2002 MINI Cooper: CVT failure

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 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 Jul 8, 2011 · Steering · 78,000 miles · CA

Power steering failed while going down a multi-story parking lot. Very scary. Car corrected itself. Later that day it happened again. Called my mechanic (a mini mechanic) and was told this happens all the time with 2002-2005 mini coopers. Will need to replace pump and fan which will cost me $1200 inc. Labor. This is a problem that mini USA is very aware of. They released a car with known problems (inc. Cvt transmission issues) how can they do this? So far o one has been killed (that we know of) but I know it will happen one day. This is a very dangerous issue.

Filed May 20, 2009 · Transmission · 67,700 miles · IL

Transmission whining noise eventually leading to transmission failure. Mini is aware of this problem with CVT transmissions and refuses to admit fault. Very common problem occurring in most 2002 vehicles with only 40,000-60,000 miles on them. Cost is 7000 to replace. Mini does not offer repair on this part.

Filed Sep 6, 2008 · Transmission · 43,191 miles · CA

The automatic transmission of my 2002 mini cooper failed while my friend was driving my car. She was on a winding coastal road and the car died on a blind curve, putting her at great danger. Fortunately nobody was hurt. The car was towed to the san francisco bmw dealership, where I was informed I needed a $8500 "refurbished" transmission, as the transmission is not even made anymore. Research on line shows that this becoming a frequent problem with "first generation" minis with the "CVT" automatic transmission. I declined the repair and sold them the carcass of my car. This is a dangerous problem and bmw/mini is not accepting responsibility.

Filed Sep 5, 2008 · Transmission · 98,901 miles · CA

I was driving my 2002 mini on the freeway at 65 MPH and I felt a sudden jolting and sensed a backward force impeding it from going forward. Luckily, it was night time and there weren't many cars, because my mini stopped going forward and was merely running on momentum. The car got worse and started making a loud clunking sound from where the transmission sits and the car continued jolting not going forward as I barely had enough momentum to pull to the shoulder. After turning off the engine and checking that everything was fine by appearance (no oil leak, no blown gasket, etc), I restarted the car fine, but the car never again engaged into gear until I spent a whopping $7,000 to fix it. I would shift into d and the engine would rev, but the car stayed inert. The transmission is a closed system and when no harm is done to it and no fluid is not leaking, transmissions shouldn't pose any problems at considerably low miles (99k). I started researching on the possible problems with the transmission and sure enough, there was a long list of complaints on the faulty design. Next, I had to shop for mechanics. All the experienced mini mechanics told me that bmw offered no replacement parts because of a patent the inventor had on the CVT design. I had to have the whole transmission replaced because there were no options bmw left for the consumer. It was either you pay $7,000 or your mini will be scrapped and never run again. My mechanic was nice enough to chop open the transmission and saw that it was just a metal belt that drives the transmission that was broken. A simple belt that probably costs no more than $200 could have been replaced and a whole lot of consumer money could have been saved if the part was available to the us- not to mention the whole ordeal wouldn't be there if bmw had designed a reliable transmission in the first place, (ie use a regular automatic transmission instead of a CVT when the CVT has not be fully tested for its reliability).

Filed Aug 6, 2008 · Transmission · 46,000 miles · NC

I am the second owner (both older ladies), of a 2002 automatic mini cooper with 46,000 miles. Yesterday while driving home from work the tranny failed. It downshifted or something and the ep warning light came on, which means transmission failure and I was two feet away from being rear ended! I could have been killed. After researching on line, I have read great amounts of consumers with the same complaint. It is dangerous and very costly according to the figures I've read of people whose had theirs fixed or replaced. These cars with the CVT transmissions needs to be announced to the public for safety reasons alone not even to mention the cost! Sincerely, bonnie quinn

Filed Mar 13, 2008 · Transmission · 31,980 miles · DC

Cvt transmission failed after 32,000 miles, needing costly replacement.

Filed Dec 10, 2007 · Transmission · IL

I have a 2002 mini cooper with a CVT automatic transmission. The transmission has failed. The care has about 61,000 miles. The transmission has to be replaced costing me at least $6,000.

Filed Jul 23, 2007 · Transmission · 57,600 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. The contact stated that her transmission failed while driving 30 MPH. The dealer informed her that there is warranty expired that covered the transmission. The vehicle has a CVT transmission and, according to the federal safety agency website, there are many others with this same failure. The computer chip was replaced three times after stalling on three separate occasions prior to the transmission failing. The vehicle was constantly shutting off and stalling in the middle of the road. The current and failure mileages were 57,600. Updated 02/01/08. *lj the consumer stated the battery also needed replacing after 41,000 miles. The consumer stated the repairs cost her $7,000. Updated 02/01/08

Filed Apr 22, 2003 · Electrical · CA

2003 mini cooper CVT. Vehicle stalls in traffic conditions. Boggs down, lunges upon acceleration. Power failure. No indicator lights on dash warn of problem. Vehicle has been serviced on three occasions for same problems. Boggs down and lunges corrected by reprogramming on first service. After first service vehicle stalled again in traffic conditions. Returned to service dept. Who were unable to replicate stalling after 400 miles of test driving it. Contacted mini division of bmw of america. They sent technical specialist who checked the electrical system, no apparent cause. Mini representative is currently having electrical harness replaced. Vehicle out of service for 6 weeks and counting. Major safety concern.