Engine issues Engine leaks over heating seal gasket Timing bell Engine missed firing
2010 MINI Cooper engine problems
40 complaints (43% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 50,600.
- owner complaints
- 40
- of this car's complaints
- 43%
- typical mileage
- 50,600
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2
- Exhaust system1
- Engine1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
MINI Cooper engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 MINI Cooper engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2010 MINI Cooper owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On Thursday I was driving my 2010 Mini Cooper S with 75,000 miles on it and there was a total and sudden power outage on the high way. I was able to get to the breakdown lane and had it towed. My mini certified garage ran the computer on it and the car started right up. It was due for an inspection so we did an oil and filter and put on some new tires. No issues were found and car was running well. We picked it up on Friday and Saturday morning after a short drive I was parking and smoke started pouring out from behind the steering wheel. I ran inside a coffee shop for help and they asked if there were flames. I went back out and opened the car door and there was loud noise and the hood was in flames. The entire dash was melted, the hood had a hole burned in it and with the fire rescue interventions the car was a total loss. No one was injured.
In an attempt to resolve persistent rough running engine issue, mechanic discovered that the timing chain guides failed (broke apart) and that plastic pieces of the guides migrated into the engine oil system.
Engine stalling Oil pan leaks Caused the engine to shut down when slowing down or sitting in traffic on highway. No warning lights prior to incidents Only right after
The FRM module on my 2010 MINI Cooper S failed in 2022. I was unable to access multiple functions on the vehicle, including interior and exterior lighting, window controls, and other operations that worked randomly during this time. I needed my car fully operational for work commuting so I had to find a replacement FRM, which I did from an OEM MINI parts website, [XXX] . The new FRM I purchased was matched to my vehicle's VIN and installed and programmed by my local MINI shop, Detroit Tuned [XXX] ) , in Clawson, MI. The total bill for this was over $800 (I have receipts for the purchase and the install). The recall notice from MINI/BMW came in 2023, and according to their website there is still no fix, which makes no sense since I bought an OEM replacement that was fitted to my car in 2022, as I noted here. How can a part that when fails can potentially cause vehicle fires ("thermal incident", per their recall notes) NOT be replaced immediately by the manufacturer? And how can MINI/BMW say they can't get the part when an OEM version is available online? The delay in this fix is unacceptable. My OEM replacement FRM works perfectly, but I am out the $800+ I spent to get it since MINI didn't then and still doesn't have them available, "officially". So if they ever get the part and replace my fully operational replacement for free, I am still out the money I spent in 2020 to make my car operationally safe. What can I do to get a refund from MINI/BMW? Thanks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper. 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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that she was unable to check for warning lights due to a previous failure of the instrument cluster. The contact was able to coast the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact stated that the stall was an intermittent failure and occurred at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that there were various other electrical failures with the power windows. Additionally, the sunroof was unable to open or close as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle was also intermittently not able to turn off after turning the ignition key to the off position and remained running until the vehicle turned off independently. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
02/16/2023 i purchase mini cooper s from a private owner i paid cash 6,0000 for the car 2 months later my car broke down i had my car towed to a shop i was told that my motor mounts had no bolts or screws and that what cause my car to break down it also broke my intake and wheel bearings had to be replaced total cost 1,600.00 On 08/04/2023 my car breaks down i was told that my valve broke and two cylinders needed to be replace the mechanic also told me that my card did not have the miles that it showing on the odometer when i purchase my car odometer read 156,000 miles i was told my mechanic that my car has almost 300,000 miles and the memory brain on my car is ready it a 2006 but my vin number said 2010 im having to replace my engine on my car still in th shop at i already paid up front 4200
Transmission/timing chain issue/engine malfunctions
The car consumes too much oil. This is not mentioned in the car manual. Without enough oil, the car's engine would seize up and stop functioning. Driving with low oil in the system can ruin the vehicle's engine, completely breaking the motor.
my passenger airbag lights have been on for months .. cannot remove also my car has been burning oil since i got it
Questions about the 2010 MINI Cooper engine
Does the 2010 MINI Cooper have engine problems?
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the engine of the 2010 MINI Cooper, 43% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2010 MINI Cooper engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 50,600 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2010 MINI Cooper engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
Other 2010 MINI Cooper problems
Electrical 29Airbags 21Lights 11Brakes 5Seat belts 5Seats 5Transmission 3Visibility 3Body 2Fuel system 2Acceleration 1Driver assistance 1Locks 1Steering 1
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