2008 MINI Cooper S: engine stalls while driving

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Engine · 57,000 miles · NJ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mini cooper s. While driving 60 MPH, smoke appeared from the vehicle and the service engine, coolant, and oil warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle stalled and was able to be restarted after several attempts. The contact stated that coolant was added on two occasions, but the coolant indicator illuminated one week later. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the thermostat, water pump, and engine were melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v008000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2014 · Engine · 63,000 miles · AZ

I was driving on freeway and car just stalled. I made it to side of freeway. It was a very dangerous situation being on freeway in small car that stalled. Luckily, I was driving in the far right lane so I was able to make it to the shoulder. Repair shop advised that timing chain broke. There was additional serious collateral engine damage due to timing chain breaking. Car is perfectly maintained and regularly serviced.

Filed May 25, 2011 · Engine · 20,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 mini cooper s. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who advised him that the timing belt tensioners needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. A few days later he heard a noise coming in the engine after the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who advised him that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 24,552 miles · NJ

2008 mini cooper s. The vehicle had a complete electrical and engine failure with no notice. While driving on interstate 287 in nj with absolutely no notice the car lost total power. Every warning light illuminated on the dash, all gauges dropped to zero, no power whatsoever from the engine, no way to open windows or door locks as their was a complete and total electrical and mechanical failure of this vehicle - there was absolutely no notice. One moment the vehicle was operating normally and the next I had complete and total mechanical, engine and electrical failure rendering the car disabled and without power in the middle lane of interstate 287 south in morristown nj. Vehicle brought to mini dealer; vehicle there for almost 2 weeks-supposedly "fixed". The same problem happened a second time within 100 miles of that first service. Vehicle brought to mini dealer again. Happened a third time for the service technician while he drove the car home from princeton to pa. Vehicle was at mini for another 2 and one half weeks. Now they say it is fixed and I do not feel confident they are correct. This problem is without warning and leaves the vehicle permanently disabled in a total and complete way that can lead to serious injury or death for the occupants. Mini customer service was abhorrent. They would not return calls and stalled time and again when asked to repurchase this vehicle which is clearly unsafe. They will do nothing. The federal safety agency must investigate. The only part they tell me is wrong is the footwell module but will be no more specific. Mini must be held accountable for this defect and failure; this is of very serious nature. Again, the car completely fails-everything-engine, electrical, all power you can not open door locks, windows or the rear hatch. The engine losses all power. Please investigate.

Filed Apr 9, 2009 · Transmission · 11,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 mini cooper s. While driving approximately 35 MPH on normal road conditions, the clutch failed without warning. Immediately, the vehicle stalled in the center of an intersection. Roadside assistance was called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and they stated that the failure was due to abusive operation of the clutch. The vehicle is currently in the process of being repaired; however, the defective component is not covered in the service warranty. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 11,000.