2023 Mini Cooper

The vehicle's suspension system was improperly configured for its electric powertrain at the time of manufacture, resulting in an incorrect ride height that is incompatible with the vehicle's EV platform. This is not an isolated component failure but a fundamental design defect — the vehicle was delivered in a condition that was never properly suited to its own drivetrain. This defect has caused ongoing damage to the vehicle's undercarriage, compromised handling and dynamic stability, and produced accelerated and premature tire wear. BMW/MINI, as the manufacturer, knew or reasonably should have known at the time of sale that the suspension specification was incompatible with this vehicle's electric drivetrain configuration. The failure to disclose or remedy this condition prior to sale, and the failure to adequately repair it despite repeated attempts, reflects a willful disregard of its warranty obligations.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Jan 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

While driving in the rain, the car suddenly applied its brakes, all lights inside the car shut off, and the car came to a stop. The car behind hit it. The car was immediately taken to the service department at Dreyer & Reinbold MINI in Carmel, Indiana. They kept the car for 3 months and I was told the case went all the way to the manufacturer in Germany. When they were finished, they told us their tests could not "confirm" our report that the car came to a stop by itself, but their tests did show the brakes were applied and the car was hit from behind. They basically told us they did not believe my wife's account of the incident. I recently saw that this make and model of car was recalled about a year ago because the car could stall in the rain due to unsealed battery compartments, which is exactly what my wife experienced. I do not believe anyone looked inside the car at all, but merely relied on their computer analyses without interviewing my wife or any witnesses to confirm what happened.

Reported

Aug 2025

Incident date

May 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash

The contact owns a 2023 Mini Cooper SE. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V302000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure; however, the vehicle was taken to be repaired for an initial unknown recall for reprogramming of the battery in September of 2024. The contact then received a second notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V302000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) the vehicle was taken to the dealer and had been there for six weeks and had not been repaired yet. The VIN was not available.

Reported

Apr 2025

Incident date

Mar 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The safety recall campaign 24V-612 is a complete farce. It states that there is a safety defect with the high-voltage battery which could cause a fire, but the "solution" proposed by the manufacturer is a software change which discharges the battery, making the car essentially useless. This is not a "solution" and I can't believe you would accept it as such.

Reported

Oct 2024

Incident date

Oct 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The problem/issue is with THE GLASS ON MY CAR ROOF/THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF. No insulation to protect me/others from heat or cold. The temp of roof gets 2-3 times the temp of the day. 200-300F. This can lead to discomfort/use of EXTRA energy/pollution etc. A child left in such car wd be in deadly danger. The car maker does not want to know or do anything about it. My Mini is not the only car. Almost all have the same design flaw, Tesla is the worst case with full glass roof no insulation at all, KEY PROBLEM/ISSIE Car makers hv remover insulation from car roofs and replaced it with glass but did not replace the insulation. Some as Tesla have nothing others just a simple net-like material with no insulation properties. Detailed analysis with proof attached. This is HUGE problem/issue/flaw that has serious consequences. I titled my analysis THE DARK SIDE OF GLASS ON OUR CARS,. Millions of these cars (Tesla esp over 2 M) are wasting 100s of Ms worth of energy both electric and fossil. Also contribute to additional environmental impact, for the wasted energy has to be made and then wasted by car engines to compensate for lack of insulation in car roofs. No house/homes wd be allowed to be built without insulation in attic/roof etc. So why are car makers allowed to do it with cars. Maybe the govt is not even aware of this. It is possible removing insulation from car roofs is illegal and/or against industry standards. The car makers did it and no one watched them. Many car owners think this is normal. It is not and should be stopped. Please look into this important issue. More details and proof in my analysis. Thank you. ps; I found solution for my car as shown on picture. I could not attach my analysis It is most important I send it to you. Pls send me an email where I can send it. The pictures show the roofs with no insulation and MINI with my solution for heat prevention.

Reported

Sep 2024

Incident date

May 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I started the car in the morning and the screen message came up “high voltage system fault, contact your dealer to get service, you can continue to drive”. My distance available to drive on a 100% Barrett charge dropped from 100 to 20. I had the car towed to the dealer. They have not been able to determine the cause for over a month

Reported

Jul 2024

Incident date

Jun 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The contact owns a 2023 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, all four tires had been replaced several times due to each tire running flat. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a mechanic informed the contact that the tire failure could be linked to the weight of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to reach the full battery charge. The contact stated that the battery took one to two days to fully charge, and once fully charged the battery failed to provide more than 100 miles of driving. In addition, an error message was displayed while attempting to recharge the battery at a fast-charging station. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 500.

Reported

Jun 2024

Incident date

Apr 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Driver's side rear caliper appears to be rubbing into rotor...BMW claims that at 16,845 miles from new, that this is merely wear and tear...I believe it is a dangerous design flaw and should be properly vetted...

Reported

Mar 2024

Incident date

Mar 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The vehicle was on a repair rack at P & W BMW Dealer for an issue with the battery on the electric vehicle and the battery went into thermal runaway causing the vehicle to be consumed in the fire and causing significant damage to the other vehicles and to the structure. I, Det Michael Burns with the Pittsburgh Police Fire Investigation Unit investigated the fire and can be contacted at 412-670-4282.

Reported

Oct 2023

Incident date

Oct 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Fire

I am writing about the air recirculation system in the Mini Cooper SE (and possibly other Minis). From Mini (by email) they state that "To prevent window condensation, recirculated-air mode for your MINI switches off automatically after a certain amount of time, depending on the outside temperature. There is no setting to keep recirculated-air mode on indefinitely." I found this to be a mild inconvenience when bad smells occur (following a garbage truck) or when the pollen count was high. However, given the recent instance of the Wild Fires in Canada causing unsafe breathing conditions outside - this "feature," as they state it, is actually a major safety hazard. Without the ability to stop outside air from coming into the compartment, it becomes hard to breathe and is unsafe to drive in events where the air quality is compromised. I would like to file a formal complaint about the safety issue this creates: without the ability of the driver to keep the air recirculation button engaged, it can be unsafe in certain situations. And the alternative, which they claim to be correcting for (trying to prevent condensation on the window) can easily be handled by the driver. Thank you for your time reviewing this issue. Kurt

Reported

Jun 2023

Incident date

Jun 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

2023 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO COMPLETE MALFUNCTION OF VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONAL TRAINING AND TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCING A COMPLETE MULTIFUNCTION RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Reported

Jan 2023

Incident date

Jan 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash

Tire was found flat after being parked. Car towed in for repair to Mini Cooper dealership. I was informed tire could not be repaired. Sidewall damage. Appeared sidewall ruptured in two places. No scuff marks. Retired NY State Trooper could not see any scuff marks. Cracks and rupture in two locations approximately 9 to 10 inches apart. This tire had 272 miles on it. Tire size is 205/45R17 mounted on 2023 Mini Cooper SE. There were no warning lamps. As far as tire shake the car has warning system if car gets near white line the steering wheel shakes so difficult to tell if it may have shaken as a warning of tire failure. If this had failed on expressway it may have caused accident and injury. This is new car 2023 did not inspect for cracks. After replacing the damaged tire I took possession of damaged tire so it can be inspected by our insurance or Mini Cooper to help with repair of $417 and possible replacement of all 4 Hankook for a more reliable brand.

Reported

Jun 2022

Incident date

Jun 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported