2007 Mini Cooper S

249 complaints on file, page 1 of 13.

1. Filed May 5, 2025Failure May 2, 2025140,000 milesVan Buren, ARElectrical system

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11658879
2. Filed Dec 30, 2024Failure Dec 30, 2022East Lansing, MIElectrical system

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11633249
3. Filed Jun 1, 2023Failure Jun 1, 202348,000 milesLongview, TXParking brake

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11524779
4. Filed May 5, 2020Failure May 2, 202092,000 milesPikeville, KYElectrical system, Engine, BodyFire

   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

   NHTSA complaint 11323318
5. Filed Aug 26, 2019Failure Aug 5, 201952,000 milesHarrison, MIAir bags

   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

   NHTSA complaint 11246321
6. Filed May 27, 2019Failure May 25, 2019129,000 milesSchaumburg, ILSteering

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11210203
7. Filed Feb 25, 2019Failure Jan 18, 2019153,368 milesLexington, NCEngineFire

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11182392
8. Filed Nov 26, 2018Failure Jul 22, 2018100,000 milesNEW Tazewell, TNEngine

   TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE AND MESSED UP THE ENGINE

   NHTSA complaint 11153691
9. Filed Aug 31, 2018Failure Aug 1, 201810 milesManchester, CTUnknown or other

   TO THE RIGHT OF MY GAS PEDAL IN MY CAR GETS SUPER HOT! IT REACHES OVER 207 FAHRENHEIT DEGREES. IT GETS WORSE WHEN I USE MY AC. WHEN I WEAR MY FLIP FLOPS IT BURNS MY TOES.

   NHTSA complaint 11123608
10. Filed Jul 31, 2018Failure Jul 30, 2018Boynton Beach, FLEngine

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO BRAMAN MINI OF PALM BEACH (2815 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409, (561) 257-4774). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SERVICE CAMPAIGN WAS ONLY TO ADDRESS REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S GUIDELINES OF THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD APPROVE THE DEALER REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 11114990
11. Filed Jul 31, 2018Failure Jul 30, 201880,000 milesBoynton Beach, FLEngine

    MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY @ BRAMAN BMW WPB (5612423210) FOR A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME AND NOTIFIED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE INSIDE THE ENGINE & COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE MOTOR. TE TIMING CHAIN JOB ALONE ESTIMATE IS $3800, BUT THEYVE NOTIFIED ME THAT THE ENGINE IS UNREPAIRABLE & MUST BE REPLACED! THEY ALSO FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS HAPPEN WHILST DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE, ALMOST CAUSING A HUGE ACCIDENT!! PLEASE HELP!! MINI APPARENTLY CARES MORE ABOUT MONEY THAN LIVES!!

    NHTSA complaint 11114985
12. Filed Jun 26, 2018Failure Jun 11, 2018400 milesAustell, GAUnknown or other

    TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE A 2007 MINI COOPER THAT ONLY HAS 84000 MILES AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TIME CHAIN REPLACE 4 TIMES. THE REPAIR GARAGE IS TELLING ME THAT MINI KEEPS UPDATING THE KITS FOR EVERY REPAIR. THE TIME CHAIN WAS REPLACED IN 2009, 2012,2016,2018. ONCE THING THEY DID TELL ME THAT I DON'T KEEP ENOUGH OIL IN THE CAR, BUT IF THE OIL LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON HOW AM I TO KNOW THIS. I DON'T HAVE $2000.00 TO $2500.00 EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS TO KEEP GETTING THE CAR REPAIRED. SO I'M THINKING ABOUT GETTING READ OF THE CAR. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM.

    NHTSA complaint 11104067
13. Filed Apr 9, 2018Failure Mar 19, 201889,000 milesWhite Field, NHEngine

    THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN, SO I HAD IT REPLACED IN THE RECALL PROGRAM THAT WAS OFFERED THROUGH MINI COOPER. LESS THEN 2 YEARS LATER, MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE AGAIN, AND HAS DAMAGED THE MOTOR OF MY CAR. IT WOULD NOT START

    NHTSA complaint 11084013
14. Filed Dec 5, 2017Failure Nov 27, 2017102,000 milesSammamish, WAFuel/propulsion system

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11052627
15. Filed Aug 26, 2017Failure Aug 19, 2017Bellvue, COEngine

    TIMING CHAIN MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN STARTED

    NHTSA complaint 11019830
16. Filed Aug 7, 2017Failure May 1, 201769,456 milesCedar Bluff, VAUnknown or other

    PASSENGER DOOR SEAL FAILED RESULTING IN FLOODING OF THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE. MOISTURE CAUSED THE STARTING SENSOR TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. THERE WAS ALSO RAPID GROWTH OF MOLD IN THE VEHICLE FROM THIS MOISTURE. THE ONLY RESOLUTION WAS TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE INTERIOR, SHAMPOO THE CARPET, AND DRY EVERYTHING OUT. ON-LINE RESEARCH (AFTER THE FACT) REVEALED THAT APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A RECALL ISSUED.

    NHTSA complaint 11013436
17. Filed Jun 8, 2017Failure May 30, 201729,500 milesPebble Beach, CAAir bagsCrash1 injured

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10993982
18. Filed Mar 30, 2017Failure Sep 14, 2016100,000 milesSaddle Brook, NJEngine

    THIS CAR HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT USER OF OIL. IT USES A QUART AT ABOUT 500 MILES. THIS ENGINE HAS A REPUTATION FOR PROBLEMS ON MINI COOPER S MODELS AND THE PEUGEOT MODELS WITH THAT SAME ENGINE. I'VE HEARD THAT LATER MODELS DON'T BURN OIL. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHY BMW HAS NOT RECALLED THEM. FIRST THE TIMING CHAIN, COOLING SYSTEM AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP., THEY PAID FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE FUEL PUMP.

    NHTSA complaint 10969563
19. Filed Feb 6, 2017Failure Jan 17, 2017177,765 milesMoultrie, GAEngine

    MINI COOPER S - NUMEROUS ISSUES FOUND HAVING PURCHASED A USED 2007 MINI COOPER S FROM A SMALL DEALER IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, WE DID OUR RESEARCH UP-FRONT WITH A 'CARFAX REPORT' WHICH SHOWED NO ISSUES, WE ALSO DID A VIN DATABASE SEARCH FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NO OPEN RECALLS AND ASSUMED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO PURCHASE WHICH WE DID FOR JUST OVER $5,000. NOW THAT WE ARE NEARING A YEAR INTO OUR 4-YEAR PAYMENT PLAN, ON JANUARY 17, 2016, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-75 IN GEORGIA AND AT APPROX. MILE MARKER 211, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND SHE REQUIRED A TOW OFF THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY- BUT IT SEEMS THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED OUR CASE' UPON ATTEMPTING REPAIRS, WE FIND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE (2007 R56/N16 4 CYLINDER TURBOCHARGED) INCLUDING TIMING CHAIN, WATER PUMP, VACUUM PUMP, ETC' BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF REMOVED PARTS FROM THE ENGINE ' THE VACUUM PUMP SEIZED AND BENT THE METAL COMPONENTS ' SINCE THIS IS CONNECTED TO THE 'EXHAUST CAMSHAFT', WHEN IT SEIZED IT SEIZED THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ' ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THIS CAMSHAFT IS A SPROCKET WHICH CONNECTS THE TIMING CHAIN (ANOTHER KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE) ' THE BOLT AND SPROCKET DROPPED INTO THE ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN AREA, CREATING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH IT APPEARS WE ARE GOING TO BE 'LEFT HOLDING THE BAG' FOR

    NHTSA complaint 10949916
20. Filed Sep 27, 2016Failure Sep 20, 2016120,000 milesReston, VAAir bags

    PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ERRATIC, SOMETIMES IT WORKS, MOST TIMES NOT.

    NHTSA complaint 10910019