I just brought my 2014 mini into the dealer. They say my calipers are rusted and have seized. They say it is from the change in weather from being up north to now being in Florida. They say it isn't covered by warrantee. This doesn't make sense to me, the car is a year old. Love to hear what other people think or have experienced.

 

Worthy of a safety recall if so. Contact MINIUSA.

 

Most calipers will show some rust after being wet and then sitting for a few days. I would just drive the car around a few blocks slowly applying the brakes a little then when back at home look at calipers and see if the have cleaned up. That should be enough to clean them up. If not try again. The car must have driven to the dealers in order for them to check. If driven then rotors are not stuck.

 

Try another dealership in FL, there are a couple of them.

 

tell us where you are

and what dealer you are talking to

and maybe

we can help . . . .

IME a very uncommon reply from the guys I work with

(signals I look at: first post ..... dealer complaint .....

I'm in the hmmmmmmmmm mode)

ain't never b4 heard the 'rusted caliper' story . . . .

and I bought my first MINI in 2002

 

What a bunch of B.S.

They are trying to take advantage of you.

 

What he said. BS

If there was to be any rust issue with brakes it would have shown up in the NE with all the salt, hot and cold...Moving to FL would be the best thing for the car. We have a 2004 MINI with no problems.

If the caliper is rusted and frozen up it is because the boot isn't keeping water out and that should be a warrantee issue.

 

The salt and chemicals used in northern states to melt snow will rust just about anything, but I've never heard of calipers rusting to the point they seize after only one year. It takes a few years of bathing in road salt before they would seize. I have driven dedicated Winter cars over 10 years before having trouble with rust. I finally replaced the front brakes on my old truck after 15 years of Winter snow/salt/chemical duty. The poor truck is now going to be 18 years old in a few days.

Years ago cars would rust quite quickly. Cars today hold up very well. What dealership did you take your Mini to? You need to find another dealer. There are a few. I've visited two in the Tampa area, Ferman and Wesley Chapel and one in Orlando. Be aware that the same dealer may have a couple of dealerships. I think there are about 10 dealerships in the State of Florida, from Jacksonville to south of Miami.

 

WHAT did you bring you car into the dealer for ?

Do you have brake concerns ?

Do you have a picture ?

Thanks.

 

bump

curious

what is your 'status'

 

Why did you take it to the dealer? What are the symptoms.
As said above, the rotors will certainly develop surface rust, but that will (sometimes noisily) scrape off with pedal application.
Are they trying to say that ALL the calipers seized? One is highly unlikely. More than one, I'd say statistically impossible.

 

Hopefully an update.