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.
While driving the car the engine stalls due to timing chain issues. These timing chain issues were part of a safety recall but this car's vin number doesn't qualify! The car will stall at full speed
There is a cooling system failure in my car that has caused cylinder head issues and head gasket issues. Even though my car is a 2009, it only has about 53,000 miles. I purchased the car in December 2019 and in January 2020 the car overheated while driving and then I noticed the coolant was leaking from the car. I replaced the hose and thermostat. Now in August/September 2020 the car overheated again and there was also leaking from the coolant. I took the car to the mechanic and they said the engine needs major repair work. I recently noticed recalls on this make and model regarding the engine and engine cooling, however based on my experience with this car, I'm thinking this may still be an issue with this car. Additionally, I reviewed the carfax report from the previous owners and there was no information about any resolved recalls. However, I spoke with the BMW dealership that the car had work done at from the previous owner and they said the recalls in 2012 (auxiliary coolant pump) and 2015 (heat shield turbo charger) were resolved. I also confirmed this with another MINIcooper dealership. Based on the carfax report, these recalls may have never been resolved.
The electric auxiliary water pump failed and caused the circuit board to overheat. If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire. Other observation: Misfire present at several cylinders. Intake ports carbonized.
Hello, yesterday afternoon I started my 2009 MINICooper and noted that my gauges suddenly failed. The tach dropped to zero. Suddenly I received a tire pressure warning light. I decided I would move the car to a more favorable location to look under the hood. As I placed the car in reverse I noted that my power steering had failed. I stopped the car immediately and popped the hood. I immediately noticed the smell of burning electrical equipment. I ran down to the basement to grab a wrench to disconnect the battery. When I returned I could hear pops and cracks and noted char on the hood interior. Though the keys were out I continued to hear pops and cracks and felt heat accumulating. I finally got the battery disconnected and the popping stopped. After some investigation I found that the wiring near the power steering module was completely burnt out. The car drove fine the day prior. My wife is 38 weeks pregnant and I am shaken by the idea that this could have happened while she was driving the day before.
- Seattle, WA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
My car I bought as a pre-own and the owner before E had leaks as well. These leaks caused electrical damage on the circuit boards that made the circuit board shoulder and heat up so hot it almost went on fire. Also the tires were the wrong size and sales person would not admit fault so I had to pay to replace them all. I was driving when I felt the car lose control on the highway and streets, then I was driving when car overheated. I paid to fix leaks more than $7000 and still leaking. Now another light bulb is out my back break light so I cannot drive it because that is unsafe to others driving behind me.
Electrical failure since day one bought car as a pre-own. Prior owner history same issues as me. My car almost went on fire, poor performance, leaks and leaks with no reload from $6,000+ repairs. Still leaking. Suspected water damage causing electrical or just faulty electrical. Bulbs go out when car not even driven, canopy broke at service dept and they won't repair free of charge. Battery did not work and issues with key fob recognition.
My car started off with a rough idle and occasionally wouldn't start. The engine light came on and the car became jerky while driving. It has sudden spurts when it wants to take off. I ran the code and got P0012. From there I have replaced multiple parts but I think I landed on the timing chain. I know there was a settlement with these years but for some reason this particular model wasn't included in the settlement
Vehicle was in motion at 55-60 mph. Vehicle cut off and would not start or turnover. 15 minutes of rest and car was started and rpms were fluttering. MINIcooper of grand rapids stated the timing chain was "most likely" "out". they also stated no goodwill assistance could be provided while acknowledging the window, for a previous lawsuit involving thee 2009 MINICooper S, was closed and the defective tensioner and guide rails (to include engine design) were still in my MINIcooper. Car has started once since but will not stay running. Other cases of fuel pumps failing on said model were acknowledged but "no recalls have been issued" said MINIthus not warranting any repair or concern for my failed MINIRepair estimate was 3,985$. after mentioning the previous lawsuit during 2015, a 'random' discount was announced of 10-15% to bring said total to est. 2,900$. my 2009 MINICooper S has had idle and RPM issues/fluctuations for a couple months after previous owner had just replaced the timing chain assembly in January of 2019 with genuine MINIreplacement parts (factory parts causing the same factory defect)
Issues with oil system have lead to engine head failure where oil in mixing with coolant. The coolant reservoir was full of oil. I am experiencing loss of engine power while driving and stalling when coming to a stop. I've been told that it is too dangerous to drive.
Light is coming on and transmission shifts smoothly but when you decelerate it bucks down. It happens anywhere on the roads when driving and you decelerate. The light that indicates issue with transmission, in the book it says I won't be able to shift out of park but there is no issue shifting out of park, so not sure if it is considered electrical or if it is powertrain
Auxiliary water pump failure. Same issue with other identical cars with a recall but this one is not listed. Recall number for this is 18V248000. The same issue is happening with my car but MINIsays it isn't listed.
My 2009 MINICooper S made rattle noise and the whole timing chain got replaced plus the thermostat house and water pump! the engine light still keeps on after trouble-shooting by my mechanics, which might be the computer issue which has to be figured out soon! the timing chain issue should be under fully-covered by manufacturer since too many MINIcooper owner have the same problem and paid thousand of dollars to fix it! my MINIis only about 55K miles and already has timing chain issue!
Recall id #167856 the vehicle was in motion on a highway and it began to smoke, heat and smoke began to arise from the engine after I just picked it up from carmax and was reassured that the car was fixed after paying +900 dollars for my vehicle from being in the shop to not be fixed. VIN number is [xxx] I believe my copper is apart of this recall that occurred in 2012 I leased the vehicle in March 2016 and not even a year later is my car able to drive as the incident described above occurred sometime in fall/winter 2016. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I was driving down the highway and my car gave me a warning that my engine temp was way to high. I was lucky enough to have a good place to stop and check out whay was gong on. I open the hood, the engine is smoking and the coolant reservoir is neat empty. I look and see a pool of antifreeze coming from the thermostat. This is the third thermostat I have installed on this car and the second faulty one I have had in 3 months. This is also the second time I have had to stop on the highway due to a badly leaking thermostat.
This is the 2nd time this happend the car started to acelerate by its self when stopped and the brakes couldn't hold the car back, I then put the car into newtral, then into park tapped the gas and the car acted normal. It was like the car had a mind of its own and just started to go without my foot on the gas pedal. The last time this happend was a year ago.I thought it was a fluke but now it happend again, I am a very good driver but after this happend again I think I might just get rid if this car...it reminded me of the movie chritine when the car had a mind of its own. I was stopped at a light with a car in front of me, the weather was 45 degrees and was driving for about 15 minutes already when it happend
Car went into limp gear mode on freeway, high RPM at 40 mph. Vehicle shipped to MINIdealer 05/09/17 saying there was a transmission error code. Dealer said they tested vehicle and it wasn't the transmission it needed a water pump and cylinder need valve cover. 67,117 miles on odometer. Also front cv axle boot leaking. Had repairs done ($1692.58) after discount. At time of pickup, dealer asked to keep the vehicle a few more days to double check the transmission. A few days later they say yes there is a transmission error with the car going at higher highway speeds and it will need a new transmission! cost ($9000) I did not have this done.the service advisor told me the vehicle was not safe to drive! this vehicle is driven by my 16 year old daughter to and from school!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lincolnton , NC, USA