2007 MINI Cooper S: check engine light

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Electrical · MI

The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the sunroof was inoperative. The contact waited for several minutes for the sunroof to return to normal operation. The "Passenger Air Bag Disabled" message was displayed on the instrument panel; however, the passenger’s seat was occupied. The infotainment system was unintentionally turned on while the vehicle was turned off. The check engine and low tire pressure warning light were intermittently illuminated. The failures occurred on several different occasions. The contact stated that there was no local dealer; a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 27, 2019 · Steering · 129,000 miles · IL

I have been driving mini s 2007 for more than a year with no serious issues other than one check engine light issue, which was resolved simply by a mechanic check at bmw service center. On sunday evening may 26, 2019, as I was planning to go out, I observed the steering alert sign on. I tried restarting and shutting off engine multiple times thinking it may be an electronic aberration which may be kicked away by brute force of restarting the ignition. After 30-45 minutes of this fruitless exercise, I turned my attention online where I found numerous auto blogs of starting the car with jumpers battery to replacing power steering fluid. Since mini service was closed, I had to seek help from my insurance company. They sent a person after two hours to use jumpers, but that did not help either. We were able to check the power steering fluid , and that was also full to the mark. On further research online, I discovered to my utter disappointment that mini coopers have been plagued with power steering issues due to inherent flaw of placement and design of power steering pump. It is very well documented across reputed car journals/magazines that the power steering pump failure will definitely happen in mini coopers, and the only variable is the time. I was thoroughly crestfallen given I had placed so much trust in the brand and the quality of mini cooper. The purpose of this complaint is two pronged- one is obviously to highlight the problem once again and making sure mini engineers solve this problem in their engineering design processes. Second- is to request to have the power steering issue fixed in my car by mini. Given that the issue has basis in the inherent flaw of the design, I believe mini cooper will waive off the cost of services and parts to get this issue fixed. This is not usual wear and tear whose costs should be borne by the customer.

Filed Mar 9, 2016 · Engine · 23,000 miles · FL

I arrived in country 2007 have had problem with the ck engine light and noise from the engine, the large check engine over stering wheel blk and engine light in hector meter orange. Ive had in shop many time for this problem latest was sept 2015 said to carbin $1232.00 december 2015 $599.00 driving minium the engine run when the car is engine is off. Also pk up hill the will move when the emg bks or up and geir in nutural.

Filed Feb 1, 2016 · Engine · 90,000 miles · TX

Engine failure occurred when driving on major freeway at posted speed limited of 75 MPH. Pulling off on slip road due to engine stopping. Only after full stop did engine warning lights come on. Checked under hood and found coolant had evacuated the system. Engine would not restart. Towed to mechanic and found that the gear shifter had worn through coolant hose due to engineering defect.

Filed Dec 9, 2014 · Engine · 99,700 miles · CA

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. Mini of 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.

Filed Jun 11, 2014 · Engine · 78,000 miles · ND

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 mini dealership 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. Mini/bmw is well aware of the issue but still does not cover this recurring problem. This is an expensive repair and unknowing mini owners 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.

Filed Nov 26, 2013 · Engine · 87,210 miles · PA

Received a letter from mini on 11/16/13 notifying me of possibility of faulty chain tensioner, which needed to be "checked for wear and replaced if necessary," and that I should contact an authorized mini dealer to arrange an appointment. No indication that the vehicle should not be driven. Two days later (11/18/13), just as I was about to schedule an appointment, the vehicle began to shake, then the red engine light came on, so I shut down the vehicle and had it towed first to the import shop that normally services the mini then, after consultation with that mechanic about mini's recall letter, had it towed to a mini dealership, where it now sits waiting for diagnosis and news about what any damage might cost to repair, whether I will be responsible for it, and whether I will be reimbursed for two tow charges and a car rental.

Filed Apr 12, 2013 · Transmission · 54,500 miles · NC

I purchased the vehicle as is from a small local lot january of 2013, everything checked out as perfect. I love the car. Was driving home from work and luckily I was about 10 miles from home and at the speed of 35 MPH when it felt like it was stuck in a gear (car is automatic) then I noticed my check engine light came on. I remained at the speed of 35mph or lower because I didn't want to take any chances. Then my brake light came on which made me think I had brake issues. I parked it lifted the hood and it was extremely hot and you could hear the fans running extra hard. We took it to a local guy to look at it as he told us he just had a mini in with same issue weeks before and aaa came to tow it to hendrick mini in charlotte. They thought it was value stems and etc find out a few hours later not the case I need a whole new transmission. The car is a '07 with only 54k miles on it in perfect condition. Makes no sense. Mini/bmw us has heard of my complaint and has told me there is nothing they will do to make it right. If you ask me from everything I've read online this needs to be a recall as everyone has had the same issue. This is very unsafe and I can't afford $9k to pay for a new transmission. I loved my mini cooper but as it stands right now I'm car less and left making payments on a car I cannot even drive and it is sitting in the shop on hold for the time being. Mini/bmw needs to realize all of the customers they are losing over this.

Filed Feb 25, 2013 · Engine · 65,852 miles · FL

On 2/4/13 had my car taken to global imports bmw/mini dealership on 5925 peachstreet ind.blvd.atlanta,ga. (the cylinder head cover had to be replaced,was leaking, I paid $1291.45 for the service). I picked up my car on 2/5/13, according to them is was good to go. Started heading back home, when the engine light popped up again, the car started smoking,shaking,it would not drive higher than 40miles., got off I-75 in macon ga, called roadside services, had car towed back to the dealership mentioned above for repairs. They kept it for a week. They call on 2/20/13 telling my the car was ready for pick up. I returned to atlanta the following day 2/21/13. They charged me for service $3,991.57 . Headed back to florida on 2/23/13, and not even half way, on I-75, the engine light popped up again, the car would not higher than 40miles, had car towed to the mini of south atlanta dealership in union city,and im awaiting to hear from them when to come and pick up my car. When the recall was first announced,I tried to contact bmw/mini headquaters, they told me I will receive a letter in the mail regarding the recall,which I never received. I need help forcing these people to be responsible, fix my car or if not reimburse all the money I have invested in repair (not only in atlanta but in florida as well). Please I need your advise. A very frustrated mini cooper s driver .

Filed Nov 28, 2012 · Engine · 52,000 miles · CO

I own a 2007 mini cooper s, that I purchased brand new in june of 2007. I immediately fell in love with the car and knew that this would be the last car I would ever own. It is a $31,000 car that I have blood, sweat, and tears made expensive ($560/month) payments on for the last five years. About two years into owning this car, I noticed when it was cold out that my mini would get what is now known as "the death rattle". When I called ralph schomp mini (where I had purchased it), they told me that the noise was nothing that I had to worry about and that it just had to do with cold weather. A year after that my mini would struggle to get moving, I thought it was a battery problem, again the mechanics at ralph schomp mini told me not to worry about it, again just cold weather. A couple weeks ago, I noticed that my car was acting up severely. The check engine light came on. Then a couple days later it went off and it seemingly stopped having issues. About a week after that, it started acting up again and the check engine light came back on. I attempted to take it to another auto place to have it diagnosed, but it was non-conclusive, and the symptoms only got worse. I had my mini towed back to ralph schomp mini, and their diagnosis resulted in saying that the timing chain tensioner malfunctioned and had come loose which did significant damage to the engine and that I would need to replace the engine. An engine supposedly built to last at least to 250,000 miles only made it until 52,000 miles and will cost me as much as $8,000 to repair. My warranty expired literally six months ago, and I am only about three months away from having her paid off. In looking up this issue online, many other 2007 mini owners have also had this issue. I am incredibly disappointed in the entire situation, and would encourage a recall to be issued on 2007 mini cooper s.

Filed Oct 24, 2012 · Engine · 43,483 miles · PA

Check engine light on and off intermittently; engine rough on start up; sounds like rattling chains when shifting; mini said our oil was too low subsequently destroying our timing chain; tech was amazed that the chain guides were shorn off as well; mini does not have a check oil indicator light on the console; we change our oil every 5000 miles even though mini recommends every 15000. So, we had to replace the timing chain on a 5 year old car with less than 44,000 miles. Complained to mini corporation and proceeded with conflict resolution expert. Mini denied our claim because our oil was low at the time of the incident. Repair cost $1,950.83 and we are still making a car payment on this newer vehicle. Researched similar complaints on the internet as well as talking with 3 acquaintances who own a mini. We are fortunate we caught this issue before we had to replace our engine. According to their website, bmw/mini finds oil usage at 1 quart per 1000 miles as acceptable. If that is the case, they need to install a check oil indicator light on the console and change their maintenance schedule from 15000 to 3000 miles.

Filed Sep 17, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 58,000 miles · CT

I bought my 2007 mini used 1 month ago. When I went to test drive the car the engine would not start and there was a check engine light on. The dealer told me that they would have it fixed and call me back in for a test drive. I went back and when the car started it had a very slight rattle that eventually went away. Now in the month time that I have had the car it takes me 6 or 7 tries to get the engine to start, and when it runs it has the rattle that has plagued so many other mini owners. Enough is enough. Action must be taken to correct the inadequacy of the inferior timing chain set up. The dealer has told me that it is a "normal" mini noise and that I would have to get used to it. That is in a sense a "cop out" for a problem that is heavily known in the mini community and that bmw mini is well aware of. This is a major mechanical defect in the car and bmw mini need to own up to repair with an updated and current corrective action or replace the engines for all the loyal mini owners experiencing this very costly problem that could lead to total driveline failure. We paid for a good running reliable vehicle and are not getting what we paid for.