Anyone else get a letter regarding this recall? I just got one informing me about a problem with the lower screw connection of the rear strut. The description of the problem indicates a potential defect involves the lower screw connection of the rear struts to the chassis. In very rare occasions due to a production problem with the screw, the head (top) of the screw securing this connection may break. The remaining portion of the screw (stud, or shaft) will still hold the strut in place. However if left unattended over a longer period of time, and depending on driving conditions, the remaining portion of the screw may break. If it broke, the chassis would lean directly on the tire diminishing the driver's abitliy to control the vehicle.
Depending on traffic conditions and the driver's reactions, this could lead to a crash without warning.

Well the letter freaked me out a bit and it had to arrive on a friday! Anyways I was curious to know if anyone has had any problems with this already taking place. I must give some thanks to MINI for at least staying on top of things, but being a "MINI test pilot" can get on the nerves sometimes. I still love this car, I just wanted to post this because of my concern of other MCO members potentially getting into some serious SNAFU style driving excitement.

Stay sharp and motor safely!

 

Thanks for making my weekend.
Really thanks for the info.
What was your build date?
Have you contacted MINI yet?
God Luck

 

My build date was 11/02. I did contact my local dealership Long Beach MINI and set up an appointment for this coming tuesday(it was the earliest they had). Apparently my car according to the VIN was one of the affected vehicles. I'm still gonna go out this weekend but I just won't be so hard on the curves and turns of my local freeway on and off ramps (usually the highlight of my motoring experience) I must say though that other than two recalls and two occurences of stalling in stop and go conditons (fixed with a software update) I haven't really had many other problems. Oh and the brown coolant but I'm not really sweating that because I haven't noticed any problems with the engine because of it.

 

Yep, I got the recall notice in the mail the other day. I have a MCS with a 10/02 build date. Will get it checked out as soon as I can.

 

I got my recall notice 4/12. I'm going to make a appointment to get it fixed along with replacing the shift **** and updating the ECU to 33.1.

I have a MC build date 10/21/2002.

retroom

 

Informed over the week-end too. My build date was 9/30/02. I take it in for service on Wednesday. I'll post a follow-up as to what was found.

 

I received my letter on Friday while my car was at the dealer for the coolant tank problem. The dealer was unable to complete the work so I picked up the car Fri evening and proceeded to flog it heavily around the cones on Sunday with absolutely no fear. I've had the rear shocks off twice and looking at the bolt, even if the head of the bolt shears off, the rest of the bolt is still threaded on the suspension. The bottom of the shock body would have to move about an inch to release from the headless bolt. I couldn't see this happening unless the car was airborne, and then the shock bolt would be low on the list of problems at that point. Motor On w/out fear.
My car will be in service on Tuesday, and I'll be driving the slowest steering loaner car in the world- Toyota Corolla.
My Cooper has a 11/02 build date.

 

>>Yep, I got the recall notice in the mail the other day. I have a MCS with a 10/02 build date. Will get it checked out as soon as I can.

Greatbear
our cars were seperated at birth
i have a Dark Silver MCS with a 10/02 build date, as well (a Libra)
i already took care of the recall (make sure they give you your free tank of gas)

 

btw: the recall is for cars built between 9/25/02 to 11/15/02
there is a thread called "recall" with more info

 

>>Greatbear
>>our cars were seperated at birth
>>i have a Dark Silver MCS with a 10/02 build date, as well (a Libra)
>>i already took care of the recall (make sure they give you your free tank of gas)

Cool! Twins!

I gotta say though, ever since I got my own car I have seen LESS on the roads than I had prior.

How long did it take at the dealer for your service to be completed? I know it says 1/2 hour, but that is ideal.

 

I got the notice too and they can get it in on Friday for the fix. I'm going to be sure to ask if I actually had a broken screw. (or a screw loose?! ) It might be fun to know since I'm livin' on the edge driving it around for a week! Kidding! From FWD's description I'm not too worried about it.

 

I took my 'S' into the dealer for a new coolant bottle and they fixed the recall on the rear strut bolts at the same time. It looks like they just replaced them with new bolts. I don't understand why they couldn't do your fix when your car was in the shop, it can't take them more than 5 min to fix it

 

We got the recall too. Called our service tech, but they haven't gotten the replacements yet. He's supposed to call back when he gets a ship date.

 

I got my bolt replaced this morning at MINI of Towson. For those of you who have not had it done. It takes approximately an hour from the time you pull in, to the time that they bring it back to you.:smile: :smile:

No loaner car is required.

Kudos again to the fine folks in their Service Department. Chilly went in covered in pollen and came back washed clean.

Lolo

 

Mine goes in Monday for the "fix". Seems almost silly to drive 2 hours to replace a bolt that sounds like it's easy to do. Wish they could've just mailed me the bolt. :???:

 

Recalls are intended to reduce a manufacturer's legal liability (particularly when the potential problems are as serious as this one seems to be). How could they possibly achieve this goal by mailing owners the parts and trusting them to install them correctly (or at all).

 

>>
>>How long did it take at the dealer for your service to be completed? I know it says 1/2 hour, but that is ideal.
>>

half hour........without the wash (i wash my own car, i'm funny like that)
don't forget the FREE gas fill-up (i didn't know and rolled in with a full tank)

 

>>Recalls are intended to reduce a manufacturer's legal liability (particularly when the potential problems are as serious as this one seems to be). How could they possibly achieve this goal by mailing owners the parts and trusting them to install them correctly (or at all). <<<

I realize the reasons behind it are valid, but it still allows for wishful thinking.

 

Got my bolts replaced. Painless operation, although I did suffer from temporary withdrawl syndrome. Back on the road again!!

 

>>don't forget the FREE gas fill-up (i didn't know and rolled in with a full tank)

FREE gas fill up? Really? Is this part of the free maintenance schedule? You're kidding, right?

 

I just wanted to report that I brought the MINI in on thursday and service went off without a hitch. I even got my first oil change, I waited for 10,000 miles before doing this and no problems to speak of. Oh YES this recall does include a free full tank of gas which is why I made sure I drove everywhere I could before the service . I met one other MINI owner who brought in his vehicle for some problems with his navigation system, and I told him about the recall so he also had the service guys check the bolt too. Unfortunately I forgot to get his name but he does frequent this site too. So far I have had no real major problems (knock on wood). Total service time actually took almost five hours because it appears there were quite a few BMWs in service too, but the car cleaning and full tank was worth it. I hated taking a day off work to do this though.

 

>>
>>>>don't forget the FREE gas fill-up (i didn't know and rolled in with a full tank)
>>
>>FREE gas fill up? Really? Is this part of the free maintenance schedule? You're kidding, right?
>>
>>
>>
not part of the maintenance schedule, but part of the recall
when i brought her in for the recall they informed me that i get a free fill-up,
of course i just stoped for gas and filled her on the way there
who know

 

I just got mine fixed and it was very quick. No more than 30min. i got a car wash but no free fillup. They were very nice at Century MINI in Greenville SC

 

I got mine fixed the first week of the recall. I had read about it earlier and was ready to do it. Never had any problems. I brought in my MCS to the dealer at 12 noon- dropped it off with about 5 other minis that were already there having the same thing done. I went to a meeting nearby and was called at 2pm when my meeting was over that my car was ready. Very good for me because I was going to be nearby for those two hours anyway- no extra effort needed. I got a co-worker to give me a lift both ways.

I didn't get a fill up and my car was already clean so I didn't notice if they had washed it or not although they likely did wash it. Maybe my job was fast because they skipped the wash and I was happy she was

 

recall; I had a cooper s 2002 bought in december 2002, we had a bad accident, the symptoms where exactly like mini explains in the recall letter will happen. My car roll over on the drivers and we hit a tree, the car was a total loss.
This accident happen on february 7,2003 and we reported to mini usa. on the recall letter they say that they have not heard of any accidents regarding this problem, we had one and mini does not want to recognize it. But by simple coincidence after a month after our accident mini isues a recall regarding this problem on the 2003 s models build between september and november 2002.
I bought another cooper s 2003 before the recall and when I got the letter we really freak out and took the car to the dealer and they told me i have to make an appointment to come back another day, when I told them about my accident the took my car in right away and the job was done in 45 minutes.
I am still fighting with mini and i will suggest to any mini cooper s owners even of the 2002 models to check the mentioned parts because is not fun to be driving and suddenly the cars looses control and leans to one side and then flips. Imagine yourself if you are going on the highway at 70 miles/hour?????
I hope i will not scare anybody but i will prefer everybody to be alert and safe.
e-mail me with coments PPANTHER8@AOL.COM