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2004 MINI Cooper transmission complaints

Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 26 of 26, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2004 MINI Cooper transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Feb 5, 2012 · Transmission · 824,000 miles · AL

I had only had my mini for about two months and was driving from huntsville, al to tuscaloosa, al for an event for my daughter. The CVT went out and I had to rent a vehicle to go. Then when I got it fixed they told me it would be about 2,000.00 dollars but when I went to pick it up it was 6,000.00. Then about a month ago 1/2012 my power steering started messing up and took to my mechanic. He thought it was hopefully just a loose hose and got it working again. However two weeks ago it went out again and he checked it out and the power steering pump was toast. Does not even have 100,000 miles on it. I am very disappointed with it.

Filed Jan 21, 2012 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 30,000 miles · NY · fire

Very disappointed with mini cooper and the corporation of bmw on how they handled my issues with my 2004 mini. I came to the dealership several times in ramsey, new jersey with the repairs that were recalled. I had printed the recalls as evidence that there were identical issues as the repairs needed to my car! The dealership ignored and refused to even look at the recalls on paper and to my dismay I was forced to pay out-of-my-own pocket! I had no choice because of my concern to drive a 'safe' vehicle. To my disappointment I had to return back to the dealership with the same and additional issues that were no repaired! The next day the manager assured me that all was taken care of and the car was finally safe! Wrong again! With additional calls to both the dealership and bmw I still did not have a solution nor a safe car! . The issues were: 1.brake light being replaced multiple times and then caused a fire. 2.steering 3.stability control ultimately, I have contacted the federal safety agency several times to assist and the response was to contact the dealer. I'm at the point I need to now take this to a new level to resolve this situation.

Filed Aug 5, 2011 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · PA

I have a 2004 mini cooper with 87,000 miles on it. There were no events leading up to the total CVT transmission failure that took place last friday 07/29/11. I was entering into a large intersection when the car started bucking and rattling. I just made it into a hess station parking lot (thank goodness there was one there) when it wouldn't go any further. I had it towed to a local transmission shop and they said that the trans was dead and I was going to need a new one. They informed me that there aren't any rebuilt options and the new trans is going to cost me $5000 + $1200 for labor. I have done a bunch of research on these CVT transmissions and apparently they have been a huge problem and bmw/mini haven't done anything about it. I think it is a disgrace that this continues to happen and cost people thousands of dollars. Something needs to be done asap!!!!

Filed Jul 27, 2011 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · CA

2004 mini cooper with 60k miles. Transmission failed and was advised by mini cooper dealer needs replacement, makes whining noise at higher speeds. Have not driven car since april 2011. Can not afford $5k replacement cost.

Filed Jan 13, 2011 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 mini copper. The contact was driving 55 MPH in order to pass another vehicle when the transmission failed and made it difficult to increase speed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer several times prior to the transmission failing and was told to only use premium gasoline. The contact made the change and within a few months, the transmission failed. The failure and current mileages were 58,000.

Filed May 18, 2010 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · KY

Have a 2004 mini cooper with 65,000 miles total and only 6200 miles in last 20 months and car serviced regularly. Automatic transmission has now started to not shift properly and mini service reprogrammed transmission but problems have recurred and again mini wants to reprogram transmission. If this does not work, transmission will have to be replaced at cost of $6500.00. There is no repair or rebuilding of this transmission. There are hundreds of reported problems with this transmission but bmw has not acknowledged any problem.

Filed May 12, 2010 · Transmission · 117,000 miles · TN

Transmission failure made car stop in traffic.

Filed Mar 30, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · FL

2004 mini cooper with motor mount, electrical, flat tire sensors issues. Cvt transmission replacement recommended. *tgw one day while driving on the highway, the vehicle just stopped; dead no power. The consumer stated the vehicle is sitting in the garage un-drivable because she doesn't have the $8,000 to replace the CVT transmission.

Filed Jan 15, 2010 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · PA

My 2004 mini coopers transmission failed at 80k miles with no warning. Luckily I was in a parking lot and not on the highway, where I could have been killed. The cost of replacing the tranny was $7,000. Mini USA was useless when I pleaded with them to help me. After reading about all of the other complaints with the CVT trans, I can't believe there was no recall. I will never buy a mini again. I still owe $11,000 on the car and cannot afford another.

Filed Nov 2, 2009 · Transmission · 21,000 miles · MA

Purchased a 2004 mini cooper a year ago, with a mileage of 17,000 miles. After driving about 4,000 miles, the car broke down and was sent to local mini dealer to get it fixed. Continuous variable transmission was diagnosed wrecked, and dealer offered a replacement (only solution) with a re-furbished CVT transmission for $9800. After negotiation, I had mini cover the parts and I paid labor. But I have seen on so many forums that all CVT transmissions are failing so I wonder why there have been no recalls. My CVT failed when the car had 21,000 miles!

Filed Oct 2, 2009 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · CA

Our 2004 mini cooper (CVT) automatic transmission needs to be replaced. The car has only 74,000 mile on it.

Filed Jul 18, 2009 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · PA

2004 mini cooper non s , transmission failure due to a midland transmission.

Filed May 19, 2009 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · NY

Transmission gave way.

Filed May 9, 2008 · Transmission · 51,234 miles · PA

For absolutely no reason the manual transmission failed and locked up causing me to loose control of the vehicle at 40mph. No injuries or damage to the vehicle as I was able to control the slide. However I have spoken to both dealer and manufacture and they both admit the transmissions in these vehicles both automatic and manual are weak and can cause failure at any speed which will result in lockup of the front tires. Numerous reports from other mini cooper owners show the same. The transmission was replaced in this vehicle 3 years ago for the same problem. Now it needs replaced again. The only repair is to put a rebuilt unit in place with the same weak gears. Mini no longer warranties the repairs as of 2008 because of the problems. I got lucky but I carry my 3yr old son with me most of the time and this does not feel like a safe vehicle considering out of nowhere with no warning this failure could occur again. Both mini USA, bmw have been very unhelpful in the matter unless I'm willing to pay over $1000 to have it towed to a mini cooper dealer just to have it looked at.

Filed Mar 13, 2008 · Transmission · 56,700 miles · MN

Total transmission failure at 57,000 miles. Warranty just ran out, quoted price to replace transmission, clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing $7,000 minimum. Dealer refuses to accept any responsibility.

Filed Sep 13, 2004 · Transmission · 2 miles · CA

I was driving normal. I was making a left turn on my 2004 mini cooper (automatic transmission) the car move a little and all of a sudden the car stalled. The car behind me was honking and I quickly shift to n and tried starting and the car started. My car has only 1650 miles. I called mini the next day and customer service rep told me that there is no recalls or issues known to mini at this time.

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