Mini Cooper 2007-2013: Recalls and TSBs
As with most cars on the road today, there are a number of recalls and TSBs for the Mini Cooper that you should be aware of. This article has all the info you need to keep your ride safe and running right.
This article applies to the Mini Cooper (2007-2013).
Recalls and technical service bulletins (TSBs) are all over the news these days, scaring consumers with dangerous situations that could seemingly strike at any moment. While many times these incidents are isolated and rare, they also represent fixes that should be completed for safety's sake. While recalls are typically issued in times when safety is compromised, TSBs typically cover parts that should be replaced or fixes that should be completed to avoid premature failure or problems down the road. Keep reading, as we'll cover the recalls and TSBs that relate to the Mini Cooper.
Recalls and TSBs
Timing Chain Tensioner
Perhaps the most famous problem with the Mini Cooper is its timing chain tensioner, purported to be so good they didn't require service, instead leading to premature engine failure in some instances. Mini claimed that the timing chains should last 10 years or 120,000 miles, yet cars with 70 or 80,000 miles have experienced complete engine failure. After issuing a TSB back in 2008, BMW refused to compensate owners for engine repairs until it agreed to settle a lawsuit brought against it back in 2015.
Water Pump Circuit Board
BMW issued a recall for almost 89,000 2007 to 2011 Mini Coopers in lieu of an electronic circuit board that could overheat, and in some instances, even cause a fire. The circuit board controls the electric auxiliary water pump which cools the turbo. Owners were notified of the recall, but if you own one of the affected models listed below (especially if you bought your car used), you certainly want to check and make sure your car has been repaired properly.
- 2007-2011 MINI Cooper S
- 2008-2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman
- 2009-2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible
- 2011 MINI Cooper S Countryman
- 2009-2011 MINI John Cooper Works
- 2009 MINI John Cooper Works Clubman
- 2010-2011 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible
Other Recalls and TSBs
Here is a complete list of the recalls TSBs for the 2nd gen Mini Cooper. To check and see which recalls apply to your specific model, you can enter your car's VIN here to get an accurate listing.
| 00 Maintenance and General Hints | |
| SIM 00 02 02 | MINI Operating Fluids |
| SIM 00 02 02 Attachment | MINI Operating Fluids Attachment |
| SIM 00 02 07 | New Vehicle Preparation and Maintenance Requirements |
| SIM 00 03 07 | Condition Based Service |
| SIM 00 03 07 CBS | R56 CBS SERVICE ITEMS OVERVIEW |
| SIM 00 03 07 Symbols | CBS symbols |
| SIM 00 02 09 | CBS Service Maintenance Substitute Checklist |
| SIM 00 03 09 | TeileClearing (Enhanced Technical Support) |
| SIM 00 08 09 | MINI Product Content Changes |
| SIM 00 08 09 Attachment | Attachment to SIM 00 08 09 |
| SIM 00 01 10 | Quality Feedback Awards |
| SIM 00 02 10 | 2011 Model Year New Vehicle Preparation and Maintenance Requirements |
| 11 Engine | |
| SIM 11 01 07 | Service Action: Retrofit of Crankcase Ventilation Breather |
| SIM 11 02 07 | Rattle Noise from Engine |
| SIM 11 04 07 | Testing Induction Systems Using the VACUTEC® Smoke Machine |
| SIM 11 01 08 | N12 and N14 Engine Bedplate Sealing |
| SIM 11 02 08 | Knocking Noise from Vacuum Pump |
| SIM 11 03 08 | Turbocharger Failure - Oil Supply Line Blockage |
| SIM 11 06 08 | MINI Emblem Missing from Valve Cover |
| SIM 11 07 08 | Crankcase Ventilation System Specification |
| SIM 11 01 09 | N14 Replacement Cylinder Head Cover |
| SIM 11 02 09 | TeileClearing for Engine Components |
| SIM 11 03 09 | Whistling Noise from the Water Pump Area |
| SIM 11 02 10 | Incorrect Crankshaft Central Bolt Torque |
| 12 Engine Electrical Systems | |
| SIM 12 02 07 | Alternator Battery Positive Cable Connection |
| SIM 12 08 07 | N12 and N14 Engine Oil Service with CBS4 |
| SIM 12 09 07 | TeileClearing (Enhanced Technical Support) for DME |
| SIM 12 12 07 | Service Engine Soon (MIL) is On - Fault 2FAC: Engine Switch-off Time |
| SIM 12 01 08 | Service Engine Soon Lamp Illuminated: Lean Mixture Faults Stored in DME |
| SIM 12 02 08 | Service Engine Soon Lamp Is Illuminated: DME FC 276A |
| SIM 12 02 10 | Cooper S with N14 – Diagnosis for Misfire Faults |
| SIM 12 02 10 Cleaning Procedure | N14 Direct Injection and Combustion Chamber Cleaning Procedure |
| 13 Fuel Systems | |
| SIM 13 01 07 | Fuel Injection and Induction System Cleaning |
| SIM 13 01 07 Procedure C | SIM 13 01 07 - PROCEDURE C - N12 Engine |
| SIM 13 01 08 | Fuel Odor from the Engine Compartment |
| SIM 13 01 09 | Removing and Installing N14 Fuel Feed Line |
| 16 Fuel Supply Systems | |
| 17 Cooling Systems | |
| SIM 17 01 07 | Long-Term Antifreeze/Coolant: Maintenance, Repairs and Replacement Requirements |
| SIM 17 02 07 | Electric Cooling Fan Runs After Engine Is Shut Off |
| 18 Exhaust Systems | |
| SIM 18 01 08 | Safety Recall Campaign 08V-657: R56 Cooper S – Replacement of Tailpipe Extensions |
| SIM 18 01 09 | Voluntary Emissions Recall 09E-A01: R55 and R56 N12 - Catalytic Converter Replacement |
| SIM 18 01 10 | N18 – Cold Start Exhaust Rattle Noise |
| SIM 18 02 10 | N18 – Cooper S Exhaust Popping Sound |
| 21 Clutch | |
| SIM 21 01 07 | Honking and/or Howling Noise during Downshift |
| SIM 21 01 10 | Removing and Installing Self-adjusting Clutch (SAC) |
| SIM 21 01 10 Attachment | Self-adjusting Clutch Removal and Replacement Procedure |
| 22 Engine and Gearbox Suspension | |
| SIM 22 01 08 | Knocking Noise from the Front of Vehicle |
| 23 Manual Transmission | |
| SIM 23 01 08 | R55, R56 with Manual Transmission - "Stiff" Diagonal Gearshift |
| SIM 23 02 08 | TeileClearing for Getrag Manual Transmissions |
| SIM 23 03 08 | MINI with Manual Transmission - "Stiff" Diagonal Gearshift |
| 24 Automatic Transmission | |
| SIM 24 01 06 | AISIN Automatic Transmission Repair and Replacement Information |
| SIM 24 01 07 | Fluid Leak From Automatic Transmission |
| SIM 24 01 08 | R55, R56, R57 with F21 Transmission – Warning Light Illuminated with FC A0B6 |
| SIM 24 01 10 | TeileClearing for AISIN Automatic Transmissions |
| 31 Front Axle | |
| SIM 31 01 07 | Knocking Noise from Front Axle |
| 33 Rear Axle | |
| SIM 33 01 07 | Knocking Noise from Rear Axle |
| SIM 33 01 10 | Clicking Noise from Rear Suspension on Uneven Road Surface |
| 51 Body Equipment | |
| SIM 51 08 07 | Rattle from the Instrument Panel |
| SIM 51 09 07 | Water Leak from the Front Doors |
| 52 Seats | |
| SIM 52 01 08 | Seat Heater Feels Too Warm |
| SIM 52 02 08 | Rattle from the Rear Seat Backrest |
| SIM 52 01 10 | Squeak from Rear Seat Backrest |
| 54 Special Roofs | |
| SIM 54 01 07 | Wind Noise from Sunroof |
| SIM 54 04 07 | Sunroof Sunshade Opens Spontaneously |
| SIM 54 03 08 | Sunroof Will Not Open at High Temperatures |
| SIM 54 03 08 Lubrication Procedure | Sunroof Lubrication Procedure |
| 61 General Electrical Systems | |
| SIM 61 05 07 | Bad Ground Causes Various Electrical Problems |
| SIM 61 08 07 | ELV Does Not Release |
| SIM 61 10 07 | Service Action: Repair or Retrofit IBS Battery Sensor |
| 63 Lights | |
| SIM 63 01 09 | Headlamps Flicker and Move Up and Down by Themselves |
| SIM 63 03 09 | Headlamp Moisture: Fault Diagnostics |
| SIM 63 01 10 | Check Control Message but Lights are Operating Normally |
| 64 Heating and Air Conditioning | |
| SIM 64 02 08 | Driver Footwell Area Becomes Hot |
| SIM 64 02 08 Procedure | Procedure for installing insulating foam |
| SIM 64 01 10 | Air Conditioning Compressor Excessively Loud |
| SIM 64 01 10 Attachment | A/C Compressor excessively loud REPAIR PROCEDURE |
| 65 Audio, Navigation, Monitors, Alarms, SRS | |
| SIM 65 01 08 | Alarm Sounds After Locking Vehicle |
| SIM 65 02 08 | Alarm Activates by Opening the Tailgate Via the Remote |
| SIM 65 03 08 | Service Action: Real Time Traffic Information Not Available |
| SIM 65 05 08 | Service Action: Check SVS Function |
| SIM 65 06 08 | CD Doesn't Eject |
| SIM 65 07 08 | CCC: CD Player Bezel Rattles over Bumps |
| SIM 65 07 08 Procedure | SIM 65 07 08 Procedure to repair rattle |
| SIM 65 08 08 | Anti-theft Alarm Is Triggered Unexpectedly |
| SIM 65 11 08 | Audio Complaints Relating to Audio CD/Audio DVD Drive |
| SIM 65 01 09 | USB Audio Interface |
| SIM 65 02 09 | HD Radio™ - Functionality and Diagnosis |
| SIM 65 04 09 | iPhone Doesn't Charge When Connected To The USB Audio Interface |
| SIM 65 01 10 | CCC - "Please Insert Navigation DVD" appears on CID |
| SIM 65 05 10 | iPod/iPhone Has Extremely Poor Audio Quality and/or Is Not Recognized |
| SIM 65 06 10 | Navigation System Has Missing or Incorrect Road Map Data |
| SIM 65 07 10 | Real Time Traffic Information |
| SIM 65 07 10 Attachment A | Real Time Traffic Information FAQ |
| SIM 65 08 10 | CD Changer Is Inoperative and All LEDs Are Flashing Rapidly |
| SIM 65 09 10 | Bluetooth, Hands-free and USB Audio Functions Are Delayed After Vehicle Start |
| SIM 65 10 10 | Radio Display Errors |
| SIM 65 12 10 | USB Audio Output Is Inoperative or Intermittently Interrupted |
| 71 Tools and Accessories (Engine-Chassis) | |
| SIM 71 01 07 | Sunroof Emergency Operation Tool Eliminated |
| SIM 71 01 09 | Recall Campaign 09V-474: Inspect Tire Information Placard |
Related Discussions and Site
- TSB Database - NorthAmericanMotoring.com
- BMW Recalls Nearly 89,000 Mini Coopers - BMWBlog.com
- Timing Chain Tensioner Recall - NorthAmericanMotoring.com
