2014 Mini Cooper clubman problems
The Mini Clubman is a subcompact executive car engineered and manufactured by German automaker BMW and sold under the Mini marque. The first-generation Clubman was introduced in 2007, as a variant of the Mini Hatch (Hardtop in the US). A commercial version called Clubvan was added to the range in 2012. The current second-generation model has been in production since 2015 and available with front- and all-wheel drive.
History
The use of the name "Clubman" is a departure from Mini tradition. "Clubman" was originally the name given to the 1970s facelift of the classic Mini, which mostly resulted in a squared-off front end, whereas the classic Mini estates had traditionally been named "Traveller" or "Countryman". However, BMW did not initially purchase the rights to use those names, and so decided to call its larger-variant "Clubman", a name which it did own rights to.
Sketches of a new estate version of the Mini were shown at the 2000 Paris Motor Show, and a rendering of the estate concept (internally named EXT), wore the Clubman name on the licence plate. The Clubman started out in development based on the first generation Mini Hatch (R50) before changing to the second gen Hatch (R56).
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Common 2014 Mini Cooper clubman problems
The Mini Cooper Clubman, produced between 2007 and 2014, has been known for several common problems that have caused concern for its owners. These issues range from mechanical and electrical problems to cosmetic concerns.
- Timing Chain Rattle: Cooper S models with the turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine may experience a loud rattle upon start-up from cold. This is due to a weak timing chain tensioner that fails to maintain tension over time, causing the rattle. It could be a case of just performing a service and replacing the tensioner or replacing the entire chain and chain guides.
- Clutch Wear: Some owners have reported that the clutch can wear out quite quickly on a Clubman. It is essential to check for slipping in high gears and test pulling away in a high gear from rest. If the car stalls, the clutch is probably fine.
- Start-Stop Malfunction: The stop-start system has been known to malfunction and stall the car at junctions, and dealers often struggle to diagnose the fault. The system has also been reported to stop working altogether, leaving an error message on the dashboard, which can only be fixed by a dealer.
- Dashboard Rattles: The interior and dashboard have suffered from rattles and creaks. Some owners have insisted on having new dashboards fitted, but this doesn't always solve the problem. The speakers can also rattle and distort, and in some cases, they can fail completely, requiring replacement.
- Cracked Windscreens: The Clubman's windscreen is very susceptible to chips and cracks because of its upright position. Check carefully for big chips, as these could develop into a crack that will require you to replace the screen, and if they’re in the immediate area in front of the driver, they can cause an MOT test failure.
- Air Conditioning: There have been numerous reports of problems with the air conditioning system. Make sure you test it by first setting it to maximum heat, then switching it to cold and note how quickly the temperature drops. If the system is working correctly, it should go from hot to cold in only seconds.
- Overheating: Owners have reported overheating issues, which can lead to disastrous accidents and very high repair bills. If you notice your used Mini Cooper Clubman behaving strangely, be sure to take it in for a maintenance checkup ASAP.
- Engine Blowouts: Engine blowouts have been reported, which can also lead to significant repair bills. It is essential to check for any signs of engine problems, such as strange noises or leaks, before purchasing a used Mini Cooper Clubman.
- Water Dripping into the Oil Pan: Water dripping into the oil pan can be a sign of a severe problem with the engine. It is crucial to address this issue immediately to prevent further damage to the engine.
- Thermostat Failures: Thermostat failures can lead to overheating issues and should be addressed promptly to prevent engine damage.
- Engine Cracks: Engine cracks can be a severe problem, leading to engine failure. It is essential to check for any signs of engine cracks before purchasing a used Mini Cooper Clubman.
- High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failures: High-pressure fuel pump failures can lead to engine performance issues and should be addressed promptly to prevent further damage to the engine.
In summary, the Mini Cooper Clubman, produced between 2007 and 2014, has been known for several common problems, including oil starvation, timing chain rattle, clutch wear, start-stop malfunction, dashboard rattles, cracked windscreens, air conditioning problems, overheating, engine blowouts, water dripping into the oil pan, thermostat failures, engine cracks, and high-pressure fuel pump failures. It is essential to address these issues promptly to prevent further damage to the vehicle and ensure the safety of the driver and passengers.
What is the problem with the Mini Clubman?
The 1.5-litre petrol engine has been subject to a recall to deal with excessive crankshaft bearing wear; this problem is serious and could lead to considerable engine damage if not remedied. It's therefore worth checking with your local dealership whether the car you've got your eye on is affected.
What is the common problem of Mini Cooper?
The 1st generation (R50/R53) Mini Cooper is known for premature clutch wear and failure. This typically occurs between 40,000-60,000 miles on vehicles built from 2001-2006. The root cause is due to an under-designed single-mass flywheel and weak factory clutch that cannot handle the torque of the supercharged engines.
How much is a 2014 Mini Clubman worth?
MINI Clubman (2007 - 2014) Used Prices
| Most affordable version | Used price range |
|---|---|
| 1.4 5d | £960 - £1,780 |
What year is bad for Mini Cooper?
According to Consumer Reports surveys, Mini Cooper released from 2006–2012 is considered the worst years. Having said that, there have been problems in the earlier 2000's as well. First and second-generation MINI's had quite a few problems, of which the most significant was the transmission malfunction.
2014 Mini Cooper clubman car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mini Cooper clubman problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2014 Mini Cooper clubman vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2014 Mini Cooper clubman complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2014 Mini Cooper clubman.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-17
- VIN: WMWZF3C54ET
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The rear backup lights don’t work due to the defective footwell control module. This is a symptom of the defective FCM. It’s been well over a year and Mini hasn’t had the parts. Very worrisome when our young daughter is backing up and the lights are out!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-25
- VIN: WMWZG3C54ET
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2014 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2014 Mini Cooper clubman recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2014 Mini Cooper clubman.
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
- Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Negative 2014 Mini Cooper clubman car reviews
Positive 2014 Mini Cooper clubman car reviews
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It's great to hear about your positive experience with MINI's! It sounds like you've had a lot of fun with pretty much every model you've owned. Your MINI Clubman, which you leased, seems to be a particularly versatile car, with its automatic transmission, AC, cruise, and bluetooth. It's impressive that you're getting 41.6 MPG at a steady 72-75 MPH! The 3rd door is also a really convenient feature that allows easy access to the rear seat for passengers or pets. It's amazing that you were able to fit over 30 bags of dirt in the car for your garden, or take your 3 pets and half your household to your vacation home for the summer. The Clubman really seems to hold it all and still provide comfortable driving for long distances. Thank you for sharing your love for it with us!
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I've had the car for a week now and have driven around 350 miles. On the first tank, I achieved 29.5 mpg in mixed city/highway driving, including a good bit of idling in traffic. The current tank is at 36 mpg for highway and some errands. The power is great, even though I'm still breaking it in, and the steering is immediate with good steering feel. Contrary to what the car magazines say, I find the steering feel to be excellent. The stereo (Harmon Kardon/Sirius XM) is fantastic, and the driving position is very comfortable (I'm 6'1
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Extras include a mini luggage rack and a super hidden Class 1 trailer hitch.
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I have been driving my first Mini for a year now and have a love/hate relationship with it.First the Love: Yes, it is a blast to drive (and park ), it has the best seat heaters on the planet, and the milage/fun can't be beat !Now for the Hate: Some of the controls are just plain maddening, the rearview mirror and the barn doors create the worst blind spots ever. Overall I love the car, a year later and I still smile every time I get behind the wheel, but I wish Mini would not be quite so quirky with those controlls, it's just maddening.Fun car to drive, and still get 30 MPG ave, sure you could get more driving a Prius, but if you want to drive a car with personality ...
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You'll love the upgraded interior and seats for extra comfort!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2014 Mini Cooper clubman problems:
Mini reliability issues, if any? | Mini Cooper Forum
Aug 21, 2016 ... Coopers s models of a certain 2014 era needed new engines due to faulty bearing installation. Faulty batch of engines and should be an isolated ...
Anyone with reliability issues on a 2014 Mini Cooper Countryman ...
Sep 11, 2017 ... At 50,000 miles had coolant leak and possible oil migration from solenoid in oil pan to computer, $3,600 for repairs. Coolant leak again within ...
The MINI Cooper Clubman Years to Avoid - CoPilot
Oct 18, 2023 ... Owners of the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman sent in a lot of complaints and experienced common problems like engine sounds, transmission failures, ...
Q&A: 2014 Mini Cooper Countryman S All4 - Common Problems ...
Jan 31, 2023 ... The first indication that something was wrong occurred in mid-November. I would intermittently receive a message indicating there was a battery ...
Good idea to buy a 2014 Cooper S ( F56 ) with already 100k ...
Nov 18, 2021 ... The other issues are the upper engine mount, ignition coils and turbo. The upper mount will be a failure point by 160k km, if it's already ...
Other years of Mini Cooper clubman
Are you having problems with your 2014 Mini Cooper clubman?
Emery Ward 2024-11-05
I bought a 2010 Clubman with the expectation of modern engineering and reliability, while still maintaining the original Mini's design and styling. Unfortunately, I have experienced some issues with the car's timing chain, water pump, oil consumption (1Q every 3,000 miles), clutch (needed replacement after 50,000 miles), water/oil seals, tires (needed replacement after 20,000 miles), stereo (completely failed after 2 years), brakes, shock absorbers (needed replacement after 50,000 miles), spark plugs, and fuel injection system. Overall, this has been the least reliable car I have owned since my first car in 1975.
Foster Brakus 2024-08-08
I confidently drove my Clubman S, but unfortunately, it quickly became a financial burden due to various issues such as oil gaskets, plugs, and ultimately, a timing chain failure that resulted in engine damage. Regrettably, there was no warning from the check engine light to indicate the impending failure.
Kevon Abbott 2024-08-02
I strongly advise against purchasing a BMW, Audi, VW, etc. due to their high repair costs. My personal experience with a 2011 model with 90K miles was disappointing. Although it was a great looking car and fast, it was also quite dangerous at times, as it would jump into other lanes when hitting bumps at high speeds. The car also started to smoke occasionally, and the oil pressure light kept turning on and off, with no clear explanation from anyone. We tried various solutions, but the light always came back. Additionally, the alternator went out, and we had to pay $1000 for an imported one. At the same time, the water pump also cracked. We decided to get rid of the car as soon as possible. The mechanic informed me that these cars are only reliable up to around 100K miles, and I now believe him. I recommend sticking with Japanese cars, as they tend to last longer and hold their value better. Although we only had the BMW/Cooper for almost four months, we spent well over $2K trying to keep it running. It's a good thing they are cheap to buy, but now we know why.
Delaney Hammes 2024-03-05
I purchased a used 2010 Clubman with 65,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, after 3 months, the engine developed a vacuum leak. Upon inspection by my mechanic, I noticed plastic parts attached to the engine and a stripped screw on the exhaust manifold that had been glued back in place. I was informed that BMWs also have plastic parts. I also discovered a crack in the windshield that started on the top edge while washing the car. The dealer quoted me $800+ for a replacement, but I found a mobile windshield company that will replace it for $230. Despite these setbacks, I have decided to sell the car when it reaches 85,000 miles. While I may not purchase another German car, I am confident in my ability to make an informed decision based on my experiences.