2002 MINI Cooper transmission problems

Filed Aug 16, 2016 · Transmission · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. While driving 15 MPH out of a parking lot, the vehicle made a left turn and the gear shifter failed. In addition, the gear shifter cable detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v201000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 24, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 118,457 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The electronic learning module and the pyramid warning light illuminated. The contact stated that several components were replaced due to manufacturer defects. The gear lever, transmission, brake pedal, motor, clutch, front and rear axles, and the accelerator pedal position sensor were all replaced. The failure mileage was 118,457.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Transmission · 136,000 miles · DE

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. The contact stated that the transmission failed on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service and stated that the transmission was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving home, the transmission seized. The vehicle was then towed back to the dealer, who determined that the drive shift cable failed. The contact was informed of the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v201000 (power train). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Oct 17, 2014 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · MO

While driving my mini cooper on a major road in heavy traffic my mini cooper experienced a complete loss of power to the wheels (sudden transmission failure). My only option to avoid being rear-ended was to steer the car off the road ( with the remaining forward momentum into a fast food parking lot in order to avoid being involved in an accident. Description of failed component/affected part: mini cooper's CVT transmission have a known history of sudden failure at 80k-120k. Bmw the manufacturer of the mini has known about the defective transmission in their vehicle for years, and has never informed owners of their vehicles of the transmission problem or the potential risk for accidents, injury, or death that could result from the sudden failure of the mini's transmission and resulting total loss of power. Bmw has never issued a recall or offer to replace the defective transmission under the vehicle warranty. Additionally, bmw has issued service advisories to their service managers about the problems associated with their mini cooper's CVT transmission, but as mentioned has not communicated this problem to mini owners.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Transmission · 22,000 miles · MD

2002 mini cooper, manual transmission. Low mileage, only 22,000 miles on it. While driving is city traffic, the transmission failed to engage when I shifted into 1st and lifted the clutch trying to start from a red light. There was a small "sputter" and then the car could not be driven. I was able to push it to the side of the road and thought that the clutch was out. The repair shop found out that the entire manual transmission had disintegrated. It had torn itself apart over the years. The repair shop said that he was aware that this is a common flaw with the early mini coopers. This was a $2500 repair.

Filed Nov 9, 2012 · Transmission · 148,200 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. The contact started the ignition and shifted into reverse however, the gear shifter failed to move out of reverse after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who advised that the shift cable was detached from the transmission shift linkage. There was a recall associated with the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v201000 (power train:manual transmission:floor shift assembly) however, the contact's VIN was ineligible for recall repairs. The part was ordered and the vehicle was scheduled for repairs when the part became available. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 148,200. ....updated 12/20/12 *bf updated 12/27/2012

Filed Feb 3, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 56,416 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the transmission hesitated in a jerking motion and began to down-shift into another gear continuously. In addition, the engine warning indicator and ep code illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who stated that the transmission would need to be replaced due to internal damage. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 56,416.

Filed Nov 25, 2011 · Transmission · 132,000 miles · CA

Bought this car in 2008 and have had very few issues. This month (november 2011) the CVT (automatic transmission) went out. Only repair apparently is "replacement" - receiving quotes between 7k and 9k from the dealer and aamco. Now finding out this is a very common problem with all mini cooper CVT's. This is unacceptable. Repair cost now exceeds car's value. Won't do it. Fool me once... Shame on you.

Filed May 30, 2011 · Transmission · MD

I was driving from east los angeles to west los angeles (playa del ray) on the 105 west hgwy when the cars transmission went out. This happened in the middle of the freeway in la during rush hour. I had to slowly move over to the right hand side of the highway until I could find an area with a shoulder. I barely made it to the shoulder and could have died from one of the cars speeding past me. Luckily I made it. I called aaa and they brought a tow truck which towed the car into a shop which stated that they would not be able to rebuild the transmission. They said I would have to replace the whole thing which would cost $7,000 minimum. I called multiple other dealers and shops, whom all gave the same estimate. I donated it to my local npr station because I did not want to pay that amount of money to replace a faulty transmission, with another faulty transmission.

Filed Apr 16, 2011 · Steering, Transmission · 80,000 miles · CA

I always maintained my 2002 mini cooper and at 80k miles the transmission blew up just before I was to enter a very busy freeway in los angeles, downtown area. There was plenty of oil in the transmission. I was told it was not a fault of my care after the mechanic looked at it upon tow in. It just stopped fast and short with a huge jerk forward and explosive noise. The mechanic said it blew in big chunks. I couldn't move it from traffic in neutral and had it towed to the shop. 80k is early for something like this and I see many people are reporting this happened with even less mileage, 34k, 48k ...no replacements and so many failures like this? Mini turns their heads; would not replace or even talk to me. Previously too the power steering pump also just stopped and no movement on the wheel. Seriously dangerous. I was told by the dealership one time in mountain view, I had an oil leak. At the time the amount they wanted me to pay was high, 700.00 or so (just after warranty ended). I took it to another mechanic. He took me under the car and showed me there was not a spot of oil under that car in any nook or cranny. In thinking about this after transmission problem I realize these things are telling me mini knows about their mini mechanical problems. Also when the new ($4350.00) transmission was purchased, la, mini told the mechanic they had 5 transmissions in stock in their parts department at all times because this was so common. That's proof they know it's a problem. Yet no recall to people with these issues and these can cause serious life threatening problems.