2011 Mini Cooper

LETTER FROM SENATOR FLAKE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2011 MINI COOPER. (PLEASE RESPOND BY FAX OR ELECTRONIC MAIL: BOB_BRUBAKER@FLAKE.SENATE.GOV). *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED EXTREMELY, PAINFUL , SCARING BURNS FROM THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WHILE LEANING OVER TO RETRIEVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK. THE CONSUMER STATED IF ONE IS FACING THE CENTER TRUNK, THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE IS LOCATED DIRECTLY TO THE RIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 10 INCHES OFF THE GROUND. THE METAL IS NOT COATED TO OFFER PROTECTION. *JB UPDATED 03/07/16.*JB UPDATED 04/11/16.*JB

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2011 MINI COUNTRYMAN S ALL4 IN REGARDS TO CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR FOR SERVICE OF THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR 4 TIMES NOW. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY FUEL IN THE CHARCOAL FILTER SYSTEM. EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS FROM OVERFILLING THE FUEL TANK, WHICH I DO NOT DO. I AM CAREFUL TO STOP FUELING THE FIRST TIME THE PUMP KICKS OFF, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST 2 TIMES THE DEALER CHANGED THE CHARCOAL FILTER AT NO COST. THE 3RD TIME THEY CHANGED THE FUEL TANK AT NO CHARGE. I HAD NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT A YEAR, AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR CAME ON AGAIN ON 12/18/13, I SCHEDULED SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. TURNS OUT THAT FOR THE 4TH TIME FUEL WAS IN THE CHARCOAL FILTER. THE DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AND THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO SAY THE LEAST. WOULD LIKE TO TURN IN THE CAR NOW, LEASE ENDS IN 7 MONTHS, AND STAY AWAY FROM BMW AND MINI FROM NOW ON!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE FROM A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT UNDER THE HOOD WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO PARK HOWEVER, THE GEAR WOULD NOT REMAIN SECURE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE OIL PUMP GASKET AND MAP THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,504. UPDATED 10/12/11*LJ UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN

2011 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE BROKE DOWN WHILE TRAVELING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHICH CAUSED OIL TO LEAK UNDER THE HOOD. BMW REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE ON THE GROUNDS THE VEHICLE HAD AN OVER REV-MISSED SHIFT THAT WAS AN AFTER MARKET PART THE CONSUMER HAD INSTALLED. AN INSPECTION SHOWED A BORE SCOPE WAS USED TO VERIFY THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE CROWN OF ONE PISTON INDICATING THAT DURING THE OVER REV, A VALVE HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE PISTON. *JB