My car wouldn't start this morning and exhibited similar symptoms to those in this thread. Engine would turn over, occasionally catch but idle really rough until it died. I didn't think about it until I read a post a few above mine, but the engine fan was running really loud the last time I drove it yesterday. I'm just glad it waited to break down when I was home and successfully made the 500 mile trip back from CO on Sunday.

I haven't heard anything from the dealer yet. He said they were really busy and mine would be the first they look at tomorrow (I'm pretty sure they tell everyone this ).

 

Yeah, thermostat sensor. Ask them when they replace the thermostat if you are getting a different/revised part number? Or one from a lot of known "good" thermostats if they have perhaps contained the issue to certain lots produced. Try to find out what MINI has done to truly root cause and solve the problem instead of just putting a new part on hoping that it won't happen later. There were rumors that a new part came out in the fall, but I cannot confirm that yet. If so then there will be a lot of people asking to have their suspect ones replaced.

 

I REALLY want a 2012 Mini Countryman S. Now I'm afraid to buy one!

What percentage of owners in the forum do you think have this problem?

 

Well, I know of a dozen or more reported on this forum alone. SOunds bad, but assuming MINI sold over 20,000 CM's in the last year & a half, then the percent failure is STILL very low. The problem I have is twofold.

First, the thermostat, in my opinion, is not designed for what I call a "Fail Safe" mode. The failure of one small temperature sensor causes a complete shutdown of the vehicle. There should be a warning indicator, and some type of "limp Home" mode.

Second, MINI appears to feel that simply replacing failed components with more of the same is an acceptable practice. They did this with the trim, and they are doing it with the thermostat. If there is a newer design, they should be replacing failed units with better components.

The car overall is a great vehicle. I would not be afraid to buy one. I would hope that Mini has worked out the bugs by now, and that current production has the fixes in place. Overall, the local dealer has been very easy to work with, but MINI as a company has not.

Mark

 

As a Director of Quality for my company I completely agree. I have sent two emails from the MINI Owner's Network (the official MINI site) asking about details of the thermostat issue. I even marked them urgent from drop down menu on their site and filled in my phone number in that box. That was weeks ago and no response. I get that problems will happen time to time, but no response on issues is very poor customer service. I don't understand why they give the ability on the site to email them if they are not going to respond.

 

I would not be afraid per say to buy one. Just understand that until the thermostat issue is resolved you may (very small chance) have a poor or even worse no start condition and have to be towed to the dealer. Or your fan could run excessively when parked and wake up with a dead battery. MINI will pay for towing, but it is a pain if you are far away from the dealer. Even more of an issue if you were stranded way out in the desert or woods someplace with no cell service. That is why I believe they should be recalling these. My only thought is they haven't solved it yet, so there is no other recourse so far but to keep replacing parts. If that is the case, then it would be nice to know rather than be kept in the dark.

This issue is not affecting every car of course, probably a small percentage, but enough to get lots of chatter here. Maybe you could tell the dealer you are concerned about it and you want to know more about what MINI has done to root cause and solve the problem before you consider your purchase. Then please report back to this thread.

I will say the car is a BLAST to drive. It turns heads all the time too as not many know that MINI has put out a 4 door small SUV. I got mine pretty loaded with all the options and wouldn't have done it any differently.

 

I posted a few weeks ago about having my mini replaced. I know that it just came off the boat last week so I am assuming that my build date is more recent. If Mini fixed the problem, I should have a good car this time. I will post an update on this thread (good or bad) in a month or so to let everyone know how a "fresh off the line" countryman is doing. I am at 500 miles and keeping my fingers crossed. I have to agree that it's a GREAT car...one little romp in the snow and you're HOOKED! Even with the problems I've had, I wouldn't drive anything else.

 

I got there right at closing so there wasn't really anyone to ask, but the part number on the service invoice is 11-53-7-588-876. I don't know what the old part number is, so I can't say if it's different or not. I bet it's the same part.

 

I called my SA on Friday to ask and he said they have not changed the part number. So either they don't have a fix yet or they have already contained the issue to certain lots of the part produced. He was not told of either case by MINI. Or worse they have deemed it too low of a risk to happen more than once to the same owner and are not worried about it.

Nonetheless I took mine camping with my son's Boy Scout troop this weekend and it got down into the teens (deg. F). It started every time. That was good news but until I hear something official from MINI on the issue I will still have a slight anxiety when starting it up on very cold days.

On a very positive note, it was a BLAST to drive and very sure footed in the heavy snow.

 

Hello all, 1st time poster here.
After my '11 Countryman S did not start this Sunday I felt very comforted after reading this thread.
I've become fairly confident that you can add me to the list for the thermostat issue.
It was about 30 degrees (Fahrenheit) in the garage, the engine turned over, but quickly conked out...repeated this about 5 times, and no go. Had them tow it away this morning.
I will update on what the problem really is.

 

Yup, it was the thermostat housing unit part #:11-53-7-588-876
with thermostat # 115040 (I think)? that got replaced. Took about 5 hours, and got it back the same day.

I really would love to figure out how to unplug the sensor, just in case I get stranded somewhere rediculous if the thermo breaks again so I can make an attempt to limp somewhere.

 

+1...

Not 100% sure as it just happened, but this sounds exactly correct.

I am going to try to sleuth out the temperature sensor and see if it works with that disconnected.

Mini of Portland has an excellent service team. I trust them not to lie to me at least... I'll see if I can get some facts about this.

So expect an update later, hopefully with some quality information.

 

When MINI updates a part they do not nessacarly update the number, mostly just goes by date codes, if there is a bad batch they will very rarely release the excat changes and dates to the dealership level personel. The thermostat had supposedly been updated in 1/11, It is not specific to CM, it applies to all cars using the N16 and N18 motor.

 

Mine was built summer of 2011, so well after that date. I tried to schedule an appt. for an oil change this week and they don't have any slots free until 3/26. I asked the SA again this time on the phone if he knew of any changes MINI had made with the thermostat and he said no they have just been replacing them when people have problems and yes some have had to be replaced twice. He said he would try to find out some more info for me when I come in on 3/26 for the oil change.

 

Right... well that took longer than expected. Mini was busy, then I got busy.

It was the temp sensor. Here's the text from the service receipt:

"Checked the fault memory and found super knock and misfire faults. As per service bulletin SI M11 01 11 checked the cooling temperature and found it to be greater than 2. Replaced thermostat according to service bulletin."

"Super" indeed.

Same part numbers as quoted here before.

A quick search couldn't get me the TSB referenced... The only good source seems to be behind a paywall. Anybody paying alldata.com that feels like sharing?

 

I'll add mine to the list now. Had my car shipped to Alaska back in October when it had 4000 miles on it. Within a couple weeks started exhibiting the same problems with over heating, poor idle, not starting, etc. After babying it for months, taking it to the BMW dealership up here only to find out not only do they not do warranty work, but they also couldn't fix it, I ordered the part on my own from Seattle MINI (great people there) and its getting fixed next week!

 

Hi all, posted in the R60 forum but i'm also added to the list of failures now. Car is currently stranded at dealer for 2nd day waiting for new thermostat to arrive.

 

This was posted in elsewhere, but it appears they have finally redesigned the thermostat.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...good-news.html

 

Well I just joined the yellow engine light club...
Called mini, said I could still drive it and they will pick it up in a week.

Seeing all these TStat problems.... lets see if thats it...
It still drives strong city driving... Haven't taken it on the highways with this yet.
If it is a TStat.... why not recall them...unless they DON'T have a good replacement.
If THAT is the case, I will trade this in for something else... Don't mind a problem if theres a GOOD replacement part. BUT watching on this site, tstat replaced multiple times... I'm not gonna put up with that. Once out of warranty it costs me.

I guess we'll soon find out....

 

There is a recall on the T-stat sensor!

 

Thanks... I will follow up on that when they pick it up

 

Of course now the engine light has gone off. They still pick it up tomorrow and will do the warranty oil change. If there is a recall on the TStat or sensor, they will do it....

THIS will determine if I buy another mini for my wife....or not. They don't know it... I'm not telling them... Tell me there's no recall.... FAILED! Tell me they are charging me for engine diag.... FAILED!

And oil changes at $149??? Are they nuts? I had the garage that I've trusted for over 30 years do it (yes they have many mini customers) and they charged me $80...that included all fluids topped off etc...

Plus they gave it a once over to make sure things seemed right....no extra charge.

Yeah, tomorrow will tell me if I get another one... OR if I even keep this one.
Go nuts dealership.....it may be your last shot....

 

Mini called... TStat sensor.... On recall list...

Said they addressed it...
I asked how they addressed it?
Replaced it of course!

I assume nothing...

I also asked if the replacement was a redesign... Nope, just a new one.
So now what is not known, is....if its a replacement part from the same bin as
the recalled ones came from.... Time will tell...

So they will return it to my driveway in the morning...

They did leave a nice white with black roof hard top in my driveway.
Gotta say, it may be a loaner, but its a nice loaner.
Unfortunately I didn't get to drive it.
I wasn't here when they dropped it off and I won't be here when they pick it back up...
Maybe next time

 

Having the yellow light doesn't necessarily mean you have a thermostat problem. Trust me, if the thermostat failed, you would not "drive strong in the city". The car would barely start, stumble a bit, and stall. The cooling fan would come on, and never stop. You might have another issue if your car still runs well around town.

As much as I beat up on MINI and their dealer network, I have to say that the people at the shop floor level actually tried their best. I hope they give you a good reason for the yellow light, and they fix it to your satisfaction. I'm still up in the air over whether or not I'll ever buy another MINI.

Mark

 

Interesting - they did stuff....not sure it was all the RIGHT stuff but they did stuff...

AND they did a state inpection...I didn't ask them to but they did...
The garage I have used for 35 years does a lot better job of letting me know such things as brakes left, tire tread left.. Mini just said...passed, passed, passed and charged me $30 higher than the going rate for stickers... Oh well, I'll deal with that later...

Back to the problem at hand...
They did replace the sensor.
AND some Timing Chain Tensioner seal... material too soft?

Replaced all the wiper blades and warranty oil change.

And they washed it...

Took it to work today, it does feel like its running better. Used to have a rough start, stalled a few times, then would run. NOW it just runs....

AND there was a lug nut that was stripped. The guy that does my tires does NOT use the air wrench to torque the lugs. He uses a torque wrench. He is extremely careful....
Mini said it was that way when they got to it. Maybe... No way to know....but they did replace it... Better than running without all lugs I suppose LOL

SO lets see if this is fixed.... Time will tell.
This mini dealer claims to have 3 of the top best mini gods(mechanics) in the USA. They did make that statement. Another is somewhere out west...according to them.
I will certainly let you know