Our 2005 mini cooper s has been plagued with an engine problems since we first purchased it in july of 2005. While driving, the engine suddenly loses power causing the vehicle to stop suddenly. This problem has occurred while driving at a speed of 65 MPH on a major highway. We've contacted the dealer a number of times and requested service appointments. We have been told each time that it is not necessary to bring the car in and that the problem is being caused by a loose gas cap. Living in the state of nj where you cannot pump your own gas, we consistently remind the gas attendant to properly attach the gas cap and we check the cap after getting gas. The problem is still occurring. However, regardless of whether or not the problem is being caused by the gas cap, this is a huge safety hazard. My wife was 8 months pregnant and driving the car on the highway one of the first times this occurred. She was stuck in oncoming traffic for 10 minutes while trying to get the vehicle restarted. If this problem is not addressed very soon, someone is going to be seriously injured.
2005 MINI Cooper engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 14 of 14, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving this vehicle it has frequently gone into what dealers and other owners call "limp mode". It basically loses all power while driving. This has happened in the middle of intersections and is entirely unsafe and unacceptable. It would not be acceptable for any car to stall this often let alone a new car. This car is months old and we are having significant safety problems. I have come to find out that the manufacturer is well aware of this and has made several unsuccessful attempts at repairing them although they have never notified any owner or done a formal recall campaign (according to bmw customer service rep.). This is outrageous considering what is at stake . This is a major mechanical safety problem not a convenience item failure. I encourage everyone who owns this vehicle to address this with your dealers before it starts happening to your vehicle. We only found out that there were things to be done when art dealer looked at our VIN number at our request. No notice was given, and others seem to report the problem continuing after the current fix is applied. Good luck!
On 3 different occasions after traveling a few hundred yards or so our mini would suddenly lose power and go into a "limp mode" as we move from either a stop sign or traffic signal. This would cause the vehicle to stop in the intersection causing a potentially hazardous condition. The vehicles ses check engine light also comes on. We have taken our vehicle in for service three times to get this defect addressed. Mini states that it is a "known" problem with the current software. I now have a third version of the software, but we are afraid to drive the car to "test" it out. I hope either mini or the federal safety agency will post a recall on this dangerous condition.
Started vehicle in the evening when leaving work then drove out onto the street and the vehicle stopped. The throttle would not do anything and the car wouldn't move. The dealer said a temperature sensor told the computer it was out of range and sent the automatic transmission into a limp mode. After pulling over and restarting the car it was possible to drive it home, but the service engine light was on. The vehicle was only 1 month old. The dealer has replaced two map sensors and an electronic throttle motor, but it's not supposed to be fixed until they correct the software. There are 7 mini cooper s automatics with the same problem at this dealer and many more throughout the u.s.
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