2008 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved a DTC regarding the passenger seat occupant detection sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved a DTC regarding the passenger seat occupant detection sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

MY 2008 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN APPEARS TO BE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TIM ING CHAIN TENSIONER AND TIMING CHAIN. THE NOISE IS STEADILY GETTING WORSE. AFTER READING ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AROUND THE UNITED STATES I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IF THE TIMING CHAIN DESIRES TO COME APART ON THE FREEWAY THE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT BY ENGINE SEIZING UP IF THE TIMING CHAIN LET'S GO. ALSO THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WOULD COST SO MUCH IT WOULD NOT BE WORTH FIXING.LEAVING US WITH A $7500 OWED ON A VEHICLE WE CANNOT USE.

Mileage: 88,000

AIR BAG LIGHT ON.

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT AT 40MPH DUE TO SENSOR FAILURE. DECELERATION WAS EXTREME ENOUGH TO FRACTURE MY BACK AND CAUSE CHEST INJURIES FROM STRIKING STEERING WHEEL. MINI COOPER REARENDED A SUBURBAN TRUCK THAT WAS STOPPED AT INTERSECTION CAUSING ENGINE TO BREAK LOOSE FROM MOUNTS AND HOOD TO CRUMPLE. SENSORS FOR AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT THE SPEED AND IMPACT.

Mileage: 112,000

I HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD MY MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN. THE TURBO IS LOOSE, THERE IS OIL BURNING OFF OF MY ENGINE, AND IT MAKES TERRIBLE SCREECHING SOUNDS THAT COME FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE JUST LEARNED THAT IT IS COMMON FOR A MINI COOPER TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ITS TIMING CHAIN; THUS, CAUSING THIS TERRIBLE SOUND AND ALL THOSE OTHER PROBLEMS. I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN, AND NOW THEY ARE HAVING A RECALL ON MOST OF THERE MODELS THAT ARE FROM THE SAME YEAR AS MINE. MY CAR WHENEVER I BRAKE MAKES SCREECHING NOISES THAT COME FROM MY ENGINE, AND I'M WORRIED THAT THIS POOR ENGINE DESIGN WILL CAUSE ME TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT. NOW I HAVE TO POUR MONEY INTO GETTING A NEW TIMING CHAIN, EVEN THOUGH MINI COOPER IS NOW KNOW FOR HAVING TERRIBLE TIMING CHAINS.

Mileage: 76,893

TIMING CHAIN JUMPED OFF OF DEAD CENTER. HAD TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIR TO NEW UPGRADED ASSEMBLY. COST WAS AROUND $1200.00. UPSET BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO A LOT OF MINI COOPERS. SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF RECALL TO CONSUMERS. BMW KNOWS ABOUT THIS.WAS DRIVING HOME FROM OUT OF STATE.

Mileage: 121,532

THE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED AT 90,000 MILE AND AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 104,000 MILES

Mileage: 104,000

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTANTLY WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. BAD PASSENGER SEAT MATS ARE UNDER RECALL IN MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLES BUT NOT COVERED IN CLUBMAN. $1200 REPAIR IS REQUIRED AND USES SAME PART AS THE CONVERTIBLE. IS RECALL BEING EXPANDED?

Mileage: 105,000

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE TURNING ON AND WHEN IT DID COME ON A LOUD CLANKING NOISE BEGAN. THE CAR COULD BARELY GO OVER 30MPH. 3 HR. DRIVE TOOK US ALMOST 6 HOURS TO GET TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATES IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE OIL PAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.WE FOUND EXCESSIVE WATER IN THE SPARE WHEEL HUB. THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WOULD NOT GO OFF, AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED, A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE GAS TANK CONSISTED. ETC.

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE TURNING ON AND WHEN IT DID COME ON A LOUD CLANKING NOISE BEGAN. THE CAR COULD BARELY GO OVER 30MPH. 3 HR. DRIVE TOOK US ALMOST 6 HOURS TO GET TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATES IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE OIL PAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.WE FOUND EXCESSIVE WATER IN THE SPARE WHEEL HUB. THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WOULD NOT GO OFF, AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED, A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE GAS TANK CONSISTED. ETC.

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE TURNING ON AND WHEN IT DID COME ON A LOUD CLANKING NOISE BEGAN. THE CAR COULD BARELY GO OVER 30MPH. 3 HR. DRIVE TOOK US ALMOST 6 HOURS TO GET TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATES IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE OIL PAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.WE FOUND EXCESSIVE WATER IN THE SPARE WHEEL HUB. THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WOULD NOT GO OFF, AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED, A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE GAS TANK CONSISTED. ETC.

THE CAR DEVELOPED ENGINE TROUBLE AT 51,934 MILES. WE CALLED OTTO'S MINI DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. WE THEN TOOK CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO FAULTY TIMING CHAIN THAT RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD AND PISTONS. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT IT IS VERY COMMON. WE PROCEEDED WITH THE REPAIR AT THE LOCAL SHOP AND FILED WITH MINI TO REQUEST COVERAGE. COVERAGE WAS DENIED SINCE WE DID NOT HAVE CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER. THE NATURE OF THIS REPAIR AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF REPORTED ISSUES WOULD SUGGEST ONE TO EXPECT MINI TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

Mileage: 51,934

THE OIL SUPPLY LINE TO THE TURBO ON THIS CAR LEAKS DUE TO A POOR DESIGN. THE PART(S) USED BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR THE APPLICATION AND FAIL, CAUSING NOT ONLY AN OIL LEAK, BUT A POTENTIAL TURBO FAILURE, AND WORSE, THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE FIRE, AS THE OIL LEAKS ONTO A HOT TURBO CHARGER AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD/DOWNPIPE. THE OIL LINE USES A COMPRESSION FITTING WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE TURBO BODY. THIS FITTING USES AN INTERNAL RUBBER O-RING/SEAL THAT IS SUBJECTED TO HIGH HEAT, AND HEAT CYCLES EVERY TIME THE CAR IS RUN. RUBBER SEALS FAIL UNDER THESE CONDITIONS! THE MANUFACTURER (MINI/BMW) IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND IS DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. (IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR) INSTEAD, THE MANUFACTURER IS PROVIDING A "BAND-AID FIX" BY SUPPLYING A "HEAT SHIELD" THAT ATTACHES TO THE FITTING. THIS WILL DO LITTLE-TO-NOTHING TO PREVENT THE RUBBER O-RING FROM FAILING, NOR DOES IT FIX A LINE THAT IS ALREADY LEAKING. THIS FAILURE OCCURS, TYPICALLY, AFTER THE CAR IS OUT

Mileage: 64,000

THE BANGO FITTING ON TOP OF THE TURBO STARTED RANDOMLY AND EXCESSIVELY LEAKING OIL WHILE IDLING IN MY DRIVEWAY. COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE OIL INTAKE LINE, OIL, AND DO A ENGINE CLEANING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE EASILY STARTED A FIRE WITH OIL POURING OVER A HOT TURBO. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

WE STARTED OUR 2008 MINI CLUBMAN S IN A PARKING LOT AND IT IMMEDIATELY INDICATED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL) FOR 'LIMP' MODE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE UPPER GUIDE RAIL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SHATTERED. THE ODBII CODES WERE P0300, RANDOM MIS-FIRE, P0301 MIS-FIRE CYLINDER 1, P0303 MIS-FIRE CYLINDER 3 AND P1492, DOWNSTREAM THROTTLE AIR LEAK. *TR

Mileage: 51,000

I AM DEAF I DRIVE MY 2008 MINI CLUBMAN S MY MOTHER , BROTHER AND FRIEND HEARD MY ENGINE NOISE ENGINE ,I DON'T KNOW I CAN'T HEAR SO I OPEN OIL CAP I SAW BROWN PLASTIC PIECE I FOUND TIMING CHAIN GUIDE IS BAD, THAT IS SHORT LIFE THAT IS WRONG. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

IN NOVEMBER THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY OIL FEED LINES TO THE TURBO WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THE COUPLINGS THAT ATTACHES THESE LINES TO THE TURBO ARE DEFECTIVE. ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND WILL COST APPROX: $1200.00. THE DEALER ALSO SAID THE NEW COUPLINGS ARE MANUFACTURED BY A NEW COMPANY AND THE DEFECT HAS BEEN FIXED. WITH SO MANY EFFECTIVE SHOULDN'T MINI BE FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

I WAS A VICTIM OF THE "DEATH RATTLE" FROM THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE. LUCKILY FOR ME, I RESEARCHED THE NOISE WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT FIXED BEFORE IT DESTROYED MY ENTIRE ENGINE (ALTHOUGH MINI REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS). BUT OWNERS WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF ISSUE MAY KEEP DRIVING THEIR CAR TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FATAL CRASH. IT IS A POORLY MANUFACTURED PART THAT IS CREATING THE PROBLEM WHICH CAN BE EASILY FIXED. *TR

THERMOSTAT FAILURE, AS DIAGNOSED BY DEALER. CAR UNDRIVEABLE. WORLD WIDE BAC KORDER ON THE PART FOR 2007-2010 MINI COOPERS. NO KNOWN DATE OF WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE (OR IF) AND THE DEALER IN BEDFORD NH, STATED OVER 17,000 OF THESE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. A FAILED THERMOSTAT CAN LEAD TO STRANDED MOTORISTS, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS PART IS NOTORIOUS FOR PREMATURE FAILURE. SHOULD THIS NOT BE A RECALLABLE ISSUE? *JB

Mileage: 62,500