2008 MINI COOPER S Problems & Recalls

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the windows would roll down independently and the sunroof would fail to close completely. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed that the failure was relate...

Mileage: 111,000

The contact owns a 2008 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact ...

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT ACTIVATE IN A CRASH WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. RECALLS ACTIVE FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR THE SAME MAKE IN OTHER YEARS AND MODELS ARE CURRENTLY RECALLED HOWEVER OTHERS ARE EXCLUDED.

Mileage: 81,253

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS OFF LINE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS THAT IT IS NOT TURNING ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE TA...

Mileage: 90,000

TIMING CHAIN JUMPED OUT OF TIMING AND CAUSED BENT VALVES.

Mileage: 70,000

WARNING MESSAGE FOR SEAT BELT TENSION/AIR BAG MALFUNCTION AND BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON. THE VEHICLE HAS 40+ THOUSAND MILES ON IT, I AM A SECOND OWNER. THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED ON MAY 29, 2020. NO ACCIDENTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. COST FOR REPAIR IS OVER $2000 AND SO FAR THERE'S ONLY RECALLS FOR 2008 CONVERTI...

WARNING MESSAGE FOR SEAT BELT TENSION/AIR BAG MALFUNCTION AND BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON. THE VEHICLE HAS 40+ THOUSAND MILES ON IT, I AM A SECOND OWNER. THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED ON MAY 29, 2020. NO ACCIDENTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. COST FOR REPAIR IS OVER $2000 AND SO FAR THERE'S ONLY RECALLS FOR 2008 CONVERTI...

WARNING MESSAGE FOR SEAT BELT TENSION/AIR BAG MALFUNCTION AND BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON. THE VEHICLE HAS 40+ THOUSAND MILES ON IT, I AM A SECOND OWNER. THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED ON MAY 29, 2020. NO ACCIDENTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. COST FOR REPAIR IS OVER $2000 AND SO FAR THERE'S ONLY RECALLS FOR 2008 CONVERTI...

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO CEL OR ERRORS ON THE DASH DISPLAY. CAR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. I NOTICED SOME SMOKE. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNIN...

Mileage: 144,000

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO CEL OR ERRORS ON THE DASH DISPLAY. CAR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. I NOTICED SOME SMOKE. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNIN...

Mileage: 144,000

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO CEL OR ERRORS ON THE DASH DISPLAY. CAR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. I NOTICED SOME SMOKE. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNIN...

Mileage: 144,000

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAT MAT IS DEFECTIVE. JUST STOPPED WORKING. COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $2000. SO, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSOR REMAINS ON.

Mileage: 96,000

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAT MAT IS DEFECTIVE. JUST STOPPED WORKING. COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $2000. SO, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSOR REMAINS ON.

Mileage: 96,000

AT 32000 MILES AN OIL LEAK WAS NOTED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE FOREIGN CAR REPAIR SHOP TROUBLESHOT THE LEAK. FINAL OUTCOME: REPLACE SUPERCHARGER ASSEMBLY, VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. TOTAL COST $3,014.78 FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS A TRADE-IN VALUE OF LESS THAN $5,000. THE F...

Mileage: 32,094

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED, CAUSING A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. ALL THE VALVES AND CYLINDER HEADS WERE BENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO...

Mileage: 70,674

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON I-71 N & N. BROADWAY EXIT IN COLUMBUS, OHIO ON MARCH 1, 2019 THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND BENT ALL VALVES AND CYLINDER HEAD AND VALVES RESULTING IN $8821.97 IN DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IS DUE TO THE...

Mileage: 70,674

MY MINI COOPER HAS A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM IT RATTLES UPON STARTING AND I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT .....I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL

Mileage: 105,000

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND A MINI DEALERSHIP HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE VALVES (POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE TIMING BEING OFF). MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS WITH MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE ...

Mileage: 136,000

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-10 IN TALLAHASSEE, FL AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. BEING I THE CENTER LANE OF EIGHT (FOUR EACH DIRECTION) IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. SEVERAL VEHICLES MADE ABRUPT MANEUVERS TO AVOID A CRASH. ALSO AS I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE WAS NEAR...

Mileage: 120,000

AS SOON AS CAR BEGINS TO MOVE THE DSC ERROR APPEARS AND THE DSC NO LONGER WORKS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SZL MODULE THAT CONTROLS THIS HAS FAILED AND APPARENTLY DOES THIS WITH OTHER MINI'S AS WELL.

Mileage: 73,000

CAR TAKES A WHILE TO "WARM UP" HOWEVER AFTER A VERY SHORT DRIVE THE HOOD IS HOT TO THE TOUCH. IT ALSO SMELLS HOT. I LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND THERE IS ACTUALLY AN AFTER MARKET 'DEFLECTOR' TO CHANNEL HEAT FROM THE HOOD. I HAVE NOTICED THE PLASTIC HOOD SCOOP IS DEFORMED FROM HEAT....

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SPECIFICALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED AND CAUSED STEERING CONTROL TO BECOME DIFFICULT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD OVERHEAT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO P...

Mileage: 115,000

SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING CAR. CALLED LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" FOR SEAT MAT SENSOR.

Mileage: 113,500

SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING CAR. CALLED LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" FOR SEAT MAT SENSOR.

Mileage: 113,500

MY CAR HAS 114,000 MILE ON IT. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED PER RECALL. THE ENGINE HAS FAILED WITH BAD INJECTORS, CYLINDERS AND RINGS. MECHANIC SAID THIS FAILURE IS PERVASIVE IN 2002 TO 2008 MODELS DO TO POOR DESIGN. THE COST TO REPAIR IS TOO HIGH.

Mileage: 114,000

I WAS IN A BAD CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH MY CAR WAS REAR ENDED. I WAS IN THE VERY MOST RIGHT HAND LANE ON THE HIGHWAY, AT A STOP IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME DID NOT STOP, HITTING ME AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. AS A RESULT, MY CAR SPUN OUT TO THE RIGHT AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL ON THE SIDE OF...

Mileage: 80,000

AIRBAG PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT ON W ONLY 25000 MILES ON IT, MECHANIC TOLD ME IT'S A SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED BY SUNROOF SLICING INTO IT. SAID HE COULD FIX IT BUT HEADLINER HAS TO COME DOWN AND HE DOESN'T DO THAT KIND OF WORK. CONTACTED MINI USA AND WAS TOLD IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY AND DEALER PROB WON'T...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V657000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COMPLETED BEFORE THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE CONCERNING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGI...

Mileage: 76,000

THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE IS INHERENTLY FLAWED AND PREMATURELY FAILS BECAUSE OF A BAD DESIGN. THIS FAILURE CAUSES HOT OIL TO LEAK ALL OVER A HOT TURBO. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE MY ENGINE CATCH FIRE WITH THE FAILED O-RING ON MINE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN LARGE CLOUDS OF SMOKE BEGIN TO F...

Mileage: 48,000

PRISTINE CONDITION, LOW MILEAGE, DEALER SERVICED MINI COOPER S (OWNED SINCE NEW) BEGAN EXHIBITING A RATTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE AT 34K MILES. DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A TIMING CHAIN DEFECT AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER DEFECT. THIS IS A KNOWN ENGINE DEFECT. REFERENCE CLASS ACTION SUIT AND SETTLEMENT 33...

Mileage: 34,400

FUEL SMELL STARTED TO GET STRONGER IN THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS ON THE FLOOR TILL TODAY. I ALSO NOTICE THE GREEN TEMPERATURE NOTIFICATION COME ON TODAY. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AT THE BMW/MINI DEALER IN ONTARIO LAST MONTH.

Mileage: 97,000

FUEL SMELL STARTED TO GET STRONGER IN THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS ON THE FLOOR TILL TODAY. I ALSO NOTICE THE GREEN TEMPERATURE NOTIFICATION COME ON TODAY. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AT THE BMW/MINI DEALER IN ONTARIO LAST MONTH.

Mileage: 97,000

STARTING AROUND 65,000 MILES PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN CAR WOULD BE TURNED ON AND WOULD REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING EVEN THOUGH NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HAD IT CHECKED BY LOCAL MINI WORKSHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAT IN 2001-2008...

Mileage: 65,000

TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKEN AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE AT MILE 48544 - 48552

Mileage: 48,544

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA...

Mileage: 63,000

TAKATA RECALL: MY 2008 MINI COOPER S HARDTOP BEGAN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT STAYING LITE WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE CAR. ON APRIL 28, 2016, I TOOK MY CAR TO A MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE ISSUE DIAGNOSED (AT A COST OF $53.95). THE DIAGNOSIS STATES ...

Mileage: 13,588

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THICK, GREY SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE...

Mileage: 85,777

I OWN A 2008 MINI COOPER S AND IT HAS 62000 MILES ON IT. AS MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS, I HAVE " RATTLE NOISE" ISSUE WHEN COLD START AND POPPED UP "ENGINE OIL PRESSURE TOO LOW" WARNING YESTERDAY WHEN DROVE HOME ON CITY STREET. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER/GUIDE CHANGED ONCE BEFORE AT...

Mileage: 61,500

THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT SOMETIMES STAYS ON, WHILE SOMETIMES GOES AWAY. MINI HAS RECALLED SEVERAL CARS FOR SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT FAULT BUT MY CAR ISN'T ON THE LIST. THE LIGHT STA...

Mileage: 54,000

PASSENGERS AIR BAG APPEARS OFF WHEN SOMEONE ARE SEAT. THIS EVOLVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT.

PASSENGERS AIR BAG APPEARS OFF WHEN SOMEONE ARE SEAT. THIS EVOLVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT.

DRIVERS FOOT WELL GETS SO HOT THAT YOU CAN NOT TOUCH THE PLASTIC BY THE ACCELERATOR AND YOUR FOOT STARTS COOKING AFTER 20 MINUTES OR SO.

Mileage: 112,000

ENGINE RATTLE UPON STARTUP. NEXT THING I KNOW IS THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES BROKE AND THE VALVES BENT. THOUSANDS IN REPAIR AND MINI WON'T COVER A THING.

Mileage: 109,000

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF DESPITE SOMEONE SITTING IN THAT SEAT

AS MANY OTHERS HAVE POSTED HERE, MY ENGINE BEGAN RATTLING LOUDLY WHEN I WOULD START IT UP. TO ALLEVIATE THIS, I WOULD TOP OFF THE OIL AND GET FREQUENT OIL CHANGES, IN FACT, MORE OFTEN THAN MINI/BMW SUGGESTED IT SHOULD GET AN OIL CHANGE. THIS WOULD USUALLY TAKE CARE OF THE RATTLE. ONE NIGHT, THE E...

Mileage: 90,000

AIR BAG WARNING WITH THE FAULT CODE 93C3 WHICH HAS CAUSED A RECALL OF 91 THOUSAND VEHICLES... MY MINI S IS NOT A RECALL CAR. (ON THE SAME GRID AS THE RECALLED MINI'S...SAME OEM REPAIR PARTS) MINI USA REPRESENTATIVE [JAMIE] SUGGESTED I REMOVE THE AIR BAG AND PUT A SIGN UP IN THE DASH INDICATING 'NO ...

Mileage: 61,000

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH 86,100 MILES ON IT. WHEN DRIVING WITHIN THE FIRST 500 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATED ON MY DASH (BOTH THE TACHOMETER AND THE SPEEDOMETER). AN ALERT FOR THE AIRBAG APPEARS AS AN ICON ON THE TACHOMETER. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP W...

Mileage: 86,500

AFTER MINI/BMW REPAIRED THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND THE TIMING CHAIN, MY TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT LEAK (WITHIN A WEEK/ WITHIN 200 MILES OF MINI SERVICE) CAUSING SMOKE TO ESCAPE FROM THE BONNET, OIL TO COVER THE FRONT ENGINE/TURBO/EXHAUST. OIL NOW PUDDLES BENEATH THE CAR WHEN ...

Mileage: 89,633

THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE 16600MILES. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE LIGHT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG ILLUMINATES "OFF". TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT FAULTY. STARTED FLICKERING WHILE DRIVING BUT NOW THE LIGHT IS ON CONSTA...

WHEN STARTING CAR, I GET A GRINDING, RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS THE CHAIN TENSIONER ON THE CAR

Mileage: 45,000

PURCHASED AT 61,000 MILES 9/9/14; HAD SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE 5/15; 9/29/15 CAR BEGAN TO HAVE A RATTLE BUT UNSURE IF IT WAS FRONT OF CAR OR BACK OF CAR. RATTLING STOPPED ON ACCELERATION. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. 10/4/15 CAR DIED AT 69,362 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD ON A CURVE. WAS ABLE TO...

Mileage: 69,362

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING OIL ODOR FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR...

Mileage: 59,000

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SAY LITE EVEN THOUGH NO ONE IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. DEALER SAID KNOWN ISSUE BUT NOT PART OF RECALL. QUOTED A VERY HIGH PRICE TO HAVE REPAIRED.

Mileage: 129,600

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED....

Mileage: 50,000

WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN ANY INCIDENT, THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ON MINIS AND BMWS AROUND A FAULTY AIRBAG/PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR AND IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT COULD BE RISKING MANY LIVES. MINI NEEDS TO DIAGNOSE/INVEST...

Mileage: 55,400

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG FAILURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK...

Mileage: 79,500

(SORRY FOR MY ENGLISH) THE CAR TURN ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR EVERY TIME. I DONT HAVE PASSENGERS ANY TIME BUT THIS PROBLEM APPEARED. THERE IS A MINI RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEMS BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT IN THE RECALL LIST.

Mileage: 65,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN; HOWEVER, TH...

Mileage: 62,000

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS ON, THE DEALER SAID AIRBAG WORKS FINE. I FEEL THERE IS PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG OTHERWISE WARNING LIGHT SHOULD NOT BE ON.

Mileage: 30,000

THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE IS A KNOWN FAILURE POINT ON THE ENGINES PUT IN THIS GENERATION OF MINI COOPER S MODELS. THE OIL LINE USES A "O" RING GASKET BEHIND A PINCH/CRIMP CONNECTION. THIS CONNECTION IS DIRECTLY IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT SIDE OF THE TURBO AND FAILS DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THIS ALLOWS ENGI...

Mileage: 99,610

TURBOCHARGER OIL FEED LINE LEAKING. THE PART IS POORLY DESIGNED AND ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE DEALER WANTS $1200 TO REPLACE IT. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE PERSON ABOUT THE HEAT SHIELD RECALL FROM JUST LAST YEAR TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE FROM OCCURRING, HE REASSURED M...

Mileage: 66,000

WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATING ON THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, THERE WAS A SMALL JERKING MOTION. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ONE THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT DATE, 01/08, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE CAR HAVE A LOUD ENGINE SOUND, SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS CHOCKING FOR AIR. TH...

Mileage: 64,000

WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATING ON THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, THERE WAS A SMALL JERKING MOTION. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ONE THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT DATE, 01/08, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE CAR HAVE A LOUD ENGINE SOUND, SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS CHOCKING FOR AIR. TH...

Mileage: 64,000

WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATING ON THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, THERE WAS A SMALL JERKING MOTION. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ONE THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT DATE, 01/08, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE CAR HAVE A LOUD ENGINE SOUND, SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS CHOCKING FOR AIR. TH...

Mileage: 64,000

I OWN A 2008 MINI COOPER S AND IT HAS 38600 MILES ON IT I HAVE OWNED IT FOR A YEAR AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE TIMING CHAIN CHANGED ONCE BEFORE AT 13,485 BY A MINI DEALER. AS FOR THIS TIME IT IS STILL DRIVABLE AND HAS NOT CAUSED ANY INCIDENTS. *TR

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT REMAIN ON IN THE VEHICLE. I WILL NOT PAY THE OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY THE DEALERSHIP WANTS THE FIX OR REPLACE WHATEVER IS WRONG WITH IT. MAYBE ILL BE THE FIRST PERSON INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT THAT A RECALL ACTUALLY IS ISSUED FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 109,720

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT REMAIN ON IN THE VEHICLE. I WILL NOT PAY THE OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY THE DEALERSHIP WANTS THE FIX OR REPLACE WHATEVER IS WRONG WITH IT. MAYBE ILL BE THE FIRST PERSON INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT THAT A RECALL ACTUALLY IS ISSUED FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 109,720

THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY OIL FEED LINES TO THE TURBO WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH FOUND THE COUPLINGS THAT ATTACHES THESE LINES TO THE TURBO ARE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND WILL COST APPROX: $1200.00. THE DEALER INSTALLED A TURB...

Mileage: 44,740

THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY OIL FEED LINES TO THE TURBO WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH FOUND THE COUPLINGS THAT ATTACHES THESE LINES TO THE TURBO ARE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND WILL COST APPROX: $1200.00. THE DEALER INSTALLED A TURB...

Mileage: 44,740

LEADING UP TO INCIDENT CAR WASN'T SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AND WOULD BECOME STUCK I THIRD GEAR WITH YELLOW GEAR LIGHT WITH EXCLAMATION ILLUMINATED. IF YOU STOP AND TURN ENGINE OFF THEN START AGAIN THE LIGHT TURNS OFF AND CAR DRIVES NORMAL. YESTERDAY THE CAR SLAMMED INTO PARK WHILE DRIVING 25MPH. GEAR SELEC...

Mileage: 111,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE, COOLANT, AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS ADDED ON TWO OCCASION...

Mileage: 57,000

FAILURE OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SAME BMW SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT (OC3) THAT WAS REFERRED TO IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V-384 HAS BEEN FAILING IN MINI COOPERS ON A WIDE SCALE. THIS CAUSES THE AIRBAG TO BE DEACTIVATED WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN OCCUPANTS OCCUPY ...

Mileage: 41,000

FAILURE OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SAME BMW SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT (OC3) THAT WAS REFERRED TO IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V-384 HAS BEEN FAILING IN MINI COOPERS ON A WIDE SCALE. THIS CAUSES THE AIRBAG TO BE DEACTIVATED WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN OCCUPANTS OCCUPY ...

Mileage: 41,000

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND CAR JUST STALLED. I MADE IT TO SIDE OF FREEWAY. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BEING ON FREEWAY IN SMALL CAR THAT STALLED. LUCKILY, I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE SO I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THERE WAS ADD...

Mileage: 63,000

THE FOLLOWING REPORTS ARE FROM: ORLANDO MINI 350 S. LAKE DESTINY DRIVE ORLANDO, FL 32810 (407) 835-2727 INCIDENT 1 @ 47,603 MILES: SERVICE ADVISOR [XXX]. [XXX] FOUND TIMING CHAIN RATTLE "NOISE AT IDLE UP TO 2,100 RPM. NOISE IS A RATTLE UNDER VALVE COVER NEAR CYL 1. INTERROGATED FAULT ...

Mileage: 47,825

I WAS DRIVING IN A THREE LANE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE 2008 MINI COOPER S WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MINI DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD COLLAPSED. MINI USA INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR TH...

Mileage: 92,000

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IS GOING OFF WHEN EITHER A PASSENGER OF AVERAGE WEIGHT (150LBS.) IS OCCUPYING SEAT OR A SMALL BUMP IN ROAD IS HIT. THE AIR BAG SENSOR FOR WIRING AND SEAT CUSHION REPLACEMENT IS NO LONGER UNDER A WARRANTY FOR 2008 MODEL, BUT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM COSTING APPROXIMATELY $1200...

Mileage: 39,950

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IS GOING OFF WHEN EITHER A PASSENGER OF AVERAGE WEIGHT (150LBS.) IS OCCUPYING SEAT OR A SMALL BUMP IN ROAD IS HIT. THE AIR BAG SENSOR FOR WIRING AND SEAT CUSHION REPLACEMENT IS NO LONGER UNDER A WARRANTY FOR 2008 MODEL, BUT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM COSTING APPROXIMATELY $1200...

Mileage: 39,950

AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, THE HOOD IN THE FRONT STARTED TO RELEASE SMOKE. THERE WAS ALSO A SMOKING SMELL. THIS CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE RIDE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO INDICATES THAT THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE ENGINE, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE. THIS P...

Mileage: 32,000

AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, THE HOOD IN THE FRONT STARTED TO RELEASE SMOKE. THERE WAS ALSO A SMOKING SMELL. THIS CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE RIDE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO INDICATES THAT THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE ENGINE, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE. THIS P...

Mileage: 32,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VACUUM PU...

Mileage: 48,000

I HAVE NOW EXPERIENCED MY SECOND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE WITHIN A THREE YEAR PERIOD. COUNTLESS REPORTS ARE SURFACING AROUND THE GLOBE OF THE FAULTY DESIGN, AND THE MANUFACTURER (BMW) HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A DESIGN FLAW. THEY HAVE YET TO ISSUE A RECALL AS THE FEDERAL GOVT HAS NOT YET MANDATED THE R...

THE 2008 MINI COOPER S STARTED MAKING THE INFAMOUS "DEATH RATTLE" NOISE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN IMPORTS. HE CHANGED THE OIL, WHICH WASN'T DUE FOR ANOTHER 2,000 MILES, AND HE CHANGED THE OIL FILTER. THE NOISE CONTINUED SO HE ADDED OIL STABILIZER TO ENSURE THAT OIL WAS BEING FILTER...

Mileage: 66,500

FOUND LARGE OILY MARK UNDER PARKED CAR. TURNS OUT TO BE THE THERMOSTAT HOSE LEAKING DUE TO CRACKS BECAUSE OF BEING MADE OF PLASTIC. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN ISSUE BY MINI/BMW THAT COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE TO OVERHEAT PRODUCING A FILE OR BLOWING THE ENGINE. THIS SHOULD COME UNDER A RECALL. CHECKING ON...

Mileage: 27,500

WHEN YOU START THE CAR IN THE MORNING WHILE ITS COLD AND START DRIVING, YOU HEAR A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE WHICH COMING OUT OF THE TIMING-BELT AREA. IT STARTED 5 DAYS AGO. *TR

Mileage: 36,800

MY MINI HAS A FAULTY OIL SUPPLY LINE GOING TO THE TURBO CHARGER. THE DEALERSHIP HAS KNOWN ABOUT THESE FAULTY LINES FOR SOMETIME. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE LINE WITH A BETTER DESIGN THEY HAVE INSTALLED HEAT SHIELDS TO PREVENT THE HEAT FROM BURNING UP THE O-RING IN THE FITTING ON THE LINE. THEY INSTALL...

Mileage: 60,000

TURBO CHARGER FUEL SUPPLY LINE IS LEAKING ON MY 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE DEALER SUGGESTED A REPLACEMENT COST OF $750. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE LEAK IS HAPPENING DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THE LEAK MAY CAUSE FIRE DAMAGE AND MIGHT CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR

TURBO CHARGER FUEL SUPPLY LINE IS LEAKING ON MY 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE DEALER SUGGESTED A REPLACEMENT COST OF $750. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE LEAK IS HAPPENING DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THE LEAK MAY CAUSE FIRE DAMAGE AND MIGHT CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR

TURBOCHARGER OIL FEED LINE LEAKING. THE PART IS POORLY DESIGNED AND ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE PART IS NOT COVERED BY THE CPO WARRANTY AND THE DEALER WANTED $1400 TO REPLACE IT. I REPLACED IT MYSELF WITH A BETTER DESIGNED AFTERMARKET PART. I THINK MINI SHOULD COVER THE...

Mileage: 68,000

DRIVING MY 2008 MINI COOPER S AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DIED. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING THE MOTOR TO BLOW UP AND THE TIMING CHAIN POPPING THROUGH THE VALVE COVER, THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IS UNDER A FACTORY INSPECTION NOTICE, I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE TO ...

Mileage: 65,000

DRIVING MY 2008 MINI COOPER S AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DIED. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING THE MOTOR TO BLOW UP AND THE TIMING CHAIN POPPING THROUGH THE VALVE COVER, THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IS UNDER A FACTORY INSPECTION NOTICE, I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE TO ...

Mileage: 65,000

LOUD ENGINE NOISE COMING FROM CHAIN TENSIONER AT STARTUP. SOUNDS LIKE DIESEL ENGINE. ALSO HAPPENS DURING COLD ENGINE START. *TR

Mileage: 48,700

LOUD ENGINE NOISE COMING FROM CHAIN TENSIONER AT STARTUP. SOUNDS LIKE DIESEL ENGINE. ALSO HAPPENS DURING COLD ENGINE START. *TR

Mileage: 48,700

TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE IS LEAKING OIL ON MY 2008 COOPER S, THE DEALER HAS RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $900. I INITIALLY TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A RECALL TO INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD ON THE SAME OIL LINE, SOME ONLINE RESEARCH (INCLUDING MANY OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS HERE) HAS SUGGESTED THAT THE LACK OF A HE...

Mileage: 53,600

I CAN'T TELL EXACTLY THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR BY THE TIME THE ALARM POP UP, BUT IT WAS ABOUT 64K AS SPECIFIED ABOVE. AT THAT TIME THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ALARM COMES "ON" THE CAR WITH A PASSENGER SEATED. IT ALL STARTED INTERMITTENT BUT AFTER A WEEK THE LIGHT REMAINS ON ALL THE TIME, ALONG WITH THE WA...

Mileage: 64,000

I CAN'T TELL EXACTLY THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR BY THE TIME THE ALARM POP UP, BUT IT WAS ABOUT 64K AS SPECIFIED ABOVE. AT THAT TIME THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ALARM COMES "ON" THE CAR WITH A PASSENGER SEATED. IT ALL STARTED INTERMITTENT BUT AFTER A WEEK THE LIGHT REMAINS ON ALL THE TIME, ALONG WITH THE WA...

Mileage: 64,000

BOUGHT CAR FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER A LOT OF RESEARCH ON ISSUES WITH THESE CARS AN COMPLAINTS. BROUGHT VARRO MINI DEALERSHIP AND ASKED ABOUT TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER AND WAS TOLD MINE WAS FINE EVEN THOUGH THEY NEVER OPENED UP COVER TO INSPECT CHAIN OR TENSIONER. HAVE BEEN BACK THREE DIFFERENT TIMES W...

Mileage: 26,000

IT HAS OIL LEAKS AROUND TURBO LINE WHICH THE OILS MAKE SMOKES AS THE OIL DRIP CONTACTS WITH DOWN PIPE. THIS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 67,000

WHILE DRIVING MY MINI THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN MINI'S. THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE CRANKCASE VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS BUILT INTO THE VALVE COVER. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED MY TIMING CHAIN IS ALMOST RUINED ...

Mileage: 29,976

TIMING CHAIN MAKING TERRIBLE RATTLE. AFTER RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A NEW AND QUITE COMMON PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

Mileage: 43,000

ENGINE RATTLE ON COLD START INDICATED A LOOSE OR STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN. REQUIRED A PREMATURE REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN, GUIDES AND TENSIONER

Mileage: 46,674

TIMING CHAIN MECHANISM (TENSIONER SEEMED TO BE MAIN CULPRIT) FAILING AND SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST $2500. CAR HAD 33,000 EASY MILES ON IT. MECHANIC SAID TIMING SYSTEM WAS ON THE VERGE OF FAILING TRAUMATICALLY AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE. REPORTED IT TO MINI, WHO ADMITTED THEY HAVE BE...

Mileage: 33,000

WHILE TURNING AT A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHICH, IN TURN, DESTROYED THE ENGINE. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A QUOTE OF 7,200.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A NEW ONE. *TR

Mileage: 44,000

I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3K ON THE DOT. I CHECK IT REGULARLY. FULLY SYNTHETIC EVERY TIME. I WAS TOLD WHEN I BOUGHT MY MINI WITH 42K THAT THE RATTLE UNDER THE HOOD WAS NORMAL. AT APPROX. 50K I HEARD THE SAME METAL RATTLE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A CHAIN SMACKING PLASTIC, SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO BE CHECKED. NOW I...

Mileage: 50,000

MY MINI HAS HAD REGULAR SERVICE AT HABBERSTAD MINI SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE NOISE IN NOVEMBER 2011 AND THEY FOUND THE OIL WAS LOW AND REFILLED IT. AT EACH SERVICE I MENTIONED THE NOISE AND NOTHING WAS FOUND EXCEPT TO TELL ME I NEED INDUCTION SERVICE, REPLACE LEAKING WATE...

Mileage: 38,432

HAD TO TAKE MY MINI COOPER S WITH JCW PACKAGE IN TO CORRECT A SERVICE LIGHT ISSUE. WAS CARBON BUILD UP ON THE VALVES. CLEANED IT FOR 1500.00. DROVE IT ABOUT A MONTH AND THE TURBO BYPASS SOLENOID VALVE FAILED. BACK TO THE MINI COOPER DEALER IN CLEAR LAKE. THEY REPLACED THE SOLENOID AND DID A OIL CHAN...

Mileage: 52,522

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR (GAS) STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS A DIESEL. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE TENSIONERS IN THE ENGINE ARE WORN OUT. I HAD THE UPPER REPLACED, BUT THE OTHERS ALSO NEED REPLACING. BASED ON MY OWN RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURE...

Mileage: 54,008

WE STARTED HEARING A LOUD NOISE AROUND 27,000 MILES. CAR WAS JUST OVER FOUR YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY. ENDED UP WITH A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPEATED CALLS TO MINI DEALER AND MINI USA PROVIDED WORTHLESS, STUCK WITH WHOLE REPAIR AND NO ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 27,454

WE STARTED HEARING A LOUD NOISE AROUND 27,000 MILES. CAR WAS JUST OVER FOUR YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY. ENDED UP WITH A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPEATED CALLS TO MINI DEALER AND MINI USA PROVIDED WORTHLESS, STUCK WITH WHOLE REPAIR AND NO ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 27,454

MY MINI COOPER S WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, AND HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, ONCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED I TOOK THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC WHO HAS PERFORMED WORK FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY FOR TWELVE YEARS. AFTER READING THIS WEBSITE, AND IT'S COMPLAINTS THE SAME PROBLEMS ...

Mileage: 55,000

I HAD BEEN SERVICING MY 2008 MINI COOPER S AT THE DREYER & REINBOLD BMW MINI DEALERSHIP FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. I JUST HAD IT IN THE SHOP AROUND 50K MILES AND WAS NOT TOLD THAT I SHOULD CONSIDER CHANGING MY TIMING BELT. ONE DAY I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. I...

Mileage: 55,450

I CURRENTLY HAVE AN OIL LEAK DEVELOPING FROM THE TURBO OIL LINE THAT HAS RESULTED FROM A FAILED O-RING WITHIN THE LINE ITSELF. DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, THE HEAT FROM THE TURBO WEARS AWAY THE O-RING, WHICH RESULTS IN OIL LEAKING FROM WHERE THE LINE IS BOLTED TO THE TURBO VIA A BANJO BOLT. THIS IS A SERI...

Mileage: 89,151

THE CAR HAS BEEN SMELLING LIKE BURNT OIL FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP ON SATURDAY. TODAY, TUESDAY, WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO PICK IT UP, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE ARE "LEAKS": 1) WATER PUMP 2) TIMING CHAIN 3) VALVE COVER 4) OIL FEED AND RETURN ...

Mileage: 36,500

THERE IS A LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY LINE LEADING INTO TO THE TURBO HOUSING. THIS IS A MAJOR OIL LEAK AND SAFETY HAZARD. OIL LEAKING ONTO THE HOT TURBO CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. ASIDE FROM THE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, THE LEAK, HAD IT GONE UNNOTICED, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE LOCAL...

Mileage: 73,000

A SIGNIFICANT ENGINE OIL LEAK WAS DETECTED BY OIL SPOTS UNDER PARKED CAR. THE DIP STICK REGISTERED 1 QUART LOW. A QUART WAS ADDED AND THE CAR DRIVEN ABOUT 100 MILES THE NEXT DAY. UPON RETURN, THE OIL WAS A QUART LOW AGAIN. DURING THE PRECEDING TWO WEEKS THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES OF A BURN...

Mileage: 96,400

I HAVE OWNED THE MINI SINCE NEW. ALWAYS REGULARLY SERVICED AT THE MINI DEALER. RECENTLY I STARTED THE ENGINE AND IT SOUNDED MORE LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE, VERY NOISY AND UNUSUAL. TOOK IT TO THE MINI DEALER AND AS I EXPLAINED WHAT THE SYMPTOMS WERE, THE FRONT DESK PERSON THAT TOOK MY DETAILS DIAGNOSED...

Mileage: 49,200

I HAVE OWNED THE MINI SINCE NEW. ALWAYS REGULARLY SERVICED AT THE MINI DEALER. RECENTLY I STARTED THE ENGINE AND IT SOUNDED MORE LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE, VERY NOISY AND UNUSUAL. TOOK IT TO THE MINI DEALER AND AS I EXPLAINED WHAT THE SYMPTOMS WERE, THE FRONT DESK PERSON THAT TOOK MY DETAILS DIAGNOSED...

Mileage: 49,200

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR IN LATE SEPT./EARLY OCT. 2012 WITH 29K MILES ON THE CAR. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR, AND WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, AS SHE WAS ENTERING THE OFF RAMP IN FOREST LAKE, MN HER CAR STARTED TO JERK/RUN LIKE CRAP (LATE JANUARY 2013). SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, I TRIED TO...

Mileage: 35,900

THE TIMING CHAIN HAS LOCKED UP. I NOTICE THAT THIS IS A COMMOM COMPLAINT. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

STRANGE KNOCKING/RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 2007+ MINI COOPER. FROM THE MINI DEALER REPAIR DETAILS IT APPEARS TO BE A ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT WITHOUT BEING FIXED THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AN...

Mileage: 33,000

THE OIL INPUT LINE TO THE TURBO HAS STARTED TO LEAK. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY SIDELINED BECAUSE OF CHANCE OF FIRE OR FAILURE OF THE TURBO. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

MY CAR HAD BEEN MAKING A RATTLING SOUND OFF AND ON FOR A SHORT TIME (MOSTLY IN THE COLD MORNINGS) I DROVE FROM HOUSTON TO DALLAS. WHEN PARKED ON THE SIDE ROAD, MY CAR WOULD NOT START UP. I HAD NO SERVICE LIGHT OR ANY OTHER LIGHTS COME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD MY TIMING BELT WAS B...

Mileage: 40,000

THE CAR STARTED LEAKING SMALL AMOUNTS OF OIL IN THE GARAGE, APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A DIME. WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED YOU COULD SMELL A SLIGHT OIL BURNING ODOR. THE CAR SAT FOR 3 DAYS, WAS DRIVEN AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE RESULT IS THAT THE "TURBO OIL FEE...

Mileage: 54,667

THE CAR STARTED LEAKING SMALL AMOUNTS OF OIL IN THE GARAGE, APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A DIME. WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED YOU COULD SMELL A SLIGHT OIL BURNING ODOR. THE CAR SAT FOR 3 DAYS, WAS DRIVEN AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE RESULT IS THAT THE "TURBO OIL FEE...

Mileage: 54,667

THE OIL FEED LINE FOR THE TURBOCHARGER LEAKED ENOUGH OIL TO ALLOW ENOUGH SMOKE INTO THE CABIN TO GREATLY DECREASE VISIBILITY. THE FITTING IS COMPRISED OF A BANGO FITTING THAT IS CRIMPED TO THE FEED LINE WITH AN O-RING IN THE FEED LINE. THE O-RING IS THE COMPONENT THAT FAILED AND MY ENGINEERING BAC...

Mileage: 80,000

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BACKED OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO BE PUMPED OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE TENSIONER WORKS ON ENGINE OIL PRESSURE AND IT BACKED OUT FAR ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE ENGINE OIL THAT NORMALLY PRESSURIZED THE PISTON TO BE PUMPED OUT OF THE ENGINE. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO ...

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO COOL DOWN SO THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE C...

Mileage: 7,400

VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS JUST BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED (6/9/12). SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS ASKED TO INSPECT 'TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE' AS THIS WAS TSB (SIM-11-03-08) FOR CLOGS/BLOCKAGE CAUSED BY THE DETERIORATION OF THE RUBBER O-RING IN LINE THAT WHEN HEAT CYCLED FALLS APART AND CLOGS TH...

Mileage: 43,000

AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR STARTED CHUGGING. I PULLED OVER AND KEPT CHUGGING. I STOPPED THE CAR, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW IF SOMETHING WAS WRONG. DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND ONCE I ACCELERATED IT STOPPED CHUGGING. DROVE IT VERY SCARCELY AND BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TO...

Mileage: 35,900

AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR STARTED CHUGGING. I PULLED OVER AND KEPT CHUGGING. I STOPPED THE CAR, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW IF SOMETHING WAS WRONG. DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND ONCE I ACCELERATED IT STOPPED CHUGGING. DROVE IT VERY SCARCELY AND BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TO...

Mileage: 35,900

BEGAN TO HEAR LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM ENGINE OF MY 4 YEAR OLD MINI @ 66000 MILES. HAVE HAD MY MINI SERVICED ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR 4 YEARS. AFTER HEARING THE NOISE DID RESEARCH ONLINE TO NOTICE THAT MINIS HAVE A TIMING BELT /TENSIONER ISSUE. NOTICED ON THE SAME NIGH...

Mileage: 66,300

DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL BURNT OIL. AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE TO I PULLED OVER, IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS A CLOUD OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THOUGH THERE WAS NO FIRE IT APPEARED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM OIL LEAKING ONTO THE TURBO FROM THE OIL...

Mileage: 70,000

KNOCKING NOISE WHEN STARTING AND RUNNING. I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE WRONG FUEL ADDED TO IT, OR LOW OIL WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I CORRECTED THOSE TWO ISSUES, BUT IT STILL MAKES THE KNOCKING NOISE. I AM VERY AFRAID IT WILL SEIZE. I BELIEVE THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ...

I WAS TOLD MY WARRANTY EXPIRED END OF JUNE. I BOUGHT MINI-S 08 USED IN FEBRUARY FROM A MINI DEALERSHIP IN WESTCHESTER, ELMSFORD, NY. I NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE THAT TO ME DIDN'T SOUND NORMAL NOT TOO LONG AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE PEOPLE AT MINI TOLD ME IT WAS FROM SOMETHING ELSE, A LOOSE PIECE AND...

Mileage: 38,000

LOUD SUDDEN DIESEL LIKE RATTLE (COMMONLY KNOWN AS "THE DEATH RATTLE" BY IMPACTED MINI OWNERS) FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON A METICULOUSLY WELL MAINTAINED 2008 MINI COOPER S TURBO. DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC AS DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT TENSIONER AND IF LEFT UNATTENDED WOULD RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAIL...

Mileage: 70,138

MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR NEAR THE ENGINE WHEN I TURNED IT ON. THEN IT CONTINUED TO MAKE THE LOUD NOISE AS I DROVE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED AND CAUSED THE GUIDE RAIL TO BREAK, WHICH FELL INTO THE OIL PAN. THE DEALER S...

Mileage: 53,500

THE TURBO CHARGER HAS TOTALLY FAILED (CAR IS UNDER HALF POWER) AND THE TOP GUIDE ON THE TIMING CHAIR (TENSIONER SYSTEM) IS BROKEN. I HAVE DONE THE PROPER MAINTENANCE WITH EXCEPTIONAL CARE. THE TURBO IS COOLED BY THE KNOWN FAILED AUXILIARY WATER PUMP WITH INTEGRATED CIRCUIT BOARD AND IS CURRENTLY U...

Mileage: 59,952

MY MINI COOPER S HAS LESS THAN 60000 MILES ON IT WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE AND HAS HAD FAILURE OF THE FRICTION WHEEL (AKA TIMING CHAIN OR TENSIONER SYSTEM). THE FIRST SIGNS OF THE ISSUE ARE A VERY LOUD, RATTLING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION AND AS THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE, IT CONTINUES TO RATTLE DURING IDL...

Mileage: 55,000

THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE (MOST LIKELY THE TIMING BELT) AND THE CAR KEEPS JUMPING. *JS

Mileage: 36,000

TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, HAS BROKEN GUIDES AND CAUSES VERY LOUD "DIESEL" SOUNDS. ONLY 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. OIL LEAK IN OIL LINE GOING TO TURBO. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

I HAVE A 2008 MINI COOPER S THAT HAS A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL ,AS I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE FOUND THAT LOOKS LIKE A PRODUCTION ISSUE WHICH I BELIEVE SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY MINI/BMW. NOT EVERYONE HAS $2000.00 TO HAVE THIS FIXED,I HAVE 28K MILES WHICH I CONSIDER A ...

VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT COLD START, DEALER INFORMED ME IT'S THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER, TOTAL COST ABOUT $1950.00. DEALER INFORMED ME IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FROM MINI USA. *TR

Mileage: 59,302

VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT COLD START, DEALER INFORMED ME IT'S THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER, TOTAL COST ABOUT $1950.00. DEALER INFORMED ME IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FROM MINI USA. *TR

Mileage: 59,302

ENGINE DEVELOPED A KNOCKING, RATTLING SOUND WHICH GREW LOUDER OVER TIME. THE LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED A TIMING CHAIN GLIDE AND TENSIONER FAILURE. REPLACED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. WAS TOLD MINI REALIZED THE GLIDES WERE INFERIOR AND WAS NOW USING UPGRADED GLIDES IN THE REPLACEMENT KITS. WHEN ASKED...

Mileage: 52,000

TENSIONER ALLOWED TIMING CHAIN TO SLAP THE CHAIN GUARD, SUCH THAT PIECES OF THE CHAIN GUARD EVENTUALLY GOT CAUGHT IN THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE CAR WAS OFF TIME AND OFF CAMBER. PIECES OF THE CHAIN GUARD WERE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE VALVE HOUSING. REPLACED TENSIONER AND WHOLE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY....

Mileage: 58,000

MY 2008 MINI COOPER S (WITH 28,300 MILES) HAS EXPERIENCED DIESEL SOUNDING ENGINE PROBLEMS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I LOOKED THIS UP ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THIS WAS A TENSIONER OR TIMING BELT ISSUE WITH THE CAR. ALMOST 600 PEOPLE HAVE USED THIS SITE: HTTP://WWW.MINICOOPERSPEED.COM/MINI-COOPER-COL...

Mileage: 28,300

WATER PUMP MELTED - THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED AT 49,492 MILES. MY ENGINE LIGHT LIT UP YELLOW AND BY THE TIME I ARRIVED AT WORK IT WAS RED. I TRIED POURING COOLANT AND IT JUST SPILLED OUT ONTO THE GROUND. I TOOK IT TO MINI TO GET IT SERVICED AND THEY SAID THE HEAT FROM MY ENGINE CAUSED THE THERM...

Mileage: 49,492

LOUD KNOCKING NOISE UPON STARTING THE CAR. IT WAS VERY LOUD SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. A METAL PIECE FROM THE HOUSING FOR THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE THAT COST $2239 TO REPAIR. THE SERVICE REP SEEMED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I ASKED THE SERVICE REP FOR MY OLD PARTS WHICH I HA...

Mileage: 57,803

TURBOCHARGER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $3,700. BUT THE CAUSE OF MY TURBOCHARGER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED WAS THE CAUSE OF MY AUXILIARY WATER PUMP - THERMOSTAT HOUSING GOING OUT IN 04/12/11 WHICH CAUSED THE TURBOCHARGER TO OVERHEAT AND BECOME DAMAGED. I REMINDED THE DEAL...

Mileage: 61,838

TIMING CHAIN COVER BROKE APART AND SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT. MINI & THE COMPANY THAT HANDLES THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS REFUSING TO COVER. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED COLD IN THE MORNING WITH AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF AROUND 37DEGREES F. THERE IS A RATTLE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO A DIESEL ENGINE RATTLE BUT LOUDER. COULD BE A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM THAT WILL DESTROY THE ENGINE EVENTUALLY. BMW NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOU...

Mileage: 23,455

I DROVE LESS THAN A MILE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE TURBOCHARGER WAS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE ENGINE, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THE CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 44,000

THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE, THEN STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO ADD AIR TO A LOW TIRE. WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLING, WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE, FOLLOWED BY DARK SMOKE. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, WE SAW A SMALL FLAME COMING FROM INSIDE THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. WE RAN TO GET A FIRE EXT...

Mileage: 37,136

I BOUGHT CAR NEW IN NOV 2007. CAR WAS USED AS TRANSPORTATION EVERY DAY TO AND FROM WORK (~100 MI TOTAL). CAR WAS WELL CARED FOR, SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AS REQUIRED, ETC. IN SEPT 2008 AFTER SITTING UNDRIVEN FOR 10 DAYS WHILE I WAS AWAY ON VACATION, I DROVE 50 MI TO WORK AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF TROU...

Mileage: 28,000

ON AUGUST 15, 2011, I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO WORK AS I DO EVERY MORNING. ON THE WAY, I STOPPED FOR GAS. AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS VERY, VERY HOT AND THE COOLANT OVERFLOW TANK WAS OVERFLOWING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AND...

Mileage: 57,893

HOUSING FOR THE TIMING CHAIN CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED DAMAGE THAT WILL COST $1800 TO REPAIR. THE SERVICE GUY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE SAID HE HAS BEEN SEEING A LOT OF THEM IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AND ITS A 10 HOUR JOB. WHILE I WAS SIGNING FOR THE LOANER, SOMEONE ELSE WAS ON THE PHONE SAYIN...

Mileage: 55,000

THE PLASTIC HOUSING FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE BEGINNING TO CRACK; POTENTIALLY EXPOSING THE XENON LIGHTBULBS. FAILURE OF HEADLIGHT(S) WHILE DRIVING COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY ON AN UNFAMILIAR ROADWAY. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE TIMING BELT TENSIONERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW DAYS LATER HE HEARD A...

Mileage: 20,000

2008 MINI COOPER S - ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY VACUUM PUMP. WHILE DRIVING MY WELL MAINTAINED 2008 MINI COOPER S UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE ISSUED A LOUD, BRIEF METALLIC NOISE AND STOPPED RUNNING. THE ENGINE WAS STILL TURNING, BUT WAS NOT RUNNING. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. UPON ...

Mileage: 110,000

I HAVE 2008 MINI COOPER S, I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT EVEN THE FIRST YEAR I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. BUT LATELY, THREE YEARS LATER THERE WAS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD ...

Mileage: 75,564

1. HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION; THIS MAY BE DUE TO CARBON BUILD UP. CAR WILL LURCH AND STUMBLE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHEN CHANGING LANES OR GETTING UP TO SPEED WHEN MERGING. 2. TIMING CHAIN RATTLE DURING COLD START. CAR SOUNDS LIKE THE TIMING CHAIN IS HI...

Mileage: 27,000

TIMING CHAIN 2008 MINI COOPER S FAILURE. LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM ENGINE. UNDER WARRANTY PARTS REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 23,000

I HAD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2008 MINI COOPER S, FOLLOWED BY THE TIMING BELT BREAKING. I HAD IT FIXED TO THE TUNE OF $2000+. IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD IT BROKE DUE TO BEING DOWN 1 QT OF OIL. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. *TR

Mileage: 18,000

2008 MINI COOPER S ENGINE KNOCKING. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

ON 2008 MINI COOPER S, WITH APPROX. 12.5K, COMPLETE FAILURE OF TIMING CHAIN AND COMPONENTS. WAS JUST COVERED INSIDE OF DEALER WARRANTY, BUT EVEN THE DEAL ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. ONLINE, OTHER HAVE REPORT THE SAME FAILURE IN LARGE NUMBERS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! *TR

Mileage: 12,500

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ISSUED OR AT LEAST INVESTIGATED FOR ANY MINI COOPER 2007 AND UP WITH THE BMW ENGINE. THIS ENGINE HAS A FAULTY TIMING BELT TENSIONER THAT IS PRONE TO FAIL CAUSING SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. I HAVE A 2008 AND JUST LOST MY ENGINE DUE TO THIS TENSION FAILURE. AFTER SPENDING TH...

Mileage: 70,000

2008 MINI COOPER S. NO ENGINE MODIFICATION. LOUD KNOCKING NOISE ON START UP AND CONTINUES FOR ABOUT 5 MINS OF DRIVING AND THEN GOES AWAY. MILE IS UNDER 8900 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 8,900

WHEN STARTING THE CAR COLD (FIRST THING IN THE MORNING OR AFTER IT HAS BEEN OFF FOR A LONG TIME), THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE SORT OF LIKE A TRACTOR NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. IT GOES AWAY AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF CONTINUOUS DRIVING, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING AND ACCELERATING AT THE S...

Mileage: 29,300

NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND, ALMOST LIKE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE GRINDING. ON NOVEMBER 11, 2010, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND ENGINE DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE AS MUCH POWER AS IT SHOULD. TOOK TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE THE TURBO WAS DA...

Mileage: 59,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WHENEVER HE STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE KNOCKING NOISE WAS NOT PRESENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TIMING BELT AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED AT THE...

Mileage: 35,000

2008 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287 IN NJ WITH ABSOLUTELY NO NOTICE THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER. EVERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO, NO POWER WHATSOEVER FROM THE ENGINE, NO WAY ...

Mileage: 24,552

2008 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287 IN NJ WITH ABSOLUTELY NO NOTICE THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER. EVERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO, NO POWER WHATSOEVER FROM THE ENGINE, NO WAY ...

Mileage: 24,552

2008 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287 IN NJ WITH ABSOLUTELY NO NOTICE THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER. EVERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO, NO POWER WHATSOEVER FROM THE ENGINE, NO WAY ...

Mileage: 24,552

2008 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287 IN NJ WITH ABSOLUTELY NO NOTICE THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER. EVERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO, NO POWER WHATSOEVER FROM THE ENGINE, NO WAY ...

Mileage: 24,552

2008 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287 IN NJ WITH ABSOLUTELY NO NOTICE THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER. EVERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO, NO POWER WHATSOEVER FROM THE ENGINE, NO WAY ...

Mileage: 24,552

2008 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287 IN NJ WITH ABSOLUTELY NO NOTICE THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER. EVERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO, NO POWER WHATSOEVER FROM THE ENGINE, NO WAY ...

Mileage: 24,552

LEAVING FROM WORK AROUND 5:00 PM (CAR HAD BEEN IN THE PARKING LOT SINCE 7:20 AM), I DROVE FOR A MILE OR LESS WHEN AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR BY MY SIDE TOLD ME ABOUT SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. I DROVE TO THE CLOSET PARKING LOT, OPENED THE HOOD (THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE) AND I COULD SEE 2 WIR...

Mileage: 28,268

MY 2008 MINI COOPER S, WHEN COLD, OFTEN STARTS UP WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE. SO MUCH SO THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL (BUT ITS NOT A DIESEL MOTOR). NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS PROBLEM, INCLUDING SOME COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURES. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM T...

Mileage: 25,000

2008 MINI COOPER S CLUTCH FAILURE #1 @ APPROXIMATELY 23K #2 CLUTCH FAILURE @ 36K IN BOTH CASES IT LEFT THE DRIVER STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND NEEDING A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP! *TR

Mileage: 36,000

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) KUMHO TIRE USA.,INCORPORATED AND DISCOUNT TIRE, COMPANY ON 12-18-2009 [XXX] DAUGHTER OF [XXX] PURCHASED TWO TIRES FROM DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY LOCATED AT 2930 GEORGEBUSBEE PARKWAY NW, KENNESAW GA 30144 SO...

Mileage: 31,545

MY 2008 MINI COOPER S, WHEN COLD, OFTEN STARTS UP WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE. SO MUCH SO THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL (BUT ITS NOT A DIESEL MOTOR). NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS PROBLEM, INCLUDING SOME COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURES. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM T...

Mileage: 600

2008 MINI COOPER S CAUSES FIRE WHILST PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT 2AM, BURNS DOWN ANOTHER CAR AND PROPERTY. THE SUGAR LAND, TEXAS FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE CAUSE OF ORIGIN OF THE FIRE IS SUSPECTED FROM MINI COOPER. *TR

Mileage: 10,730

MY COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT AN ACCIDENT BUT RATHER AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN MY RELATIVELY NEW MINI COOPER. THE SIZE AND POSITION OF MY INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR SIGNIFICANTLY OBSCURES THE VIEW OF THE ROAD ON RIGHT HAND TURNS (ESPECIALLY ON EXIT RAMPS). I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE CORRECTED. *TR

Mileage: 1

NOISE IN ENGINE AFTER COLD START. ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY MINI OF PEABODY MA AFTER A INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS A 2008 COOPER S JCW AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN NOISY SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. NOISE GOES AWAY AFTER IT WARMS UP. DEALER TELLS ME NOTHING IS WRONG. ORIGINAL ENGINE FAILED AT 8,000 MILES AND...

Mileage: 8,500

"PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, INDICATING THAT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF, WHEN A FULL SIZED ADULT IS OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH SEAT BELT BUCKLED. *TR

Mileage: 6,000

2008 MINI COOPER S SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FIRE 10/02. I HAD JUST RETURNED HOME FROM WORK AND I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 45MINS AND THEN 10MINS AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR DOWN A FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER WEIGHING BETWEEN 130 AND 140 LBS SITS. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TURNS OFF AND THERE IS NO WAY TO OVERRIDE THIS AUTOMATIC SENSOR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP MINI (SAN ANTONIO) TWO TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. MINI STATES THERE IS NO ERRO...

CAR WILL NOT START, LEAVING YOU STRANDED. PUSHING IN CLUTCH THEN START BUTTON, AND NOTHING. FIRST TIME WAS 5 WEEKS AGO, TOWED TO DEALER, DID TESTS, FOUND NO PROBLEM. HAPPENED AGAIN ON 4/23/2009, GIGGLED DEAD MAN SWITCH ON CLUTCH PEDAL AND THEN STARTED. HAPPENED AGAIN 4/27/2009, TRIED GIGGLE THIN...

Mileage: 4,500

MY 2008 MINI COOPER S HAS A TERRIBLE RATTLING NOISE OCCASIONALLY DURING STARTUP. THE PROBLEM CAN BE REPRODUCED 100% OF THE TIME UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: - START CAR FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (BACK OUT OF GARAGE / WASH CAR) - RESTART CAR FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (MOVE INTO GARAGE) - LEAVE CA...

Mileage: 100

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CLUTCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE CENTER OF AN INTERSECTION. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER...

Mileage: 11,000

THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS BEEN DISABLED WHEN A FULL SIZED ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

VERY NOISY DRIVE TRAIN UPON INITIAL START-UP; MORE SIGNIFICANT WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. NOISE ABATES AS ENGINE WARMS. *TR

Mileage: 1,600

ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF 08 MINI COOPER S GETS SO HOT IT HAS MELT THE HOOD SCOOP. MY HOOD SCOOPING IS BOWING DOWN AND THE CAR HAS 2700 MILES ON IT. I SUGGEST A RECALL AND A HEAT SHIELD TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE FORUMS. *TR

ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF 08 MINI COOPER S GETS SO HOT IT HAS MELT THE HOOD SCOOP. MY HOOD SCOOPING IS BOWING DOWN AND THE CAR HAS 2700 MILES ON IT. I SUGGEST A RECALL AND A HEAT SHIELD TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE FORUMS. *TR

"PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY. I BRING TO DEALER FOR REPAIR THREE TIMES, BUT DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AND MY PROBLEM CONTINUE. *TR

Mileage: 5,000

WE PURCHASED A 2008 MINI COOPER FOR MY DAUGHTER. LAST NIGHT WHILE SHE WAS PUTTING THINGS IN THE TRUNK, HER LEG GLANCED THE TAILPIPE AND SHE RECEIVED A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT BURN. ON LOOKING AT CARS IN A PARKING LOT, I SEE THAT THE MINI COOPER'S TAIL PIPES ARE VERY EXPOSED AND NOT EVEN SLANTED BACK......

I BORROWED MY FRIEND'S MINI COOPER S FOR THE WEEK TO TEST DRIVE IT. AS I WAS UNLOADING CARGO FROM THE TRUNK, MY LEG WAS BURNED WHEN IT TOUCHED THE EXHAUST TIP. YESTERDAY, I READ ABOUT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAME PROBLEM ON EDMUNDS.COM. *TR

Mileage: 19,342