2013 MINI Cooper S Owner Complaints

I purchased a vehicle 2013 mini Cooper hardtop S r56 from Chevy Nissan of Walla Walla on [XXX]. During the transaction, I was misled and not provided truthful information regarding the vehicle’s condition and terms of sale. 1. I was charged for services and items I explicitly did not want or agree to. When I first was looking at the car before purchasing, the salesman, Coby, informed me that the tires were filled with nitrogen. I had no clue what that meant and I asked him if I was required to keep that in the tires do I ?” Coby told me no I was relieved since I knew nothing of nitrogen in tires nor do I know where to get it. Despite my objections, a $299 membership charge was added and activated fraudulently, and I was not properly informed beforehand. This charge was for a one year membership to Nitrofil. No one spoke to me regarding a yearly membership costing $299. It was snuck in on the entire paperwork and charged to me as well simeone activating the membership without my knowledge as well so therefore it could not be canceled. The only place in town that has nitrogen for tires is this dealership, Chevy Nissan of Walla Walla.2. “Failure to Repair Under Implied Warranty:** Within 30 days of purchase, (actually 2 1/2 weeks of me purchasing the vehicle, it developed issues to the back driver‘s tail light and reverse light sockets, not the bulbs. Both were malfunctioning and showing up on my car’s computer/ dash. Neither worked. This was considered be a safety issue with the car. Seems how no one would be able to see a malfunctioning light if it was not lighting up and possibly causing an accident . Replacing of this part would have been covered under the implied warranty (per the Lemon Law). Chevy Nissan of Walla Walla was contacted multiple times to repair these issues, but they failed to do so within the legal timeframe. As a result, I had to purchase two replacement sockets and pay a mechanic $50 each time to replace them .and the dealership h INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

NHTSA ID

11693871

Incident

Apr 14, 2025

Water apparantly was going thru the sunroof and clogging the drains-- No water seeped into the car or from the roof-- It went through the interior of the car nor did it ever get into the vehicle floor so no way to even be aware of car accumlating water- This interior water damage nd destroyed the electronic system of the vehicle- Insured driver - my daughter was driving when car alarm and back door released while driving-- Windshield wipers stopped working and beeping noises continuelly came on! Damage to car 8K-- The same two door model and same year was in fact recalled for the same issue this year-

NHTSA ID

11659572

Incident

Apr 29, 2025

The contact called on behalf of the owner of the 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side window was inoperative. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the body control module and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,137.

NHTSA ID

11657794

Incident

Apr 30, 2024

Mileage

62,137 mi

Water leakage from the sunroof drains corroded the FRM module. Car is not driveable as the doors will not latch, lighting issues, windows don't function etc.. There is a recall for this but not for this vin #?

NHTSA ID

11656329

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11634416

Incident

May 12, 2023

Yes my Mini Cooper 2013 I was just driving normal speed 35 to 40 miles per hour and all the sudden my engine has just quit and stopped running I was not in any danger or in a crash I was able to move my car off to the side of the road and unfortunately this was only the first time the second time was actually on the highway I was scared to death because I was actually came to a halt on the freeway but I was able to push my car off to the side and be out of Harm's Way my car is now parked in front of my house due to engine failure and I don't know what else to do but I saw this recall and I thought I would give you guys a shout and tell you what's wrong and the only thing I replace so far was a new fuel pump and unfortunately that was not the issue my car was still not run or start and now I noticed there is a broken seal in the air intake that looks like it needs to be replaced

NHTSA ID

11619586

Incident

Sep 17, 2024

Body control module (footwell module) controls the windows and blinkers. Recall was issued May 12, 2023 have filed with NHTSA several weeks ago with no response. This part has stopped working can't put windows down or use blinkers.

NHTSA ID

11618807

Incident

Aug 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 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 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

11581398

Incident

May 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there were no high beam headlights or fog lights, and the power windows were inoperable. The due for service symbol was displayed. 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 failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11571049

Incident

Feb 4, 2024

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag and the seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken the BMW dealer and diagnosed with failed front driver's side door air bag sensor and a failed passenger occupancy sensor. The contact was informed that the front driver's side door air bag sensor and the passenger's occupancy sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred with the driver's side door air bag sensor. The vehicle was taken back to the BMW dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a faulty front driver's side door air bag sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a Mini dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a Mini dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 61,180. The consumer stated that during the last diagnostic check on at the last dealership, it was found that the vehicle had a leaking valve cover gasket, coolant was leaking, as well was the thermostat needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to Mini who contacted silver rock for approval of gasket and coolant repairs, but the items were not covered under the warranty contract.

NHTSA ID

11553773

Incident

Oct 5, 2023

Mileage

61,180 mi

The contact owns a 2013 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 the engine was running rough while idling. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would not exceed 65 MPH and 4,000 RPM while driving. The message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that cylinder #1 was misfiring because it was not receiving proper communication from the ECU. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic and was informed that the ECU was operating as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that he replaced the spark plugs and the coils; however, the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was notified of the failure. 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 and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11536485

Incident

Aug 4, 2019

Mileage

30,000 mi

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR IS FAILING. THE DASH LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTINGLY WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED AND THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. THE PROBLEM STARTED 03/19/2021. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG(S) MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. MINI HAD A RECALL IN 2015 FOR 2005-2008 CARS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11405023

Incident

Mar 19, 2021

Mileage

45,125 mi

MY CAR HAS PROTRUDING TAILPIPES, IT CAUSED ME AND MY HUSBAND 3RD-DEGREE BURNS AFTER A SHORT DRIVE TO COSTCO.

NHTSA ID

11342154

Incident

Jul 26, 2020

Mileage

45,000 mi

REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING MELTED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN TAIL LIGHT OUT INDICATOR TURNED ON.

NHTSA ID

11341505

Incident

Jul 10, 2020

Mileage

78,642 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED CLASSIC MINI COOPER AT 440-585-9910 (LOCATED AT 2573 SOM CENTER RD, WILLOUGHBY HILLS, OH 44094) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,320.

NHTSA ID

11209000

Incident

Aug 7, 2018

Mileage

93,320 mi

THE 2013 COOPER S WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHERE THE CAR HESITATED TO ACCELERATE, AS IT IS USUALLY DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE HISTORY. WHAT HAPPENS IN REAL DRIVING SITUATIONS IS THAT WHEN YOU CRUISE AT AROUND 2,000 RPM AND THEN DECIDE TO ACCELERATE THE CAR LOSES THE POWER, COMPLETELY! SO BASICALLY, WHEN YOU'RE ON THE FREEWAY OR ON A TWO-WAY ROAD AND DECIDE TO OVERTAKE ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE MINI WILL NOT ONLY NOT ACCELERATE, BUT JUST COMPLETELY LOSE POWER FOR A SECOND OR TWO. IT IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. AT THE BEGINNING IT WASN'T TOO FREQUENT, BUT RECENTLY IT STARTED DOING IT ALL THE TIME, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE MINI SERVICE REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS, PERFORMED SOME CLEANING AND ALSO SUGGESTED TO ME TO USE A FUEL ADDITIVE WITH EACH FUEL UP. NONE OF THOSE THINGS HELPED, THE ISSUES PROGRESSIVELY STARTED TO GET WORSE. IT ALL STARTED WHEN THE ODOMETER WAS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 75 AND 80 THOUSAND MILES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT AROUND 97,000 MILES THEREFORE SLOWLY REACHING ITS WARRANTY END (100,000 AND/OR 6 YEARS). DURING MY RECENT SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT MINI OF RENO I INSISTED ON REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT AT THIS STAGE MINI OF RENO, NOR MINI USA KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND ONLY THING THEY CAN TRY IS ATTEMPT ON CLEANING THE CARBON BUILD-UP, WHICH THEY QUOTED ME $1386,86, MAKING IT CLEAR AT THE SAME TIME, THAT THIS IS JUST AN ATTEMPT AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. CONTACTING MINI USA YIELDED NO RESULTS, THEY DIDN'T OFFER TO FIX OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11124763

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

HORN IS NOT WORKING. MY HUSBAND HAS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND HIS IS NOT WORKING AS WELL. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND TRIED TO HONK, ON A FEW OCCASIONS, AT OTHER DRIVERS THAT WERE ABOUT TO HIT ME BUT THE HORN DIDN'T WORK.

NHTSA ID

11113558

Incident

Jul 16, 2018

AIRBAG LIGHT IS SHOWING THAT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN THOUGH MY 100 LBS DAUGHTER IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. I'VE ACTUALLY HAD A 2009 MINI COOPER S, 2011 MINI COOPER S AND NOW MY CURRENT 2013 MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS WITH THE SAME EXACT TAIL LIGHT ISSUE. THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT BURNT OUT IN THE EXACT SAME WAY ON ALL 3 CARS. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION WHEN THE BOTH ISSUES OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID

11102850

Incident

May 10, 2017

THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILED AND LEAKED. SOME VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE RECEIVED A MINI EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. I HAD TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT PART AND INSTALLATION AT A MINI DEALER. VEHICLE LEAKED COOLANT ON GARAGE FLOOR AND VARIOUS PARKING SPOTS. MINI IS REIMBURSING SOME OWNERS FOR THIS REPAIR. I WOULD LIKE MY VIN AUTHORIZED FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

NHTSA ID

11052833

Incident

Nov 29, 2017

Mileage

49,400 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A HILL, THE DRIVER DROVE DOWN A SMALL EMBANKMENT, CRASHED INTO A BARBED WIRE FENCE, DROVE INTO A PASTURE, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE TREE FELL ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY AND BRAIN INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000... UPDATED 10/13/16 *BF *TR

NHTSA ID

10896383

Incident

Aug 9, 2016

Mileage

22,000 mi

ON SATURDAY MARCH 19TH, 2016 I EXPERIENCED A MAJOR VEHICLE MALFUNCTION WITH MY 2013 MINI PACEMAN S. WHILE TRAVELING NB ON THE 15 FREEWAY IN THE #1 OR FAST LANE, I SLOWED FOR TRAFFIC TO A STOP, IMMEDIATELY THE CAR TEMPERATURE LIGHT TURNED ON AND WITHIN SECONDS IT CHANGED TO THE HALF ENGINE LIGHT. DURING THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL 3 TIMES TO ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC LANES TO PREVENT INJURY AND THE CAR DIED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE FAST LANE ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE I SAT WITH 3 CHILDREN INSIDE THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. WHILE WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK A CHP (CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL) OFFICER PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND CONTACTED ME AT THE DRIVER WINDOW WHICH I HAD ROLLED DOWN. HE ASKED WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE CAR AND I EXPLAINED THAT IT HAD DIED. HE ASKED ME TO MOVE IT TO A SAFER LOCATION AND I EXPLAINED THAT I COULDN'T. HE ASKED ME TO GET OUT AND HE GOT INTO THE DRIVER SEAT TO ATTEMPT TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. HE WAS ABLE TO, AND HE PUSHED IT MAYBE 5 FEET DOWN THE SLIGHT SLOPE. HE USED THE EMERGENCY BREAK TO STOP IT AND LEFT IT THERE TO WAIT FOR THE TOW TRUCK. LACK OF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON A CAR WITH COMMON FAILURE ITEMS SUCH AS 'LEAKING OIL PUMP DRIVE UNITS' THAT ALLOW THE ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK OUT SHOULD HAVE AN INDICATOR LIGHT TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE THE PROBLEM IS HUGE AND CAN'T BE FIXED. WHEN WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING OUT?

NHTSA ID

10853923

Incident

Mar 19, 2016

Mileage

68,500 mi

VIN: [XXX] AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP CAME ON ANDROID STAYS ON. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE WHEN THE WARNING LAMP CAME ON. ODOMETER READING WHEN THE WARNING LAMP CAME ON WAS: 42630 MILES. CALLED MINI CHARLESTON OF SAVANNAH AND ALSO MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEORY IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR VIN DESPITE OTHER VIN'S OF THE SAME MODEL BEING AFFECTED BY AN AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION. AM NOW FACED WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE AIRBAGS TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY DURING NORMAL DRIVING, OR THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10853874

Incident

Apr 6, 2016

Mileage

42,630 mi

DRIVING AT 40MPH AND SUDDENLY A NOISE/SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT STARTED. STOPPED AT MECHANICS AND WAS ADVISED AND SHOWN THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING TO CAUSE IT. THOUGH NO OTHER FRONT END COMPONENTS SHOW ANY DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10605535

Incident

Jun 23, 2014

Mileage

29,000 mi

I PURCHASED A MINI COOPER S 2013 AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS HARD TO HANDLE ON THE ROAD AT ALL TIMES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR. I KEPT COMPLAINING AND THEY FINALLY TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY TOLD ME IT THE ALIGNMENT WAS BAD AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE, BUT I BELIEVE THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS LIKE THAT FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT UNTIL THE TIME OF SERVICE. THIS, IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER IF NOT ONLY ONE CAR IS SOLD LIKE THIS. NOT TO MENTION THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL AND THE BACKFIRING . *TR

NHTSA ID

10550252

Incident

Oct 17, 2013