MINI Cooper S transmission failure problems

Filed Nov 25, 2018 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · TN

2006 mini cooper s with 66000 miles had a transmission failure that resulted in unsafe driving condition due to loss of forward propulsion while driving on highway.

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 Feb 13, 2016 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · CA

Transmission previously replaced at 48k miles by manufacturer due to noise. My transmission is broken. My tires chirp every time I push on the gas because the transmission does not know what gear to be in due to the bad body control valve. The transmission needs to be replaced because I cannot verify how much mechanical damage has taken place during the time that the valve body has been broken. Once the valve body breaks down, the mechanical unit also begins to break down. Mini needs to issue a service bulletin telling the dealers to commence servicing the aisin transmissions every 40k by replacing the fluid. Bmw/mini's transmission fluid is not lifetime. Volkswagen issued a similar bulletin a few years ago because it also uses the aisin transmission. The independent repair shops may not replace the fluid right because the transmission fluid is hard to drain and in many cases if it's not done right, great damage is done the engine. The consumer stated the vehicle was under powered upon acceleration. The vehicle would jerk, and buck. The valve body in the transmission began to break down because the shavings from the transmission gears began to cloud the fluid and inhibit communication from the valve body solenoids to the mechanical components. Updated 03/23/16.

Filed Jun 26, 2015 · 55,000 miles · CA

I own a 2006 mini cooper s, which I purchased new in october 2006. About a year ago, I noticed that after slowing by stepping off / releasing the gas pedal, the car would jerk forward - at the time, I did not think it was serious because it happened a few time and it was not enough to cause an accident. After last mini service in march 2015 - lately, I noticed that in stop & go traffic, sometimes after braking or slowing, the car has a hard time getting up to speed - sometimes gradually stepping on gas pedal as usual to start off again, I hear the engine rev up pretty loud so I let up on the gas pedal, and then try to step on gradually again - sometimes, it would take a while for the car to get up to speed. Also, lately, after I brake and switch from drive to reverse to back into the driveway, the car jerks back when I am not stepping on the gas pedal at all. I told the mini dealer about this last week when the car was towed to the dealership because it would not start - the dealer found that the car did not start due to faulty circuitry in a fuse box, which was replaced with a new fuse box. The dealer said that what I described sounded like a transmission problem, and after the new fuse box was put in, the dealer took the car on a test drive to see if anything else was wrong. The dealers diagnosis was to replace the transmission at a cost of $9,000. My car has around 55,000 miles and has been maintained well. It is unreasonable for the transmission to require replacement at such low mileage and in such a short period of time - the car was barely used in the first year - it was driven mostly within the last 7-8 years. As a result of this incident, I have been made aware that many mini cooper owners have encountered this transmission issue, which has the potential to result in collisions since the car will not accelerate as expected.

Filed Jun 13, 2014 · Airbags, Transmission · 38,000 miles · NY

38,000 miles: air bag warning light for passenger side seat stays illuminated. Air bag warning light remains on after vehicle has started and does not turn off. 54,900 miles: aisin automatic transmission - automatic transmission failed thereby making the car inoperable. The car showed signs of gear change slipping between 2nd and 3rd gears. Transmission diagnosis, catastrophic failure of manual valve body and internal gears. Required a complete transmission rebuild.

Filed May 27, 2014 · Transmission · 94,500 miles · NC

I am current owner of a 2006 mini cooper s. I purchased the car new around april 2006. Over last 2 months, I have started to see a problem with power train. The car jerks horribly while trying to accelerate when it tries to change to higher gears. This happens either in the "drive" mode where the car automatically changes the gears or while driving in "m/s" mode where the driver gets the option to change the gear. Over last 1-2 weeks, the vehicle jerks when I switch from park to reverse. I took the car to mini cooper dealership and their diagnosis was to replace the transmission at a cost of $8500. My car has around 96,500 miles and has been maintained well. When I talked to the dealership, they indicated that they have seen about 2 to 3 cars having problem (just within that dealership) in recent times (the person I talked to was relatively new). It is unreasonable for transmission to require a replacement at such low mileage. In addition, it looks like this seems like a systemic issue given just one dealer has seen a few of these and a quick search indicates a number of other owners of mini cooper s encountering this issue over last 12 to 18 months (translates to transmission systematically breaking after about 7 to 8 years of operation). The problem has the potential to result in collisions since the car will not accelerate as expected.

Filed Jan 16, 2014 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · NM

Transmission starting bucking and causing uncontrolled acceleration the only "fix" is to replace the transmission at a $9,000 cost.

Filed Oct 25, 2013 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mini cooper s. The contact stated that transmission fluid would leak from the vehicle when driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where it was confirmed that the vehicle was leaking transmission fluid. The axle and seal for the transmission was replaced however the failure recurred. The vehicle was not further repaired. The contact also mentioned that the turbo oil feed line had to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 84000.

Filed May 28, 2013 · Transmission · FL

In september 2012 the automatic transmission began slipping. I had it checked out and was told that the transmission was fine and that mini says it never needs to be serviced or have the fluid changed. Over the next several months it got worse and I was finally told that the transmission needs to be replaced. Fortunately I never had an accident or any other serious consequence as a result of the failing transmission. This car has been traded in because the transmission would cost $10,000.00 to replace.

Filed Apr 12, 2013 · Transmission · 54,500 miles · NC

I purchased the vehicle as is from a small local lot january of 2013, everything checked out as perfect. I love the car. Was driving home from work and luckily I was about 10 miles from home and at the speed of 35 MPH when it felt like it was stuck in a gear (car is automatic) then I noticed my check engine light came on. I remained at the speed of 35mph or lower because I didn't want to take any chances. Then my brake light came on which made me think I had brake issues. I parked it lifted the hood and it was extremely hot and you could hear the fans running extra hard. We took it to a local guy to look at it as he told us he just had a mini in with same issue weeks before and aaa came to tow it to hendrick mini in charlotte. They thought it was value stems and etc find out a few hours later not the case I need a whole new transmission. The car is a '07 with only 54k miles on it in perfect condition. Makes no sense. Mini/bmw us has heard of my complaint and has told me there is nothing they will do to make it right. If you ask me from everything I've read online this needs to be a recall as everyone has had the same issue. This is very unsafe and I can't afford $9k to pay for a new transmission. I loved my mini cooper but as it stands right now I'm car less and left making payments on a car I cannot even drive and it is sitting in the shop on hold for the time being. Mini/bmw needs to realize all of the customers they are losing over this.