2005 MINICooper S with 42K miles. Driver side door fails to open from the inside. I can only exit the car by using the outside door handle which requires opening the window. If an emergency occurs which requires rapid exit from the car and there was a failure of the electrical system I would not be able to exit vehicle. 42K miles is fairly low and the car has not been abused. MINIcooper claims this is 'normal' wear. It is not 'normal' wear and is indeed a manufacturers defect which apparently happens to many MINIcoopers.

- Silvr Spring, MD, USA

Both door handles are inoperative from the inside. Dealer per phone call diagnosed "common problem" as the ballard cable disconnecting from the latch. After removing the door panel it was found to be intact. Problem is yet to be diagnosed. It is my assumption that there is a problem with the security system since the doors do not unlock when the ignition is turned off and the doors do not appear to try and lock when the vehicle reaches the set speed of 15 mph. This is a defect of grave concern since the occupants of the vehicle cannot immediately exit the vehicle in the event of a crash or fire and would be totally unable to exit in the event of an electrical failure.

- Goodman, MO, USA