The transmission in my car failed when I was trying to go through a green light. There were no prior warning signs that the transmission was going to stop working. I was left stranded in the middle of an intersection because of this. I was nearly hit several times because of my location. When I spoke to the mini dealer they told me that this was a know problem and there was nothing they could do about it and that this was a known problem with this type of transmission.
2003 MINI Cooper transmission complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 89, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
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
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
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?
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?
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.)
I purchased a 2003 mini cooper from a private party in the dallas,texas a few years ago. I just received the dreaded news today that my transmission is going out and it will cost me $6000 to repair. According to mini this vehicle has already had the transmission changed during the warranty period so this would be the 2nd transmission for this car. The repair is equivalant to the purchase price of the vehicle 2 or so years ago. I can not afford to pay this price and understand this is a common occurence with this year vehicle so it would seem that a recall would need to be issued. Otherwise I have to attempt to sale this car and take a loss.
While driving on the freeway, on a slight incline is when I noticed the RPM was high and the speed reducing. (along with some crackling, rough noises from the front end of the car) I let off the gas pedal (lowered the rpms), tried to accelerate but the car wouldn't regain speed the car eventually reduced driving speed to 30mph with RPM at 5. I moved over to the shoulder of the freeway and waited for help. With a child in car. Transmissions should not fail on a vehicle at 50,000miles. Very scary situation. I hope this issue with this make/model/year vehicle is addressed. That issue could seriously harm alot of people I have read too many similar stories online.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact noticed a chattering noise and suddenly the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact also stated that he was a mechanic. After inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the transmission would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Prior to the transmission failure, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the power steering pump and cooling fan would have to also be replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle became resistant to acceleration attempts. The contact heard a banging noise coming from under the vehicle and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostics. The mechanic advised that the transmission would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Loud noise in transmission - leads to transmission failure while driving many complaints indicating this happening while in traffic are on a couple websites - main site: http://newmini.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/mini-cooper-transmission-problems/ also many on: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/mini.html
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?
It started with loud noises and RPM jumps to between 5 and 6 when accelerating. It now makes unbelievable sounds when trying to go beyond 50 MPH. I took it to a local mechanics and he told me the transmission is gone and it has to be replaced. Bmw does not sell parts. It would cost me about $5400 at least for a rebuilt transmission. This car has only 55000 miles.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnostics, where the technicians stated that the transmission had an internal defect and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 77,648.
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.
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.
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.
2003 mini cooper automatic CVT transmission failed abruptly and unexpectedly.
My 2003 mini cooper has almost caught on fire several times, replaced transmission, electrical harness, power steering pump, A/C hoses and A/C service, wheel bearings, injection plugs etc....... I still cannot find the real problem why is causing a short, it has almost caught on fire several times, this car has been the most dangerous car I have ever own, I have never spend so much money on trying to fix any vehicle, right now I'm about $11,500 in costs of repairs, this is a crime to the consumer, I have been reading about a class action lawsuit that is in progress, I hope and pray that we get justice from the maker of mini.
Transmission failure and power steering failure on 2003 mini cooper (automatic) at 43,000 miles. Original owner, no psp problems until a month ago when suddenly locked up while driving. Once restarted the problem stopped. Just tried to sell the car back to the dealer who then opted out of the sale after inspection as they said it needed a new transmission ($7,000+). Both of these issues seem common when I searched on the net; both should be recall issues.
The CVT transmission on my 2003 mini cooper has failed rendering the car not drivable. The transmission has always been quirky, but I was assured by the dealer that it was working properly. The transmission slips drastically and makes a very audible whirring sound. The only option for repair is a complete new part install at the dealer cost of $8,800. I have read hundreds and hundreds of identical stories about the cvts on mini coopers as well as the power steering pump. It seems from research that this part commonly fails and replacing with a defective part at a cost near nine thousand dollars is absurd and disgusting. It is cost prohibitive to keep my car operating and I feel as though I have, as well as thousands of other mini owners have been sold a defective product worthy of recall.
Mi mini cooper 2003 got transmission problems ,need a part that they call ,actuator motor,,is no way to find that piece ,need a new transmission for 8000 $ dollars. Many mini coopers have the same problem nobody can do a recall to bmw.
2003 mini cooper with failing CVT transmission. This transmission was discontinued by mini and subsequently is failing at less than 100k miles. The transmission failure is abrupt and can possibly leave the passenger/s stranded in oncoming traffic. Consulted with mini of greenville , sc this week and they stated that they are not responsible for the failing transmissions and cost to replace is approximately $8000. When asked if they would accept the vehicle for a trade they stated they would only give $1000 for the vehicle on a trade. I have read multiple posts from irate owners who are having to deal with the premature failed transmissions. With the increased focus on vehicle safety mini should be held accountable for these premature failures.
My 2003 mini cooper's CVT transmission stopped working about 1 year ago. The mini has 75k miles (all highway miles). Towed the car to the mini dealership. Had the modular unit replaced; however that wasn't the problem. The problem is that the CVT transmission needs to be replaced. The cost to replace it is too much. It cost the true value of the car...over $8,000 to replace it. Bmw/mini cooper will not take any part of responsibility to their mechanical problems on these types of cars. Due to the high cost of repairs the broken down mini is being stored in a garage basically rotting away.
Sudden and unexpected failure of automatic transmission on 2003 mini cooper.
2003 mini cooper. 5 speed manual transmission. Car transmission flew apart while driving.
Transmission CVT failure.
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