2003 MINI Cooper: CVT failure

Filed Dec 26, 2013 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · MA

Mini cooper with a CVT auto transmission: I noticed that the engine would "rev." up when I step on the gas pedal, and the car would not accelerate. I pulled over and shut of the engine, than restarted the engine and moved ahead. Later the "slipping" happened again and again; at all speeds and with a cold or hot engine. In addition, this problem has occurred while traveling at highway speeds 55+MPH, and this requires coasting over to a breakdown lane to avoid a collision. The condition still exists and I am trying to locate an independent repair shop to diagnose the problem and hopefully rectify the problem at a reasonable cost. Mini cooper dealers are asking between $5000 to $9000.00 to repair/replace the transmission. I have reason to believe that mini knew about this problem as early as 2005. Aside from doing warranty repairs no attempt has been made by mini to notify owners and/or offer to repair/replace these faulty transmissions.

Filed Sep 5, 2013 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a loud noise emerged from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. .... Updated 10-17-13

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · CA

Auto transmission CVT failure. I'm the original owner of this 2003 mini cooper with only 58,000 miles and this car is just sitting in my garage. The mini dealer wants $9,000 to r&r the trans. I can't afford to fix. I feel bmw / mini should be ashamed of them selves. Last year the mini dealer charge me over $2,100 to r&r the steering pump when the car had under 50,000 miles on it. Bmw / mini should have to pay up or replace these CVT trans. T/y

Filed Jul 19, 2013 · Transmission · 76,500 miles · MO

Mini cooper broke down in the middle of a busy intersection during morning rush hour traffic. Left my wife stranded. Problem is the defective CVT automatic transmission. The belt broke in transmission. Found out online of all the people who are having the same problem. Repairs to cost between 6000 and 9000 dollars. Several class action suits filed already. What needs to happen before bmw recalls and repairs problem? Does someone need to die when one of these inferior transmissions lets go?

Filed Jul 19, 2013 · Transmission · 76,500 miles · MO

Mini cooper broke down in the middle of a busy intersection during morning rush hour traffic. Left my wife stranded. Problem is the defective CVT automatic transmission. The belt broke in transmission. Found out online of all the people who are having the same problem. Repairs to cost between 6000 and 9000 dollars. Several class action suits filed already. What needs to happen before bmw recalls and repairs problem? Does someone need to die when one of these inferior transmissions lets go?

Filed Jun 2, 2013 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · CA

Cvt (auto transmission) needs replacing. Mini cooper quote is $9,000 to replace. Mini dealer knows that there' s many complaints with these CVT (auto trans.)

Filed Jul 31, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 59,000 miles · OK

The transmission in my 2003 mini cooper died at 59,000 miles. I had to replace the transmission, same as numerous other mini cooper owners have, at a cost of about $7,000. I was told that the CVT transmission in the 2003 mini coopers were defective and nothing could be done to repair it. Mini cooper has not responded to the numerous complaints by its consumers and has not offered to help pay for the replacement transmission cost.

Filed Nov 19, 2011 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · FL

We have a mini cooper coupe 2003 with only 30,000 miles on it in mint condition where the belt for CVT transmission disintegrated without any warning leaving me stranded in the middle of a busy highway and placing me at risk for injury. We had provided good maintenance for the mini by changing the transmission oil when we first purchased the vehicle at 8000.00 miles and then at 15000 miles with high grade synthetic oil at $100.00. Transmission shop working on our car inquired about parts from bmw and was told they do not sell parts for that transmission and if you want it fixed you have to purchase a new transmission in a box for $6,000.00. I feel that this is not an option if the transmission is only going to last 30,000 miles. Who can afford such a disposable car?

Filed Sep 2, 2011 · Steering, Transmission · 109,000 miles · NV

We purchased a 2003 mini cooper just weeks ago from a private party. Almost instantly the power steering went out while my daughter was driving. Luckily she wasn't in heavy traffic on the la freeway. We were told by the service center that we needed a new power steering pump. We purchased this and had it installed for approx.$1200.00. However the electric power steering pump fan still would not shut off when the engine was turned off, so this issue was still not resolved. Immediately following this repair my daughter was driving on the freeway at 60 MPH when the car suddenly jerked and slowed to a stop. Luckily my daughter was in the right hand lane and could pull over on to the side of the busy freeway.(still no power steering working)the car was towed to the mini dealer. They diagnosed that the CVT transmission needs to be replaced, at a cost of $7150 approx. And this is before they can even diagnose the steering fan electrical problem. From all the complaints on this website about both of these problems, mini needs to take responsibility! We don't know what to do, as the repairs are much more than the cars value and the mini service manager states that the new CVT transmission only has a 2 year warranty. If this is a defective transmission, why should we pay for another one. As of today my daughter has to walk/bus to school and the mini sits.we are interested in the class action suit.

Filed Jun 16, 2011 · Transmission · MD

2003 mini cooper. Consumer states problem with vehicle transmission *tgw the consumer stated her daughter was driving on the los angeles freeway when the transmission abruptly and suddenly failed. The vehicle had to be towed and various repair shops stated it would cost $ 9,3000 to repair because mini didn't sell the CVT transmission anymore because they were defective and prone to failure. The consumer has since donated the vehicle.

Filed Mar 25, 2011 · Transmission · 46,129 miles · HI

My 2003 mini cooper has had total transmission failure (CVT transmission) at only 46,129 miles. Failure was total and sudden and vehicle is undriveable without new transmission. The dealer quoted me a cost of $10,055.44 (parts $6,943.28, labor $2,700 + tax). This cost is more that the vehicles' current value. I have been told that only a new CVT transmission can replace the faulty one, and even then that transmission may again fail as they are such terrible transmissions. The car will not take any other transmission option. The dealer basically laughed and said, "I don't suppose you have an extra $10,000 laying around," when he told me the cost of the repair. The dealer has offered no assistance in lowering the cost, but basically said "tough luck" and taken no responsibility. The car is useless and unfixable at this cost. A recall should be done as consumers have been sold a failed transmission, and the safety of this car's transmission is totally faulty.

Filed Feb 18, 2011 · Transmission · 58,469 miles · IA

I own a 2003 mini cooper with a CVT automatic transmission, transmission and front differential filed at 58000 miles lucky for me I was not on the interstate or busy traffic as a serious accident could have occurred. Mini USA are totally aware of the problem and stopped putting this defective part in newer model vehicles. They will also not stand behind their product and are unwilling to rectify it. There are hundreds of people with this same issue concerning this transmission but for whatever reason there is still no safety recall. I hope it is not going to take someone to be killed or seriously injured before anything is done. Also the bushings on the drivers side a frame are bad wch in my opinion is a serious fault and could be extremely dangerous. Cost of replacement is 7,000+ these cars are rolling death traps in my opinion and someone needs to be held accountable.