2010 MINI Clubman Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that the electronic control module had short circuited from water entering the foot well from the sunroof. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who confirmed that the electronic control module on the driver's side had short-circuited. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

My husband and I own a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman, which we bought from a used car dealer in September 2022. The control module failed this summer, resulting in the high beams not functioning. A safety recall was issued by MINI a few weeks after we made repairs for that same problem. We are writing to request assistance in securing reimbursement from MINI for the cost of parts and labor to replace the control module. Because the NY State Inspection was due soon for our car, we needed to have a new control module installed in the car as quickly as possible. The control module was installed by East End Garage in Jefferson in mid-August. This Garage is close to our home and has competent mechanics who are able to work on Mini Coopers without difficulty. Shortly after the work was ·completed, the mechanic at East End Garage told us that a recall had been issued for Footwell Control Modules (FRM) in 2007-2014 Mini Clubman models, and he gave us a State of New York Supplementary Information sheet regarding the recall. We also received an Important Safety Recall sheet from MINI in November, which is included in the packet of documents we are sending you. It stated that the FRM could become corroded, "potentially resulting in a short circuit, resulting in a potential thermal event which could increase the risk of fire or injury". The mechanic told us our control module failed because of corrosion. due to where the control module is placed in the car, which he felt was a design flaw. When we became aware of the recall, we contacted the closest MINI car dealer, Keeler Motors in Latham, NY, to seek reimbursement for the control module replacement. This began a long series of being sent to different places to seek reimbursement (the dealer would not help us). I have enclosed all the receipts and correspondence I have had with these places for your review. The last place we contacted was MINI USA. They responded in mid-November, stating that "the repair performed is not included in this warranty extension" and does not meet the criteria for reimbursement (there was no extended warranty on the car when we bought it). It's more than likely that we kept getting directed from one place to another at MINI, hoping we would just go away and give up trying to be reimbursed for a defective part that poses a safety hazard. We are hoping you can intervene in this matter and help us obtain reimbursement for the $1222.01 we paid to have a new FMR installed in our car. As we mentioned previously, we are sending you all of the paperwork related to this matter so you can see the effort that has been made on our part. It's been very frustrating and time-consuming. We would greatly appreciate any assistance you can offer. Thank-you.

Random airbag and seat belt restraint icon alerts. Code reader says footwell module not found. Also reports audio issue faults but audio works fine. Moved from Arizona to Washington. Now vehicle is subjected to lots of rain. Am worried air bags will not operate properly or go off without reason.

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that there were electrical wires exposed. The contact stated that the lights, windows, and brake lights were inoperable. The Service Soon message was displayed. Additionally, the air bag, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The exclamation and A symbol were displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 106,059.

My car has an active recall for the footwell module. This module controls the windows, the turn signals, the hazard lights, and the dome light, possibly other systems. My module has short circuited and these systems are no longer operational making my car not road legal. Our local Mini mechanic shop confirmed they aren’t able to fix this issue.

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the windows were rolled down halfway and were no longer operable. Additionally, the contact stated that the turn signals were not operable. There was a warning light displayed of a car on a lift illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the footwell control module (FRM) had failed, and the dealer determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

RE: Recall Campaign No. 23V-337 It has been roughly half-of-a-year and MINI has not offered a solution. My car lost power while driving and it appears to be related to this issue--that is only my NON-EXPERT opinion. Can NHTSA direct BMW/MIONI to solve this problem, it's is looking like more than $1k to fix their issue. The vehicle is not operational. This situation is unfair.

When heading out of town, car wouldn’t accelerate even when I push on the gas so pulled over. Engine light came on for like 2 seconds. There wasn’t any warning lights prior to this incident. It won’t start at all which I know I need a new battery but I can’t figure out what else is wrong. I’ve called mini dealerships near me but they don’t have any remades I’d have to pay out of pocket which I can’t afford the part that recalled. That is my only vehicle I tried to wait until it was but I’m relying on coworkers to take me to work. I had my 2 children with me luckily we weren’t far out of town. I haven’t been able to take it anywhere since.

I received a recall notice from Mini USA in July 2023 regarding the Footwell Control Module (FRM). The letter states, "This safety recall involves the Footwell Control Module (FRM), an electronic control unit located behind an interior trim panel in the driver's footwell area. Due to a number of contributing factors, over time, the FRM could become susceptible to corrosion. Eventually, the corrosion could potentially result in a short circuit, resulting in a potential thermal event which could increase the risk of fire or injury." As of today, August 20, 2024 this recall does not have a fix, and has not been fixed in my car. I am upset that your website states that there is not recall on my car, when I have the letter in front of me. As well, my mechanic tells me this FRM controls the windows, sunroof, and lights. My sunroof hasn't worked properly since just before this recall came out. My mechanic states that MINI/BMW is aware of the problem, yet has not solution. How is it a car maker doesn't have to be more timely in fixing a "potential thermal event"?

My 2010 Mini Clubman was recalled in May 2023 because of possible corrosion in the electronics in the driver’s side footwell, which could lead to a “thermal event”. We are now half way through September 2023, which is 5 months later and Mini says they are still working on a solution. They also haven’t issued any advice on whether it is safe to drive the car. Five months is too long to wait for a solution to a potentially dangerous problem. I’m reporting a complaint because Mini are taking too long to come up with a fix.

Received a recall letter, July 2023 for the footwell control module on our Mini Cooper Clubman. One 11-29 2023 I sent an email to customer relations because we have not heard anything back about the recall. Received a email from Abigail from monitoring relations on 11-30 2023 she wanted information as far as the VIN number address, name, etc. information was sent that day. I received a email on 12- 2023 that the case has been forward to the management team to an unexpected phone call from them. I did indeed call the number and left a message to call me back. Information given to me that return call was the same which has been repeatedly given to me that they’re working on the recall and will notify us as soon as they have a remedy. I was also told that the issues we have with the mini Cooper during the rain, acting all crazy electronically etc was due to the foot well control module. I sent a message on 5–29-2024 because we still have not heard anything about the recall, this message was sent to the customer relations department. The response I received from Lindsey from the monitoring relations department is that they’re still working on it. This is unacceptable. We have spent $1400 on this vehicle ourselves and of course because there’s no resolution to the recall we’re still at square one. I’ve been polite. I’ve been nice. I am just tired of giving the same answer repeatedly with no remedies this is uncalled for. I put the incident date as the date from I received the recall letter I’d would appreciate any response about this issue. If indeed, there is a remedy soon, I was also told by Abigail because there is no BMW repair around Berkeley Springs WV area that they would pay to have it towed to wherever it needed to go to get fixed. I thank you for your time if any information is needed please call me at [XXX] or you can send an email to [XXX] . Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Since November 20, 2022, my low milage 2010 MINI has Passenger Airbag Warning light in the roof near the mirror and dashboard. The OBD II scanner show that "ACSM/MRS: Seat-occupancy detector, passenger." I contacted dealer Herb Chambers MINI of Boston. I was told no recall for my car. After I searched on internet, I am aware that a lot of customers have same Passenger Airbag issue. They can't afford the high repair cost so that they have to look for alternative solutions beyond recalls, such as Passenger Occupancy Sensor Bypass, modifying system parameters on car computer by themself. All these solutions are obviously potential dangerous for MINI cooper customers. I request that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate MINI cooper Passenger Airbag issue and ask MINI USA to recall defective parts.

Engine quits while driving causing an unsafe condition. The car stopped numerous times while on the freeway. It starts back up but stalls again later. There are no check engine lights and the local repair shop indicates that it may be a problem with the Footwell Computer Mudule and specifically the soldering on the Low Pressure Fuel Pump Relay causing it to intermittently fail.

I bought the car used 10 days ago, 3 days ago, the electrical indicator flashed, so I parked the car. I thought it was a glitch. It was very rainy. I woke up the next morning and it had spontaneously combusted on the inside driver's footwell, obvious flames had been on windows and whole car reeks of smoke. I cant even get inside of the car with the physical key. I could have been inside when the car caught fire. I work with children and just got the car... hadn't put a car seat in yet. To think that a physical key literally doesn't work and the car caught fire in teh electrical and is now (to my knowledge) totaled...makes me sick. BMW / MINI has yet to get get back to me, no one has inspected the car, it hasn't been moved....can't move. The dealership refuses to take responsibility. Obviously I'm distraught and thankful I wasn't in the car. I have read several articles about this exact thing happening to other BMW / MINI owners. Please help. I literally haven't even paid the taxes yet.

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear liftgate spontaneously opened. Additionally, the contact stated that while parked, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED. I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR ISSUE FROM OTHER PEOPLE. I AM ALSO AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A RECALL FIX FOR PREVIOUS YEAR MINI COOPERS. THIS FAULT HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2010 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN ON AN INTERSTATE IN MICHIGAN IN APRIL 2018 GOING 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE JUST QUIT, LOSING ALL POWER. I WAS FOLLOWING HER IN A VEHICLE THAT I HAD JUST PURCHASED SO I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE BEHIND HER. THERE WAS NOT ANY INDICATION OF EXTERNAL LIQUIDS ESCAPING THE ENGINE SO AFTER 15 MINUTES OF EXAMINING THE VEHICLE I STARTED IT BACK UP AND DROVE THE 9 REMAINING MILES TO OUR HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT UNTIL I PARKED THE VEHICLE IN OUR GARAGE, LIFTED THE HOOD AND STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF THE OIL CAP WHEN I OPENED IT. I PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A FOREIGN IMPORT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $8,800 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AS THEY INDICATED THE ENGINE COOLANT HAD BECOME MIXED WITH THE ENGINE OIL. NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THE $8,800 AT THAT TIME I STORED THE MINI IN OUR BARN FOR A YEAR. NOT WANTING JUST TO JUNK THE CAR AFTER HAVING IT FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED, I DECIDED TO HAVE A FOREIGN IMPORT CAR REPAIR FACILITY REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A COST OF $7,300! AFTER EXPRESSING MY CONCERN ONCE IN AN EMAIL AND THEN IN A LETTER TO THE CEO OF MINI USA, MINI SAID THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. A CAR WITH 100,000 MILES ON IT AND HAVING BEEN WELL TAKEN CAR OF WITH A CARFAX TO SHOW THAT, SHOULD NOT HAVE A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. UNFORTUNATELY I AM NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF MINI COOPER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ENGINE FAILURE AS I HAVE. LOOKING AT ANY MINI COOPER FORUM OR EVEN ON MINI USA'S WEB SITE WILL SHOW ENGINE FAILURES AT AN ABNORMAL RATE. THE FACT THAT MINI IS STICKING THEIR HEAD IN THE SAND JUST SAYING THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY IS ABSURD. MINI NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DESIGN FLAWS IN THEIR VEHICLES.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAT HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT EXTINGUISH. THE LIGHT REMAINS ON WHETHER THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. THE LIGHT IS ON WHEN STATIONARY OR WHEN I AM DRIVING, AND WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT OR NOT.

TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER HAS HAD ISSUES WHEN THE CAR HAS LOW MILES. REPLACED TENSIONER IN 2014 AND THEN AGAIN IN 2017 (2017 - ONLY 78,019 MILES). TIMING CHAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2017(AGAIN ONLY 78,019 MILES).

DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. ON CITY STREETS OR THE HIGHWAY THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT ISN'T GETTING CONSISTENT FUEL THEREFORE IT "HESITATES" AS IF IT WERE GOING TO DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WE BELIEVE IT IS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AS WE HAVE HAD THE HEADS CLEANED OF ALL CARBON AND SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. FURTHERMORE THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL ON THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THE YEARS 2007, 2008, AND 2009.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE MECHANIC SHOP PENDING REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ON. DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR 2010 NOT PART OF THE RECALL. COST TO REPAIR DEFECTIVE MAT $1340. MINI SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL BASED ON HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR 209/2010 MINIS.

THE MINI COOPER CLUBMAN HAS A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER THAT CAN CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND CRASHES. BMW HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE CHAINS IN SOME MODELS, BUT NOT OTHERS, LEAVING OPEN THE POSSIBILITY OF CRASHES RELATED TO THE FAILURE OF THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. BMW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE PART SINCE 2008, WHEN THE COMPANY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER, FOLLOWING THE NOTICE, BMW FAILED TO ISSUE ANY RECALL OR PROVIDE COMPENSATION FOR THOSE WHO HAD ALREADY REPLACED THEIR CHAINS OR ENGINES. BMW'S FAILURE TO NOTIFY DRIVERS OF THIS PROBLEM IS A DANGER TO THE DRIVING PUBLIC.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, I CALLED THE DEALER WITHIN SECONDS AND ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS A CONCERN. THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT IN IT WAS PROBABLY JUST THE OIL LEVEL NEEDING TOPPED OUT. I CONTINUED FOR ABOUT A MILE WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND CALLED THEM BACK. THE AGAIN SAID TO BRING IT IN. I WALKED AROUND THE CAR BEFORE PROCEEDING AND NOTED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WELL,TIRE AND WHEEL WERE ALL SOAKED WITH OIL( PASSENGER SIDE) . I CALLED THEM BACK AND REQUESTED A TOW TRUCK AS WHEN I STARTED IT UP IT MADE AN EXCEPTIONALLY LOUD HAMMERING NOISE. I I KNEW THAT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO LET GO IF I CONTINUED. THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR IN AND CALLED ME A DAY OR SO LATER TO INFORM THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE A,FLATTENING THE VALVES, MESSING UP THE VALVES AND ENGINE BLOCK. THE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS APPROX 7,000MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD AN EXTENDED 100,000 SERVICE WARRANTY SOLD TO ME BY THE DEALER IN CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA. I WAS SOLD THIS BY THE "FINANCE MANAGER" AND HE MADE ME BELIEVE THAT I WAS COVERED. THE DEALER WHERE I LIVE IN DUBLIN OHIO, HAS SERVICED THE CAR FOR EVERY REQUIRED SERVICE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET MINI TO COVER THE REPAIRS. I HAD INFORMED THEM THAT THE ODOMETER ALWAYS READS ABOUT 7 TO 8 MPH FASTER THAN MY GPS AND THAT THE WARRANTY PER THEIR INSTRUMENTS WOULD BE SHORTED. THE INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT CUT ME OFF IN A CLOSE SITUATION. THE ACTUAL POWER TRAIN WARRANTY IS 50,000. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A TIMING CHAIN BREAKING WITH EVEN A 100,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SERVICED THE CAR AT ALL APPROPRIATE INTERVALS AS NOTED IN THE SERVICE RECORDS AND I PAMPER THE CAR. I AM 61 YRS OLD AND HAVE HAD MANY, MANY CARS AND DO NOT DRIVE IRRESPONSIBLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW. THE MID WEST AUTO GROUP HAS ALWAYS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL AND I HAVE NO PROBLEMS W/THEM. *JS

SHIFT MECHANISM FROZE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEFORE GOING IN FOR SERVICE ON 1/6/12. UPON INSPECTION I WAS TOLD THAT REPAIR IS NOT CONSIDERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER CLAIMS THAT SOME COFFEE WAS SPILLED INSIDE OF CUP HOLDER AND LEAKED BELOW WHICH RESULTED IN SHORTING OUT OF A "WIRE CONNECTOR" AND REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE "SHIFTER ASSEMBLY." REVIEWING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM VARIOUS WEB SIGHTS I DETERMINED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF MINI OWNERS. IN FACT AN OWNER REPORTED THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT BACK IN 2003 WHERE THE REPORTED LEAK WAS FROM A SCREW FASTENING THE CUP HOLDER TO ITS SUPPORTING UNIT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE: IF THE WIRES CAN "SHORT OUT" THEY THEN MAY CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO DEVELOP AND IF THE SHIFTER FREEZES, THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EVEN MORE SERIOUS SITUATION. SINCE THE APPARENT LEAKING THROUGH THESE HOLDERS WAS EVIDENT TO MINI - FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS - WHY HAVEN'T THEY EITHER FIXED THE POTENTIAL LEAK SOURCE OR PRINTED A WARNING WITHIN THEIR MANUAL: "DON'T PUT ANY CUP, OR OTHER SUCH CONTAINER INTO THE CUP HOLDERS AS THIS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS." AREN'T "CUP" HOLDERS SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED TO HOLD CUPS SAFELY. SHOULDN'T THERE BE AN EXPECTATION THAT SOME LIQUID WILL SPILL OUT DURING USUAL DRIVING CONDITIONS? IF SO, WHY WAS THIS DESIGN FLAW NOT CORRECTED WITH CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OCCURRING FOR AT LEAST EIGHT YEARS? *TR

ALTERNATE WATER PUMP WIRING HARNESS FOR THE TURBO ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR TWO HOURS WHILE MY WIFE AND I WERE SHOPPING. WE GOT IN AND STARTED THE VEHICLE WHEN LESS THAN FIVE SECONDS LATER, THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND CHECKED THE ENGINE. WHEN THE BMW TECH CAME TO RENDER ASSISTANCE, WE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES CAME UP FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. USED MULTIPLE LITERS OF WATER TO DOUSE THE FIRE. CAR WAS TOWED TO MINI DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND REPAIRS. PLEASE VISIT NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM AND DO SOME SEARCHES FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED. *KB

ON 9/20/2011 I PULLED ON TO THE HIGHWAY WITH MY MINI AND TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER WHICH DID NOT WORK. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND THERE WERE NO LIGHTED INDICATOR LIGHTS. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE LIGHT WENT ON AND THEN WENT OFF. I TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND IT WAS NOW WORKING. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN SO I TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER, ENTERED THE RIGHT LANE AND SLOWED DOWN. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE CONTINUED TO GO ON AND OFF AND THEN I SMELLED SMOKE. WHEN I LOOKED IN MY REAR-VIEW MIRROR, I SAW DARK SMOKE AND THEN MORE SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUR FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I PULLED MY CAR OFF THE ROAD AND OPENED THE HOOD AFTER A WHILE. OIL WAS SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT TANK WAS BONE DRY. I WAS TOWED TO HASSLE MINI WHERE MY VEHICLE STILL IS. AFTER INSPECTING MY CAR, HASSLE TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T REPAIR THE ENGINE EVEN THOUGH MY WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS MY FAULT AND I SHOULD REPORT IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS ALSO TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $15,000.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY HASSLE WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE SHOULD BEHAVE LIKE THIS. MY LIFE WAS ENDANGERED IN THIS SITUATION. THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS I BELIEVE MINI SHOULD HONOR MY CAR'S WARRANTY: 1. ALL REQUIRED SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AND RECORDS PROVIDED. 2. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED ONLY 700 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AND FOUND TO BE IN RUNNING ORDER. 3. THE CAR HAD A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF FAULTY INDICATOR LIGHTS. 4. THERE WERE ONLY 13,674 MILES ON THE CAR. 5. MINI HAS A HISTORY OF ENGINE FIRES. *TR