2003 MINI Cooper: complete transmission failure

Filed Dec 31, 2015 · Transmission · 113,300 miles · CT

The car would not easily shift gears. When I brought it to the mini cooper dealership, I was told that all of the transmission fluid leaked out of the transmission. The transmission is "sealed", so the transmission fluid cannot be checked or changed. I was told that I needed to replace the transmission and clutch. The car should not have a sealed transmission if it can develop a leak so easily.

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 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 Jul 23, 2012 · Steering, Transmission · 106,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed May 14, 2012 · Transmission · 57,000 miles · NY

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

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 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 14, 2011 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · KS

2003 mini cooper automatic CVT transmission failed abruptly and unexpectedly.

Filed Nov 23, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 48,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jul 8, 2010 · Transmission · 43,500 miles · 00

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.

Filed Jun 1, 2010 · Transmission · 104,600 miles · FL

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.