Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
SIM-17-02-0712/01/200710032985Mini: electric cooling fan runs after engine is shut off. after the engine is shut off, the electric cooling fan continues to run. due to the operating strategy of the dme, the electric cooling fan may continue to run after the engine is06/21/2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
SIM-17-02-0712/01/200710032985Mini: electric cooling fan runs after engine is shut off. after the engine is shut off, the electric cooling fan continues to run. due to the operating strategy of the dme, the electric cooling fan may continue to run after the engine is06/21/2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
11010409/01/200410009756Voluntary emissions recall campaign 04e-a03 - replace crankcase breather line. the crankcase ventilation breather hose may soften and eventually may collapse after extended time in service. a hissing or humming noise may be noticed during10/20/2004
12010405/01/200512010410009755Voluntary emissions recall campaign 04e-a01 - reprogram dme for tank leakage diagnostics. tank leakage diagnostics does not run correctly due to an error in the dme software. as a result, the check engine soon light will not be illuminate10/20/2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
SIM-12-04-0905/01/201110040372Ready08/24/2011
SIM-12-04-0905/01/201110040372Bmw: the crimping process of the oxygen sensor could lead to an electrical failure inside the sensor. there may be a malfunction light on with a fault code stored. *rm08/24/2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
SI-M-18-01-0904/01/200910030668Mini: due to a failure in the production process,the catalytic converter may deteriorate causing an increased level of vehicle emissions. the catalyst efficiency fault code (276a) will be stored in the dme memory, and the service engine s11/09/2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CRANKCASE (PCV)
SIM-11-07-0811/01/201010037305Ready05/18/2011
SIM-11-07-0811/01/201010037305Bmw: description and specifications of crankcase ventilation system. *rm05/18/2011

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
03/26/2012113000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper s. while driving at approximately 55 mph noticed smoke emitting from underneath the hood. the contact stopped the vehicle and upon opening the hood he noticed a flame. there was also a flame underneath the vehicle. the contact was able to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not inspected. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 113,000. ds
11/09/201048000
 My 2003 mini cooper has almost caught on fire several times, replaced transmision, electrical harness, power steering pump, a/c hoses and a/c service, weel bearings, injection plugs etc....... i still cannot find the real problem why is causing a short, it has almost caugh on fire several times, this car has been the most dangerous car i have ever own, i have never spend so much money on trying to fix any vehicle, right now i'm about $11,500 in costs of repairs, this is a crime to the consumer, i have been reading about a class action lawsuit that is in progress, i hope and pray that we get justice from the maker of mini.
04/18/200468600
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. the contact had the transmission replaced three times. in addition, the brackets that support the muffler have rotted. underneath the hood, the brackets that support the horn have also rotted. the contact will take the vehicle to the dealer again for another repair. the failure and current mileages were 68,600.
10/16/200610000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. upon taking the vehicle in for an oil change, it was discovered that the driver side struts needed to be replaced. approximately four months later, the passenger side strut needed to be replaced. the front and rear brakes were also replaced and the vehicle had an oil pan leak. the driver's and passenger side window motors failed and needed to be replaced. the current mileage was 12,900 and failure mileage was 10,000.
07/14/2004100004
 After the 10,000 mile oil change was performed, the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt, it idled rough and sometimes stalled when stopped at a traffic light without warning. the dealership has reprogrammed the computer, drained the fuel and put in other grade of fuel. *jb after numerous attempts, the fuel pump and injectors were replaced but remained to lose fuel pressure overnight. *sc
09/30/20034000208/02/2003
 Mini cooper 2003 cvt stalls in slow traffic or starting from stop light. the check engine light goes on; however, the engine shuts off. in addition, it has happened twice in a month considering that the vehicle is only a month old. also, the cvt transmission is very jerky and could surge on an occasional basis. informed that it's a software problem and no repair is needed at this point. i think it is a serious safety issue. *la
08/10/2003800999908/08/2003
 My mini cooper july 2003 build has what is referred to as either a stumble or a hiccup. basically what happens is that the engine momentarily cuts out when accelerating from a stop, causing a pause and than resumiing with a jolt. this problem is being complained about by numerous mini owners for over 1 year (see numerous complaints on this subject at http://www.minicooperonline.com/mod...opic&topic=9951 and also at mini2.com yet the mini dealers claim ignorance about the problem, or say they have heard of a few complaints on the s but not on the cooper. some mini usa reps (1-866-ask-mini) admit it is a known issue on both the cooper and the cooper s. othes claim ignorance. they give people different responses, but generally when they do admit it is a known issue they also say that engineering is collecting complaints or they are working on a fix but they offer no projected fix date at all. they do take some people's vin number when filing the complaint, but say they have no system of letting you know if or when a fix is to be expected. we mini owners are frustrated over this ongoing, annoying, and potentially lethal defect. mini should be put to the task of repairing this issue or to stop selling the car period. they are fully aware that they are selling cars which has this defect wtih no fix. they are stealing (misrepresentation) and endangering the public.
05/15/20034
 While driving at any speed and without any prior warning vehicle will stall. consumer has made contact with the dealer on four separate occasions, but problem still occurs. *ak
06/06/20032
 Intermittently while driving vehicle at 55 mph engine is losing power and won't pass the 20 mph. dealer has inspected the vehicle several times, and could not duplicate or correct the problem.*ak
12/22/20025501
 While driving 30 mph or less the vehicle stalled. *nlm
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
08/11/201181000
 I own a 2003 mini cooper automatic and i've already had to have the power steering pump and the cooling fan replaced twice, and now, only a year later after my 2nd replacement and a few thousand dollars later, it needs to be replaced for a third time. the care only has 80,000 miles on it. this is costly and a safety issue for drivers. i will never buy another car by mini or bmw
11/09/201048000
 My 2003 mini cooper has almost caught on fire several times, replaced transmision, electrical harness, power steering pump, a/c hoses and a/c service, weel bearings, injection plugs etc....... i still cannot find the real problem why is causing a short, it has almost caugh on fire several times, this car has been the most dangerous car i have ever own, i have never spend so much money on trying to fix any vehicle, right now i'm about $11,500 in costs of repairs, this is a crime to the consumer, i have been reading about a class action lawsuit that is in progress, i hope and pray that we get justice from the maker of mini.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
11/26/200760000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. when the contact would turn off the vehicle, she could still hear the motor fan running. she took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the power steering hose and fan needed to be replaced. the vehicle has not been repaired because the warranty expired, and the contact would be responsible for the repair costs. also, all of the windows on her vehicle would spontaneously open. she took the vehicle to the dealer and a technician deactivated the convenience power system for the power windows. after the repair, the failures continued. the contact called the manufacturer, but they did not provide any assistance. the failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 73,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
11/26/20031800201/10/2003
 While driving on a low speed, stop and go traffic in the freeway the car suddenly stalled and i was stopped in the first lane of the freeway. i tried to re-start the engine several times with no sucess, after waiting a few minutes the engine started. i was very lucky that the suv driving behind was able to stop but not before hitting my bumper. this is the second time it happened, the first time it happened i was in the middle of the street and had the car towed but the engine started as soon as i got to the dealer and they told me that they could only check when the the cars is stalled. i have 2 little kids and i am scared to drive with the car.*ak
11/08/2003150001
 While driving 65 mph vehicle stalled. consumer was unable to restart the vehicle, but managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. *ak
3
 When sitting at a traffic light, the vehicle had the tendency to shut down completely. the driver must wait several minutes before attempting to start the vehicle again. the vehicle had been to the dealership 3 times. each time, the dealership claimed to have repaired the vehicle, but the same problem recurred. *ak *scc *jb
07/16/2003212/22/2002
 Mini cooper stalled on two seperate occasions during low speed/stop and go traffic
04/10/20031
 Consumer states that while driving and with no warning the vehicle will stall and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. dealer notified.*ak
06/14/2003400011/29/2003
 The car has multiple daily engine stumbles and has stalled 3 times since owning the new car for the past 7 months. the stalls have been while driving at low speeds. *nlm
04/05/2003404/05/2003
 On 4 separate occasions, the vehicle lost power when driving, which resulted in an instant deceleration below 1500 rpms. the dealer was unable to duplicate or diagnose the problem. vehicle is a 2003 mini-cooper cvt.*ak *ts *jb
05/25/20031500304/29/2003
 When the vehicle took off from a stop, at times the vehicle lost power. *jb. lost of throttle control, engine braking effect in first gear slows car rapidly while traffic is bearing down*ts *jb