2008 MINI COOPER Engine Problems

While driving the car at aproximately 25mph, the engine and the car stopped running. All dashboard warning lamps were off prior to the engine failure The car rolled to the side of the road to get out of the way of other traffic. The service engine warning lamp was on after the engine shut off and stopped running. The car was towed to a service station, and they too could not get the car to start. The mechanic's troubleshooting ultimately found the engine's internal timing chain had broken, causing multiple of other internal engine components to become damaged. The engine required detailed repair to replace the damaged engine parts to get it to start operating again. The costs for the repairs were over $5000.00.

Timing Chain and tensioner rattle. Known recall issue but not showing recall

TIMING CHAIN DEFECTIVE. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A LEFT TURN LANE AS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MINI OF THE WOODLANDS (16675 I-45, CONROE, TX 77385, (936) 344-1258) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DME (ENGINE COMPUTER) FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER INADVERTENTLY BUMPED INTO THE EXHAUST PIPE LOCATED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, SHE SUSTAINED A SECOND DEGREE BURN TO THE RIGHT LEG WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED REGARDING THE INCIDENT AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

Mileage: 129,000

ENGINE HAS DEVELOPED THE "DEATH RATTLE" AT LOW REV AND LOW TEMPERATURE , INDICATING A FAILING, DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONE

Mileage: 32,000

PURCHASED FROM CARMAX (11/18/17), NEVER INFORMED OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING THE TIMING CHAIN WITH THIS VEHICLE. AFTER ONLY 4 MONTHS AND ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES, THE PROBLEMS BEGAN. FIRST TRIP TO MECHANIC, THE ENGINE VALVE COVER WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. REPLACED FOR JUST OVER $700. LESS THAN 10 MONTHS LATER AND WELL UNDER 2000 MILES, I WAS IN TRANSIT TO WORK, ON THE HIGHWAY OFF RAMP AND THE MINI SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, WOULD NOT START BACK UP. HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. TOWED BACK TO AUTO MECHANIC AND ANOTHER $200 TO FIND THE GUIDE TO TIMING CHAIN BROKE OFF, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. MINI WAS TOWED BACK TO CARMAX TO FIND THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED, BUT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME TYPE OF ENGINE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. SENIOR TEAM AT CARMAX IS CURRENTLY EVALUATING MY CASE. POSSIBLE BUY BACK OF VEHICLE, STILL AWAITING A VERDICT.

Mileage: 65,000

ENGINE MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN COLD AND GETS LAUGHTER

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE (WHICH LED TO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT) CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. OWNERS THAT WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS LAWSUIT OR DID NOT VEHICLE AT THE TIME STILL AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECTIVE PART PUTTING DRIVERS IN DANGER YET COMPANY HAS NEVER ISSUED RECALL.

Mileage: 70,000

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE. I HAD TO REPLACE CHAIN, TENSIONERS AND CRANK GEAR ON MY 2008 MINI WITH 81,000 MILES.

Mileage: 81,000

CVT TRANSMISSION STICKING IN 2ND GEAR.

TIMING CHAIN & TENSIONER MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 85,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD TO SPEND $3500.00 TO CHANGE THE TIMING CHAIN THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MAINTENANCE FREE, AND LAST TEN YEARS AS PER THE OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE MANUAL. CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS NOT RIGHT THAT I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 85,000 MILES, AND WAS SERVICED REGULARLY. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE

Mileage: 85,251

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT SOMETHING WAS LOOSE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

IN SEPTEMBER, 2013, MY 2008 MINI COOPER HARDTOP, WITH THE N12 ENGINE, HAD THE TIMING CHAIN FAIL UNDER OPERATION. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AFFECTING STEERING, BRAKING AND ALL ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. TWO VEHICLES BARELY AVOIDED MY DISABLED VEHICLE. I CONTACTED MINI USA AND THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACTORY DEFECT IN THE TIMING-CHAIN TENSIONER THAT CAUSES THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL. I PAID OVER $8000 FOR A REPLACEMENT N12 ENGINE. WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE, IN JULY, 2016, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS CROSSING A BRIDGE AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO TRY TO PULL OFF. THE SITUATION WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND LEFT MY FAMILY VULNERABLE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I CONTACTED MINI USA AGAIN, AND ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE ADMITTED TO THE TIMING CHAIN DEFECT ON THEIR N14 ENGINE, IN THE S SERIES VEHICLE, THEY STILL REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE N12 ENGINES IN WHICH THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ARE MORE NUMEROUS. THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE AT SPEED WHICH IS UNSAFE IN THE EXTREME. MINI USA NEEDS TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL FOR EVERY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE N12 ENGINES.

Mileage: 64,000

"TAMARA RECALL" TIMING CHAIN.

Mileage: 80,000

AT 55000 MILES STARTED TO HEAR ENGINE RATTLE AND ROUGH RUNNING AT IDLE. TOOK TO DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE HAS MULTIPLE OIL LEAKS, A FAULTY CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT SOLENOID AND FAULTY TIMING BELT. THE TIMING BELT HAS CAUSED THE OIL LEAKS AND FAULTY SOLENOID. THIS WILL CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. MINI WILL NOT COVER EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED AND IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT.

Mileage: 55,000

I PURCHASED MY 2008 MINI COOPER 3 YEARS AGO AND IT'S CURRENTLY AROUND 78K MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED AND POSSIBLY ENGINE DAMAGE. HOWEVER MINI COOPER USA DOESN'T WANT TO REIMBURSE THE MONEY I'D PAY OUT OF POCKET MYSELF.

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 MINI COOPER FROM AUTOHAUS WEST/MINI OF ST LOUIS. THE MINI COOPER WAS DESIGNED, MANUFACTURED, ASSEMBLED, DISTRIBUTED AND SOLD BY BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, BMW (U.S.) HOLDING CORP., AND BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGELLSCHAFT. I EXPERIENCED A PROGRESSIVE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN, TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND RELATED TENSIONER RAIL, GUIDE RAIL AND SUPPORT RAIL. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPRESENTED TO HAVE A USEFUL LIFE EQUAL TO THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE TIMING CHAIN IS LOCATED WITHIN THE ENGINE, CONSISTS OF A METAL CHAIN, AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. I EXPERIENCED A PROGRESSIVE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN AS FOLLOWS: (A) DEATH RATTLE OR DIESEL NOISE FROM ENGINE UPON START UP & AT LOW SPEEDS, (B) ROUGH IDLING AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING, (C) POWER LOSS & ENGINE STALLS ON HIGHWAY EXIT RAMPS, (D) POWER LOSS & ENGINE STALLS ON HIGHWAY, & (E) CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE MINI COOPER WAS SERVICED BY AUTOHAUS WEST ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH REPAIRS//REPLACEMENT OF SPARK PLUGS, BATTERY, IGNITER COILS, THERMOSTAT COVER AND OTHER ITEMS TOTALING OVER $3,000. AUTOHAUS WEST FAILED TO IDENTIFY THE TIMING CHANGE AS A PROBLEM. AUTOHAUS WEST, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, BMW (U.S.) HOLDING CORP., AND BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGELLSCHAFT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER DEFECT SINCE 2007 AND HAVE FAILED TO WARN CONSUMERS, ISSUE A RECALL OR PROVIDE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE.THE LOSS OF POWER & ENGINE STALLS ARE SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS & WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO ACCIDENTS, INJURIES & EVEN DEATH. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN M110207 WAS ISSUED IN JANUARY, 2008. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT WIDELY KNOWN TO CONSUMERS AND FAILS TO GIVE CONSUMERS ADEQUATE WARNING. BMW SETTLED CLASS ACTION RE N14 ENGINE USED IN MINI COOPER S. HOWEVER, IT HAS IGNORED SAME PROBLEM WITH N12 ENGINE USED IN MINI COOPER. SAME ISSUES.

Mileage: 92,000

IN THE SPRING 2014 I PURCHASED A 2008 MINI COOPER 2D HATCH WITH AROUND 98,0000 MILES FOR $14,000 WITH WARRANTY IN IVRINGTON, NJ FROM SPRINGFIELD AUTO GROUP AUTO SALES. IN JANUARY 2015 I HAD A TUNE UP DONE AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED TO ME AFTER DOING A ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY WARRANTY COMPANY THAT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH MY THE CAR LOAN COMPANY CREDIT ACCEPTANCE. THE WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO PAY FOR ENGINE TO BE DROPPED OUT OF THE CAR TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY ADVISE ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ENGINE TO BE DROPPED OUT OF THE CAR TO BE AND CHECKED OUT BEFORE THEY PAY FOR ANYTHING. IN OCTOBER 2015 THE MINI COOPER ENGINE FINALLY BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO PULLED IT OVER WHILE DRIVING UP ROUTE 280. THE WRECKER SERVICE TOOK THE MINI TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND THERE WAS MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND THE REPAIR BILL WILL BE FROM 2K TO REBUILD THE ENGINE AND 8K FOR A NEW ONE AND I STILL OWN 11K TO BANK FOR THE CAR. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 106K MILES ON IT. I'VE HEARD OF A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THOSE MINIS WITH THOSE SAME ISSUES HAPPENING ANYWHERE FROM 30K MILES TO OVER 100K MILES FROM 2007-2010 MODELS. NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN SPENT ON THE CAR FOR REPAIR. I'M NOT WASTING ANYMORE MONEY ON THAT JUNK MINI COOPER. IT'S TO LATE FOR THE LEMON LAW TO BE APPLIED. CAN ANYTHING GET DONE SO THAT I CAN IMPLEMENT A LAWSUIT AND RECEIVE ANY MONEY FOR THAT FROM BMW OR AND THE DEALER OR IS IT A WASTE OF TIME? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHEN SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE EASILY SWITCHED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

Mileage: 46,000

ON 15 AUG 2015 I PURCHASED A 2008 MINI COOPER 2D HATC WITH 122,629 MILES FOR $6,325 WITH NO WARRANTY IN STANFORD, NC FROM KARAS AUTO SALES, INC. ON 27 OCT 2015 THE MINI COOPER BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND PULLED IT OVER BESIDE THE ROAD. THE WRECKER SERVICE TOOK THE MINI TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND THERE WAS MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND THE REPAIR BILL WILL BE FROM 8K TO 10K IN REPAIR COST. MINI HAD APPROXIMATELY 125K MILES ON IT. I'VE HEARD OF A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THOSE MINIS WITH THOSE SAME ISSUES HAPPENING ANYWHERE FROM 30K MILES TO OVER 100K MILES FROM 2007-2010 MODELS. NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN SPENT ON THE CAR FOR REPAIR. I'M NOT WASTING ANYMORE MONEY ON THAT JUNK MINI COOPER. IT'S TO LATE FOR THE LEMON LAW TO BE APPLIED. CAN ANYTHING GET DONE SO THAT I CAN IMPLEMENT A LAWSUIT AND RECEIVE ANY MONEY FOR THAT FROM BMW OR AND THE DEALER OR IS IT A WASTE OF TIME? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

Mileage: 125,000

WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START, CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. A FEW DAYS LATER IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE. WITH ONLY 69,000 MILES IT IS UNHEARD OF THAT A TIMING CHAIN BREAKS. THE REPAIR COST WAS $5159.60.

Mileage: 69,328

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY IN DICKSON, TN MY 2008 MINI COOPER LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS DURING AN ICE STORM. WE HAD TO WAIT HOURS ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY WITH NO HEAT, AND VEHICLES STRUGGLING TO STAY ON THE ROAD, UNTIL A TOW TRUCK DRIVER FROM AAA WAS ABLE TO PICK US UP, SAYING HOW LUCKY WE WERE TO HAVE NOT BEEN HIT. WHEN BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MINI DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO LOW OIL LEVEL. THE INCIDENT OCCURED IN FEBRUARY, MY OIL WAS CHANGED ON DECEMBER. UPON REPAIR FROM MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN THAT COLLAPSED. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT MINI COOPER IS AWARE OF THE TIMING CHAIN DEFECT, AND IN FACT SENT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ON BEHALF OF CURRENT MINI DRIVERS AND POTENTIAL BUYERS I URGE YOU TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE IN HOPES OF PREVENTING POTENTIAL INJURIES OR DEATHS.

Mileage: 52,000

LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2008 MINI COOPER (ATTN: JOSIAH MANZO) DOCUMENT IS HARD TO READ. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIMING CHAIN. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE TO FAIL.*JB

"DEATH RATTLE" NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS REPORTED BY MANY OTHERS ON ONLINE FORUMS. NOW ENGINE IS THROWING CODES INDICATING CRANKSHAFT OUT OF POSITION. OBVIOUS RELATED ISSUE TO A DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT OR TENSIONER. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP NOT A COVERED REPAIR, ALTHOUGH I'VE READ THAT SIMILAR REPAIR HAS BEEN COVERED BY MANUFACTURER FOR OTHERS AND FOR OTHER MODELS. AS THIS VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN BY MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, OUT OF STATE, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILST SHE IS ON THE HIGHWAYS IN THE MOUNTAINS WHERE SHE LIVES, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS ISSUE AS A SERIOUS POTENTIAL LIFE SAFETY ISSUE, AS A FAILURE AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS COULD CERTAINLY ENDANGER NOT ONLY MY DAUGHTER, BUT THE LIVES OF OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 30,000

LOW MILEAGE 2008 VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISES FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DIAGNOSED AS TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER FAILURE. APPEARS TO A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OVER $2000. MECHANICS SAY NOT "IF" BUT "WHEN" THIS WILL HAPPEN TO ALL 2008 MCS. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED ON A RECALL. VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY UNTIL REPAIRED; DELAY WILL RESULT IN TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

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. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND WILL COST APPROX: $1500.00. THE DEALER INSTALLED A TURBO SHIELD TO HELP WITH THE HEAT THAT IS CAUSING THE LINE TO PREMATURELY FAIL. WITH SO MANY EFFECTIVE SHOULDN'T MINI BE FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 44,353

WAS DRIVING ON HWY, AT 55 OIL SUPPLY LINE TO TURBOLEAKING OIL ORDER REPLACEMENT LINE OIL LINE HAS DEFECTIVE RUBBER SEALS AFTER HEATING UP FAIL CO WAS AWARE OF THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED I MAY REPAIR WITH FACTORY PCS THAT DID NOT WORK CO SHOULD RECALL DO TO FIRE POSSIBILITY OIL POURS OUT OF ENGINE ON TO MUFFERS VERY UNHAPPY. *JS

Mileage: 145,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE ENGINE AND BEFORE SHE COULD SHIFT INTO GEAR, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD TAPPING NOISE BEFORE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ UPDATED 10/27/16.*JB

Mileage: 37,000

STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL, BUT RECALL IS ONLY ON THE TYPE S MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

CAR HAS HAD ISSUES WITH CVT TRANSMISSION. YESTERDAY I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT URGING OF OTHER MINI OWNERS IN THE SAME SITUATION, I AM REPORTING PROBLEM TO YOUR AGENCY IN HOPES TO HAVE BMW RECALL THE CARS AND REPLACE THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

Mileage: 38,879

I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP AFTER I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FROM ONLINE DESCRIPTIONS, I SUSPECTED IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. I CONTACTED MINI CORPORATION AND OPENED A REPORT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A WEEK LATER AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER NEEDED REPLACED. IT WAS A $3500 FIX. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED MINI TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR AND THEY REFUSED SAYING THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES. THEY CHANGED THE OIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER MY SON WAS AT A RED LIGHT, STOPPED AND THE CARS STALLED. WE HAD IT FLAT-BEDDED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SNAPPED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5700. I JUST SAW WHERE MINI ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND I CONTACTED THEM BUT THEY HAVE NOT REPLIED. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

THE CAR STARTS VERY ROUGH ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER. I WAS TOLD BY A MINI DEALERSHIP THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO LACK OF OIL, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE AS THE OIL WAS JUST CHANGED. ALSO WHEN IN TRAFFIC COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WILL DROP IDLE AND STALL OUT. THE CAR WILL STALL IN NEUTRAL OR WITH CLUTCH FULLY PRESSED IN. RESEARCHING ONLINE AND WATCHING SOME VIDEOS, IT SEEMS MUCH LIKE THE TIMING TENSION/CHAIN ISSUES KNOWN BUT NOT YET HAVING MUCH DONE WITH THEM. IT WOULD BE NICE IF BMW/MINI WOULD SORT OUT THE ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF ITS A DESIGN FLAW. KINDA DISAPPOINTED AS ITS NOT THAT OLD AND HAS FEWER THEN 50K MILES ON THE ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 48,500

THE SENSORS ON THIS CAR WERE NO GOOD. IT DID NOT INFORM ME THAT THERE WASN'T ANY OIL OR COOLANT I'M THE CAR. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AFTER WE DISCOVERED THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INSPECT OR SERVICE THE CAR LIKE THEY PROMISED. ON 9/10, THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON. TWO MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THE CAR IS NO GOOD AND I AM NOT AT FAULT FOR THE DEFECTS. THE ENTIRE TIME THE CAR WAS IN MY POSSESSION, THE SENSORS DID NOT WARN ME ABOUT ANY SERVICES THE CAR NEEDED. I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORWARD WITH THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE DEFECTS. I RETURNED THE CAR, ASKED FOR A FULL REFUND, AND THEY HAVE YET TO DO ANYTHING TO HONOR MY WISHES. *TR

THERMOSTAT HOUSING DEVELOPED A LEAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF COOLANT, ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WARPED THE HEAD AND BENT VALVES. *JB

Mileage: 68,000

AT LESS THAN 33,000 MILES THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD CRANKING NOISE. OIL WAS VERY RECENTLY CHANGED, BUT CHECKED THE LEVEL ANYWAY AND FOUND IT WAS DOWN ABOUT 2 QUARTS. ADDED OIL AND ENGINE NOISE WAS REDUCED. DROVE A FEW HUNDRED MORE MILES AND ENGINE NOISE RETURNED. OIL WAS AGAIN LOW. TOOK CAR TO OUR MECHANIC AND THEY DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CRITICAL TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE FAILING TIMING CHAIN CAN ALSO CAUSE THE MOTOR TO FAIL. OUR MECHANIC IN CONSULTANT WITH THE MINI DEALER INDICATES THAT THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE IS TO REPLACE THE CURRENT ENGINE WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUES RESOLVED. WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE AND IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $7000 AS THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS IN THIS DATABASE AS WELL AS ACROSS MANY MINI OWNER FORUMS. IT APPEARS THAT A RECALL ORDER SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

DEAR [XXX], I AM WRITING TO YOU IN REGARDS TO MY MINI COOPER VIN# [XXX]. FIRSTLY, I AM AWARE OF TWO RECALL NOTICES, ID# [XXX] AND ID #[XXX]. I BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THESE RECALLS BUT TO DATE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A LETTER. SEVERAL TIMES I INDICATED THE SENSORY WARNING CAME ON WITH ENGINE MALFUNCTION. THIS CONCERNS ME, BECAUSE SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURES BEFORE 45,000MILES. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE MINI SERVICE CENTER FOR THESE FAILURES, INCLUDING: REPLACING SPARK PLUGS, FAULTY COIL PACK, FAULTY LATCH, BRAKE REPLACEMENT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE, ON-BOARD COMPUTER REPLACEMENT, TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CURRENTLY, THE SOLENOID VALVE REPLACEMENT WHICH IS NOT YET FIXED. I HAVE ENCLOSED COPIES OF MY INVOICES FOR THESE PROBLEMS AND SERVICE VISITS. [XXX], THE TECHNICIAN AT MINI OF CAMARILLO, STATED THIS LAST PROBLEM (THE SOLENOID VALVE) APPARENTLY IS RELATED TO THE VANOS ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF WITH CAUTION MESSAGE ENGINE MALFUNCTION CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I TOOK IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH HIM IT STILL HAD THE SAME EXACT JOLT THRASHING BACK AND FORTH MOTION HARD ENOUGH IT IS FELT ON THE SEAT. [XXX] AT MINI OF CAMARILLO INFORMED ME IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE IGNITION COIL AND REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT THE CALABASAS SERVICE CENTER I HAVE TO PAY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY IN ORDER TO FIX THIS CURRENT PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS SINCE THE TIME I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE ON MAY 24TH THE CAR STILL SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHILE EXITING OUT OF THE FREEWAY AND ON FREQUENT STOPS. THESE CONTINUED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY MINI COOPER HAVE REQUIRED IT TO REMAIN UNREPAIRED AND OUT OF SERVICE AT THE MINI SERVICE CENTER NOW FOR A WEEK TO BE MECHANICALLY SAFE TO DRIVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 46,000

SOUND OF THE ENGINE RATTLE NOISE WHEN STARS IN THE MORNING. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE ON 2008 MINI COOPER LEADING TO LARGE OIL LEAK UNDER PRESSURE. LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL, OIL SPRAYING ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOSS AND OIL WARNING LIGHT. COULD EASILY LEAD TO COMPLETE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE/SEIZURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

MINI COOPERS YEARS 2008 AND 2009 HAVE A ISSUE WHICH I BELIEVE IS KNOWN BY MINI USA, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO INITIATE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THESE VEHICLES HAVE A TIMING CHAIN THAT CAN PREMATURELY FAIL (IN MY CASE AT APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES). IF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SLOWLY COME TO A FULL STOP. IN THE EVENT THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN IN A HIGHWAY, THIS STOP COULD CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT THAT POTENTIALLY CAN INVOLVE MANY VEHICLES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, BECAUSE MOST MINI OWNERS WOULD NOT EXPECT A TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL SO PREMATURELY. *TR

Mileage: 11,700

MY WIFE AND I LIVE IN MUNICH, GERMANY, WHERE SHE WORKS FOR THE US GOVERNMENT. LAST WEDNESDAY, WHILE ON THE AUTOBAHN OUR CAR BEGAN TO MAKE SOUNDS AS IF IT WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OR THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF FLUID BEING SPLASHED ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. BECAUSE IT WAS A SUNNY DAY, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND I WAS PREPARING TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE SOUND. BEFORE I COULD DO SO HOWEVER, I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND SUDDENLY THE CAR BECAME FLOODED WITH A THICK WHITE/GRAY SMOKE FROM THE VENTS AND DASH. I PULLED OVER AS QUICKLY AS I COULD AND BY THE TIME I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THE ENTIRE HOOD AND INSIDE CABIN WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE. RATHER THAN POP THE HOOD, I FIRST RAN TO THE TRUNK AND GRABBED A REFLECTOR (WHICH IS REQUIRED BY LAW HERE) AND RAN 20-25 FEET BEHIND THE CAR TO PLACE IT ON THE GROUND, TO WARN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO SOONER HAD I DONE THIS, WHEN I HEAD AN EXPLOSION, QUICKLY TURNED AROUND AND SAW THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE MINI WAS NOW ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I COULD DO NOTHING BUT SIT AND WATCH, AS WITHIN MOMENTS THE FIRE HAD SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE CAR AND SOON BECAME AN COMPLETE FIREBALL. GERMAN POLICE AND FIRE OFFICIALS SHOWED UP 15-20 MINUTES LATER AND BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS A CHARRED FRAME OF METAL. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT PHYSICALLY HURT BY THE EXPLOSION OR THE FIRE. HOWEVER, MENTALLY I HAVE REPLAYED THE EXPERIENCE A HUNDRED TIMES AND EACH TIME I ASK MYSELF, WHAT IF I HAD POPPED THE HOOD FIRST, OR WHAT IF I HAD TAKEN EVEN AN EXTRA 30 SECONDS IN PULLING THE CAR OVER? THINKING ABOUT IT JUST MAKES MY BLOOD RUN COLD AND FEELS ME WITH DREAD. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN '08 IN VIRGINIA AND NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT AND IT WAS EVEN IN THE SHOP EARLIER THIS YEAR, WHERE THE FLUIDS WERE ALL TOPPED OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS TOLD TO BE IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION WAS ON AND BEGAN TO BLOW OUT WARM AIR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHAKE SO HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL SPILLED EVERYWHERE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 26,000