MINI Cooper transmission failure problems

Filed Oct 9, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 87,000 miles · WA

Problem 1: clutch/transmission failed at 50,000 just after warranty. Unable to shift on highway, had to stay in low gear. Transmission was replaced. It failed a second time, was replaced at about 80,000. I believe it is failing again as the clutch is slipping in 1st and 2nd gears; mini cooper says they note no problem. Problem 2: timing chain. Parked, my car would not start easily; started on 3rd try. My car stalled, stopped on the highway as I was slowing down due to traffic. Restarted and continued. No engine light. Driving to mini service, car stalled coming in; had to coast in. Found to be timing chain, valvetronic eccentric shaft, perhaps parts falling into oil pan. $2800 in repairs. When I asked about law suits or recalls over the last 3 years because I've had major performance issues, mini cooper stated no known suits even though there were. I find that there have been suits, and I "missed the window" for the timing chain.

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 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 Nov 24, 2015 · Engine · 53,000 miles · GA

Our car has only 53,000 miles on it. We are informed by 2 different dealers that it needs a new transmission totaling $10,000. We were not aware of the class action suit for this very issue that settled late last year. Bmw/mini knew about the defective transmission and said nothing. Our car is not drivable now and is unsafe to operate. It is worthless essentially after being maintained per their guidelines. When driving it lost control and was not able to shift into gears. Was stuck in 4th gear one time and was hard to stop. Could have caused an accident but we were able to get control.

Filed Oct 30, 2015 · Engine · 30,000 miles · CA

70k and on my third serpentine belt ,battery light goes on and incredibly hard to steer left or right and car dies. When the belt shreds or breaks the car dies and only moves at below 5 MPH ,only warning is a battery light ... People buying this car for teens dont ! Had to replace transmission at 30 k ... If you buy this car used with low mileage get the transmission checked . Note : transmission check requires the engine to be pulled out and will cost $500.00 oil pan constantly leaks. If vw is bad bmw /mini cooper is worse and getting away with highway robbery . Seat belts always getting twisted and require the need to pul off road to fix because they tighten and won't release tension. Look into driver and passenger leather seats falling apart ... Waiting for side impact air bag to go off because of poor material and textile use . If it's rubber it rots or rats eat it because they can enter car engine without issue. With the class action suits ,service warnings,and recalls it looks like mini cooper needs a harder more intense investigation . In regards to exact dates I have repair bills ,class action info. Regarding transmission ...worthless as I have wrong year ,also car is on a constant cycle of malfunction ... Brake lights and head lights constantly need bulb replacement . Please make mini cooper responsible.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Transmission · 136,000 miles · DE

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. The contact stated that the transmission failed on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service and stated that the transmission was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving home, the transmission seized. The vehicle was then towed back to the dealer, who determined that the drive shift cable failed. The contact was informed of the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v201000 (power train). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Oct 17, 2014 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · MO

While driving my mini cooper on a major road in heavy traffic my mini cooper experienced a complete loss of power to the wheels (sudden transmission failure). My only option to avoid being rear-ended was to steer the car off the road ( with the remaining forward momentum into a fast food parking lot in order to avoid being involved in an accident. Description of failed component/affected part: mini cooper's CVT transmission have a known history of sudden failure at 80k-120k. Bmw the manufacturer of the mini has known about the defective transmission in their vehicle for years, and has never informed owners of their vehicles of the transmission problem or the potential risk for accidents, injury, or death that could result from the sudden failure of the mini's transmission and resulting total loss of power. Bmw has never issued a recall or offer to replace the defective transmission under the vehicle warranty. Additionally, bmw has issued service advisories to their service managers about the problems associated with their mini cooper's CVT transmission, but as mentioned has not communicated this problem to mini owners.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Transmission · 22,000 miles · MD

2002 mini cooper, manual transmission. Low mileage, only 22,000 miles on it. While driving is city traffic, the transmission failed to engage when I shifted into 1st and lifted the clutch trying to start from a red light. There was a small "sputter" and then the car could not be driven. I was able to push it to the side of the road and thought that the clutch was out. The repair shop found out that the entire manual transmission had disintegrated. It had torn itself apart over the years. The repair shop said that he was aware that this is a common flaw with the early mini coopers. This was a $2500 repair.

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.