Sections: Recalls/Campaigns Oct 25th, 2004 27 Comments MINIUSA has issued a recall campaign to update tank leakage diagnostic software. Here's an excerpt of the letter some 02-04 MINI owners are currently receiving:
MINIUSA has determined that certain 2002, 2003 and 2004 model year MINI automobiles may not fully meet the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board emission control requirements. In order to remedy this situation, MINI USA is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Recall Campaign. We are asking you as the owners of an affected vehicle to contact your Authorized MINI dealer at your earliest convenience to have the repair carried out.
The letter goes on to explain that the problem is a software error in the tank leakage diagnostic system that prevents the detection of a possible evaporation emission leak.
If you have a car that may be affected but have not received a recall letter you may want to contact MINIUSA (1 866 ASK MINI) to see if your car qualifies for the recall.
steve Oct 25th, 2004 Link
My dealer fixed this while the car was in for a different problem a couple of weeks ago (and before the recall notice was even mailed to me). I can detect no differences, except my auto lock/unlock feature that was programmed in 2 years ago (and never “took”) is now working.
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RB Oct 25th, 2004 Link
My '02 goes in for this also 3 weeks from now when I get back from Europe. Maybe then they can also fix the click in my steering and stumble!
*RB
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swingMCS03 Oct 25th, 2004 Link
I just get a busy signal when I call 800-ask-mini. Anyone else experiencing the same thing?
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Frank Oct 25th, 2004 Link
My 2 MINIs ('02 CVT and '04 MCS) are both affected by the tank leak software recall.
Both cars are scheduled to receive software update (V39?) early next week.
The CVT and MCS are currently running on V36 of the software with no problems whatsoever.
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Rich Denney Oct 25th, 2004 Link
I received this recall for my '02 MCS, and also received another recall notice to replace the crankcase breather line.
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Mike Oct 25th, 2004 Link
The proper telephone number is:
866-ASK-MINI
Using 800 will only get you a busy signal.
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Gabe Oct 25th, 2004 Link
Actually that was my fault – I had the wrong one down… sorry about that.
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swingMCS03 Oct 25th, 2004 Link
No problem, Gabe. Unfortunately, my car is affected by this recall so another trip to the dealer is in order.
Now, how about a test drive of one of those new MINIs…
If you call, have your VIN available.
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elmor fudwel Oct 25th, 2004 Link
to RB.
Though I don't know if this will work for you regarding your stumble: try changing gas brands and or stations.
Granted, I don't know the version of software your running, and I could've been fed a bunch of Bull “bleep”. I appear to be getting less stumble issues once I changed.
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RB Oct 25th, 2004 Link
FUD…thanks for the tip but I have tried that with no perceivable change. Colder weather is coming here in LA so it will be gone for a while.
*RB
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Hai Oct 25th, 2004 Link
Sorry I'm somewhat naive in this department. How can you yell if your car is affected? I have a 2004 CVT. Thanks.
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Rocketboy Oct 25th, 2004 Link
I got both too, and am I the only one who's not in a big hurry to get this fixed? I think the flowers will be just OK untill I go in for regular service. :)
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Frank Oct 25th, 2004 Link
Hai:
Call MINIUSA customer relations and give them the last 7 digits of your MINI's serial (VIN) number. From that they should be able to tell you whether your car is affected by the recall or not.
Most likely it will, given it is a 2004 CVT. The recall affects all models, regardless of transmission or engine.
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JayJ Oct 25th, 2004 Link
RB,
The click in your steering wheel is a loose steering bracket. It took MINI three times to actually figure it out.
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RB Oct 26th, 2004 Link
JayJ… Thanks but…Read the “Dreaded Steering Click” posted 10-12…There seems to be many manifestations*RB
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Ken Oct 26th, 2004 Link
I took my 04 Cooper in for its first oil service this past weekend, they did the recall then for me. Then, while waiting for it to be done, I traded it in for an MC40 . . . .
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Rich Oct 27th, 2004 Link
Today I recieved my recall letters. One for the diagnostic systems software problem and the other for “crankcase breather line may deteriorate causing the exhaust emissions to exceed the ecl”.
Has anyone else got the second recall?
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Mario Nov 9th, 2004 Link
Yes I also received both letter one for the diagnostic systems software problem and the other for “crankcase breather line may deteriorate causing the exhaust emissions to exceed the ecl”. my 2003 cooper s though may have another problem. it does not run smoothly. hesitation at low and high speeds is intermitten. the car has been at the shop for 101 days and they still cannot figure it out.
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Xman Nov 14th, 2004 Link
Anybody with an ECU mod did the software upgrade (V39)? I've heard a few guys who had problems after the upgrade… I have a unichip and I'm not too sure about messing with the software.
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LZ Dec 13th, 2004 Link
took my car in for routine service and the dealer took it upon themselves to do the ECU upgrade although I specifically said my car was having no issues.
The Upgrade introduced the problems it was supposed to fix, into my 04 S.
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carl ramkalawan Mar 28th, 2005 Link
I also had the recall taken care of. Has anyone had premature wearing of their rotors.My mini has 21000miles and already the rotors are rusted and been cut and serviced under warranty. I am convinced that these rotors are now under spec ,any comments??
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Dave Condon Jun 2nd, 2005 Link
We had our 2004 Mini Cooper software updated based on this recall notice. Ever since the update the thing runs like crap when first started. Our dealer promised us a new version of software to correct the cold running performance in May, but we have not heard back…
I would say avoid this update if at all possible, at least until Mini gets it right.
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Donna Laurentzius Aug 24th, 2005 Link
I had my 2004 mini updated and it runs like crap ever since.
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