2007 MINI Cooper S: engine stalls while driving

Filed Oct 18, 2013 · Engine · 11,562 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mini cooper s. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and over-heated, causing smoke to emit from under the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 11,562 and the current mileage was 53,000.

Filed May 31, 2013 · Engine · 41,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mini cooper s. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic for inspection and they stated that the timing change needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 41,000. Updated 07/12/13

Filed Nov 15, 2012 · Engine · 48,000 miles · MD

A car stopped short in my path causing me to brake hard and stall. Since I didn't apply the clutch during the emergency stop I pressed the clutch pedal to the floor in an attempt to restart the engine. When it failed after several attempts I had it towed to mini of baltimore. They told me it had no compression and that the exhaust cam had jumped 180 degrees out of timing. This sounds like a timing belt tensioner problem the service manager gave me an estimate of $2800. After further research I found this is a common problem but mini won't issue a recall for this common problem.

Filed Aug 24, 2012 · Engine · 60,800 miles · IL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mini cooper s. While driving approximately 35 MPH the contact noticed a burning odor. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder and noticed small flames and smoke coming from under the hood. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a blanket. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician stated that the oil return line that was connected to the turbo charger had began leaking oil and caused the fire. The vehicle was repaired however, after the repair the contact was driving approximately 65 MPH when the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time for diagnostic testing. The technician then stated that the turbo charger and the engine would have to be replaced. The technician stated that the turbo charger could have been damaged during the fire. In addition, the contact had previously experienced intermittent stalling and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the timing belt tensioner was replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 60,800.

Filed Apr 23, 2012 · Engine · 36,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mini cooper s. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine warning indicator began to illuminate as a loud rattling noise emitting from the engine area. The vehicle suddenly stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who was unable to duplicate the problem or determine the cause of failure. The malfunction continued to occur. Most recently the vehicle was taken to an independent auto shop and they stated the engine timing tensioner and the high pressure fuel pump would need to be replaced. The technician advised the vehicle be taken to a dealer for repair. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Apr 15, 2012 · Engine · 48,715 miles · CA

6/2011, vehicle began making loud rattling noise after starting up in the morning and during acceleration while driving. Took it to local mini service center and was told nothing was wrong with the car, noise was related to type of gas being used (if not chevron or shell, gas could cause noise is what I was told). 4/2011, noise began to get worse. Scheduled service appointment with same local service center for may 7th, 2012 (a month out for first appointment) as well as to address a recall issue related to recall campaign 12v‑008 electric auxiliary water pump. Work not completed because on 4/13/12, check engine light came on while driving and then vehicle stalled out and would not restart. After local repair show diagnosed, failure was found to be with timing chain tensioner failing causing damage to engine. Solution=replacement of engine at a cost of $6,300. Mileage at time of failure was 62,218. Repairs not covered by mini as vehicle is now out of warranty. Repairs not completed. Recall needs to be issued to have this common and known failure fixed.

Filed Apr 3, 2012 · Engine · 50,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mini copper s. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v008000 (engine and engine cooling) and took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs the contact was advised that the parts needed for repair were on back order until april 13, 2012. The contact made an appointment for the that date, but continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle later stalled without warning and towed to a mini specialist who determined that the electric auxiliary pump failed. The failure destroyed the engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The failure and the current mileage was 50,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2012 · Engine · 34,481 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mini cooper s. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer diagnosed the failure and determined that the timing chain was separated from the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and the current mileage was 34,481.

Filed Mar 1, 2012 · Engine · 65,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mini cooper s. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose power abnormally and would sporadically stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the spark plugs failed. The failure recurred and the contact discovered that the failure was caused by a failure with the timing chain assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 65,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2011 · Fuel system · 40,865 miles · AZ

Improper idle. Stalling, deiseling when cold started.

Filed Jun 30, 2011 · Engine · 81,000 miles · NY

2007 mini cooper s: cold start rattle had been an on-again, off-again problem, but since I'd had the timing chain tensioner changed while the car was still under warranty, I didn't make the connection. At 81,000 miles, I was driving when the red oil light came on. This was the first and only indication of a problem. I stopped at the next gas station, got some synthetic oil, and put in 2 quarts. I continued on my way, but the oil light had not gone off. Within about 1-2 miles, as I was entering a highway, the car began making a very loud rattling noise and then stalled. I was able to get to the shoulder. I called mini roadside assistance, but after about 15 mins. On the phone, they finally figured out that they were not authorized to tow off this interstate. I got an authorized towing co. To come, and I let them tow it to their local garage. The next day they told me that the engine had ceased and would need to be replaced. The following day I had the car towed to prestige mini to determine if this was, in fact, what had happened. They diagnosed the same thing, said there was no way to know the cause, and quoted me $6400 to replace the engine (which they ultimately brought down to $5600). At 81k miles, there is no reason this engine should have ceased. Plus, I had no warning that there was something wrong with the car--no "check engine" light, no "check oil" light until it was too late. Based on what I've read, now about the 2007 mini, I am certain this was defect related. How do I prove that? I'm at the mercy of the dealership.

Filed Jun 13, 2011 · Engine · 50,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mini cooper s. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start in cold weather until after three to four attempts. There were also noticed rattling noises coming from the engine while driving at various speeds. On another occasion, the vehicle stalled while driving 70 MPH without any warning. The vehicle was then inspected by a dealer and they advised her that she needed to replace the vacuum pump, timing chains and the high pressure pump. Each part was replaced within one year of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.