMPONENTS (O-RINGS, CRUSH RINGS, HOSE CLAMPS ECT...)" *TR

Mileage: 59,930

PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT, ILLUMINATES 3-4 SECONDS AFTER ENGINE START, ALONG WITH THE RED AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT, ON THE MAIN SPEEDOMETER. THIS OCCURS, WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, OR NOT, DUE TO THIS SAFETY DEFECT. MINI COOPER DEALERS, DENY THIS IS A PROBLEM, HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND OVER 40 OTHER COMPLAINTS REGISTERED ON THIS EXACT DEFECT !!! MAJOR REPAIR COST FROM THE DEALER, TO CHANGE THE WHOLE BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SENSOR, THAT SEPARATES FROM THE SEAT CUSHION, AFTER A SHORT TIME! *JS

Mileage: 18,000

PARKED THE VEHICLE AFTER A SHORT TRIP OF APPROX. 10 MILES. LEFT CAR FOR APPROX 5 TO 7 MINUTES. RETURNED TO FIND SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY CABLE. GOT THE BATTERY UNHOOKED AND SMOKE DIMINISHED. TRIED RESTARTING CAR, RESTARTED FINE, BUT NO POWER STEERING. ASSUMING THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT UP IN SMOKE. FORTUNATELY, DAMAGE SEEMS TO BE LIMITED TO PS PUMP... NOT SURE YET IF SMOLDERING/SMOKE INDICATES ANY OTHER DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD OR NOT. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S - ENGINE FIRE A FEW DAYS AGO (7/27/2011) MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CAUGHT FIRE IN THE LOWER REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN A BUSINESS PARKING LOT. IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE (ABOUT 6 MILES) THREE HOURS PRIOR WITH NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE CAR IGNITION WAS OFF AND THERE WAS NO KEY PRESENT IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, A CO-WORKER SPOTTED THE CAR BILLOWING SMOKE FROM BENEATH THE HOOD AND WE WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BEFORE ANY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE OR SURROUNDING PROPERTY. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND SUBSEQUENT ELECTRICAL FIRE - THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY AN OVERHEATING AND EVENTUAL IGNITION OF AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS CAUSED BY A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I MUST EMPHASIZE THAT PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WAS NO INDICATION IN THE VEHICLE (WARNING SYSTEM) OR BY THE VEHICLES PERFORMANCE THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE PUMP OR HANDLING. IT FAILED COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING! WHILE PARKED AND UNATTENDED! THANKFULLY, THE CAR WAS NOT PARKED IN MY GARAGE AT NIGHT WHERE THE FIRE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY GOTTEN A LOT WORSE BEFORE BEING DISCOVERED AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN DEVASTATING TO MY PROPERTY AND FAMILY. AS IT STANDS THE CAR IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF NEARLY 1000.00, POSSIBLY MORE AS WE DO NOT YET KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE CAUSED TO ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE BY THE PUMPS FAILURE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND WAS RECENTLY MECHANICALLY INSPECTED LAST MARCH. NO ISSUES WERE FOUND WITH THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF IT'S LAST MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION. *KB

Mileage: 86,000

2005 MINI COOPER S - ENGINE FIRE A FEW DAYS AGO (7/27/2011) MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CAUGHT FIRE IN THE LOWER REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN A BUSINESS PARKING LOT. IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE (ABOUT 6 MILES) THREE HOURS PRIOR WITH NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE CAR IGNITION WAS OFF AND THERE WAS NO KEY PRESENT IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, A CO-WORKER SPOTTED THE CAR BILLOWING SMOKE FROM BENEATH THE HOOD AND WE WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BEFORE ANY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE OR SURROUNDING PROPERTY. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND SUBSEQUENT ELECTRICAL FIRE - THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY AN OVERHEATING AND EVENTUAL IGNITION OF AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS CAUSED BY A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I MUST EMPHASIZE THAT PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WAS NO INDICATION IN THE VEHICLE (WARNING SYSTEM) OR BY THE VEHICLES PERFORMANCE THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE PUMP OR HANDLING. IT FAILED COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING! WHILE PARKED AND UNATTENDED! THANKFULLY, THE CAR WAS NOT PARKED IN MY GARAGE AT NIGHT WHERE THE FIRE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY GOTTEN A LOT WORSE BEFORE BEING DISCOVERED AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN DEVASTATING TO MY PROPERTY AND FAMILY. AS IT STANDS THE CAR IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF NEARLY 1000.00, POSSIBLY MORE AS WE DO NOT YET KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE CAUSED TO ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE BY THE PUMPS FAILURE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND WAS RECENTLY MECHANICALLY INSPECTED LAST MARCH. NO ISSUES WERE FOUND WITH THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF IT'S LAST MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION. *KB

Mileage: 86,000

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES WHILE MOVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE RELAY IN THE AUXILIARY ENGINE FAN HAD FAILED LIKELY AS A RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING FAN FAILING. BOTH THE AUXILIARY ENGINE FAN AND THE POWER STEERING FAN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS AND LABOR WAS $1060.14.

Mileage: 65,000

THE VEHICLE HAS LOSS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DUE TO POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THUS REQUIRING INCREASED FORCE TO STEER AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE. STEERING HAS BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND HAS MADE MANOEUVRING THIS CAR FAR HARDER AND DANGEROUS. THE CAR HAS SPOTTY ELECTRICAL FAILURES; EXAMPLE THE WINDOW JUST DOESN'T WANT TO ROLL UP; NO, WAIT, IT DOES. NO, WAIT, IT DOESN'T. THE STEREO JUST GIVES UP; NO SOUND ANYMORE,THEN IT PLAYS AGAIN. THE SAME WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR YOU COULD HERE IT UNLOCK AND RE-LOCK, BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THEN IT WOULD. ALSO BOTH OF MY KEYS TO OPEN THE DOOR BOTH TURNED OFF AT THE SAME TIME AND I HAD TO HAVE THE KEYS RE-CALIBRATED AT A MINI DEALERSHIP TO REOPEN THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 75,350

THE POWER STEERING FAILED DURING A LEFT TURN, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HEAD STRAIGHT INTO OPPOSING TRAFFIC WAITING AT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL OPPOSITE ME. I MANAGED TO PULL THE WHEEL HARD ENOUGH TO GET IT TO THE CURB. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS FINE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN MONTHS LATER ON A CANYON ROAD AND FINALLY ON A 2 HOUR ROAD TRIP WHERE I WAS FREEWAY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN I FELT THE WHEEL TIGHTEN. AS I WAS ON STRAIGHTAWAY, IT WASN'T OBVIOUS UNTIL I HAD TO EXIT. AGAIN, I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT IN ON 11/30/2010 AND HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. NOW I HAVE TO GO IN BECAUSE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT COMING THROUGH MY STEERING WHEEL. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL THAT ARE NOT LIFE THREATENING BUT HAVE BEEN AN UNNECESSARY EXPENSE. WITHOUT QUICK REFLEXES AND, QUITE FRANKLY, A BIT OF STRENGTH, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 67,000

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AROUND 66,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG AND BOTH DOOR SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BATTERY CABLE AT A COST OF $4000.00. SOUNDS AS IF BMW STILL HAS REAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THEIR CARS AND ARE STICKING IT TO CONSUMERS TO FIX IT INSTEAD OF FIXING THESE PROBLEMS THEMSELVES. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 66,000

I WAS TRAVEL AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH, WHEN MY VEHICLE LOST POWER IMMEDIATELY DOWN TO 15 MPH. THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF, BUT I COULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 15 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC FLOW WAS SPACED SO I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS MALFUNCTION WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS SAID TO GONE INTO "LIMP MODE". THE ELECTRONIC BELT WAS REPLACED THAT APPARENTLY CONTROLS THE VEHICLE FUNCTION AT A COST OF $3400.00. *TR

Mileage: 45,505

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH JUMP-STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT DAY AND SHE WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE JUMP-STARTED A SECOND TIME. THE DEALER REMOVED THE BATTERY AND THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WATER SURROUNDING THE BATTERY BOX. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION FOR A WHILE UNTIL THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS ENTIRELY ENCASED IN WATER AND EXHIBITED CORROSION. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BST CABLES AND FUSE ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE EXCESSIVE WATER IN THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY CONTINUE TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 28,326.

Mileage: 28,326

DEFECT INITIALLY OCCURRED AT NIGHT TIME IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC: DASH-LIGHTS WENT OUT, TURN INDICATOR NOT FUNCTIONAL, HEATER BLOWER STOPPED WORKING (CAUSING FOGGING OF WINDSHIELD/WINDOWS), AIR BAG LIGHTS WENT ON, SEAT BELT LIGHT ON CONSEQUENTLY HAD TO PULL ON THE SIDE OF ROAD (LIMITED VISIBILITY, NO SPEED INDICATOR, COULD NOT OPERATE VEHICLE SAFELY). A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS AT IGNITION CYCLING PARTIALLY RESTORED FUNCTIONALITY. AFTER INITIAL DEFECT, PROBLEM COULD BE REPRODUCED INTERMITTENTLY (ALL/SOME OF THE COMPONENT LISTED ABOVE FAILED DURING COURSE OF NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE). VEHICLE INSPECTED BY MINI/BMW DEALER, ROOT CAUSE: INTERFERENCE ON K-BUS OF ONE OF THE AUDIO COMPONENT, RESULTING IN FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF OTHER COMPONENTS ON THE BUS. ULTIMATELY COMPONENT (MINI I-POD INTERFACE) HAD TO BE REMOVED -- PART IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. REQUEST TO HAVE REPAIRS COVERED WAS REJECTED BY MINI/BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS ON GROUNDS THERE WAS NO RECALL (VEHICLE IS 5 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY --- 41K MILES). *TR

Mileage: 40,800

2005 MINI COOPER S. APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES. OCTOBER 22, 2009. I HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME FROM WORK AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. GOING IN THE HOUSE I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES OF INVESTIGATING IN THE HOUSE, I DECIDED TO GO BACK INTO THE GARAGE, AND FIND THAT IT IS A LITTLE SMOKEY. I OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR AND BACK THE MINI OUT ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. NOW THERE IS SMOKE STREAMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CAN HEAR SPINNING/CLICKING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I OPEN THE HOOD AND SEE FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE ENGINE, BELOW THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I EMPTIED 3 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS INTO THE ENGINE BAY AND IT WAS STILL BURNING. CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, THE FIRE HAD BURNED ITSELF OUT. I WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT I WENT BACK INTO THE GARAGE WITHIN MINUTES TO INVESTIGATE, OTHERWISE IT COULD'VE BEEN A HUGE CAR FIRE AND POTENTIALLY FIRE DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND HOUSE AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 63,300

POWER STEERING PUMP FAN SEIZED. PER DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, MOST COMMON MINI REPAIR. PROBLEM IS THAT SEIZED FAN MOTOR CONTINUES TO DRAW POWER WHICH DRAINS BATTERY. HAD TO HAVE CAR JUMPED BY AAA TO GET IT STARTED TO BRING IN FOR REPAIR. NOW ALL THE DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS ARE MALFUNCTIONING: NO SPEEDOMETER/TACH/GAS GAGE READ OUT. IN EXCESS OF $2K TO FIX PLUS ALREADY PAID $400 FOR NEW POWER STEERING FAN AND BATTERY, HOPING THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS NEEDED. *TR

Mileage: 35,230

AUTO WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AFTER A 30 MILE DRIVE, TURNED OFF AND KEYS REMOVED. AFTER SOME TIME BEING PARKED, CAR STARTED BILLOWING SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, PARKING LIGHTS CAME ON SPONTANEOUSLY. NO KEYS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY THE APPARENT SHORT CIRCUIT HAD DRAINED THE BATTERY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MINI OF PEABODY MA WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAD SHORTED OUT CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO BE DESTROYED AND ALSO DESTROYING THE BATTERY. *TR

Mileage: 97,000