Freezing Door Handles

Dean Feb 4th, 2005 Link

Darn! I was hoping the fix was a new house in Miami.

Ian Feb 4th, 2005 Link

This might cause a run on door handles ;) I wonder if MINI USA anticipates the likely reaction when this news hits somewhere like MotoringFile!

Randall Feb 4th, 2005 Link

Hasn’t the bigger issue been frozen windows that won’t drop down when the door is opened, staying up when the door is then closed, and then hitting the trim on the body ?

Gabe Feb 4th, 2005 Link

Ian – I thought about that. I’ve been told we’ve created a run on other parts due to some previous stories. We’ll see!

One thing I should say is that if you don’t have an issue I’m sure MINI would appreciate not getting your door handles replaced.

Marty Feb 4th, 2005 Link

I’ve had this problem. I remember pulling up to my driveway- trying to exit my Mini- and failing. Luckily I had my cell phone and I phoned my family to come help me out my car!!!!

Mini said theyd replace the handles for free but theyre not doing a recall- if you want it you have to go get it

Marty

GSKChicago Feb 4th, 2005 Link

I can speak to the improved door handles… I have an early ‘05 MCS that was of course built after 04/04. In Chicago we’ve had a few nasty days and my door handle has not frozen at all. So it does work (but I have no idea how rampant the problems were/are on older models).

AldoS Feb 4th, 2005 Link

When MINI has a fix for HOT door handles let me know;-) Aldo sunny Austin, TX

Michael S. Feb 4th, 2005 Link

Funny I dont have this problem…MINI is never out in the cold, and kept in a heated garage. :) I might still ask for it at my next servicing.

Josh Feb 4th, 2005 Link

I have an ‘04 MC that was built right around 4/04. I haven’t had any problems with the handle freezing, but the windows have frozen multiple times.

Brian Feb 4th, 2005 Link

This is great news. One of only 2 problems that we’ve had with our ‘04 EB MCS (built 09/03) is a passenger handle that sticks in the ‘pulled-in’ position whenever the temperature gets below ~40 degrees (the driver can just open the door from inside, so it’s not been a big deal). Otherwise, we’ve had over 16K trouble-free miles of motoring.

RB Feb 4th, 2005 Link

There are some people I would like to see lick those handles!

mataku Feb 4th, 2005 Link

I dont see how this could not be a recall. If there are obvious prolems with the handle, it doesn’t make sense to leave out those who’s warranty are expired.

Evan Feb 4th, 2005 Link

This is the most exciting posting yet on Motoring File. The only complaint that I have ever had about my MC is that the doors freeze shut. I’ve had to climb out the window and once through the hatch….I’ve even opened the door, driven to my destination, and then been frozen in…

Hopefully this will fully solve the issue. I’ve wondered how long they could have let all of the complaints go unanswered. This happened from the day I got my MINI last January.

Thanks Motoringfile and MINIUSA…as long as the part doesn’t end up back ordered…

Motor on with working doors!

Nicholas P Feb 4th, 2005 Link

If they fixed this in 4/04, why didn’t they issue a warranty then so that 01/02/03 MINIs could get the fix under warranty?

TJKonarski Feb 4th, 2005 Link

As far as a recall goes, if I remember right the government has certain laws or whatever in place that dictate when a manufacturer is required to do a recall, whether the manufacturer feels it’s necessary or not. But, on the other hand there times when manufacturers will do a voluntary recall just for the sake of safety, reputation, advice from the legal department, etc…

Gabe Feb 4th, 2005 Link

Nicholas – this fix is provided under warranty.

And in terms of why this wasn’t an official recall – I would guess it only effects those of us in cold climates. Because of that it wouldn’t have made sense to recall all MINIs.

Panda MINI Feb 4th, 2005 Link

As a resident of Buffalo, New York, this is fabulous news! I have had to climb into the car through the hatch 3 times so far this winter…luckily, I’m petite. I’m going to bet that there will be a back order on these at my local MINI dealership seeing as their can’t be a single Buffalo MINI owner who hasn’t been waiting for these since purchase. Thanks Gabe for the notice!

mataku Feb 4th, 2005 Link

I don’t agree with the whole, only those of us in cold weather need to worry about it. Fact is, it’s a bad handle design. So say I live in California now, but what if in a few years I decide to move somewhere cold? My handles will freeze then and I would have to get it fixed with my own money?

heck no! I go and get it fixed no matter what because it’s just plainly a bad handle and needs to be properly taken care of.

Panda MINI Feb 4th, 2005 Link

Quick update: my replacement door handles are on order! Thanks!

mataku Feb 4th, 2005 Link

in terms of Nicholas’ remark, i’m guessing that he means he’s over the miles mark for the warrnanty and i’m sure there are many others who are out of warranty due to miles.

anyways, i didn’t mean to be rude or anything with my previous comment although rereading it, it sounds kinda mean.

Brian Feb 4th, 2005 Link

Sheesh, I don’t get what all the moaning is about. It’s not like MINI is trying to scam owners by not instituting a recall for all cars.

If my handles worked as well in cold conditions as they do when it’s warmer I’d leave it well enough alone. Our MCS is rattle free, and I’m concerned about door rattles after getting the repair.

Besides, since there’s been a TSB issued for this problem, you’d be able to get the repair done at no cost even after the warranty expires.

Marty Feb 4th, 2005 Link

Just in case your mini dealership isnt in the town you live (like me) this is the quick way to open your doors when they are frozen

Jiggle the black clicker on the handle up and down a few times and then try and open it normally. It seems to work for me (when im trying to get in from the OUTSIDE)

DavidK Feb 4th, 2005 Link

You know when I walked outside today it was almost 60 degrees down here in Florida (man that’s cold), and I thought my door handle might be frozen, but then I remembered that I parked it in the garage.

Rocketboy Feb 4th, 2005 Link

For all the griping that this is not a full recall, just be suprised that there is even a fix under warentee for this. Most car companies would just tell you tough s if your doors freeze. It’s way cool of MINI to care enough about their customers that there’s a free fix out there.

PandaMINI, Hey fellow WNYer, stop on over at the club message board (you can get there by via my blog, just click on my name)…

Steve Feb 4th, 2005 Link

I think it is very cool of MINIUSA to offer this fix. I haven’t had a problem yet, but I try to leave the car inside when the weather is bad..

Ian - Ottawa Feb 4th, 2005 Link

About time! I haven’t washed my car in over two months to avoid frozen doors (last year I learned the hard way – once the water gets in, it takes 2-3 weeks to dry out completely)

Josh Wardell Feb 4th, 2005 Link

Mine is a May 04 build and from the illustration clearly of the newer design. Neat! I never suspected there was a difference in handles. :)

They have certainly been encased in ice where water has frozen. They have been very tough to pull at times, but they always worked with a little effort, never was it a problem. The only issue I’ve had is they may not pop back out when it’s cold…but you can press the front part to lever them back.

But yes..I can attest the new-design handles stand up to the crazy freezing weather we’ve had here in boston.

Alex SM Feb 5th, 2005 Link

If the door handle is frozen isn`t it possible to lower the window with the key and open it from the inside?

TJKonarski Feb 5th, 2005 Link

Thank you.

Gabe Feb 5th, 2005 Link

His IP and location were just sent to Comcast’s (his ISP) abuse department. His IP was also banned.

TJKonarski Feb 5th, 2005 Link

Wow, you have a zero-tolerence policy on here. Good for you.

mataku Feb 5th, 2005 Link

I guess since this is my first car I don’t know much about how company’s deal with things like these. so you’re saying most companies would just leave their customers out in the cold? sounds quite lame to me.

oh and what’s a TSB?

Brian Feb 5th, 2005 Link

TSB = technical service bulletin.

MrV Feb 5th, 2005 Link

Slightly off topic here, but not entirely since lots of the last few posts have referenced the new changes in the MINI in 2005.

Any progress getting a pdf of th “new” 2005 manual. It should include information on the post-January additions and changes.

Anyone…?

Gabe Feb 5th, 2005 Link

I wouldn’t be surprised if there is never an updated manual to be honest with you. Unfortunately you might have to just hold tight until the ‘06 manual comes out in PDF form.

BTW what info are you needing?

Tom Feb 6th, 2005 Link

Thanks for the official notice. I bought two ‘03 MCS’s and had horrific experiences with both in NW PA winters. Our new ‘05 MCS works fine and we just had my son’s handles changed over last week. I put my query to some of the Mini forums and got the standard..’it’s not the handle, you just have to clean the snow from the lock crap..’ I can’t believe there are some people out there who think this was a trivial matter. My wife was locked in her car one day and could not exit. What if you needed to exit in an emeregerncy situation?? My ‘05 has been good all winter so the fix seem to be OK.

B.Balkar Feb 23rd, 2005 Link

I have an 05 mcs and obviously they havnt fixed the problem with the door handles. I could not get out the drivers side door and had to get out of my vehicle through the rear hatch. Has anyone else experienced the same problem with the 05 Mini

Clinton Brown Jan 1st, 2006 Link

MINIUSA took my MINI from Alaska to Seattle to fix the frozen door locks. Now they have my car in Seattle and are refusing to send it back to Alaska, saying that they never made the promise to begin with. They also refuse to allow me to speak with the Western Region Manager, saying that “he is on a busy travel schedule and is unable to speak with customer.” If you have any information about the Western Region (Ontario,Ca) please contact me immediately. jaegerak@gci.net, my car has been in Seattle since 1 Dec 05 and I cannot get anyone to listen!!

J. Holmes Oct 4th, 2006 Link

Yes, B. Balkar. I’ve had the same difficulty on my ‘04. My dealer lubed the latches, but when it’s wet out and freezes hard (which it often does here in Michigan), the interior door handle won’t move at all. My dealer tells me no one else has reported this problem…

MotoringFile » Archive » White Roof Radio #116 Dec 5th, 2006 Link

[...] A little tire and wheel talk in preparation for some cold weather prep discussion. Since Todd and Gabe were under a big pile of snow, we thought the time was right. Do your door handles freeze? Motoringfile posted a fix a while back. And some headlight talk. If you have retrofitted Xenons to your MINI, let us know how much you paid in the comments section. [...]

whiteroofradio.com » Woofcast #116 Dec 5th, 2006 Link

[...] Do your door handles freeze? Motoringfile posted a fix. And you can see Josh Wardell’s RainX vs. Aquapel comparison here. [...]

Clinton Brown Jan 12th, 2007 Link

Mini Roadside Service took my car to Seattle, it was then finally repaired and sent back to Alaska after nearly 40 days. Now less than one year later the DOOR LOCKS are FROZEN again. If it was up to me this car would be GONE!!! My wife loves her mini and will put up with their substandard designs and piss-poor service.

Ray Jan 16th, 2007 Link

Good luck getting this covered in or out of warranty. I just called the dealer in Michigan and was told this TSB is a fake and that anything “off the internet is mostly fake”. I am sure it is not a “fake” and this is one of many similar incidents I’ve had with this dealer. Unfortunately, they’re the only one in the state.

I guess they won’t be selling me a new car anytime soon

Darren A Feb 13th, 2007 Link

I live in Kodiak Alaska, and bought my ‘04 MCS (11/03 build) used. I’ve been locked out of my car on many occasions this winter due due to frozen door handles. Decided to do a quick search on the web and found this site. After taking a look at this TSB, I’ve determined that my car has the older design door handles.

My car is still covered under warranty, but we don’t have a dealer anywhere in Alaska. I don’t think I’ll be able to make a road trip back to the “real world” before my warranty expires next year. Any ideas for how I can go about getting the updated door handles?

dasuncion@g$$mail.com (remove dollar signs for my email address)

Gabe Feb 13th, 2007 Link

I’d give MINI USA a call to see if they can give you a hand.

Blake Learmonth Dec 23rd, 2007 Link

I was locked out of my 2004 S yesterday in not very cold New Mexico. Once I got the door open, the button stayed depressed and the door wouldn’t latch. It just bounced back open. There was also an interestingly familiar (for owners of original Minis at least) burning insulation smell that went away after I chipped the ice away from the handle and popped the button back out. Slightly scarier, I was locked into the car about an hour later when the inside handle would not release the latch (I got out the passenger side). I’ll talk to the dealer after the holidays.

Mike0909 Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

So i have this issue with both my passenger and driver doors not opening from the inside or outside. It happened with in a matter of 5 minutes. I went into a building to make a delivery and when i came out the only door that would open was the hatch. The doors lock and unlock, i can hear the mechanisms inside working. But the doors still feel like they are locked, they pull in like they are still locked. They do not pop like they are supposed to. If some one can tell me how to fix this it would be great, because i need to get back to work asap….

Blake Learmonth Feb 5th, 2008 Link

I got locked in again twice today. After dozens of pulls on both door handles–nothing worked. I restarted the car and the drivers side opened. I thought that was the trick–more power and the door opens. Ten minutes later I got frozen in again and starting the car didn’t help. After five minutes of pulling on the handles and some fairly firm thumping on the door panel near the lock button it suddenly started working again. This strikes me as really dangerous. I can’t believe there isn’t a recall to fix this. Are the doors really totally electric? If the battery dies do you have to break a window to escape? I love my MINI, but this is worrisome!

marc Feb 21st, 2008 Link

I have an ‘04 MC that was built in late ‘03.

The doors freeze shut like clockwork almost every single time we get snow or ice.

Its a constant problem.

Read this forum today though and called my dealer to get the problem fixed.

Thanks for the info!

-Marc Kansas City, MO

Mars Apr 22nd, 2009 Link

I have a 2005 Mini. I live in Sunny CA. My driver side door handel does not work from the inside. I have to roll down my window and open it from the outside. I have called my dealership, and am waiting for a call back. My warrenty just expired….I hope they will fix this on thier dime seeing how they know that they have a problem with the handles!