This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
On 27-Oct-2014, when I was driving home the check engine light came on and it gave a message about the catalytic converter. Luckily I was close to home and the message just said to slow down which I did. I had it towed to a local mechanic the next day since it was not drivable.it was real shaky and didn't feel safe to drive when I started the engine. They had the vehicle for 3 days and checked everything from the coils, spark plugs, ran a compression test which showed that cylinder 3 was not getting enough power, etc. They stated that there were no leaks or fluids found in that area like they had expected since that was the only cylinder that was not running properly. I contacted miniusa to see if they would fix the vehicle out of goodwill because this was a known issue with these vehicles/engines (R56). Needless to say, miniusa would not fix the repair nor would they respond to my emails. MINIof concord offered to cover 25% of the cost leaving me to pay $3600 out of pocket for something that they know is faulty. This is unacceptable.
MINIusa was well aware of the massive timing chain problem (affecting 500,000 MINIcoopers),but refused to fix it because it was out of warranty. I've complained of the cantankerous rattle during a cold start which was clearly related to the failing timing chain due to a defective and poorly designed timing chain tensioner. (apparently MINIhas come out with a new one due to this problem). The dealership quoted me $1800 to replace the whole chain assembly. I ultimately took it an independent MINImechanic and had it replaced for less ($1144). Now I am hearing that MINIdealerships are replacing this defective part beyond the warranty period. I believe that there is now a campaign to replace the tensioner and chain. They should have replaced it when the problems were obvious and should now compensate those who've paid out of their own pockets for this poorly designed part.
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.
Catastrophic failure and stall on the highway without warning. No engine light or warning lights. Vehicle stopped and stalled at highway speeds. Vehicle had to be towed. Not drivable. Very dangerous, nearly got hit by semi trucks on highway and other vehicles. Very unsafe. Problem: Needed new clutch and flywheel @ cost of $3000 plus towing. This is the 3rd time that this car has had catastrophic engine failure while driving on highway in the past 6 months. The other times were caused by some electrical issues pertaining to the engine. Dealer denied it was timing chain. The MINICooper 2007 needs to be recalled before someone is killed or seriously injured.
Have had a severe rattling noise from engine for some time now, research says that it is a faulty timing chain tensioner problem. Also have a leaking oil supply line to the turbo. Both problems are major issues for which there has been no recalls from MINIThese are both extremely expensive repairs which I can not afford.......there should be recalls on these problems! please help.....
- Bloomingdale, NY, USA
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There is a defect in the design of the oil line feeding the turbo charging unit. Oil now leaks directly onto the turbo charger causing large discharges of smoke at lower (city) speeds from the hood. The burned oil smoke is not visible at highway speeds, although once one slows down for a ramp the smoke pours out again. Due to the high risk of fire the car is no longer parked in our garage. It is parked towards the end of the driveway as far from our house as possible. I believe that this should be an urgent safety issue seeing that the engine could catch fire at any time.
After buying this vehicle, drove about 30 or so miles....while slowing down noticed the car had shut off. No warnings, no lights, no noises....car would not crank. Left me stranded in middle of four lane highway. Towed the vehicle to MINIwhere I was told a vacuum pump went out. Due to this not covered under warranty (extended) now im told have to pay 8000 for an engine. This issue should be resolved, there was no warning and from reading the online notices it seems to be a big issue. MINIwould do nothing about this. It created a dangerous situation for me, as it gave no warning when all this occurred.
I was driving at highway speed when without warning the car lost partial power and the engine light came on and began flashing. I pulled over to the roadside and turned the engine off. I looked at the owner's manual to see what the flashing engine light indicates. Nothing definitive was stated in the manual, so I started the engine and drove it to my home about 10 miles under partial power. I contacted a local garage (mienke) and let them know the problem. The garage was about three miles away so I drove it to them. They diagnosed a loss of compression in one of the valves that would require a valve job. I contacted miniusa to report the problem. They requested I take it to the local dealer for diagnosis. I contacted the dealer and let them know what occurred and asked if it was safe to drive the approximate 20 miles to their location with a compromised engine. They said it would be okay and bring it in. They diagnosed it the next day with a failed timing chain ($1800), vacuum pump ($600) and valve cover assembly ($385). I let them know the timing chain was already replaced by a MINIdealership at 40781 miles and they should replace it at no cost as this is supposed to last 100,000 miles. The dealer would not. I contacted miniusa again to report the issue and request to have this replaced at no cost. They have not gotten back to me yet and it is still pending their decision. I began to look online for similar issues and found hundreds of complaints from owners regarding the same issue with the timing chain. MINIBMW is well aware of the issue but still does not cover this recurring problem. This is an expensive repair and unknowing MINIowners are spending thousands of dollars to have their cars put back on the road. There is also a pending class action law suit in New Jersey for this same issue.
My vehicle developed a rattling noise in the engine, which worsened and caused the timing chain to brake and thousands of dollars in damage, which if at high way speed, could have caused a serious accident. MINIis denying account ability.
The very well known "timing chain failure". the event started with rattling noise in the engine bay on the passenger's side, then the big messy oil leaked and the engine was drying up and choked (made a very dangerous driving situation).luckily, I wasn't on the highway!! BMW denied reimbursement for the repair cost of this fault design/engineering.
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 MINICooper 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 MINIof 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 MINIthe 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 MINIsince lemon law did not cover this amount. I am filing a complaint against BMW MINIand 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 MINIis 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.
Timing chain tensioner, a well known problem with these cars... I worked my a** off for a year saving up for one of these cars and what do you know the tensioner goes... MINIdoes not care about you or the car they sell, its all about taking whats in your wallet and putting it in theres, dont buy one of these cars and not expect to pay for it twice literally in fixing it..
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.
The timing chain tensioner fails causing the engine to suffer catastrophic failure. The customer is expected to pay out of pocket for a repair even though MINIhas admitted a poor design and are replacing tensioners via a campaign. The customer will not get reimbursement.
I tried to start my car and only heard a spinning sound. First I thought the transmission or starter would need replacing but after having it towed to the MINIdealership, I was informed it is the timing chain. Upon further review I was informed that the timing chain belt had shattered and bent the valves, and now the pistons are blocked and a plethora of other things. The total to repair this domino effect of damage is above $8,000 and just the chain alone is 1500 but I was informed would be a grand mistake because the car will not run. I am a college student who is financially challenged and am now in too deep to even try and float.
Upon starting the vehicle the engine sounds as if parts are loose in the engine area. It lessens up after the engine warms up but is getting progressively worse. It appears it may be the timing chain/ tensioner.
While driving on 580 car lost all power without warning. Upon further investigation it was determined that the vacuum pump froze up, bolt on timing gear sheared off and fell into oil pan. Oil pump was destroyed as a result. On 11/7/13 received letter from MINICorp. Regarding a faulty timing chain tensioner with premature wear, which could cause problems. Upon replacement of tensioner assembly, mechanic found a faulty vacuum pump which froze without warning. Oil distribution was compromised. This abrupt loss of power put my entire family in jeopardy, which could have caused bodily injury or death. BMW corporation has been aware of the vacuum pump problem since 2012. Vehicle was purchased used in 3/15/11 with 32K miles. MINICorp lead me to believe that financial assistance may be made available for repairs. I have been declined any assistance for a failed vacuum pump assembly which caused catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle has had reports of similar failure. Highway speed, loss of power, putting vehicle and occupants in peril circumstance, BMW is aware of this issue and refuses to acknowledge design or manufacture/mechanical flaws in the engineering of this motor.
Complete loss of engine oil pressure while surrounded by semis in the 3/4-mile-long big walker mountain tunnel while traveling northbound on I-77 (near Virginia exit 47). Thankfully the engine didn't seize and I was able to pull off once through the tunnel. According to my mechanic, the cause was a check valve in the valve cover, which malfunctioned in a way that created a vacuum and trapped oil in the top part of the engine. Replacement cover had been redesigned to prevent the problem, so it seems to have been a known issue.
The car lost power and would not run at idle speed. After much effort, managed to get the car to the only dealer in the state. After two failed diagnostics and two "repairs, " the dealer says I now need the timing chain replaced. There are known issues about the timing chain and the tensioner. BMW and dealer deny responsibility and now wish to charge an additional $1500 to repair.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fairfield, CA, USA