Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
SIM-17-01-1002/01/201110040741Ready09/12/2011
SIM-17-01-1002/01/201110040741Bmw: engine too hot message is displayed with stored trouble codes. the water pump doesnt power up. *rm09/12/2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
SB-122706/01/201110040664Ready09/07/2011
SB-122706/01/201110040664Bmw service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. there may be a problem with a vapor recovery pump which will cause the service engine soon light to come on. *rm09/07/2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - TURBO-CHARGER
SI-M-11-03-0807/01/200810026767Mini: turbocharger failure; oil supply line blockage. loss of performance and turbocharger noise. *pe12/15/2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - OTHER FUEL TYPES - TURBO-CHARGER
SI-M-11-03-0807/01/200810026767Mini: turbocharger failure; oil supply line blockage. loss of performance and turbocharger noise. *pe12/15/2008
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

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PE11036BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC10/11/201106/11/2012Engine compartment fire12V161000
 In a january 10, 2012 letter to nhtsa, bmw of north america, llc. (bmw) submitted a defect information report (dir) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (my) 2007-2011 mini cooper vehicles manufactured from november 14, 2006 through january 18, 2011 (recall 12v-008).according to bmw, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. if smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.the pump supplier, pierburg pump technology gmbh, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.the redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by january 2011.recall 12v-008 was the third recall initiated by bmw to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with pierburg pumps.in two october 20, 2011 letters to nhtsa, bmw submitted dirs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 my 2008-2011 bmw 5-series, 7-series, x5 and x6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from may 2008 through december 2010 (recall 11v-521); and for approximately 589 my 2010 rolls-royce ghost vehicles manufactured from september 2009 through september 2010 (recall 11v-522).in three separate april 5, 2012 letters to nhtsa, bmw submitted amendments to recalls 11v-521, 11v-522 and 12v-008.the amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump
PE11036BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC10/11/201106/11/2012Engine compartment fire12V166000
 In a january 10, 2012 letter to nhtsa, bmw of north america, llc. (bmw) submitted a defect information report (dir) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (my) 2007-2011 mini cooper vehicles manufactured from november 14, 2006 through january 18, 2011 (recall 12v-008).according to bmw, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. if smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.the pump supplier, pierburg pump technology gmbh, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.the redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by january 2011.recall 12v-008 was the third recall initiated by bmw to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with pierburg pumps.in two october 20, 2011 letters to nhtsa, bmw submitted dirs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 my 2008-2011 bmw 5-series, 7-series, x5 and x6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from may 2008 through december 2010 (recall 11v-521); and for approximately 589 my 2010 rolls-royce ghost vehicles manufactured from september 2009 through september 2010 (recall 11v-522).in three separate april 5, 2012 letters to nhtsa, bmw submitted amendments to recalls 11v-521, 11v-522 and 12v-008.the amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump
PE11036BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC10/11/201106/11/2012Engine compartment fire12V008000
 In a january 10, 2012 letter to nhtsa, bmw of north america, llc. (bmw) submitted a defect information report (dir) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (my) 2007-2011 mini cooper vehicles manufactured from november 14, 2006 through january 18, 2011 (recall 12v-008).according to bmw, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. if smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.the pump supplier, pierburg pump technology gmbh, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.the redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by january 2011.recall 12v-008 was the third recall initiated by bmw to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with pierburg pumps.in two october 20, 2011 letters to nhtsa, bmw submitted dirs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 my 2008-2011 bmw 5-series, 7-series, x5 and x6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from may 2008 through december 2010 (recall 11v-521); and for approximately 589 my 2010 rolls-royce ghost vehicles manufactured from september 2009 through september 2010 (recall 11v-522).in three separate april 5, 2012 letters to nhtsa, bmw submitted amendments to recalls 11v-521, 11v-522 and 12v-008.the amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump
PE11036BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC10/11/2011Engine compartment fire
 The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 12 complaints of engine compartment fire in model years 2007 and 2008 mini cooper s vehicles, including 5 alleging engulfing fires resulting in a total vehicle loss.eight complaints alleged fires had occurred while the vehicles were parked with the ignition off.the complaints show an apparent increasing trend with most complaints received within the past year.in addition, odi has reviewed field reports submitted as part of early warning reporting data that relate to the alleged defect.a preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the cause, scope and frequency of the alleged defect.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE
10/29/2012344081
 I just purchased a pre-owned 2008 mini cooper s 2months ago... i just started having a cold start issue since when i bought the car it was hot out and now since the temp has dropped the car has a chatter coming from the engine bay. i have searched all over the internet and i have seen there are many coopers with the same issue and many have replaced timing chains for almost $2000 and the manufacturer isn't bringing a recall to attention. i work in a dealership as a sales person and many mechanics are saying is a timing issue. i feel loss of power and now feel the car can die at any moment. please make mini open and investigation in this matter. *tr
10/29/201234408
 I just purchased a pre-owned 2008 mini cooper s 2months ago... i just started having a cold start issue since when i bought the car it was hot out and now since the temp has dropped the car has a chatter coming from the engine bay. i have searched all over the internet and i have seen there are many cooopers with the same issue and many have replaced timing chains for almost $2000 and the manufacturer isnt bringing a recall to attention. i work in a dealership as a sales person and many mechanics are saying is a timing issue. i feel loss of power and now feel the car can die at any moment. please make mini open and investigation in this matter.
10/06/201259000
 These cars come with a faulty timing chain. mini cooper won't do a recall on the vehicle. i am having to pay 1500.00 to fix this issue and the i have no warranty. i have heard from many and seen the reviews about this issue. it happens to vehicle owners with less miles. mini needs to make a recall for this issue. these are pricey cars but if mini has done a misfunctions while building the car they should own up to it and get it fix.
07/31/2012480001
 I own a 08 mini cooper clubman with 48,000 miles and the warranty just ran out on june 2812: i took it in for a repair in may and no one at this dealer mentioned the timing belt tensioner! i was driving down my road and thank god the speed limit was only 35 when suddenly the belt jumped and my car lost its engine: took it to my local station and they looked inside and said something came loose from the inside of engine and tore it up and i need a new engine: so i called dealer and corp and they say i need to spend money to get their techs to look at it and not my mechanic:so i got on line and investigated the problem and found this is a common problem from mini with a defective tensioner which out of no where without warning flys off: mini refuses to fix these problems and every mechanic says it is not the owners problem and a belt should never fly off: further the belt on lt breaks when it flies in the pistons and breaks other parts of the engine: mini will wait until someone is killed while driving down a highway and it needs to be addressed! a complaint is signed with over 850 signing it and hope many more but i still think it is a serious issue enough where you should get involved: mini is screwing the people and refuse to admit this is a defective part and in most cases wont pay for the new engine while we still owe thousands on the car: please get involved and make mini corp pay for the damages that they cause by refusing to fix this problem once and for all: no timing belt should have to be adjusted and surely a timing belt should last 80,000 miles: this company is cheap and is waiting for a disaster!! please please help the people and make mini take care of their faulty parts!!![xxx] ## vin passed ## 08 mini cooper clubman s ## information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
04/02/201239000
 Timing chain and tensioner failure at 39k, common premature failure part on this engine when i looked online. we love our clubman, but just glad it didn't happen when we were on the interstate!
12/28/201135000
 Car caught fire and burned up (totaled) in my driveway after it was shut off. fire started in the engine compartment about 10 minutes after i shut it off and got out of the car. it nearly burned down my house too -- front steps and fence caught fire before the fire department got there and extinguished the fire. have photos to document.
05/05/201170000
 Shortfall of timing chain tensioner causing oil to be pumped out of the engine resulting in catastropic engine problems and/or timing chain issues
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
11/27/200930001
 Mini cooper clubman s rough rattle in the engine compartment upon ignition of the vehicle. sounds like a lifter. continues until 1 minute of operation then subsides. *tr