Got in car one morning and noticed windshield had cracked in center from top of windshield and from bottom of windshield, and I'm hoping the crack doesn't meet in the middle!

- Bethesda, MD, USA

I will be installing what will be the third manual 5-speed transmission in my MINISame problem, seems to be the final drive bearing is failing likely due to lack of lubrication. I have records of all service and check it regularly and it has never been low. The bearing is apparently not getting a proper supply of fluid. Problem number two, my power steering pump failed on me once. It exploded while I was driving. The hoses basically got too hot and blew up. I fortunately was able to limp it to a shop without any fire. On another occasion the power steering fan continued to run even when the ignition was shut off, needed to replace the entire pump this time which cost me $500 installed with a remanufactured pump. Third, I have had to put three windshields in the car. None of these repairs were warranted! MINIneeds to suck it up and claim responsibility for these shoddily made cars, they have made their money and don't care to help with anything. I am a loyal BMW customer but I think I will stick with the older models now as they aren't impossible to work on and find parts for. God knows I will not pay 23 grand for this nightmare again.

- Ventura, CA, USA

Visibility:windshield crack.

- Redmond, WA, USA

The windshield of my 2003 MINICooper S had three significant cracks and multiple chips within a year of ownership.

- Germantown, MD, USA

2003 MINICooper windshield failure. Spontaneous crack although dealer insists it was a pin hole sized hole that caused it. Refused to cover under warranty. 2nd time it's happened and was covered first time under warranty. Apparently happens very regularly to MINIand at $1078. Complete...this just isn't right.

- Kenwood, CA, USA

Windshield cracked without being struck by object.

- Apex, NC, USA

The windshield cracked in several places and needed to be replaced. Vehicle was taken to dealer for check up, and consumer was informed that the windshield had certain spots that could not tolerate road conditions. This could be dangerous if the windshield breaks while the vehicle was being driven.

- Beverly Hills, CA, USA

While driving my 2003 MINICooper, I noticed a crack in the bottom middle of the windshield. The crack began under the trim, moved up, turned a few inches up, and then spread toward the passenger side. Two weeks later, I brought the car in for it's first scheduled oil service, where I asked the service advisor, peter wark of MINIof the main line in bala cynwyd, pa, about the windshield. He proceeded to take the point of a small screwdriver and run it along the crack. About a quarter of an inch above the trim, and in a place where it would be almost impossible for a rock to hit, the screwdriver caught a small nick in the glass, about the size of a grain of sand. He informed me that that nick was caused by a rock, which caused the crack, which would not be covered under the warranty. He then told me about how the process they use of glueing the glass on causes the entire bottom few inches of glass to become very weak, and that anything hitting the glass in that area, even a tiny rock, would crack the glass. I found this to be unacceptable, so I called the MINIcustomer service line at 1-866-ask-MINII spoke to a "marty" who merely repeated over and over that he was "sorry they made that determination, but a rock chip is not covered under warranty." After receiving no help from the company, I had the dealer replace the glass. I feel that the repair should be covered because the way they manufacture and attach the glass causes weakness, and that could be considered a manufacturer's defect, which is the primary reason for supplying a customer with a warranty. I have video and photos of the crack and nick, as well as receipts for the repair. The crack was first noticed and spread August 12, 2004 and my service appointment was August 24, 2004.

- Absecon, NJ, USA

Spontaneous crack forming in MINICooper windshield. Overnight, a crack appeared in my windshiled staring at the bottem center of the windshield, moving directly upward about 5 inches then angling 90 degrees towards the driver's side ofr several inches. This is the 2nd time in 6 months that the same fracture has appearer overnight. First windshield was replaced.

- Napa, CA, USA

Windshield cracked on my MINICooper from debris on the highway. This is a common problem with MINICoopers. Dozens and dozens of MINIowners have complained about this on the message boards on www.roadfly.org. the windshields on these cars are prone to cracking. I've only had my car for 1.5 years and only have 5000 miles on it. This is the first time I've had something hit my windshield. If so many owners are having the same problems, it should be enough to warrant some sort of investigation into these windshields and why they are so prone to cracking.

- Flushing, NY, USA

I own a 2003 MINICooper S and like many other owners of minis, my windshield is cracked in two different places. I do believe MINIshould come up with a new design and do a recall.

- Hendersonville , NC, USA

The slightest pebble causes stars, chips, and cracks in my MINICooper windshield. I'm on my third one and it already has 2 stars and a chip. I'm tired of replacing it, but it's a structural safety item.

- East Kingston, NH, USA

BMW MINIcoopers have defective windshields that crack repeatedly without any type of impact. The glass cracks due to stress or temp. Changes. Not related to stone impacts. Check out the windshield cracking thread on the mini2.com web site. We are on our 2nd windshield in two weeks. BMW is covering up the problem while quietly introducing stronger glass.

- South Windsor, CT, USA

Large windshield crack suddenly appeared without evidence of any impact to the windshield.

- Washington, DC, USA

MINICooper windshield is thin and week. There is no aftermarket glass for it either so repalceing gets pricy.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

The minis windshiel being soft and weak which leaves is more prone to pitting, chipping and to cracking.

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

Windshield replacements due to premature pitting, chipping, and cracking. Many other MINIcooper owners have experienced this same problem.

- Anthem, AZ, USA

My 2003 MINIcooper's windshield cracked shortly after I took delivery of the new car. It was never hit by a rock, and many other MINIcooper owners have experienced stress fractures caused by weak windshield glass. BMW/MINIusa refused to replace the defective windshield under warranty

- Birmingham, AL, USA

Windshield in MINIcoopers are to soft. I am fixing to have my second windshield installed. Just had one replaced in August. A rock hit the windshield both times. The second time if I had been any closer to the vehicle in front of me the rock would have come through and killed me or my 2 year old daughter in the back seat. Had a mechanic look at it and he said the same thing. There was at least two car lengths between my car and the other car. Also the windshield has many rock pits in it and it is only 7 months old.

- Clyde, NC, USA

Windshield, cracked, for no apparent reason.

- Cranberry Township, PA, USA