MINI Cooper loss of power problems

Filed Mar 26, 2025 · Steering · 117,300 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 117,300.

Filed May 11, 2024 · Transmission · WA

The clutch has been a problem. The clutch wears out prematurely, causing loss of acceleration, which caused loss of power trying to merge into freeway traffic, which nearly resulted in a collision with a semi. Looking up repair or replacement information, it appears this is a common problem that Mini has, some people were replacing the clutch 3 times before 50,000 miles, and also refusing to honor their warranty, claiming it’s the user fault. I got a quote from Mini Cooper in Tacoma, to replace the clutch, and I was quoted $3400. I paid $12,000 for my Mini Cooper. To change it myself is about impossible due to ‘special’ tools required. I think this is scam set up to get money. It is very unsafe to lose acceleration in places where it’s vital like freeway merging. If people cannot afford to get these these fixed then that’s another safety issue. I’m now stuck figuring out how to get this fixed. Please look into this.

Filed Feb 16, 2024 · Electrical · NC

My 2010 Mini Cooper convertible recently had an electrical failure. I lost power while driving and the power steering wouldn’t work. Once it started again the blinkers wouldn’t work and brake lights and radio worked intermittently. I took it to the mechanic and the diagnostic determined that the footwell module is bad. Unfortunately this part is apparently on back order so the part cannot be ordered. The car is not safe to drive nor is a solution available. I looked up recalls on Mini coopers. This current recall shows that the footwell module has been recalled on 2010 hardtop Mini Coopers: MINI Recall 23V-xxx: Footwell Module Attachments: BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective May 11, 2023) on certain Model Year 2007 - 2014 MINI vehicles that were produced between November 16, 2006, and June 27, 2014. (Due to several contributing factors (environmental, certain US States’ wintertime road treatment, vehicle design configuration and age), over time, the Footwell module (FRM) could become susceptible to corrosion) It doesn’t make sense that the exact year Mini in hardtop has the recall. Clearly the footwell modules are a problem in convertibles as well. The wording of the recall says that winter conditions can contribute to the problem. My convertible resided in a winter area for 10 years. I believe that the Mini Cooper convertibles should be included in the recall.

Filed Jan 11, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

There are no open recalls on my car. I am needing physical proof/documentation that the recall part has been replaced. The car is having issues stalling/losing power while driving. The dealership claims there is nothing wrong with the car and if they can't recreate failure then the car is deemed fine to drive. This car was purchased for my 16yr old son as a daily driver. After multiple weeks of the car being at The Mini of Tempe Dealership, they released the car back to me because there is "nothing wrong" with the car. I took it to another specialized Mini mechanic in the area for a second opinion. This mechanic states the cause of intermittent failure is from the Auxillary Coolant Pump for the Turbo. This is the same part that was a safety recall for potential fire. I have no record of this part ever being replaced. As described in the recall, the car is at risk of fire. Recall campaign #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 1, 2023 · Electrical · FL

I am writing to express my concerns about the safety of the 2011 Mini Cooper, specifically regarding the Car Access System (CAS) module. There is a widespread issue with the CAS module failing, which can result in the vehicle not starting or even stalling while driving. This poses a serious safety risk to drivers and passengers, as a sudden stall or loss of power can lead to accidents, injuries, or death. Furthermore, there is currently a backorder of the part, and it is not clear if there are any parts available which do not have this single point of failure. This means that even if a vehicle owner experiences this issue, there is no clear resolution to the problem, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive. This has been diagnosed by an automotive repair shop, and I have discussed this issue with the Mini Cooper dealer, Mini Cooper/BMW manufacturing, BMW/Mini Assistance, and the auto repair shop. Both the dealer and the auto shop have both reported over a dozen cars with the same issue that have all been rendered non-functional. Average time to allegedly fix the problem is anywhere between 4 months and 1 year, but there does not seem to be resolution. The Mini Cooper dealer said there likely will be a recall at some point, but given the company’s history of failing to address safety issues such as these and issuing recalls in a timely manner, we have taken reporting this issue into our own hands. I believe that this issue warrants an investigation by the federal safety agency and that a recall may be necessary to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers of the 2011 Mini Cooper. I urge you to take action on this matter and investigate this issue further. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Apr 12, 2023 · Steering · 99,000 miles · IL

The vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed me that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure is the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall.

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Steering · 167,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

Filed Jan 27, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Repeated experiences of sudden engine operational failure and reduced and/or complete loss of power while driving. The engine malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Car stalls and stops in traffic on the highway and on streets blocking traffic. Will not start again until powered off for periods between 5-15 minutes if at all. -First experienced the issue February 2020 and have intermittently experienced the same issue ever since. -Occurs when driving at a variety of speeds and a variety of fuel levels. -If diagnostics were able to reveal an issue both fuel pumps were noted as the cause on different occasions. The High Pressure Fuel Pump has been the most diagnosed and repaired issue. -Car has been diagnosed by the dealer and 3 independent service repair shops. Dealer stated no recall or existing issue that would cover this problem and have not received any notifications from the manufacture.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Engine · 84,000 miles · NJ

Exhaust vanos solenoid failure 06/12/2019. This is a common issue to mini's and bmw's that occurs on a regular basis which interrupts the pollution control system. Bmw who manufactures the part has extended the warranty for this part on bmw's to 10 years but has not yet addressed all the issues that mini owners have had with the particular part. There are two in the engine and they are identical (intake/exhaust) cost to replace is over $500. Why does bmw get a replacement and mini owners have to pay. The car goes into a limp mode when failure occurs, so still drivable but at reduced power. This is a common issue and prevalent in both mini forums and bmw forums. The warranty should be extended for mini owners part # 11-36-8-610-388. It is a defective design by the manufacturer.

Filed Jul 13, 2019 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · CA

Hello, I am the original owner of a 2014 mini cooper countryman purchased new from irvine mini, irvine california, on my way home to san diego from the purchase the rear passenger window stopped working, I pulled over called the dealership and was told to go in the next day for repair, it was repaired the next day, electrical failure. 2014, next was the engine would stay on when the key was removed, dealership x 3 but they could find nothing, 2nd year was driving uphill city streets and car lost power, starting smoking, pulled over after resting car was drivable, dealerships could find nothing wrong, we never received any notice from our dealership informing us of faulty transmission. My check engine light never came on but car started losing power a few weeks ago. I recently took it to dealer who told me the transmission has to be replaced, it wasn't a computer glitch and these transmissions cannot be serviced. What do I do now?