MINI Cooper won't start problems

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Engine · KY

About two weeks ago while driving on a major highway the mini cooper suddenly died without warning. The power steering quit making the vehicle extremely difficult to steer. The car would not start. The only thing I could do was push it off the road which I did with the help of a person behind me.i had the car towed to my local import shop. They found that the motor had skipped time causing catastrophic engine failure. If I had been going faster my safety would be in jeopardy as well as other motorists. I have since learned that mini’s with the N14 engine regularly experience timing chain failure causing this. I have the invoice from the shop identifying the problem. I have checked for a warning or recall from Mini and found nothing. No warning light or msg was visible.

Filed Aug 17, 2023 · Electrical · CA

the car just started to smoke it looked like it was going to catch fire now the car won't start and I can't use it

Filed Aug 8, 2022 · MD

On July 12 early morning hours I left Maryland drove to Augusta GA and continued on to Decatur GA totaling 704 Miles. Within an hour of me arriving to Atlanta, I attempted to leave the house again and the car would not crank. I had it towed to Global Mini there in Chamblee, GA. The key stopped communicating with the car, and I was asked to give them my spare key-I did not travel with my spare key and the key fob design does not have a replaceable battery per the dealership the fob is designed to charge while driving. I had to pay for someone to overnight my second key-which did crank the car. I had to purchase another key and I had to rent a car until they ordered another key to have sent to the dealer because the dealer does not make keys. This is a safety issue because i made several stops for gas and restroom breaks and what if this happened in the middle of nowhere? It was a scary situation and I feel that we should have been notified as owners that this could be a possible event. I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2015.

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 May 21, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 65,915 miles · NC

Air bag passenger light came on and stayed on. Windows down go up or down. Turn signals don't work. Ac stop working. It blows out hot air in the front. A loud thud noise happens once in a while from the back. Sometimes won't start like if the battery was dead. Sometimes engine won't turn off and will run without the key in the ignition. I've only had it since oct 2019.

Filed Oct 9, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 87,000 miles · WA

Problem 1: clutch/transmission failed at 50,000 just after warranty. Unable to shift on highway, had to stay in low gear. Transmission was replaced. It failed a second time, was replaced at about 80,000. I believe it is failing again as the clutch is slipping in 1st and 2nd gears; mini cooper says they note no problem. Problem 2: timing chain. Parked, my car would not start easily; started on 3rd try. My car stalled, stopped on the highway as I was slowing down due to traffic. Restarted and continued. No engine light. Driving to mini service, car stalled coming in; had to coast in. Found to be timing chain, valvetronic eccentric shaft, perhaps parts falling into oil pan. $2800 in repairs. When I asked about law suits or recalls over the last 3 years because I've had major performance issues, mini cooper stated no known suits even though there were. I find that there have been suits, and I "missed the window" for the timing chain.

Filed Jun 27, 2019 · Engine · 138,247 miles · MO

My car started off with a rough idle and occasionally wouldn't start. The engine light came on and the car became jerky while driving. It has sudden spurts when it wants to take off. I ran the code and got p0012. From there I have replaced multiple parts but I think I landed on the timing chain. I know there was a settlement with these years but for some reason this particular model wasn't included in the settlement

Filed May 13, 2019 · Steering · 78,603 miles · WA

Power steering pump problem for mini cooper r50 bought my r50 pre-owned 125000 kms on the odo from a dealership(not a mini dealership) as a present for my daughter in march 2019. I already knew there was something wrong. Observed a leak in the power steering reservoir. Dealer supposedly fixed the problem by replacing some hoses. After a month, I tried starting the car up and the car would not start. I was lucky to still be at home that time. Recharged the battery and started the car. Turned the engine off and noticed a sound. Traced the sound to the power steering pump not turning off even if the engine is turned off. Disconnected the battery so it will not do a full discharge. Bought it back to the dealership that I purchased it from and they confirmed that the issue was with the ps pump. Did research and found that there was a common issue related to this pump already and bmw has offered extended warranty on the pump and peripherals like hoses and reservoir covering 2003 to 2005 models due to the number of complaints and potential catastrophic issues a failed pump can bring. I asked the local bmw service center if I could avail but they said my VIN was not part of the coverage. I needed the car to work and I wanted it done right so I had them replace the pump. This costed me 1500 cad++ I believe that this should still be covered by the extended warranty because the symptoms are the same and that the pump is confirmed to be an original by the mini service and may very well still be the same one from the previous models and bmw should own up to this.

Filed May 1, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 83,000 miles · NV

Mini cooper timing chain tensoner defect. I have a r56 hardtop 2010 mini cooper. My car started having issues like turning off while driving. A rattling noise under the hood, especially on the passenger side of the car. While I was driving I heard a loud snap noise and my car shut off. The engine would not turn over after that and when I looked under the hook there was a broken valve cover. The timing chain broke and caused massive amount of damage to my car. The mini dealership in las vegas is not honoring the lawsuit. Not really sure how to proceed. They want $3,500. In repairs. My car is only at 83,000miles and just paid off. Not sure how to proceed.

Filed Oct 17, 2018 · Engine · 81,000 miles · FL

2010 mini cooper s 2 door, up to date with all maintenance and service, changed oil every 4,000 miles. Car showroom quality. At 81,000. Miles I shut it off in my garage and later went to start the engine, it was dead and would not turn over even with a charge. I had it towed to braman motorcars, wpb, fl where I purchased it new and original owner and was told it is the retention chain. Bmw of n. America had a class action suit for 2007 to 2010 mini coopers, suit closed in 2015 said my VIN was not part of the class action suit and refused to fix my car. They want 11,000-13,000 to fix. I am within the years the suit was mentioned my mileage is right at the point it makes mention in the class action suit. My VIN # is not included because they only paid on the VIN numbers that were in the suit. Bmw of n amer. Did not add VIN# of other cars that were not in the suit. I was never contacted and did not know about my car. I am told I can junk it and buy a new car. I took care of my car for everything and now my car is just gone and they are not wanting to help me fix it. Bmw of n america did not off any goodwill on the repair nor make it a recall issue. They just settled the case for the cars known at that time and the rest of us can just go pound dirt! I now am without a car or transportation and braman motorcars tried to take advantage of me with quoting me high prices on a new car, that I cannot afford. Please help. No one that knows me or my car can believe this has happened to my car because of how well I take care of it.