Thermostat housing began to leak, the part is plastic and had become cracked under normal wear.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

2012 MINICooper countryman manual transmission. Live in a mountainous region in Colorado. Noticed a peculiar smell coming from the car after being stuck in heavy traffic. Had the car serviced and they said everything was good to go. Few days later when on vacation driving through Nevada, the clutch completely gave out & left us stranded from 8:30 at night until 2:30 in the morning before the tow truck could get to us. Dealer verified that the clutch was inoperable and replaced the clutch disk, flywheel, and pressure plate under warranty. Manager said this has been an issue they have seen a few times previously. Now, 12,000 miles (41,000 total) and 6 months later, the same thing as happened. But now, MINIis saying that it's "driver error" or "wear and tear" and not covered. Dealer service manager still acknowledges that this is a problem for the region we live in. However, I am expected to come up with $3,000 to fix this plus keep paying a new car payment. I have driven manual transmission cars/trucks/motorcycles/sports cars for 35 years and never had a problem with a clutch going out on me before. This is my 3rd MINIand it will be the last I will ever own, I can't wait to get rid of it. MINIhas had enough trouble with this that they changed the clutch in the 2013 models. Extremely upset with them as a company that they can't stand behind their product and fess up that they didn't put a clutch in a car that was appropriate to handle the weight of the vehicle. Don't buy one unless you live in the flatlands and don't have to deal with traffic!

- Basalt, CO, USA

Electronic fuel pump failed twice within a year. Manual transmission - clutch does not engage gears properly. Friction point is vague and unengaging. Gear slips. Requires exceedingly high rev. Counts/gas to engage in gear properly. Car stalls more than normal/often. Overall fuel injection/ECU mapping/clutch issues are evidently and repeats to be problem areas despite parts replacement and adjustment (ECU re-map). From the owner's experience, the car stopped accelerating on the freeway due to fuel pump failures (twice) thus creating road hazard for fellow drivers on the freeway at high speed as well as my own personal safety. Also, due to stalling issues off the line, entering freeway after meter-signal is also dangerous in multiple occasions creating potential threat to safety. Manufacturer need to address broad issue of fuel system/powertrain/clutch before anyone gets serious hurt or injured to sudden immobility/stalls. In particular, the clutch in manual transmission is so bad that it does not fulfill the intended function of engaging gears.

- Irvine, CA, USA