2010 MINI Cooper Clubman Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 MINI Cooper Clubman, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1638.1%
- Engine1023.8%
- Airbags511.9%
- Fuel system49.5%
- Exterior lighting37.1%
- Interior & seats24.8%
- Powertrain (other)24.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that the electronic control module had short circuited from water entering the foot well from the sunroof. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who confirmed that the electronic control module on the driver's side had short-circuited. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that there were electrical wires exposed. The contact stated that the lights, windows, and brake lights were inoperable. The Service Soon message was displayed. Additionally, the air bag, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The exclamation and A symbol were displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 106,059.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that there were electrical wires exposed. The contact stated that the lights, windows, and brake lights were inoperable. The Service Soon message was displayed. Additionally, the air bag, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The exclamation and A symbol were displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 106,059.
When heading out of town, car wouldn’t accelerate even when I push on the gas so pulled over. Engine light came on for like 2 seconds. There wasn’t any warning lights prior to this incident. It won’t start at all which I know I need a new battery but I can’t figure out what else is wrong. I’ve called mini dealerships near me but they don’t have any remades I’d have to pay out of pocket which I can’t afford the part that recalled. That is my only vehicle I tried to wait until it was but I’m relying on coworkers to take me to work. I had my 2 children with me luckily we weren’t far out of town. I haven’t been able to take it anywhere since.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that there were electrical wires exposed. The contact stated that the lights, windows, and brake lights were inoperable. The Service Soon message was displayed. Additionally, the air bag, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The exclamation and A symbol were displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 106,059.
Since November 20, 2022, my low milage 2010 MINI has Passenger Airbag Warning light in the roof near the mirror and dashboard. The OBD II scanner show that "ACSM/MRS: Seat-occupancy detector, passenger." I contacted dealer Herb Chambers MINI of Boston. I was told no recall for my car. After I searched on internet, I am aware that a lot of customers have same Passenger Airbag issue. They can't afford the high repair cost so that they have to look for alternative solutions beyond recalls, such as Passenger Occupancy Sensor Bypass, modifying system parameters on car computer by themself. All these solutions are obviously potential dangerous for MINI cooper customers. I request that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate MINI cooper Passenger Airbag issue and ask MINI USA to recall defective parts.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
RE: Recall Campaign No. 23V-337 It has been roughly half-of-a-year and MINI has not offered a solution. My car lost power while driving and it appears to be related to this issue--that is only my NON-EXPERT opinion. Can NHTSA direct BMW/MIONI to solve this problem, it's is looking like more than $1k to fix their issue. The vehicle is not operational. This situation is unfair.
Engine quits while driving causing an unsafe condition. The car stopped numerous times while on the freeway. It starts back up but stalls again later. There are no check engine lights and the local repair shop indicates that it may be a problem with the Footwell Computer Mudule and specifically the soldering on the Low Pressure Fuel Pump Relay causing it to intermittently fail.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
My car has an active recall for the footwell module. This module controls the windows, the turn signals, the hazard lights, and the dome light, possibly other systems. My module has short circuited and these systems are no longer operational making my car not road legal. Our local Mini mechanic shop confirmed they aren’t able to fix this issue.
When heading out of town, car wouldn’t accelerate even when I push on the gas so pulled over. Engine light came on for like 2 seconds. There wasn’t any warning lights prior to this incident. It won’t start at all which I know I need a new battery but I can’t figure out what else is wrong. I’ve called mini dealerships near me but they don’t have any remades I’d have to pay out of pocket which I can’t afford the part that recalled. That is my only vehicle I tried to wait until it was but I’m relying on coworkers to take me to work. I had my 2 children with me luckily we weren’t far out of town. I haven’t been able to take it anywhere since.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
Since November 20, 2022, my low milage 2010 MINI has Passenger Airbag Warning light in the roof near the mirror and dashboard. The OBD II scanner show that "ACSM/MRS: Seat-occupancy detector, passenger." I contacted dealer Herb Chambers MINI of Boston. I was told no recall for my car. After I searched on internet, I am aware that a lot of customers have same Passenger Airbag issue. They can't afford the high repair cost so that they have to look for alternative solutions beyond recalls, such as Passenger Occupancy Sensor Bypass, modifying system parameters on car computer by themself. All these solutions are obviously potential dangerous for MINI cooper customers. I request that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate MINI cooper Passenger Airbag issue and ask MINI USA to recall defective parts.
The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear liftgate spontaneously opened. Additionally, the contact stated that while parked, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, I CALLED THE DEALER WITHIN SECONDS AND ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS A CONCERN. THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT IN IT WAS PROBABLY JUST THE OIL LEVEL NEEDING TOPPED OUT. I CONTINUED FOR ABOUT A MILE WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND CALLED THEM BACK. THE AGAIN SAID TO BRING IT IN. I WALKED AROUND THE CAR BEFORE PROCEEDING AND NOTED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WELL,TIRE AND WHEEL WERE ALL SOAKED WITH OIL( PASSENGER SIDE) . I CALLED THEM BACK AND REQUESTED A TOW TRUCK AS WHEN I STARTED IT UP IT MADE AN EXCEPTIONALLY LOUD HAMMERING NOISE. I I KNEW THAT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO LET GO IF I CONTINUED. THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR IN AND CALLED ME A DAY OR SO LATER TO INFORM THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE A,FLATTENING THE VALVES, MESSING UP THE VALVES AND ENGINE BLOCK. THE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS APPROX 7,000MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD AN EXTENDED 100,000 SERVICE WARRANTY SOLD TO ME BY THE DEALER IN CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA. I WAS SOLD THIS BY THE "FINANCE MANAGER" AND HE MADE ME BELIEVE THAT I WAS COVERED. THE DEALER WHERE I LIVE IN DUBLIN OHIO, HAS SERVICED THE CAR FOR EVERY REQUIRED SERVICE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET MINI TO COVER THE REPAIRS. I HAD INFORMED THEM THAT THE ODOMETER ALWAYS READS ABOUT 7 TO 8 MPH FASTER THAN MY GPS AND THAT THE WARRANTY PER THEIR INSTRUMENTS WOULD BE SHORTED. THE INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT CUT ME OFF IN A CLOSE SITUATION. THE ACTUAL POWER TRAIN WARRANTY IS 50,000. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A TIMING CHAIN BREAKING WITH EVEN A 100,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SERVICED THE CAR AT ALL APPROPRIATE INTERVALS AS NOTED IN THE SERVICE RECORDS AND I PAMPER THE CAR. I AM 61 YRS OLD AND HAVE HAD MANY, MANY CARS AND DO NOT DRIVE IRRESPONSIBLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW. THE MID WEST AUTO GROUP HAS ALWAYS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL AND I HAVE NO PROBLEMS W/THEM. *JS
SHIFT MECHANISM FROZE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEFORE GOING IN FOR SERVICE ON 1/6/12. UPON INSPECTION I WAS TOLD THAT REPAIR IS NOT CONSIDERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER CLAIMS THAT SOME COFFEE WAS SPILLED INSIDE OF CUP HOLDER AND LEAKED BELOW WHICH RESULTED IN SHORTING OUT OF A "WIRE CONNECTOR" AND REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE "SHIFTER ASSEMBLY." REVIEWING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM VARIOUS WEB SIGHTS I DETERMINED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF MINI OWNERS. IN FACT AN OWNER REPORTED THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT BACK IN 2003 WHERE THE REPORTED LEAK WAS FROM A SCREW FASTENING THE CUP HOLDER TO ITS SUPPORTING UNIT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE: IF THE WIRES CAN "SHORT OUT" THEY THEN MAY CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO DEVELOP AND IF THE SHIFTER FREEZES, THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EVEN MORE SERIOUS SITUATION. SINCE THE APPARENT LEAKING THROUGH THESE HOLDERS WAS EVIDENT TO MINI - FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS - WHY HAVEN'T THEY EITHER FIXED THE POTENTIAL LEAK SOURCE OR PRINTED A WARNING WITHIN THEIR MANUAL: "DON'T PUT ANY CUP, OR OTHER SUCH CONTAINER INTO THE CUP HOLDERS AS THIS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS." AREN'T "CUP" HOLDERS SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED TO HOLD CUPS SAFELY. SHOULDN'T THERE BE AN EXPECTATION THAT SOME LIQUID WILL SPILL OUT DURING USUAL DRIVING CONDITIONS? IF SO, WHY WAS THIS DESIGN FLAW NOT CORRECTED WITH CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OCCURRING FOR AT LEAST EIGHT YEARS? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .