IllustrationOIL LEAK FROM TOP OF TURBO OIL LINE CONNECTOR NEAR BANJO BOLT. THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY O-RING FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
2008 Mini Cooper Clubman S
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Other model years Selected year
Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
725–50K
1050–75K
675–100K
4100–150K
0150K+
31 reports with mileage · 3 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
34 reportsI HAVE AN OIL LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT IS COMING FROM THE TENSIONER LOCATION. THE OIL IS DRIPPING ON THE EXHAUST CAUSING STEAM TO RISE FROM THE ENGINE. I AM AFRAID THAT THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY BURN ENOUGH OIL TO CATCH ON FIRE. I WILL TOW THE CAR TO BRAMAN MINI PALM BEACH (PURCHASED CAR HERE TOO) AND SEE IF THEY CAN DIAGNO…
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I HAVE AN OIL LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT IS COMING FROM THE TENSIONER LOCATION. THE OIL IS DRIPPING ON THE EXHAUST CAUSING STEAM TO RISE FROM THE ENGINE. I AM AFRAID THAT THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY BURN ENOUGH OIL TO CATCH ON FIRE. I WILL TOW THE CAR TO BRAMAN MINI PALM BEACH (PURCHASED CAR HERE TOO) AND SEE IF THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *TR
I JUST PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2008 MINI COOPER S 2MONTHS AGO... I JUST STARTED HAVING A COLD START ISSUE SINCE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS HOT OUT AND NOW SINCE THE TEMP HAS DROPPED THE CAR HAS A CHATTER COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. I HAVE SEARCHED ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND I HAVE SEEN THERE ARE MANY COOPERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE A…
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I JUST PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2008 MINI COOPER S 2MONTHS AGO... I JUST STARTED HAVING A COLD START ISSUE SINCE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS HOT OUT AND NOW SINCE THE TEMP HAS DROPPED THE CAR HAS A CHATTER COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. I HAVE SEARCHED ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND I HAVE SEEN THERE ARE MANY COOPERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND MANY HAVE REPLACED TIMING CHAINS FOR ALMOST $2000 AND THE MANUFACTURER ISN'T BRINGING A RECALL TO ATTENTION. I WORK IN A DEALERSHIP AS A SALES PERSON AND MANY MECHANICS ARE SAYING IS A TIMING ISSUE. I FEEL LOSS OF POWER AND NOW FEEL THE CAR CAN DIE AT ANY MOMENT. PLEASE MAKE MINI OPEN AND INVESTIGATION IN THIS MATTER. *TR
THESE CARS COME WITH A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN. MINI COOPER WON'T DO A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I AM HAVING TO PAY 1500.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND THE I HAVE NO WARRANTY. I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY AND SEEN THE REVIEWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT HAPPENS TO VEHICLE OWNERS WITH LESS MILES. MINI NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THESE ARE PRICE…
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THESE CARS COME WITH A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN. MINI COOPER WON'T DO A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I AM HAVING TO PAY 1500.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND THE I HAVE NO WARRANTY. I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY AND SEEN THE REVIEWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT HAPPENS TO VEHICLE OWNERS WITH LESS MILES. MINI NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THESE ARE PRICEY CARS BUT IF MINI HAS DONE A MALFUNCTIONS WHILE BUILDING THE CAR THEY SHOULD OWN UP TO IT AND GET IT FIX. *TR
I OWN A 08 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN WITH 48,000 MILES AND THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT ON JUNE 2812: I TOOK IT IN FOR A REPAIR IN MAY AND NO ONE AT THIS DEALER MENTIONED THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER! I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY ROAD AND THANK GOD THE SPEED LIMIT WAS ONLY 35 WHEN SUDDENLY THE BELT JUMPED AND MY CAR LOST ITS ENGINE: TOOK IT TO …
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I OWN A 08 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN WITH 48,000 MILES AND THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT ON JUNE 2812: I TOOK IT IN FOR A REPAIR IN MAY AND NO ONE AT THIS DEALER MENTIONED THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER! I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY ROAD AND THANK GOD THE SPEED LIMIT WAS ONLY 35 WHEN SUDDENLY THE BELT JUMPED AND MY CAR LOST ITS ENGINE: TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL STATION AND THEY LOOKED INSIDE AND SAID SOMETHING CAME LOOSE FROM THE INSIDE OF ENGINE AND TORE IT UP AND I NEED A NEW ENGINE: SO I CALLED DEALER AND CORP AND THEY SAY I NEED TO SPEND MONEY TO GET THEIR TECHS TO LOOK AT IT AND NOT MY MECHANIC:SO I GOT ON LINE AND INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FROM MINI WITH A DEFECTIVE TENSIONER WHICH OUT OF NO WHERE WITHOUT WARNING FLIES OFF: MINI REFUSES TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS AND EVERY MECHANIC SAYS IT IS NOT THE OWNERS PROBLEM AND A BELT SHOULD NEVER FLY OFF: FURTHER THE BELT ON LT BREAKS WHEN IT FLIES IN THE PISTONS AND BREAKS OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE: MINI WILL WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! A COMPLAINT IS SIGNED WITH OVER 850 SIGNING IT AND HOPE MANY MORE BUT I STILL THINK IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE ENOUGH WHERE YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED: MINI IS SCREWING THE PEOPLE AND REFUSE TO ADMIT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND IN MOST CASES WONT PAY FOR THE NEW ENGINE WHILE WE STILL OWE THOUSANDS ON THE CAR: PLEASE GET INVOLVED AND MAKE MINI CORP PAY FOR THE DAMAGES THAT THEY CAUSE BY REFUSING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL: NO TIMING BELT SHOULD HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED AND SURELY A TIMING BELT SHOULD LAST 80,000 MILES: THIS COMPANY IS CHEAP AND IS WAITING FOR A DISASTER!! PLEASE PLEASE HELP THE PEOPLE AND MAKE MINI TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAULTY PARTS!!![XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FAILURE AT 39K, COMMON PREMATURE FAILURE PART ON THIS ENGINE WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE. WE LOVE OUR CLUBMAN, BUT JUST GLAD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE! *TR
CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP (TOTALED) IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER IT WAS SHUT OFF. FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER I SHUT IT OFF AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. IT NEARLY BURNED DOWN MY HOUSE TOO -- FRONT STEPS AND FENCE CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. HAVE PHOTOS T…
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CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP (TOTALED) IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER IT WAS SHUT OFF. FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER I SHUT IT OFF AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. IT NEARLY BURNED DOWN MY HOUSE TOO -- FRONT STEPS AND FENCE CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. HAVE PHOTOS TO DOCUMENT. *TR
SHORT FALL OF TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CAUSING OIL TO BE PUMPED OUT OF THE ENGINE RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE PROBLEMS AND/OR TIMING CHAIN ISSUES. *TR
EVERY TIME I COLD START MY 2008 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S THERE IS A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL BUT I WORRY ABOUT THE STABILITY OF THE ENGINE TIMING. *TR
SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. NOTHING HITTING THE SUNROOF, JUST SHATTERED WITH GLASS FALLING INTO THE BACK SEAT. *TR
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE11036 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Oct 11, 2011 · Closed Jun 11, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling
In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.
Engine And Engine Cooling
In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.
Engine And Engine Cooling
In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.