MINI USA YOU SUCK
At least three years ago MINI knew it's power steering pumps were failing in 2002-2005 models. I don't know about you, but I think steering failure is a major safety issue. Reports to the NHTSA were many, yet no recall was done. In late 2010 my power steering pump would overheat and fail as I'm driving along. In 2011 I finally was able to borrow money to get this fixed, to the tune of almost $2,000. Still silence from MINI USA about paying for this repair.
Fast forward to May 2013 and I get a piece of what looked like junk mail. A very generic envelope that I normally would have thrown away. I'm glad I didn't, because this was the notice that MINI was finally addressing the issue. But, no recall, it was just an extension of the warranty period. I kept my paperwork on the repair, which I had had done at an independent mechanic, because MINI would have charged me almost 50% more.
I dutifully sent in my paperwork and waited. I kept thinking "maybe I should check on it", but thought I'd wait the 4-6 weeks they said it would take. I really hate making phone calls, but deep in my gut from the moment I put it in the mail I knew it would go wrong.
Today I called on it and they have absolutely no record of request. The first thing out of the representative's mouth was "did you send it with a delivery notification?" I knew I was screwed. Now I have to send the paperwork in again and wait an additional 4-6 weeks, and I'm not even sure they're going to reimburse everything that I paid to try to fix the problem.
They did say that I could go to a dealership and submit the paperwork there. I wish I'd done that in the first place. But, this is probably the route I have to take.
Cross posted to mini_lounge and bad_service
Fast forward to May 2013 and I get a piece of what looked like junk mail. A very generic envelope that I normally would have thrown away. I'm glad I didn't, because this was the notice that MINI was finally addressing the issue. But, no recall, it was just an extension of the warranty period. I kept my paperwork on the repair, which I had had done at an independent mechanic, because MINI would have charged me almost 50% more.
I dutifully sent in my paperwork and waited. I kept thinking "maybe I should check on it", but thought I'd wait the 4-6 weeks they said it would take. I really hate making phone calls, but deep in my gut from the moment I put it in the mail I knew it would go wrong.
Today I called on it and they have absolutely no record of request. The first thing out of the representative's mouth was "did you send it with a delivery notification?" I knew I was screwed. Now I have to send the paperwork in again and wait an additional 4-6 weeks, and I'm not even sure they're going to reimburse everything that I paid to try to fix the problem.
They did say that I could go to a dealership and submit the paperwork there. I wish I'd done that in the first place. But, this is probably the route I have to take.
Cross posted to mini_lounge and bad_service