MINI Cooper won't shift problems

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Engine · 84,000 miles · NJ

Exhaust vanos solenoid failure 06/12/2019. This is a common issue to mini's and bmw's that occurs on a regular basis which interrupts the pollution control system. Bmw who manufactures the part has extended the warranty for this part on bmw's to 10 years but has not yet addressed all the issues that mini owners have had with the particular part. There are two in the engine and they are identical (intake/exhaust) cost to replace is over $500. Why does bmw get a replacement and mini owners have to pay. The car goes into a limp mode when failure occurs, so still drivable but at reduced power. This is a common issue and prevalent in both mini forums and bmw forums. The warranty should be extended for mini owners part # 11-36-8-610-388. It is a defective design by the manufacturer.

Filed Jul 20, 2019 · Engine · 68,000 miles · CA

Turbo charger has systematically failed over the last year, with worsening effects. This causes the car to automatically go into "limp mode" and cuts power. This is dangerous for driving on the highway. This is a common complaint with mini coopers with many, but not all years recalled.

Filed Aug 27, 2017 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · NY

Cvt transmission stuck in first gear while driving on a highway and would not go more than 30mph and cars had to swerve from behind me in order to prevent an accident. The dealer wants to replace the transmission for $8,000.00 which is ridiculous. I could have been killed on highway along with my daughter..

Filed Apr 11, 2017 · 83,000 miles · CA

Problem with the transmission. Transmission does not shift properly downshifts at high speeds causing the engine to rev really high. Jolts a lot on the speed changes. Having signs indicative of transmission failure.

Filed Aug 16, 2016 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mini cooper. The contact stated that the vehicle's battery was located in front of the firewall above the gear box. The battery acid leaked onto two shifter cable linkages, which caused them to melt unexpectedly. The vehicle would not shift gears. The contact also stated that the same failure occurred one other time. The vehicle was repaired six months ago because of the same failure. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired again. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2015 · Steering, Transmission · 52,000 miles · VI

I was driving around 40 miles per hour and the car abruptly slowed down then sped up without any warning, if another car was behind me, it would have caused some serious damage. Now my car wouldn't shift shift out of first gear. I was told by my mechanic that the CVT transmission is gone. After reaching out to mini USA, they told me they haven't had any problem with this transmission and it's pass the warranty date. If the folks at mini USA had been honest with me I could have made the deadline for a settlement pertaining to the same problem they claimed they had no idea about. This product need to be recalled! After doing extensive research the CVT transmission have had problems all along and the company have been settling claims for quite some time. Why are they allowed to run hard working folks into death because they know most of us can't and wouldn't pursue this matter. It will cost me 6500.00 for the part and another $2200 for labor, the car is now valued at $5500.00. It there something wrong with this?

Filed Sep 14, 2015 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · NY

Driving home from work as usual, I was exiting the highway when I felt a jolt from the engine compartment, the engine seemed to sputter and as soon as I slowed down to 30 MPH or so the car would not shift back up to the higher gears. Luckily I was only a quarter mile from home so I put the hazard lights on and drove very carefully into my driveway. I put the car in park and got out to look under the hood to see if anything was drastically wrong ( any leaks, smoke, etc.). Nothing appeared to be malfunctioning so I put the car back into drive and instantly stalled the engine . I then called a tow truck to have it towed to my local mini cooper dealership to diagnose the issue. I was told it would need an entirely new CVT transmission.

Filed Jun 11, 2014 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · CA

Driving in 2nd gear (manual transmission) and the car brakes everything locked up skidding to an immediate, violent stop that squealed the tires and made smoke, oil everywhere on the road, engine still running fine. Scary, could not even push the car off the road because it was stuck in gear. Warranty company towed it to a mini dealer in valencia, ca. Two weeks later, they granted warranty work however, the price tag is $4000!! Warranty only covers $2000 so I have to get another used transmission! I see where there is a recall on all automatic transmissions 2003-2007 because of a class action law suit against mini cooper. Isn't it possible the same thing wrong with the automatic transmission is also happening with the manual transmissions? I can't afford this even with the warranty and I certainly don't want to risk putting another faulty transmission that locks up, what if I was doing 65? I'd roll and be dead, that's what! This car is unsafe and I feel the new, approved transmission is the only answer. This isn't about money, it's about the fact the car locked up with no sign or warning whatsoever. Though, if there is a recall I would like reimbursed for the costs or however that works, thank you for your time. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 5, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 9,030 miles · GA

Purchased a certified pre-owned mini next 2012 clubman 6-speed with 6,498 miles on it 08/2013. * 10/14/2013 around 9k miles lost power on the highway and went into limp mode, maneuvered to side of highway and called roadside assistance. Towed car in to dealer who replaced 4 spark plugs said all was ok. * 10/17/2013 I pick the car up, get 3 miles from dealer on interstate and the car does it again so I maneuvered off the closest exit and called roadside assistance. Towed back into dealer and they kept car until 26th. They said the dme was bad and replaced it and 4 fuel injectors. * 10/30/2013 car did it again and I drove home in limp mode, car was shaking and sounded like a 1970 vw beetle, nearly died at every idle, rough, acceleration and I called roadside assistance and they had car towed from my driveway back to dealer. *11/5/2013 dealer still has car.

Filed Sep 26, 2013 · Transmission · 34,000 miles · CA

I just bought a brand new 2013 mini cooper last year on november 2012. Sometime during last week september 18, 2013, I drove home from work turn off my car but the key wouldn't release. I have to press many times for it to release. The next day heading out to work, start the car but the gear shift got stuck. It wouldn't shift to reverse. I call the dealer to make an appointment to see what's wrong with the car. The mini dealer called to notify that they will need to stay overnight as if they said they are waiting for one part to come in. The next day the dealer call me to advised that coffee had leaked into the gear shifter and cause the failure. And told me it will cause $1,500 for parts and labor to fix it. They told me that the warranty won't cover it, it will come out from my pocket. So I told them not to do anything, that I will come and pick up the car.