2007 MINI Cooper S 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 2007 MINI Cooper S, 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
- Engine17360.1%
- Airbags289.7%
- Powertrain (other)217.3%
- Fuel system155.2%
- Electrical134.5%
- Steering72.4%
- Body & structure62.1%
- Driver assistance51.7%
- Transmission51.7%
- Seat belts41.4%
- Visibility31.0%
- Other / unspecified20.7%
- Tires & wheels20.7%
- Brakes20.7%
- Exterior lighting10.3%
- Interior & seats10.3%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY, WAS NOT STARTED AND WAS UNATTENDED, HAD NOT BEEN STARTED IN OVER A WEEK AND KEYS WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES WHICH BURNED THE ENGINE BAY AND FRONT END OF THE CAR BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH FOAM. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING UNSTARTED FOR OVER A WEEK. I AM UNSURE OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE AND BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE BAY I COULD NOT DETERMINE WERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. PERHAPS A PROFESSIONAL FIRE EXAMINER COULD DETERMINE THAT. I AM BLESSED THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE BUT WAS SCARY. I JUST WANT THIS INCIDENT ON RECORD SO THAT OTHERS WHICH OWN THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF VEHICLE CAN BE WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND HAD A COUPLE OF UPDATES DONE PER BMW SUCH AS THE TAILPIPES AND TIMING CHAIN IN THE ENGINE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY ADDITIONAL RECALLS OR UPDATES BUT APPARENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INCIDENCES OF FIRES SUCH AS MINE WHICH I LEARNED ABOUT AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET TO SEE IF SIMILAR ISSUES HAD BEEN DOCUMENTED. I WILL ATTACH A FEW PICTURES FOR YOU TO HELP WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION WILL BE SOME HELP TO OTHERS IN PREVENTING A SIMILAR SITUATION. I THANK GOD NO ONE WAS INJURED OR PROPERTY DAMAGED OTHER THAN MY CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MADE A REPORT BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE JUST A RESPONSE TO A FIRE. *TR
THE TURBOCHARGER HAD TO BE REPLACED, NEW TURBO GOT HOT AND MELTED THE VALVE COVER. THEN THE TURBOCHARGER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IN MOTION IN A RURAL NEIGHBORHOOD. ALL WITHIN 6 MONTHS.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SEAT MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR/PAD HAS GONE BAD AGAIN AFTER THE RECALL.*DT SAFETY RECALL REPORT XXX-XXX 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB
CAR CRASH MAY 30, 2017, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING GREAT BODILY INJURY TO DRIVER.. DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH IN TOWN AT AROUND 10:30 A.M.. DRIVER HAD A STROKE, PASSED OUT, CROSSED OVER TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF ROAD AND HIT AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED CAR. THAT CAR HIT ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE AND CHAIN REACTION LEFT FOUR CARS IN THE ACCIDENT. STATE FARM OR GENE'S AUTO BODY SHOP HAVE PHOTOS.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR STARTED TO ACT FUNNY. ALMOST SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS SUFFOCATING. IT WOULD DIE ABOUT TEN TO FIFTEEN TIMES EVERY MORNING BEFORE I WOULD FINALLY GET THE CAR STARTED. IT WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN I STOPPED AT INTERSECTIONS. THE ONLY TIME IT RAN DECENT WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING HIGHWAYS SPEEDS FOR 20 MINUTES OR MORE. I CHANGED OUT FILTERS, SPARK PLUGS, AND FLUIDS BUT NONE OF IT CHANGED THE WAY IT WAS RUNNING. COME TO FIND OUT IT THAT THE CHAIN AND CHAIN TENSIONER HAD BROKEN. THIS DAMAGE CAUSED ROUGHLY $1000 TO FIX. LUCKILY I CAUGHT IT IN TIME BEFORE IT DID ADDITIONAL DAMAGES TO THE CRANK SHAFT. WITH LOW MILES THE MECHANIC EVEN TOLD ME ITS A FAULT PART AND BRAKES EASILY. HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE NUMEROUS AMERICAN MODEL MINIS IN ITALY. MY COUNTRY CODE IS 39 IF YOU CALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WOULD LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE AXLE AND SEAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR IS LITTLE OVER 102,000 MILES. IT SUDDENLY STOPPED, NEAR MY HOUSE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO START AGAIN. REPLACED BATTERY, HOWEVER FOUND OUT THAT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. WARRANTY REPORTED BY MINI EXPIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR. THIS COULD BE SAFETY ISSUE, IF CAR STOPS IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY.
RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THESE WARNINGS CAME UP - 2D52 SUPER KNOCKING 2DCD FUEL SHUT OFF DUE TO SUPER KNOCKING CYLINDER 3 2968 INLET CAMSHAFT SENSOR 2B64 INTAKE MANIFOLD, UNMETERED AIR BASED ON ALL OF THESE SOUND LIKE MY MINI COOPER HAS BAD FUEL AND/OR SERIOUS CARBON BUILD, I'VE JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP AND I AM EXPERIENCING DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that water was entering the vehicle through the sunroof. The contact stated that the water was collecting inside the headliner and would overflow and leak down the driver’s and passenger’s side sun visors and into the electronics of the footwell. Additionally, the front driver’s and passenger’s seats, floorboards, and dashboard would become soaked from moisture. Due to the failure, the vehicle would fail to start or operate as needed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. An independent mechanic was notified about the failure and the contact was advised to park the vehicle outside as the failure could cause the vehicle to catch on fire. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2007 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 contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the sunroof was inoperative. The contact waited for several minutes for the sunroof to return to normal operation. The "Passenger Air Bag Disabled" message was displayed on the instrument panel; however, the passenger’s seat was occupied. The infotainment system was unintentionally turned on while the vehicle was turned off. The check engine and low tire pressure warning light were intermittently illuminated. The failures occurred on several different occasions. The contact stated that there was no local dealer; a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MINI S 2007 FOR MORE THAN A YEAR WITH NO SERIOUS ISSUES OTHER THAN ONE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISSUE, WHICH WAS RESOLVED SIMPLY BY A MECHANIC CHECK AT BMW SERVICE CENTER. ON SUNDAY EVENING MAY 26, 2019, AS I WAS PLANNING TO GO OUT, I OBSERVED THE STEERING ALERT SIGN ON. I TRIED RESTARTING AND SHUTTING OFF ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES THINKING IT MAY BE AN ELECTRONIC ABERRATION WHICH MAY BE KICKED AWAY BY BRUTE FORCE OF RESTARTING THE IGNITION. AFTER 30-45 MINUTES OF THIS FRUITLESS EXERCISE, I TURNED MY ATTENTION ONLINE WHERE I FOUND NUMEROUS AUTO BLOGS OF STARTING THE CAR WITH JUMPERS BATTERY TO REPLACING POWER STEERING FLUID. SINCE MINI SERVICE WAS CLOSED, I HAD TO SEEK HELP FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY SENT A PERSON AFTER TWO HOURS TO USE JUMPERS, BUT THAT DID NOT HELP EITHER. WE WERE ABLE TO CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID , AND THAT WAS ALSO FULL TO THE MARK. ON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE, I DISCOVERED TO MY UTTER DISAPPOINTMENT THAT MINI COOPERS HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH POWER STEERING ISSUES DUE TO INHERENT FLAW OF PLACEMENT AND DESIGN OF POWER STEERING PUMP. IT IS VERY WELL DOCUMENTED ACROSS REPUTED CAR JOURNALS/MAGAZINES THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WILL DEFINITELY HAPPEN IN MINI COOPERS, AND THE ONLY VARIABLE IS THE TIME. I WAS THOROUGHLY CRESTFALLEN GIVEN I HAD PLACED SO MUCH TRUST IN THE BRAND AND THE QUALITY OF MINI COOPER. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMPLAINT IS TWO PRONGED- ONE IS OBVIOUSLY TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROBLEM ONCE AGAIN AND MAKING SURE MINI ENGINEERS SOLVE THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESSES. SECOND- IS TO REQUEST TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING ISSUE FIXED IN MY CAR BY MINI. GIVEN THAT THE ISSUE HAS BASIS IN THE INHERENT FLAW OF THE DESIGN, I BELIEVE MINI COOPER WILL WAIVE OFF THE COST OF SERVICES AND PARTS TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. THIS IS NOT USUAL WEAR AND TEAR WHOSE COSTS SHOULD BE BORNE BY THE CUSTOMER.
I WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY 30 MILES AND HOUR WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME IN A TURN. ALMOST HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC PRIOR TO STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I DROVE IT TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT WHERE IT SAT FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE A LOCAL MECHANIC COULD LOOK AT IT. I WAS QUOTED AT OVER $1,500 TO FIX THE PART BECAUSE THE WHOLE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL BOX HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WAY IT WAS MANUFACTURED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY, WAS NOT STARTED AND WAS UNATTENDED, HAD NOT BEEN STARTED IN OVER A WEEK AND KEYS WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES WHICH BURNED THE ENGINE BAY AND FRONT END OF THE CAR BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH FOAM. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING UNSTARTED FOR OVER A WEEK. I AM UNSURE OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE AND BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE BAY I COULD NOT DETERMINE WERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. PERHAPS A PROFESSIONAL FIRE EXAMINER COULD DETERMINE THAT. I AM BLESSED THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE BUT WAS SCARY. I JUST WANT THIS INCIDENT ON RECORD SO THAT OTHERS WHICH OWN THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF VEHICLE CAN BE WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND HAD A COUPLE OF UPDATES DONE PER BMW SUCH AS THE TAILPIPES AND TIMING CHAIN IN THE ENGINE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY ADDITIONAL RECALLS OR UPDATES BUT APPARENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INCIDENCES OF FIRES SUCH AS MINE WHICH I LEARNED ABOUT AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET TO SEE IF SIMILAR ISSUES HAD BEEN DOCUMENTED. I WILL ATTACH A FEW PICTURES FOR YOU TO HELP WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION WILL BE SOME HELP TO OTHERS IN PREVENTING A SIMILAR SITUATION. I THANK GOD NO ONE WAS INJURED OR PROPERTY DAMAGED OTHER THAN MY CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MADE A REPORT BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE JUST A RESPONSE TO A FIRE. *TR
WAS DRIVING CAR DOWNTOWN AT A SPEED ON AVERAGE OF 15 MPH. TRIP ONLY LASTED 15 MINUTES WHEN I PARKED AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY HOOD. SMOKE QUICKLY ESCALATED INTO A FIRE. CALLED 911 TO HAVE FIRE TRUCKS OUT. GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM A NEARBY BUSINESS TO TRY TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO EVEN WHILE SPRAYING DIRECTLY AT THE FLAMES. FIREMEN HAD TO PRY OPEN THE HOOD TO GET TO THE ENGINE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. CAR ENGINE WAS TOTALED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT FOOT WAS GETTING HOT. I MOVED MY HAND DOWN TO THE GAS PEDAL AREA AND FELT A LOT HEAT WHICH I LATER DETERMINED TO BE COMING FROM THE PLASTIC PANEL TO THE RIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TOUCH WITH MY BARE HANDS. *TR
THE WALL NEXT TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE POINT IT CAN BURN YOUR FOOT. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE AC HEATER COMPONENTS WHEN DRIVING AND RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE MINI COOPER DEALER DOES NOT HAVE A FIX. THE ONLY FIX THEY HAD WAS A TWO INCH INSULATED TUBE FOR THE COIL PIPE. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NO OTHER SOLUTION. I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO BURN MYSELF. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE OR SHIFT INTO FIRST, SECOND OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.
I BOUGHT 2007 MINI COOPER S PRE-OWNED CAR ON 8/24/09 WHICH HAS 3,627 MILES ON IT AT $24,000. ON 10/25/09, IS ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER, I WAS DRIVING A CAR AND NOTICED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. THE CAR WON'T GO IN GEAR AND MOVE. ON THAT NIGHT, THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOAD. EVEN IF I PUSH A GAS, IT JUST DOES MAKE NOISY SOUND AND SMELL REALLY BAD, AND IT NEVER MOVE. NEXT DAY IT WAS TOWED TO THE ORLANDO MINI DEALER. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BURNED OUT AND THIS REPAIR (PER THE DEALERS ESTIMATE IS $3,000)IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS DRIVEN BY AN INEXPERIENCED PERSON OR NEGLECTED. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MANUAL CAR DRIVER AND WHAT THE DEALER TOLD ME IS NOT TRUE. IT IS ONLY 4,000 MILES AND IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IF WE DRIVE IN A NORMAL WAY. THE DEALER DID NOT LISTEN TO ME AND I ENDED UP GOING A RELIABLE LOCAL MECHANIC AND PAYING $2,200 TO FIX IT WITHOUT WARRANTY. THE GUY AT THE MECHANIC SAYS MINI CLUTCH IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND HE HAS FIXED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. I ALSO WENT TO A WEBSITE AND REALIZED THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVEN SAY IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN SOON. I BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECTED CLUTCH AND WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. I HAVE ALL EVIDENCES AVAILABLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD HELP ME TO RECOVER MY MONETARY DAMAGES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
2007 MINI COOPER S, HATCHBACK. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG (OFF) LIGHT, INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISARMED, IS ON AT ALL TIMES REGARDLESS OF PASSENGER. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS FOR MY AIRBAG SYSTEM AND SEATBELT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CODES IDENTIFIED BY THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN HONOLULU INDICATE THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS A FAULT. LOOKING UNDER THE SEAT, IT COULD BE A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS OR FAULTY CONNECTER AS THEY APPEAR VULNERABLE TO SEAT MOVEMENT FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE MINI DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THE OBNOXIOUSLY EXPENSIVE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER.
WHEN PASSENGERS OR ITEMS WERE PLACED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THE SEATBELT AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH, BUT WOULD GO OUT AFTER PASSENGER OR ITEMS WERE REMOVED, AND/OR SEATBELT WAS FASTENED. AS OF NOW BOTH THE AIRBAG WARNING AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, AT ALL TIMES, ON THE DASH AND WILL NOT RETURN TO NORMAL STATE WHETHER SEATBELT IS FASTENED OR NOT. THE AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM IS NOW DISABLED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING OPERATION DUE TO THESE FAILURES (AIRBAG/SEATBELT NOT READY STATE). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DUAL POWER SUNROOF IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY ON THE 2007 MODEL MINI'S AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY THE MANUFACTURER. TO FIX THE PROBLEM MINI IS CHARGING OVER $2500.00 TO CORRECT THIS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. *TR
I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF, I HAD TO GET IT REPLACED. THEN I HAD ISSUES WITH THE CHAIN AND CHAIN TENSIONER AND HAD TO GET THAT REPLACED TOO. NOW THE STEERING HAS FAILED ON ME, I CAN'T START THE CAR OR EVEN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. MY STEERING IS LOCKED NOW; I HAD THE CAR RUNNING, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO RUN FINE AND THE STEERING WORKED FINE. ONCE I SHUT THE CAR OFF I COULDN'T START THE CAR BACK UP AND MY STEERING LOCKED UP. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED HOME. I WISH BMW WOULD DO SOME KIND OF A RECALL ON THIS CAR SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH MONEY OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FOLLOWING IS MY COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED WITH MY 2007 MINI COOPERS . ' MARCH 12TH TO MARCH 16TH TRIP TO MYRTLE BEACH AND BACK TO MY HOUSE IS APPROXIMATELY 490 MILES. THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT ON THIS TRIP. THE VEHICLES ON-BOARD COMPUTER PROVIDES NO INDICATION OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. ' FRIDAY MARCH 18TH DEPARTED HOME FOR UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. TRIP TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS IS APPROXIMATELY 222 MILES. THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT AND ON-BOARD COMPUTER PROVIDES NO INDICATION OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. ' SATURDAY MARCH 19TH LEFT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FOR RESIDENCE. AT JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA I PULLED INTO RIVER CITY MARKETPLACE. UP TO THIS POINT IN THE TRIP THE VEHICLE HAS TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 162 MILES FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TO RIVER CITY MARKETPLACE. THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE'S ON-BOARD COMPUTER PROVIDED NO INDICATION OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. AS I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT I HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND AND THEN THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR ON-BOARD SYSTEM SHOWED NO EMERGENCY INDICATOR WARNINGS WHATSOEVER ON THE TRIP FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TO RIVER CITY MARKETPLACE UP UNTIL THE TIME THE CAR STOPPED. I NOTICED NO OIL LEAKS BENEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS WAITING TO BE TOWED. ON MONDAY MARCH 21ST I SPOKE WITH MY MINI COOPER SERVICE ADVISER,TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE. IN SUMMARIZING OUR CONVERSATION THE ADVISER STATED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INITIALLY INDICATED MY VEHICLE ENGINE HAD BEEN 'RUN DRY' OF ENGINE OIL AND IF THIS WAS THE CASE MY VEHICLE WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE HONORED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS ASTOUNDED AT HEARING THIS INFORMATION AND THE SERVICE TECH THIS COULD NOT BE POSSIBLE BECAUSE I HAD CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL ON MARCH 11TH AND THE DIPSTICK CLEARLY SHOWED "FULL". THERE HAD BEEN NO ON-BOARD COMPUTER NOTIFICATION OF ANY ENGINE OIL CONDITION. THE SERVICE TECH STATED THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT CONTAIN THIS FEATURE WHEN MY VEHICLE MANUAL CLEARLY INDICATES SUCH A FEATURE. *TR
I BURNED MY LOWER FRONT LEG ON THE CHROME TIPPED DUAL EXHAUST PIPES OF OUT 2007 MINI COOPER S (TURBO VERSION). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE HAD A MINI COOPER SINCE JULY 2007 WITH GOOD YEAR EXCELLENCE RUN FLAT TIRES (195/55 R16 87V). WE RECENTLY NOTICED A BULGE IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS AND OUR MECHANIC'S RECOMMENDATION, WE REPLACED THE TIRE FOR $250.00. *TR
COMPLAINT FOR DUNLOP RADIAL TUBELESS TIRES, 205145 R17 (84V) SP SPORT 01, RUN FLAT TIRES. I WAS WASHING MY 2007 MINI COOPER S (WITH APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES) AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD SEVERE BUBBLING OF THE SIDE WALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPLACED, EXPLAINING THAT I HAD NOT HAD ANY UNUSUAL IMPACT ON THE TIRE AND THAT IT MUST BE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNWILLING TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE TIRE, SAYING THAT I HAD TO GO DIRECTLY TO DUNLOP. I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED ON MARCH 13TH, 2008 BECAUSE I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE DRIVING IS A NECESSITY AND WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES IF I DID NOT REPLACE IT. IT WAS REPLACED AT ASSAEL BMW/MINI OF MONROVIA, CA. LESS THAN THREE WEEKS LATER, I NOTICED YET ANOTHER BUBBLE ON THE NEWLY REPLACED TIRE! AGAIN, THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL IMPACT UPON THE TIRE WALL, NO RUB MARKS, AND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. AGAIN, BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUES, I AM FORCED TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED, BUT AM FILING AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT FOR EACH TIRE, COSTING APPROXIMATELY $387.00. IN ADDITION, OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE HAD THREE ADDITIONAL DUNLOP BRAND RUN FLAT TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE OF SIDE WALL BALLOONING AT MY EXPENSE. I WOULD ADVISE THAT ALL OWNERS OF THE TIRES DESCRIBED ABOVE CAREFULLY CHECK THEIR TIRES FOR POSSIBLE BALLOONING, AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT DUNLOP AND/OR THE DEALERSHIP IS UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the parking brake engaged, and the vehicle came to a stop. The contact manually pulled the parking brake lever several times until the parking brake released. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO THEN STATED THAT THE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND AS A RESULT, THE DSC MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
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
AFTER MULTIPLE FRUSTRATING COMPLAINTS AND UNSUCCESSFUL SERVICE ATTEMPTS ON 8/17/11, 9/1/11, 9/6/11, 9/21/11 AND 9/28/11 FOR MY 2007 MINI COOPER S (PURCHASED ON 8/16/11) AT MAYORS AUTO MALL SAAB LOCATED AT 6001 NORTHERN BOULEVARD, WOODSIDE NY 11377 AND FAILING INSPECTION ON 9/1/12; I WAS FED UP AND BROUGHT MY VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO HASSEL BMW MINI OF FREEPORT LOCATED AT 100 CLEVELAND AVENUE, FREEPORT NY 11520 ON 10/31/11. AFTER A SERVICE BILL OF $3,546 (SERVICE) +$141.21 (EVALUATION FEE) = $3,688.03 FROM BMW MINI, THE PROBLEMS WERE STILL NOT RESOLVED. I THEN FILED A LEMON LAW CASE AGAINST MAYORS AUTO MALL AND WON ON. DESPITE WINNING THE CASE, MAYORS AUTO MALL REFUSED TO RETURN MY MONIES FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE OF VEHICLE. AFTER CONTACTING DMV WITH THE ISSUE AND HAVING THEM SUSPENDING THEIR BUSINESS LICENSE, MAYORS AUTO MALL FINALLY REFUNDED MY MONIES FOR VEHICLE PURCHASE BUT IT WAS EXCLUDING SERVICE BILLS OF $3,688.03 FROM BMW MINI SINCE LEMON LAW DID NOT COVER THIS AMOUNT. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST BMW MINI AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT POSSIBLE REMEDIES FOR GETTING A REFUND SERVICES PAID TOWARDS A VEHICLE THAT I NO LONGER HAVE DUE TO LEMON LAW CASE AND AM OUT OF $3,688.03 FOR NO REASON. I UNDERSTAND BMW MINI IS CURRENTLY BEING SUED FOR THESE SAME ISSUES BY MANY CONSUMERS. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY POSSIBLE INFORMATION YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE REGARDING MY CASE. I AM IN AWE SHOCK THAT I AM STILL DEALING WITH THIS AND IT HAS BEEN 3 YEARS ALREADY SINCE I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR TO MAYORS AUTO MALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN WITH THIS MATTER AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE. *TR
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
AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON. PERFORMED A FAULT SURVEY AND FOUND THERE IS 1 RELATED FAULT CODE IN THE MRS CONTROL UNIT. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR, NOT CURRENTLY PRESENT, OCCURRED 12 TIMES. NEED TO REPLACE THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR AND RE PROGRAM THE MRS CONTROL UNIT. TOTAL REPLACEMENT COST: $1,164.47 CALLED MINI HEADQUARTERS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC CAR. HOWEVER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE 2005, 2006 MINI COOPER HAD A RECALL FOR THE SEAT SENSOR. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE 2007 MODEL AS WELL.
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 .