2010 MINICooper S. consumer writes in regards to issues with timing chain the consumer stated the engine light illuminated one week after being serviced. The first noticeable problem started with a leak. It was repaired by replacing a seal. It was then discovered there was a recall for the water pump, which was then replaced. When the vehicle was tested, the computer noted misfire faults and it was at that point, the timing chain was replaced and all its related parts. The technician noted carbon build-up. The consumer stated the fan stays on much longer than normal.

- Burlingame, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2010 MINIcooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V008000 (engine and engine cooling) and took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. Two days after the recall repair was performed on the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle while sitting at a traffic stop. The contact turned the vehicle off but the vehicle proceeded to ignite into flames. The police and fire department were called to assist and a report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the vehicle was pending investigation. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and the current mileage was 32,000.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2010 MINICooper S hatch back. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall sporadically while driving at various speeds and would often resist starting attempts. The contact was able to restart the vehicle every time the stalling failure occurred with the illumination of the instrument check engine light. The dealer was contacted and the vehicle was taken to have the failure diagnosed where the failure was contributed to excessive carbon buildup. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 16,000 and the current mileage was 18,000. Updated 03/14/12 the timing chain was leaking and had to be replaced. The consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 04/18/12

- Beaumont, CA, USA

The contact owned a 2010 MINICooper. While the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was an explosion under the hood. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed a brown spot on the hood and flames underneath the hood. The fire also spread throughout the vehicle. A police and fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and declared destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

- Peachtree City, GA, USA

The vehicle in question was being towed behind my motor home (which I do all the time) when another driver got my attention to see smoke coming from my car. I immediately pulled over grabbed my fire extinguishers and lifted the hood and put out the fire, before the fire department arrived. 6 firemen were unable to determine the cause or where it started.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Car driven two miles to market and returned home to high rise condo. Parked in garage of high rise. No problems noted during drive, parking or locking. Within 4-6 minutes, another resident in the garage reported a car on fire, hood/engine area to the management office. A 911 call sent out, took fire department ~ 1 1/2 hours to extinguish the blaze. Car has no history of any problems. Car in for tire rotation, oil change, gas gauge float replacement and xm radio antenna check six weeks earlier. Never any problems mechanically or electrically. Had manual transmission. No indication of any problems ever noted. I was in total disbelief when told my car had burned. Saw all the fire equipment from my unit and had no idea it was my car, had just been in it, and parked it as I always do. My insurance company adjuster and MINIdealership all said there were no know reported fires starting spontaneously. Fire and police did not know of any MINIfires reported. Just purchased another, am now concerned. Car was 23 months old and had 26,000 miles. My car was a joy to drive and always reliable. Thank you for the opportunity to share my experience. Hope it will help in solving, what now appears to be a problem.

- Destin, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2010 MINICooper. The contact stated that after turning the vehicle off, she could hear a loud and abnormal knocking. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who advised her that the noise was a normal occurrence for the vehicle yet the dealer repaired the fuel filter. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the noise was normal for the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 10. The VIN was unavailable.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

Vehicle caught fire while parked and unattended for over 7 hours. It was reported to the metropolitan police department under report number 10-140-031. The fire department advised it was mechanical defect.

- Washington, DC, USA