2013 MINI Clubman Owner Complaints

Vehicle: MINI Cooper Clubman (Model R55) VIN: [XXX] Recall: NHTSA 23V-337 Dealer: Flow MINI of Raleigh, NC 1. COMPONENT FAILED: The Junction Box Electronics (JBE) failed due to moisture/water intrusion, producing electrical fault codes across all core systems including airbags, brakes, and a JBE communication fault. The vehicle is located at Flow MINI of Raleigh and is available for inspection. 2. SAFETY RISK: Recall 23V-337 identifies that moisture intrusion into the JBE can lead to corrosion, short circuit, and in rare cases a thermal event (fire). My vehicle's carpet is wet, confirming active water intrusion into the footwell where the JBE is installed. Airbag and brake faults appear exclusively when it rains or when the vehicle is washed, directly and unambiguously linking all symptoms to water intrusion. The vehicle is currently unsafe to operate. 3. DEALER CONFIRMATION: Flow MINI of Raleigh confirmed moisture/water intrusion is causing the JBE faults — directly reproducing the failure during a dealer-performed wash. The dealer declined the recall repair solely because [XXX] is not listed among covered states. 4. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: MINI USA denied coverage exclusively on the basis that North Carolina is not included in the recall's geographic region. The defect itself has not been disputed. 5. BASIS FOR COMPLAINT: The recall's geographic restriction was established based on road salt usage. North Carolina roads do receive road salt treatment during winter weather events. The recall documentation (RCRIT-23V337-7125.pdf, Page 4, Item 12) explicitly names the JBE as a covered component. I request that NHTSA: (1) treat this as urgent given confirmed airbag and brake faults, (2) review whether NC should be included in the recall's geographic scope, and (3) compel MINI USA to perform the recall repair on VIN [XXX] at no cost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11726797

Incident

Mar 24, 2026

The 'Passenger air bag off' alert recurs without apparent cause, suggesting a system malfunction. I took my vehicle to a MINI dealership for evaluation, only to be informed that this is a known issue requiring replacement of the entire system at a cost of $1,800 + tax. Online research reveals that many MINI owners with similar models face this safety issue. Given the severity and prevalence of this problem, I respectfully request that your agency consider ordering a recall for affected vehicles to ensure a free and safe repair."

NHTSA ID

11664281

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

Footwell module failure. No longer have turn signals, brake lights, power windows, dash lights, etc. When it rains, all warning lights go off and on continuously until it dries out.

NHTSA ID

11662055

Incident

Mar 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were occasionally remain illuminated while it was raining and while the vehicle was being washed, simultaneously causing the brake lights, turn signals, power windows, and other electrical components to malfunction. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

NHTSA ID

11661055

Incident

Feb 29, 2024

Mileage

134,000 mi

Car is not starting when sitting over night or parked at a lot. Windows will not roll down. Blinkers will not work. Difficulty when transporting my special needs child places as it is difficulty when car will not function as it should. Near accidents have almost occurred due to blinkers not working. I have been told by two different mechanics after diagnostic that the Foot Wheel Module is the problem identified.

NHTSA ID

11614874

Incident

May 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. 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 contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11598316

Incident

Jul 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlight failed to illuminate and the turn signals failed to engage. Additionally, the contact stated that the interior lights failed to turn off causing the battery to drain. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with electrical system failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted.  The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure . The failure mileage was 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11583544

Incident

Apr 17, 2024

Mileage

130,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that the driver’s side backup light was inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test and stated there was a failure with the driver’s side backup light, and a defective footwell module. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,747. The contact stated the defective footwell module was a recall and never informed of the recall.

NHTSA ID

11577116

Incident

Nov 14, 2023

Mileage

52,747 mi

UNKNOWN I was informed in July about the recall for my vehicle for the footwell control module. I have since taken my car in twice, the most being December 22, and they informed me that the fix for the recap was still not available. The recall was initially issued in May of last year, so it has been almost 8 months without being able to resolve the recall.

NHTSA ID

11563807

Incident

Dec 22, 2023

PLEASE REFER TO UPLOADED DOCUMENT

NHTSA ID

11363724

Incident

Sep 30, 2020

Mileage

77,000 mi

DRIVING DOWN 680 FROM BERKELEY, CA AT AROUND 2:30PM: I WAS HEADING HOME AND TEMPERATURE LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH. I NOTICE IT AND TRY TO PULL OFF FREEWAY TRYING TO GET TO SAFE AREA TO STOP. BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER TO SAFETY, THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING (ENGINE SHUT OFF). IMMEDIATELY STEAM WAS COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND I COULD NOT GET ENGINE TO START AGAIN. I CALLED TOW TRUCK AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PLEASANTON, CA MINI DEALERSHIP/SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS UNAWARE THAT MINI HAD EXTENDED THE TEMPERATURE HOUSING PART OF ENGINE TO 10 YEAR WARRANTY DUE TO THE PART BEING FAULTY. THE FIRST AND LAST TIME THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED WAS THE LAST TIME I WAS ABLE TO START OR DRIVE THE CAR! NO WARNING.... NONE! THE CAR OVERHEATED AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE REQUIRING A NEW ENGINE THAT WILL COST MORE THAT THE CAR IS WORTH. THE CAR IS A 2013 MINI CLUBMAN AND THE TEMPERATURE HOUSING PART OF ENGINE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING IN THE SLOW LANE OF THE FREEWAY AND IF I HAD NOT BEEN, THE CAR WOULD HAVE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF FREEWAY! I OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE PART IS A KNOWN DEFECT YET THE ONLY REMEDY FROM MINI CORPORATION WAS TO EXTEND WARRANTY FROM 3 YEARS TO 10 YEARS. THAT DID NOTHING FOR ME. I HAD NO WARNING, NO LIGHT, NO NOTHING TO MAKE ME AWARE THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO GET SO HOT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD FAIL NEARLY IMMEDIATELY. THE FAULTY TEMPERATURE HOUSING PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED RATHER THAN EXTEND WARRANTY. AGAIN, I WAS ON FREEWAY AND NO WARNING INDICATING THE ENGINE WAS GETTING DANGEROUSLY HOT. NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT CLEARLY AN ISSUE FOR THE ENGINE AND CAR BEING WORTHLESS DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. WE REGULARLY GET THE CAR SERVICED AND HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THE ENGINE AND CAR. THE LAST TIME IT WAS SERVICED WAS MARCH 2020 AND THIS OCCURRED OCTOBER 2020.

NHTSA ID

11362941

Incident

Oct 2, 2020

Mileage

77,000 mi

IGNITION COIL FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO DISABLE WHILE MOVING ON A 4 LANE PARKWAY. THERE IS A "LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION" ON THIS PART (THE IGNITION COIL) FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL, SUGGESTING THAT A DEFECT IS KNOWN, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN DECLARED A RECALL (YET) THE PART FAILING BLEW THE FUSE FOR THE COIL CIRCUIT AND ALSO TOOK OUT THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT, CAUSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGE, FOR WHICH THE MANUFACTURER ONLY CONSIDER THE IGNITION COIL TO BE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS PART FAILING CAUSED AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION IN THAT MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY DISABLED BLOCKING A LANE OF TRAFFIC. I THEN WAITED IN THE RAIN FOR NEARLY 2 HOURS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE FOR A TOW TRUCK. I WANT OTHERS TO KNOW THAT THIS PART CAN POTENTIALLY FAIL TO HOPEFULLY KEEP THEM FROM HAVING THIS SITUATION. I AM STILL WAITING FOR INVOICE FROM REPAIR SHOP BUT WILL UPLOAD IT LATER.

NHTSA ID

11165231

Incident

Dec 31, 2018

Mileage

52,000 mi

I HAVE A 2013 MINI CLUBMAN S WITH ONLY 8K MILES ON IT. AS I STARTED IT TODAY AND WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY GARAGE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD, (LIKE STEPPING ON A BRICK) AND WAS UNABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP USING THE BRAKE PEDAL? LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER BEFORE I HIT ANYTHING... (THANK GOD MY WIFE WASN'T DRIVING...) AS IT, OF COURSE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY IT IS GOING INTO THE DEALER TOMORROW, BUT THEY CLAIM "THEY HAVE NEVER HERD OF THIS PROBLEM"? THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AND AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT A RECURRENCE OF THE BRAKES FAILING AGAIN AND CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT WERE TO REOCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND HIGHER SPEEDS... THE CAR, (BRAKES) WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WHEN I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE THE NIGHT BEFORE... I'M CONFIDENT THE DEALER WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT I'M VERY UNNERVED BY THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS INCIDENT... *TR

NHTSA ID

10561727

Incident

Jan 27, 2014

Mileage

8,749 mi