2022 MINI Clubman Problems

The contact's nephew owned a 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that while the nephew was driving approximately 35 MPH the braking system suddenly failed and the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into a tree. During the crash, the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The contact indicated that the nephew sustained a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for approximately two months. The nephew also sustained several fractured bones and mental problems due to the head injury. The cause of the brake failure was not determined. The contact indicated that before the crash occurred the "brake" warning light had illuminated and the brakes had intermittently failed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure and no parts to repair the braking system were available. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted regarding the crash. The failure mileage was 2,500.

Issue 1 - Engine had a rough idle - dealer investigation found that the "upper engine mount had collapsed completely allowing the engine to rest on the housing". This problem occurred at 52 months from new vehicle purchase at 24,165 miles (warranty is 4 years, 50,000 miles). The vehicle was never in an accident, nor drive rough. No warning lamps or other indicators occurred. An internet search has identified this to be a common problem. I believe that the engine provides front end stability for a frontal crash, and any issue with the retention of the engine in such a situation would constitute a safety issue. I believe that Mini has a poor design, where all the stresses and loads that the engine sees are not included in the motor mount design - a fundamental safety issue - that should be part of a recall, or at a minimum a factory covered repair item for longer than the standard warranty. Issue 2 - At the same time I brought the car to the dealer for Issue 1 above, I identified an issue with the steering - steering had a dead spot where it was unclear if steering wheel movement resulted in actual vehicle steering. The dealer investigated and found "fault is internal to the steering rack, need to replace the steering rack and lower steering shaft as the is a high failure rate item". An issue with steering, especially an issue that is classified by Mini as a HIGH FAILURE RATE ITEM, should be considered a safety issue as loss of steering/power steering can result in the inability to avoid an accident. There were no warning lights or other indicator faults. This appears to be another design, manufacturing or assembly issue. Steering should last well beyond 52 months and 24,165 miles.

Issue 1 - Engine had a rough idle - dealer investigation found that the "upper engine mount had collapsed completely allowing the engine to rest on the housing". This problem occurred at 52 months from new vehicle purchase at 24,165 miles (warranty is 4 years, 50,000 miles). The vehicle was never in an accident, nor drive rough. No warning lamps or other indicators occurred. An internet search has identified this to be a common problem. I believe that the engine provides front end stability for a frontal crash, and any issue with the retention of the engine in such a situation would constitute a safety issue. I believe that Mini has a poor design, where all the stresses and loads that the engine sees are not included in the motor mount design - a fundamental safety issue - that should be part of a recall, or at a minimum a factory covered repair item for longer than the standard warranty. Issue 2 - At the same time I brought the car to the dealer for Issue 1 above, I identified an issue with the steering - steering had a dead spot where it was unclear if steering wheel movement resulted in actual vehicle steering. The dealer investigated and found "fault is internal to the steering rack, need to replace the steering rack and lower steering shaft as the is a high failure rate item". An issue with steering, especially an issue that is classified by Mini as a HIGH FAILURE RATE ITEM, should be considered a safety issue as loss of steering/power steering can result in the inability to avoid an accident. There were no warning lights or other indicator faults. This appears to be another design, manufacturing or assembly issue. Steering should last well beyond 52 months and 24,165 miles.