2010 MINI Cooper Engine Problems

Engine issues Engine leaks over heating seal gasket Timing bell Engine missed firing

NHTSA ID

11671223

Incident

Dec 15, 2024

On Thursday I was driving my 2010 Mini Cooper S with 75,000 miles on it and there was a total and sudden power outage on the high way. I was able to get to the breakdown lane and had it towed. My mini certified garage ran the computer on it and the car started right up. It was due for an inspection so we did an oil and filter and put on some new tires. No issues were found and car was running well. We picked it up on Friday and Saturday morning after a short drive I was parking and smoke started pouring out from behind the steering wheel. I ran inside a coffee shop for help and they asked if there were flames. I went back out and opened the car door and there was loud noise and the hood was in flames. The entire dash was melted, the hood had a hole burned in it and with the fire rescue interventions the car was a total loss. No one was injured.

NHTSA ID

11660568

Incident

May 10, 2025

In an attempt to resolve persistent rough running engine issue, mechanic discovered that the timing chain guides failed (broke apart) and that plastic pieces of the guides migrated into the engine oil system.

NHTSA ID

11638633

Incident

Jan 3, 2025

Engine stalling Oil pan leaks Caused the engine to shut down when slowing down or sitting in traffic on highway. No warning lights prior to incidents Only right after

NHTSA ID

11623565

Incident

Oct 29, 2024

The FRM module on my 2010 MINI Cooper S failed in 2022. I was unable to access multiple functions on the vehicle, including interior and exterior lighting, window controls, and other operations that worked randomly during this time. I needed my car fully operational for work commuting so I had to find a replacement FRM, which I did from an OEM MINI parts website, [XXX] . The new FRM I purchased was matched to my vehicle's VIN and installed and programmed by my local MINI shop, Detroit Tuned [XXX] ) , in Clawson, MI. The total bill for this was over $800 (I have receipts for the purchase and the install). The recall notice from MINI/BMW came in 2023, and according to their website there is still no fix, which makes no sense since I bought an OEM replacement that was fitted to my car in 2022, as I noted here. How can a part that when fails can potentially cause vehicle fires ("thermal incident", per their recall notes) NOT be replaced immediately by the manufacturer? And how can MINI/BMW say they can't get the part when an OEM version is available online? The delay in this fix is unacceptable. My OEM replacement FRM works perfectly, but I am out the $800+ I spent to get it since MINI didn't then and still doesn't have them available, "officially". So if they ever get the part and replace my fully operational replacement for free, I am still out the money I spent in 2020 to make my car operationally safe. What can I do to get a refund from MINI/BMW? Thanks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11582857

Incident

Jul 21, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper. 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that she was unable to check for warning lights due to a previous failure of the instrument cluster. The contact was able to coast the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact stated that the stall was an intermittent failure and occurred at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that there were various other electrical failures with the power windows. Additionally, the sunroof was unable to open or close as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle was also intermittently not able to turn off after turning the ignition key to the off position and remained running until the vehicle turned off independently. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11577088

Incident

Mar 17, 2023

Mileage

30,000 mi

02/16/2023 i purchase mini cooper s from a private owner i paid cash 6,0000 for the car 2 months later my car broke down i had my car towed to a shop i was told that my motor mounts had no bolts or screws and that what cause my car to break down it also broke my intake and wheel bearings had to be replaced total cost 1,600.00 On 08/04/2023 my car breaks down i was told that my valve broke and two cylinders needed to be replace the mechanic also told me that my card did not have the miles that it showing on the odometer when i purchase my car odometer read 156,000 miles i was told my mechanic that my car has almost 300,000 miles and the memory brain on my car is ready it a 2006 but my vin number said 2010 im having to replace my engine on my car still in th shop at i already paid up front 4200

NHTSA ID

11541287

Incident

Aug 4, 2023

Transmission/timing chain issue/engine malfunctions

NHTSA ID

11486005

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

The car consumes too much oil. This is not mentioned in the car manual. Without enough oil, the car's engine would seize up and stop functioning. Driving with low oil in the system can ruin the vehicle's engine, completely breaking the motor.

NHTSA ID

11454173

Incident

Feb 11, 2022

my passenger airbag lights have been on for months .. cannot remove also my car has been burning oil since i got it

NHTSA ID

11448415

Incident

Aug 7, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a rattling sound heard with a burning odor detected. The vehicle stalled without warning. The check engine light warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer performed an oil change and the check engine light was reset; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure after failing the smog test. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was 104,000.

NHTSA ID

11426997

Incident

Jul 8, 2021

Mileage

104,000 mi

I have made several attempts to reach out to dealer. The check engine light came on the same day I purchased car. I brought the car back, the dealer said they would replace it, but couldn't do the work that day. They provided me with a false inspection report. They never followed up with me after several months had gone by and several phone calls had been made with them refusing to return my call. The car turns off on its on while driving. The brakes are also not good on the car. I had to get an oil change, wiping blades after a month of having the car. The AC fan is also not functioning. I would like to escalate this issue, because I am unable to pass my state inspection as well as feeling unsafe to drive a car that can turn off anytime on the road while driving. I waited to take to inspection because I was waiting on the dealer to communicate when they will replace the part. after several months of refusing to respond to my phone calls and emails. I have decided to report their intentional negligence. I also purchased a warranty. through this company EPOVO auto group. I have not received a follow document certifying my warranty purchase through them. Uncertain of legitimacy of this warranty as well. I have filed a complaint with BBB and Federal Trade Commission. I have not received a response. The following failed inspection codes: P0014, P0015, MIL Command.

NHTSA ID

11418450

Incident

Nov 17, 2020

MINI COOPER TIMING CHAIN TENSONER DEFECT. I HAVE A R56 HARDTOP 2010 MINI COOPER. MY CAR STARTED HAVING ISSUES LIKE TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, ESPECIALLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. WHILE I WAS DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD SNAP NOISE AND MY CAR SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER THAT AND WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOK THERE WAS A BROKEN VALVE COVER. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN LAS VEGAS IS NOT HONORING THE LAWSUIT. NOT REALLY SURE HOW TO PROCEED. THEY WANT $3,500. IN REPAIRS. MY CAR IS ONLY AT 83,000MILES AND JUST PAID OFF. NOT SURE HOW TO PROCEED.

NHTSA ID

11205138

Incident

Apr 30, 2019

Mileage

83,000 mi

2010 MINI COOPER S 2 DOOR, UP TO DATE WITH ALL MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE, CHANGED OIL EVERY 4,000 MILES. CAR SHOWROOM QUALITY. AT 81,000. MILES I SHUT IT OFF IN MY GARAGE AND LATER WENT TO START THE ENGINE, IT WAS DEAD AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER EVEN WITH A CHARGE. I HAD IT TOWED TO BRAMAN MOTORCARS, WPB, FL WHERE I PURCHASED IT NEW AND ORIGINAL OWNER AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE RETENTION CHAIN. BMW OF N. AMERICA HAD A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR 2007 TO 2010 MINI COOPERS, SUIT CLOSED IN 2015 SAID MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AND REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR. THEY WANT 11,000-13,000 TO FIX. I AM WITHIN THE YEARS THE SUIT WAS MENTIONED MY MILEAGE IS RIGHT AT THE POINT IT MAKES MENTION IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT. MY VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE THEY ONLY PAID ON THE VIN NUMBERS THAT WERE IN THE SUIT. BMW OF N AMER. DID NOT ADD VIN# OF OTHER CARS THAT WERE NOT IN THE SUIT. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED AND DID NOT KNOW ABOUT MY CAR. I AM TOLD I CAN JUNK IT AND BUY A NEW CAR. I TOOK CARE OF MY CAR FOR EVERYTHING AND NOW MY CAR IS JUST GONE AND THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO HELP ME FIX IT. BMW OF N AMERICA DID NOT OFF ANY GOODWILL ON THE REPAIR NOR MAKE IT A RECALL ISSUE. THEY JUST SETTLED THE CASE FOR THE CARS KNOWN AT THAT TIME AND THE REST OF US CAN JUST GO POUND DIRT! I NOW AM WITHOUT A CAR OR TRANSPORTATION AND BRAMAN MOTORCARS TRIED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME WITH QUOTING ME HIGH PRICES ON A NEW CAR, THAT I CANNOT AFFORD. PLEASE HELP. NO ONE THAT KNOWS ME OR MY CAR CAN BELIEVE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR BECAUSE OF HOW WELL I TAKE CARE OF IT.

NHTSA ID

11141137

Incident

Sep 28, 2018

Mileage

81,000 mi

ENGINE LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY. TIMING CHAIN LOOSENED, CAUSED SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID

11132237

Incident

Sep 13, 2018

Mileage

35,000 mi

'DEATH RATTLE,' A RATTLING SOUND THAT COMES FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. 002D50 DME:SUPER KNOCKING 002D9C DME: KNOWCKSENSOR, SIGNAL CAR RUNS ROUGH FOUND SUPER KNOCKING PLAUSIBLITY FAULTS AND RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE. TIMING CHANIN IS FAULTY REPLACED TIMING CHAIN CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TIMING CHAIN KIT CHAIN GUIDE BOLT SEAL CHAIN GUIDE BOLT SEAL TIMING RAIL BOLT CAMSHAFT BOLT CAMSHAFT BOLT SPARK PLUG ILZKBR7B-8D TIMING RAIL BOLT VALVE COVER GASKET SET BROKEN TIMING CHAIN GUIDE ==COMPLAINT== BROKEN TIMING CHAIN GUIDE IN OIL PAN ==CAUSE== CORRECTION: REMOVED OIL PAN, CLEANED CLOGGED OIL PUMP AND RESEALED OIL PAN CHEMICAL GASKET BMW OIL SERVICE COST OF ALL REPAIR IS LABOR$1450.00 PARTS$534.89 TAX$52.15 TOTAL$1922.04 PAID$1922.04

NHTSA ID

11112928

Incident

Jul 18, 2018

Mileage

75,806 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AFTER SAFELY PULLING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BLUE RIDGE MOTOR WORK (2424 FORT HENRY DR., KINGSPORT, TN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST DUE TO NO RECALLS BEING ATTRIBUTED TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

NHTSA ID

11110711

Incident

Jun 4, 2018

Mileage

97,000 mi

THE TIMING CHAIN IS FAILING AT 80,000. DEALER AND MINIUSA HAVE AGREED SHOULD LAST 4 LIFE OF THE ENGINE AT LEAST 120,000. . CAUSED OIL TO BURN OFF , WHICH CAUSED WEARING AND DAMAGE TO EXHAUST CAMSHAFT,SEAL , AND VANOS. TIME CHAIN FAILURE HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ON OTHER MODELS AND CLASS ACTION SUIT HAS DETERMINED MINI IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILURE AND KNEW ABOUT FAILURE IN THE 2010 AS WELL AS FAR BACK AS 2008. MINI HAS REDUCED REPAIR COSTS FROM 4200$ TO 1400$ BUT ARE REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY THIS FAR FOR FULL REIMBURSEMENT. TIME CHAIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WHEN TIME CHAIN BEGAN TO RATTLE

NHTSA ID

11088772

Incident

Apr 1, 2018

Mileage

800,000 mi

TIMING CHAIN ISSUES THAT WOULD MAKE CAR RANDOMLY RATTLE THEN JUST TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC OR AT A STOP LIGHT. CAR WOULD SKIP GEARS AS WELL. OUR 2009 HAS THE SAME ISSUES AND MINI HAS TOLD US IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN AS WELL. WE SPENT OVER $1800 FIXING THIS ISSUE THAT APPARENTLY HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH OTHER MINI CARS.

NHTSA ID

10945163

Incident

Oct 1, 2016

Mileage

67,000 mi

CAR SHUT DOWN ENROUTE TO HOSPITAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING (AS CHARACTERIZED BY MANY OWNERS). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPUTABLE REPAIR FACILITY. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD DISINTEGRATED AND CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO "SLIP". THEY RAN A COMPRESSION TEST ON THE 4 CYLINDERS. TWO OF THE CYLINDERS HAVE 0 COMPRESSION AND THE OTHER TWO HAVE SERIOUSLY LOW READINGS. THEY TOLD ME THAT ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE IS INDETERMINATE. THE EXACT SEQUENCE OF EVENTS BEGINNING WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN GREAT NUMBERS. THIS RESULTED IN RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM UP TO THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. WHY WASN'T THIS EXTENDED TO THE 2010 MODEL YEAR?

NHTSA ID

10945085

Incident

Jan 9, 2017

Mileage

75,000 mi

PURCHASE PREVIOUSLY OWNED (BY 1 OWNER, LOW MILEAGE) 2010, MINI COOPER FROM DEALERSHIP 2 YEARS AGO. CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 70K MILES. LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING, TIMING CHAIN FAILED SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING $3100+ IN ESTIMATED DAMAGES. FIRST ISSUE I HAVE IS HOW DOES A TIMING BELT LAST ONLY 70K MILES ON A SUPPOSED HIGH-END, HIGH-PERFORMANCE VEHICLE LIKE MINI/BMW? EVERY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED (FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC) RECOMMENDS CHANGING TIMING BELT AROUND 100K MILES, SO THE THOUGHT OF CHANGING A TIMING CHAIN WAS FOR AT LEAST 20K MORE MILES NEVER CROSSED MY MIND. SECOND ISSUE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO MINI COOPER OWNERS (SAME MAKE AND MODEL) ON OR ABOUT 2010 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. HOWEVER, MINI COOPER CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THE ONLY LOCAL MINI COOPER SERVICE CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS SETTLEMENT...EVEN THOUGH THE CAUSE AND AFFECT OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM MY MINI COOPER EXPERIENCED WITH ONLY 70K MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10933885

Incident

Nov 28, 2016

Mileage

70,000 mi

TENSIONER BROKE CAUSING TIMING CHAIN SHEARED THE CAMSHAFT GEAR AND DESTROYED ENGINE...HAD CAR 7 MONTHS...BOUGHT USED AT TOYOTA OF NICHOLASVILLE IN NICHOLASVILLE KY

NHTSA ID

10895478

Incident

Aug 9, 2016

THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE RAIL, CHAIN TENSIONERS,SLIKE RAIL FRICTION WHEEL ETC ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED AND IT ONLY HAS 13000 MILES I KNOW THAT BMW IS BEING SUED AND HABBERSTAD SAID THAT WE WOULD BE INFORMED OF THE SUIT IF OUR VEHICLE IS PART OF THE SUIT. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID

10884656

Incident

Apr 16, 2016

THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING. WE TOWED IT TO A MECHANIC AND THE ENGINE BROKE DOWN. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY MANY OTHERS AND A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS IN THE WORKS. I DON'T HAVE THE $5000 TO REPAIR IT. I'D LIKE FOR MINI/BMW TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS AND COVER THIS REPAIR SINCE IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10837277

Incident

Feb 19, 2016

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT IN THIS VEHICLE FAILED. AFTER GETTING IT REPLACED AT THE DEALER I LEARNED LATER THERE IS A RECALL (THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED). I ALSO LEARNED THAT THE THERMOSTAT MAY HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY (THE DEALER SAID IT WASN'T BECAUSE THE LIGHT WASN'T ON).

NHTSA ID

10808685

Incident

Nov 19, 2015