2007 Mini Cooper S Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  15
• Exhaust system
  8
• Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger
  2
• Engine › Gasoline
  1
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  1
• Engine › Diesel
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  2515%
• 25k–50k
  4930%
• 50k–75k
  5131%
• 75k–100k
  2716%
• 100k–150k
  127%
• 150k+
  21%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Mini Cooper S owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Vehicle was stationary in my driveway, was not started and was unattended, had not been started in over a week and keys were not in the vehicles. The vehicle spontaneously burst into flames which burned the engine bay and front end of the car before the fire dept. Arrived and extinguished the fire with foam. The car had been sitting unstarted for over a week. I am unsure of what caused the fire and because of the extensive damage to the engine bay I could not determine were the fire originated. Perhaps a professional fire examiner could determine that. I am blessed that this did not happen while parked in my garage but was scary. I just want this incident on record so that others which own this particular type of vehicle can be warned about the potential dangers. …

Mini Cooper s - numerous issues found having purchased a used 2007 Mini Cooper s from a small dealer in tallahassee, florida, we did our research up-front with a 'carfax report' which showed no issues, we also did a VIN database search for recalls and found no open recalls and assumed that it was safe to purchase which we did for just over $5,000. Now that we are nearing a year into our 4-year payment plan, on January 17, 2016, my wife was driving north on I-75 in georgia and at approx. Mile marker 211, the engine seized and she required a tow off the interstate. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper s. While driving approximately 35 MPH the contact noticed a burning odor. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder and noticed small flames and smoke coming from under the hood. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a blanket. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician stated that the oil return line that was connected to the turbo charger had began leaking oil and caused the fire. The vehicle was repaired however, after the repair the contact was driving approximately 65 MPH when the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time for diagnostic testing. The technician then stated that the turbo charger and the engine would have to be replaced. The technician stated that the turbo charger could have been damaged during the fire. …

In 2013 my Mini started to overheat. I had the fluids checked and everything was OK. I drove approx., 10 miles and the car completely overheated, the oil light came on and the car smoked and almost caught on fire. I had it towed to the dealership (Mini northwest in fife wa,) they said there were no recalls and I needed a new motor and cooling system. I paid 7500$$ for a new engine installed by the Mini dealership in July 2013 at my own expense. On dec, 23rd 2014 I drove my Mini approx. 12 miles and parked the car in the driveway. The car was not overheating, no warning lights came on, 15 minutes later the car had flames shooting out from the hood. Fire extinguisher would not put out the fire. The car then moved approx. 5 feet forward up against the house and became completely engulfed. The tires blew up the sunroof blew up and then the back window blew out. The car is a complete loss. …

We are a second owner of this Mini Cooper had it about a year. Turn the car on and hear a rattle in motor. Worse when it's cold. Took it in to be checked it the timing tensioner. Apparently there has been an issue with this for sometime. Repair cost is around $2000. Car only has 76,000 miles this part should be provided under warranty. But when it breaks it affects the motor as well because it is metal it tears the motor up. Making a 10 dollar part cost thousands of dollars for repair. I don't feel like I am liable for the expense that Mini knew was a problem and never recalled.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper s. While driving 15 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact called the fire department who was able to extinguish the fire. The dealer serviced the vehicle under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V008000 (engine and engine cooling) one day prior to the failure. The remedy however, failed to prevent the vehicle fire. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The current and the failure mileages were 59,000.

My vehicle is currently @ braman BMW wpb (5612423210) for a timing chain problem which was under recall. The service advisor called me and notified me that the timing chain broke inside the engine & completely destroyed the motor. Te timing chain job alone estimate is $3800, but theyve notified me that the engine is unrepairable & must be replaced! They also failed to acknowledge that this happen whilst driving on an interstate, almost causing a huge accident!! Please help!! Mini apparently cares more about money than lives!!

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.

Timing chain replaced at 32K, just failed again at 92K with mobil one oil and filter changes every 5K miles. Chain jumped in garage during shut down of engine. Would not restart. I checked spark, fuses for primary fuel pump and made a judgement that it was a failure of the high pressure fuel pump and towed it to the dealer for warranty replacement. Got the call the timing chain jumped a link and I would need a replacement again. Can't believe it . Third chain with good lubrication maintenance in under 92K.

Was driving car downtown at a speed on average of 15 MPH. Trip only lasted 15 minutes when I parked and noticed smoke coming from my hood. Smoke quickly escalated into a fire. Called 911 to have fire trucks out. Grabbed a fire extinguisher from a nearby business to try to put out the flames, but was unable to even while spraying directly at the flames. Firemen had to pry open the hood to get to the engine to put out the fire. Car engine was totaled.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Cooper S years