2009 MINI Cooper S transmission problems

Filed Jun 18, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 95,200 miles · MI

Vehicle was in motion at 55-60 MPH. Vehicle cut off and would not start or turnover. 15 minutes of rest and car was started and rpms were fluttering. Mini cooper of grand rapids stated the timing chain was "most likely" "out". They also stated no goodwill assistance could be provided while acknowledging the window, for a previous lawsuit involving thee 2009 mini cooper s, was closed and the defective tensioner and guide rails (to include engine design) were still in my mini cooper. Car has started once since but will not stay running. Other cases of fuel pumps failing on said model were acknowledged but "no recalls have been issued" said mini, thus not warranting any repair or concern for my failed mini. Repair estimate was 3,985$. After mentioning the previous lawsuit during 2015, a 'random' discount was announced of 10-15% to bring said total to est. 2,900$. My 2009 mini cooper s has had idle and RPM issues/fluctuations for a couple months after previous owner had just replaced the timing chain assembly in january of 2019 with genuine mini replacement parts (factory parts causing the same factory defect)

Filed May 22, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 67,117 miles · SC

Car went into limp gear mode on freeway, high RPM at 40 MPH. Vehicle shipped to mini dealer 05/09/17 saying there was a transmission error code. Dealer said they tested vehicle and it wasn't the transmission it needed a water pump and cylinder need valve cover. 67,117 miles on odometer. Also front cv axle boot leaking. Had repairs done ($1692.58) after discount. At time of pickup, dealer asked to keep the vehicle a few more days to double check the transmission. A few days later they say yes there is a transmission error with the car going at higher highway speeds and it will need a new transmission! Cost ($9000) I did not have this done.the service advisor told me the vehicle was not safe to drive! This vehicle is driven by my 16 year old daughter to and from school!

Filed May 19, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 73,000 miles · CA

I purchased a brand new mini cooper s in 2009 w/ standard 3 years of factory maintenance and I later added on an extended warranty a few years later. 2014 I entered into a 3 year lease on a bmw. Aside from maintenance, the mini was mostly garaged except for maintenance until th after a month of driving it, I heard a ticking sound that made me think it needed oil added, despite having one about 2 months prior. I added the mini synthetic oil to the car and the ticking sound stopped for a week or two. Then it started rattling and shaking severely when driving low speeds or at an idle. I checked the on board diagnostic systems, which is supposed to check oil levels and the general health of the car. No issues came up but I stopped driving it because I saw the oil light come on, and I know that couldn't be good, especially since oil was added between changes. I had the car towed to an independent mini mechanic, they told me that the timing chain needed to be replaced, there were holes in the turbo line and some various oil leaks. Their estimate was roughly $2500 to make the car drivable again. Spoke to mini corporate, urged me to take it to mini dealer for diagnostics so corporate to see what help they'd offer me on these issues because they knew the timing chain belt was an issue and they knew the car burns through oil 50% faster than their electronic system and owners manual says. They were aware of this in 2008 and it affected several mini coopers to the extent of blowing out their entire engine. A class action lawsuit was filed because mini failed to issue a recall, warn buyers, or notify current ones. They extended the timing chain belt coverage to 7 years or 80k after the suit. My car has 73k but it's 7 years going on 8. The dealer confirmed diagnosis but mini won't offer any help on the 3-4k repairs. If this happened 9 months ago, they would cover it.

Filed Sep 20, 2016 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · MA

On 8-28-16 the timing chain failed on the engine of my 2009 mini cooper s, which lead to catastrophic engine failure, requiring the engine to be replaced. At the time of failure I was driving at full speed on the highway. There was sudden power loss and I had to avert traffic to safely pull over. During power loss there was lots of smoke pouring out of the car. Timing chain failures are a known issue with mini, and the subject of a recent lawsuit against mini. See info regarding a settlement due to timing chain failure: http://www.timingchaintensionersettlement.com/ the lawsuit settlement extends the engine warranty to 7yrs/100,000mi. My mini is at 86k mi, and a few days over 7 years. Mini USA refuses to assist me in solving this known issue.

Filed Aug 20, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 29,800 miles · CA

Since I get my until now I repair two times . The first time I was change the part of the top of the motor I don't remember the name. But this one that is the most strage I was driving and in the middle of the road the motor stop intanly. The most strange is 10 minutes after drive the car all this happen so that mean is no safe. And now what I have to do....

Filed Feb 20, 2015 · Transmission · 27,000 miles · CA

Purchased a used 2009 mini cooper s hardtop with 27,000 miles on it and within 20 days the clutch was slipping upon light acceleration and caused very unsafe driving conditions. It was replaced by the carmax warranty given under the first 30 days , my vehicle now has 32,000 miles and is starting to feel similar to the previous symptoms.

Filed Jan 19, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 86,000 miles · TX

My timing chain has now started to fail for the 4th time on this car. The timing chain tensioners fail and mini does nothing to correct the issue past the warranty period.

Filed Nov 4, 2014 · Transmission · 13,000 miles · FL

I was driving my mini cooper on I-95 when the I noticed a very strong burning smell and the clutch was giving me difficulty changing gears. As I was getting off I-95 the gears were not responding and the car began to slow down. I got off I-95 and just made it to a main blvd. When the clutch gave out and the car would not move. I could see the cars in the rear view mirror coming at full speed and honking at me to move out of the of the way. I called 911 and asked for a patrol to spot traffic and then tried to get out of the car to ask for help but almost got ran over by cars passing by. I thought I was going to get either hit or killed. Two man in a van stopped and pushed my car out of the way until the truck stopped. The police car never showed up. A west palm braman mini cooper service man was driving by and told me the clutch was completely burnt out and to tow the car to his facility. I did and mini cooper refused to fix it even though they are aware of the defect and the many complaints. They tried to tell me the clutch was worn out but the car only has 13,000 miles, they also tried to blame it on aggressive driving or that I did not know how to drive a standard transmission. I told them I drive very slow and have been driving standard transmission my entire life. They just refuse to acknowledge the manufacturing defect. Please make sure that someone looks into this so that no one has to face the same danger I did or even worse, be killed.

Filed Jul 22, 2014 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · CO

During light acceleration at interstate speeds, the engine lost some power and the service engine light came on. The dealer first replace the vacuum hoses. It happened again, the dealer replaced the vacuum pump. It happened again immediately, the dealer replaced the turbocharger unit because the wastegate won't close completely. The turbocharger and wastegate should last much longer than 5 years (the car was delivered in april 2009) or 70,000 miles.

Filed Jun 14, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 41,932 miles · CO

Engine all of a sudden starts making a rattling noise. Took it in to dealer, timing chain guides had broken and chain was stretched. Was informed there was a mini campaign about this but my vehicle was not included. Expensive repair and potentially dangerous situation if chain had broken. Was informed after work was done that clutch was bad as well. Had driven the vehicle the day before without issue but after only 10 miles from the dealership car would not move from stopped since clutch would not engage. Extremely early for this amount of repairs to be needed, I question the durability of these parts and this brand. Both of these sudden wear failures could have been extremely dangerous if they had occurred on the highway.