The driver's side door latch does not open the door. I am unable to exit my car without unlocking the doors from the central panel, rolling down the driver's side window and opening the door from the outside. This is clearly not a best practice in an emergency situation. I have seen multiple complaints about this issue which I would like MINIto recognize as dangerous. If it is just a cable inside the door that is needed, the total cost for repair will be $233 (the part is $17 the rest is for labor).

- Salem, MA, USA

MINIcooper doors cannot be opened using either the inside or outside door handles under certain freezing conditions. This has occurred multiple times during freezing weather, usually when snow or ice is present. The failure occurs intermittently on both the passenger and driver side doors. At times, it occurs after the vehicle has been parked for many hours when temperatures are below freezing. However, it can also occur after the door has been opened and the vehicle driven for 30 minutes or more. When the failure occurs, neither the inside nor outside handles will open the door. The only recourse is to exit (or enter) the vehicle using the other door (so far there has not been an instance when both doors froze) and wait for the condition to rectify itself.

- Sewickley, PA, USA

My 2003 MINICooper has almost caught on fire several times, replaced transmission, electrical harness, power steering pump, A/C hoses and A/C service, wheel bearings, injection plugs etc....... I still cannot find the real problem why is causing a short, it has almost caught on fire several times, this car has been the most dangerous car I have ever own, I have never spend so much money on trying to fix any vehicle, right now I'm about $11,500 in costs of repairs, this is a crime to the consumer, I have been reading about a class action lawsuit that is in progress, I hope and pray that we get justice from the maker of MINI

- Fontana, CA, USA

The upper right hinge on the rear hatchdoor of my 2003 MINIsheared in half causing the door to spring off and almost hit me on the head. It also poses the risk of the rear hatch door flying off while the car is in motion posing a hazard to other drivers and pedestrians. BMW charged me $700 dollars to replace the hinge and refused to admit responsibility for this defective design. When I checked on the internet it appears that this is a know hazardous defect. The following are emails exchanged by me with BMW which quote some of the internet threads on this issue. See e.g. www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/stock-problems-issues/86679-please-lube-rear-hatch-hinges-2.html and www.minicooperforums.com/forum/showthread.php?T=2245. Moreover, the service manager for MINIat the dealership admitted to me that this is a common problem. Email: The issue is not the life of a vehicle part but of a design defect and safety flaw. Hinges on the hatch lid should not break off endangering owners under normal conditions. The lid almost fell on my head. This seems to be a common problem and my dealer confirmed it. Are you going to wait for a lawsuit. Moreover, a $700 price tag to replace a $30 dollar hinge is outrageous. These hinges should not fail with normal use and that is all it has been subjected too. If you look on the internet you will see numerous complaints about this problem and my guess is that you have received them as well. This has completely ruined the MINIexperience for me and I will not be a repeat owner with that attitude. Please read them. As you can see you have a serious design flaw that you are ignoring and passing on to the customers. If I do not receive some satisfaction with this I will file a complaint with the NHTSA. On August 28, 2010. The rear hatch door of my MINIfell off when being opened because the hinge broke in half. This could have been serious but fortunately no one was hurt.

- Montauk, NY, USA