Earlier today, I got into my brand spankin' new 2013 Mini Cooper S Hardtop, and started the engine up. To my horror, the engine began to vibrate the car, and the Engine light came on, partially shaded in yellow. I recorded the event on my iPhone and then turned off the engine. Looked it up in my handbook (as I am a first-time Mini owner) and it stated that the warning light was for "full engine power no longer available". I called the dealer who said they'd see me tomorrow morning.

I am royally pissed -- this is a brand new car, not a month old. Nothing out of the ordinary has occurred. I have driven it to and from work on the highway, zipping about on the weekends, nothing outside the norm. Why in the hell has this happened to a new car? I am none too pleased.

I am curious as to what the dealership will try to say tomorrow. More to come...

Have others had this issue? All the reasons that I can find out online as to why the light would come on are just absurd for a new car.

 

All you can do is wait and see. It's probably something simple and an easy fix. I would be angry too but try and wait to worry too much.

 

Thanks, I hope so :-)

 

It's probably a simple electrical / electronic failure, maybe a sensor or a loose connection. They tend to happen either very early in the life of the vehicle, or after a long time. Hopefully it will get fixed easily and give you no more trouble.

 

 

 

Nothing will be better than getting into the dealer and having this checked out and repaired.

It may not help your mental state to ponder that "brand new cars" are full of brand new parts, all as-yet untested in service, but that's the case. So sometimes: parts fail, even right away. On cars of all price ranges.

 

I have you beat. Pulled a CEL 2 miles off the lot in my new '08 MCS. Car stalled and died at a red light. Pushed her to the shoulder and sat for a bit. Took about 10 min to get the engine to turn over again, and greeted with a half-yellow engine light. Turned around and limped back to the dealership, and was diagnosed as a vacuum leak. Hose replaced in about an hour, sent back on my way with countless apologies.

In retrospect, it was a good thing I didn't raise a sh** storm back then because in 4 yrs and 70,000 miles of ownership I ended up with a decent MINI. It did have all of your standard warranty-covered issues (warped hood scoop, sticking sunroof, and timing chain in particular) but clutch was all good and no other issues otherwise.

 

So are we! Any updates?

 

Last night, the dreaded CEL light came on. I checked owner's manual and it said power is reduced, but safe to drive. I called dealer this morning and he said it was okay to drive over the mountain to my nearest dealer. . After starting engine this morning, light was on but went off after about five minutes. I am taking my car into the dealer tomorrow and have a loaner set up. Not what I wanted to do with my day off. I upgraded to a newer mini less than two weeks ago, to have a reliable car. I am optimistic that it will be repaired.