NHTSA Complaint #10485016 — 2012 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN

ON A 2012 MINI COUNTRYMAN S ALL4 WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STARTING AT 15500 MILES ON THE CAR, BEGAN NOTICING ODD RESPONSE TO THE THROTTLE WHEN ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CLUTCH WOULD ENGAGE AND ENGINE INCREASE REVS (200-400 RPM) TO ACCELERATE WHILE NOT DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS WORSENED OVER THE NEXT 500 MILES UNTIL THE RPM DIFFERENCE WAS 2000-4000 RPM. FINALLY, THE CLUTCH GAVE COMPLETELY, WITH SMOKE BILLOWING FROM THE HOOD AND OBVIOUS SMELL OF BURNT PLATE, EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT ENGAGED THE PEDAL WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY IN HIGH GEAR. AFTER ALLOWING THE CAR TO REST DURING THE DAY, I MANAGED TO GET MOVING FOR 1/4 MILE BEFORE STOPPING AT A LIGHT. UPON TAKEOFF, THE CAR SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY, AND THEN DISENGAGED FROM 1ST GEAR AND WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR