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2007 Mini Cooper S

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cooper S years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Mini Cooper S are substantially higher than the model-year median of 23.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

236 reports with mileage · 13 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 94 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports14 fire reports10 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

79 reports
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99,000 miles · May 1, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL FEED LINE GOING INTO TURBO IS LEAKING OIL DIRECTLY ONTO TURBO. MINI USES A RUBBER O RING THAT IS CONNECTED TO A VERY HOT TURBO AND O RING WILL FAIL ON ALL MINI COOPERS WITH A TURBO. WHEN THIS RUBBER O RING FAILS IT WILL LEAK OIL DIRECTLY ONTO HOT TURBO AND CAUSE A FIRE. I THINK IT'S IN THE SAFETY OF ALL THAT THIS BE LOOKED …

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OIL FEED LINE GOING INTO TURBO IS LEAKING OIL DIRECTLY ONTO TURBO. MINI USES A RUBBER O RING THAT IS CONNECTED TO A VERY HOT TURBO AND O RING WILL FAIL ON ALL MINI COOPERS WITH A TURBO. WHEN THIS RUBBER O RING FAILS IT WILL LEAK OIL DIRECTLY ONTO HOT TURBO AND CAUSE A FIRE. I THINK IT'S IN THE SAFETY OF ALL THAT THIS BE LOOKED INTO AND RECALLED. I BELIEVE MINI COOPER IS VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS COVERING UP THE ISSUE BY INSTALLING A CHEAP HEAT SHIELD ON OIL LINE BUT THIS IS A BANDAID FIX AT BEST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714082

23,000 miles · Jan 16, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

2007 MINI COOPER S. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING HOSES AND OIL PAN GASKETS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING HOSE AND OIL PAN GASKET FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10493961

28,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MINI COOPER DRIVERS AROUND THE U.S. AND WORLD HAVE BEEN REPORTING A STRANGE KNOCKING/RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 2007+ MINI COOPER. FROM THE MISC DEALER REPAIR DETAILS IT APPEARS TO BE A ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM. IT ALSO APPEARS THE WITHOUT BEING FIXED THE CAR WILL EVEN…

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MINI COOPER DRIVERS AROUND THE U.S. AND WORLD HAVE BEEN REPORTING A STRANGE KNOCKING/RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 2007+ MINI COOPER. FROM THE MISC DEALER REPAIR DETAILS IT APPEARS TO BE A ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM. IT ALSO APPEARS THE WITHOUT BEING FIXED THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AND POSSIBLE MOTOR DESTRUCTION. ON A GOOD NOTE BMW/MINI KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS HOWEVER IS FAILING TO COME UP WITH OR ACKNOWLEDGE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. HOW MANY CUSTOMERS ISSUES WILL IT TAKE BEFORE BMW/MINI WILL ISSUE A FULL RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467166

36,000 miles · Apr 23, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE AS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE AS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MALFUNCTION CONTINUED TO OCCUR. MOST RECENTLY THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP AND THEY STATED THE ENGINE TIMING TENSIONER AND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10456095

70,000 miles · Apr 17, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED RESULTING IN SLACK IN THE TIMING BELT. FINAL RESULT WAS THE TIMING BELT SLACK CONTACTED PLASTIC CHAIN GUARDS WHICH BROKE OFF AND LODGED INSIDE THE ENGINE. AFTER BEING TOWED TO MINI SERVICE, THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CRITICAL TIMING CHAIN FAI…

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TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED RESULTING IN SLACK IN THE TIMING BELT. FINAL RESULT WAS THE TIMING BELT SLACK CONTACTED PLASTIC CHAIN GUARDS WHICH BROKE OFF AND LODGED INSIDE THE ENGINE. AFTER BEING TOWED TO MINI SERVICE, THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CRITICAL TIMING CHAIN FAILURE LED TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF SMOKE AND I HAD INITIAL CONCERN THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE INCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AS I WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK ON THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY POWER ENDANGERING MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. MINI IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER, BUT HAS FAILED TO PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MINI EVEN HAS A BAG FULL OF BENT RODS AT HIS DESK THAT HE SHOWED ME AND TOLD ME HE HAS HAD MULTIPLE CARS COME IN WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455462

48,715 miles · Apr 15, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

6/2011, VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD RATTLING NOISE AFTER STARTING UP IN THE MORNING AND DURING ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MINI SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, NOISE WAS RELATED TO TYPE OF GAS BEING USED (IF NOT CHEVRON OR SHELL, GAS COULD CAUSE NOISE IS WHAT I WAS TOLD). 4/2011, NO…

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6/2011, VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD RATTLING NOISE AFTER STARTING UP IN THE MORNING AND DURING ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MINI SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, NOISE WAS RELATED TO TYPE OF GAS BEING USED (IF NOT CHEVRON OR SHELL, GAS COULD CAUSE NOISE IS WHAT I WAS TOLD). 4/2011, NOISE BEGAN TO GET WORSE. SCHEDULED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH SAME LOCAL SERVICE CENTER FOR MAY 7TH, 2012 (A MONTH OUT FOR FIRST APPOINTMENT) AS WELL AS TO ADDRESS A RECALL ISSUE RELATED TO RECALL CAMPAIGN 12V-008 ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP. WORK NOT COMPLETED BECAUSE ON 4/13/12, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND THEN VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER LOCAL REPAIR SHOW DIAGNOSED, FAILURE WAS FOUND TO BE WITH TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE. SOLUTION=REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE AT A COST OF $6,300. MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE WAS 62,218. REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY MINI AS VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. REPAIRS NOT COMPLETED. RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED TO HAVE THIS COMMON AND KNOWN FAILURE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10455272

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE SERVICED REGULARLY FOR MAINTENANCE. PRE-INCIDENT ZERO WARNING VIA ON-BOARD SENSORS/INDICATOR. LAST MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT 52K. VEHICLE HAD 56K MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE MORNING: TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED UPON START UP. DUE TO THIS FAILURE THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED REQUIRING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACE…

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VEHICLE SERVICED REGULARLY FOR MAINTENANCE. PRE-INCIDENT ZERO WARNING VIA ON-BOARD SENSORS/INDICATOR. LAST MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT 52K. VEHICLE HAD 56K MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE MORNING: TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED UPON START UP. DUE TO THIS FAILURE THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED REQUIRING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. A SERIOUS ISSUE REQUIRING A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10455038

54,000 miles · Apr 11, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN DAMAGED THE ENGINE, RENDERING IT INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN DAMAGED THE ENGINE, RENDERING IT INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10454877

58,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON COLD STARTS, IT HAS BECOME A DOCUMENTED ISSUE THAT 07-11 "S" MODELS HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A HORRIBLE RATTLE UPON STARTING. THIS CAN BECOME A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE FOR MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. THIS IS DUE TO A TENSIONING MECHANISM WHICH ALLOWS TOO MUCH TRAVEL IN THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS CAN ALLOW THE CHAIN TO …

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ON COLD STARTS, IT HAS BECOME A DOCUMENTED ISSUE THAT 07-11 "S" MODELS HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A HORRIBLE RATTLE UPON STARTING. THIS CAN BECOME A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE FOR MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. THIS IS DUE TO A TENSIONING MECHANISM WHICH ALLOWS TOO MUCH TRAVEL IN THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS CAN ALLOW THE CHAIN TO JUMP OR BREAK WHICH CAN CAUSE A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE FIX INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF THE TIMING CHAIN AND A REDESIGNED TENSIONER. BMW ACKNOWLEDGES THIS ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT HELP OUT MINI OWNERS EVEN AT A REDUCED RATE. WITH JUST A SHORT SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT IS EASY TO FIND THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE AND ARE ASKING FOR HELP TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, WITH NO LUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454774

34,500 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BROUGHT MY MINI IN FOR THE ELECTRICAL WATER PUMP RECALL ISSUE AND I EXPLAINED THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND TO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES. THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE COST WAS SUBSTANTIAL. THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS I NOW KNOW AFT…

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I BROUGHT MY MINI IN FOR THE ELECTRICAL WATER PUMP RECALL ISSUE AND I EXPLAINED THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND TO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES. THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE COST WAS SUBSTANTIAL. THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS I NOW KNOW AFTER SEEING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. PLEASE HAVE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND NOT HAVE OTHER OWNERS HAVE TO PAY FOR A SERVICE THAT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND VERY DANGEROUS TO OCCUPANTS AND OTHER DRIVERS SINCE THIS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND THE POTENTIAL TO HARM MORE THAN THE VEHICLE OPERATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454719

Official recalls

4

23V337000 · Electrical System

May 11, 2023

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

18V248000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Apr 18, 2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

12V008000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Jan 11, 2012

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

08V657000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Dec 12, 2008

BMW IS RECALLING 28,450 MY 2007-2008 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES. THE CENTRALLY LOCATED TAILPIPE EXTENSION PROTRUDES SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAILPIPE WITH A NEW SHORTER TAILPIPE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

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

3

PE11036 · 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.

EA08020 · Exhaust Pipe Burns

Opened Aug 29, 2008 · Closed Jan 2, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

BMW WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (08V-657) ON 28,450 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 2006 THROUGH JULY 8, 2008.DEALERS WILL INSTALL MODIFIED EXHAUST PIPE TIPS THAT DO NOT EXTEND BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER.THE TWO EXHAUST PIPE TIPS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE AND EXTEND BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER.THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED BEING BURNED ON THEIR LEGS WHEN THEY INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED THE EXPOSED HOT EXHAUST PIPE TIPS WHILE REMOVING ITEMS OF CARGO FROM THE REAR OF THEIR VEHICLE VIA THE HATCH BACK DOOR.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED BEING BURNED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION OR THAT OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WERE ALSO BURNED.THE 50 INJURIES REPORTED IN THIS INVESTIGATION INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT SECOND DEGREE BURNS CAUSING BLISTERED AND SCARED SKIN AND ONE INCIDENT RESULTED IN A THIRD DEGREE BURN.THIS INVESTIGATION ALSO RESULTED IN AN INITIAL DECISION OF A DEFECT.FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE INITIAL DECISION AND DETAILS OF THE INVESTIGATION SEE DOCUMENTS, INRM-EA08020-31646.PDF (INITIAL DECISION LETTER) AND INIR-EA08020-31648.PDF (INITIAL DECISION REPORT), IN THE INVESTIGATION FILE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

PE08031 · Exhaust Pipe Burns

Opened Apr 28, 2008 · Closed Aug 29, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON THREE CONSUMER REPORTS.THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED BEING BURNED ON THEIR LEGS BY THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE TIP WHILE THEY WERE REMOVING CARGO ITEMS FROM THE REAR HATCH AREA OF THEIR VEHICLES.THE MINI COOPER S MODEL HAS DUAL EXHAUST PIPE TIPS THAT ARE LOCATED AT THE CENTER LINE OF THE VEHICLEUNDER THE REAR BUMPER.THE EXHAUST PIPE TIPS EXTEND BEYOND THE EDGE OF THE BUMPER.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS INVESTIGATION TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA08-020 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY BMW IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S PE08-031 INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER.