The rear hatch latch mechanism on my car simply "broke". While the door locking system reported the hatch as "open", the hatch was actually closed. The latch, however, was frozen; "unlocking" via the fob or the dash switch did nothing.

When I first took it into the dealership, they said that they had never heard of such a thing! Had a parts issue that delayed getting this repaired - rear actuator was backordered from Germany.

When I picked it up today, found out that there was another CM in for the exact same problem! Both cars had been delivered in March of 2011.

FYI!

 

Much like the faulty thermostat censor in MANY cars, I dont think MINI really cares to address it!

 

Similar thing happened to my 2005 R53 after 3 months. The replacement latch was doing fine after 7 years.

 

I've had continuing events of getting in the car and being informed the hatch is not latched. The latch works, though. I know I'm not alone in this.

Both delivered in March, 2011! Eeek!

 

2 out of 20k vehicles a trend? No

 

Edmunds Inside Line reported a similar problem with their Countryman. One commenter said he had the same problem and then discovered something had gotten pinched in the latch.

Fortunately it has not happened on mine. Knocking on wood.

 

I get a warning light all the time that says my hatch isn't closed. And the annoying warning alert sound keeps going off if I don't get out and re-close the hatch to turn it off. Sometimes that warning will come on even if I haven't been in that hatch in a week....then all of a sudden it thinks its not closed properly.

 

+1

I've found that taking my key fob straight from the car and hanging it up inside the door when I arrive home has reduced these events. At least part of the problem may be unintended presses of the third button on the fob, as in a pocket or purse. It still happens, though.

 

I never thought about the "accidental" push of the button as I carried the fob around in my pocket. That is a good explanation of possible cause.