RoadVitals

2005 MINI Cooper Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Feb 21, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 372 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 MINI Cooper submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 21, 2021

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS CAUSING A JERK REACTION IN THE VEHICLE AND THEN IT WILL RENEGADE CAUSING ANOTHER JERK REACTION IN THE VEHICLE AND MAKES GOING AND OR STOPPING UNPREDICTABLE. TURNING LEFT IS DANGEROUS AS THE CAR MAY NOT MOVE FORWARD AT A SPEED THAT IT SHOULD OR MAY JERK IN THE MIDDLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD A MACHANIC CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURERS WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND NOTHING THEY WOULD DO.

NHTSA ID
11397204
Incident
Feb 16, 2021
Mileage
1 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Feb 24, 2020

THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS ALL BUT STOPPED WORKING, WITH STEERING NOW DIFFICULT AT LOWER SPEED--ESPECIALLY WHEN I FIRST START THE ENGINE IN THE MORNING. THE CLUTCH DOESN'T RESPOND WELL AND THE VEHICLE NO LONGER GOES INTO SECOND GEAR. THE REAR LEFT BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED IN PLACE, NOT ALLOWING THE BRAKE PAD TO RETRACT COMPLETELY AND THEREFORE THE BRAKE PAD CONTINUOUSLY RUBBED AGAINST THE DISC, BUT WITHOUT NOISE. NOT UNTIL THE LEFT REAR BRAKE MADE NOISE BECAUSE OF THE METAL ON METAL BRAKING WAS THE SEIZED OEM CALIPER IDENTIFIED, WHEN I PUT ON A SET OF NEW BRAKE PADS. NONE OF THE OTHER THREE BRAKES HAD THE SEIZED OEM CALIPER.

NHTSA ID
11311300
Incident
Feb 1, 2020
Mileage
77,500 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 30, 2018

BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS REAR-ENDED FROM LOSING SPEED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THIS IS IN THE DESIGN OF THIS YEAR OF MINI COOPER AS I AM FINDING THAT IT IS ON THE INTERNET AS JUST A BAD DESIGN. I CAN'T GET ANYONE TO WORK ON IT FOR A REASONABLE PRICE. I'M HOPING THERE'S SOME HELP OUT THERE FOR UNSUSPECTING INNOCENT PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE GETTING A GOOD CAR AND NOW IT IS JUST UNSAFE AS I HAVE HAD TO TOW IT 3 TIMES NOW AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT SINCE MAY OF THIS YEAR 2018.

NHTSA ID
11114462
Incident
May 17, 2018
Mileage
83,000 mi
AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 11, 2016

FRONT DRIVER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY AS IT DOESN'T DETECT SOMETIMES WHEN THERE IS AN OCCUPANT. SECOND ISSUE IS THE CVT TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE. I GET A JERKING MOTION EVERY NOW AND THEN AND FOUND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT LINKED WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AFTER THIS LAWSUIT BUT APPARENTLY THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT AND FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ID
10884074
Incident
Jun 24, 2016
Mileage
69,791 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed May 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1900. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,200. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN UPDATED 07/09/15*JB

NHTSA ID
10715169
Incident
Apr 2, 2015
Mileage
64,200 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 27, 2013

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 30 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR/SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, MY TRANSMISSION WOULD REV UP THE RPMS AND MY CAR NO LONGER ACCELERATES. IT WENT FROM ABOUT 2 TO 5.5 RPMS, EVEN AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE IT FINALLY DOES SHIFT, IT LURCHES THE CAR FORWARD VIOLENTLY. IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO START ACTING UP, BUT ONCE THE CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP, IT SEEMS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE IT NOT HAPPEN. IT'S EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING AND FRIGHTENING BECAUSE I DO ALL CITY DRIVING, WHERE I SLOW DOWN AND SPEED UP SO I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO GET WITHIN THE 30MPH RANGE. MY CAR STOPS ACCELERATING SO I AM AFRAID OF MY TRANSMISSION DYING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC OR SLOWING DOWN SO MUCH THAT IS CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. BOTTOM LINE: MY CAR DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND POTENTIALLY ENDANGERS ME, SO I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504694
Incident
Mar 13, 2013
Mileage
82,300 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 3, 2012

AT LOW MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. NO FORE WARNING JUST GONE. I'M TRYING TO DRIVE AND AT 10 MPH I'M REVVING AT UP TO 3000 RPM'S. THIS SHOULD DEF NOT BE HAPPENING! I'M FUMING BEING THAT I HAVE TO NOW REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I HAVE NOT BEATEN ON IT OR ANYTHING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. SO FAR MY EXPERIENCE WITH BMW HAS NOT BEEN GOOD. I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER BUYING ANYTHING ELSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10487188
Incident
Dec 3, 2012
Mileage
41,230 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 23, 2012

I HAD A LITTLE WHINING SOUND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE CLUTCH. EVERYTHING WORKED FINE EVEN WITH THE WHINING SOUND. I STARTED DRIVING TO THE MECHANICS AND MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE TRANSMISSION CAME COMPLETELY APART. ALL THE TEETH ARE GONE FROM THE SECOND GEAR WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT 2000.00, NOW I WILL HAVE TO EITHER SPEND ANOTHER 3000.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, OR TRADE IN MY CAR AT A HORRIBLE LOSS AND I WILL BE UPSIDE DOWN ON THE NEXT CAR. I READ THAT THERE WERE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST MINI/BMW OVER THE TRANSMISSIONS. I WAS HOPING THAT I WOULD FIND A RECALL ON HERE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10485829
Incident
Sep 9, 2012
Mileage
83,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 22, 2012

THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2005 MINI HAD BEEN SLIPPING BUT WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO VARIOUS LOCAL SHOPPING PLAZAS APPLYING FOR JOBS. SHE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DRIVING OVER 45 MPH BECAUSE THAT WAS THE MAXIMUM SPEED ONE COULD DRIVE WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A WHIRRING SOUND AND SMOKE. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND SAFELY PARKED. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR HOME AND IT NOW SITS IN OUR GARAGE WHILE WE CONTINUE TO PAY FOR IT AND INSURE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10481370
Incident
Sep 18, 2012
Mileage
92,607 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 24, 2012

AFTER DRIVING ONE EVENING A SHORT DISTANCE TO THE STORE AND FEELING A STRANGE PULLING OF THE CAR BUT NOT REALLY MOVING AS FAST AS IT SHOULD, I TOOK IT TO BE CHECKED OUT AT THE MINI OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION BUT THAT I COULD STILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT SHORT DISTANCES. THIS COST $138. SO AFTER A COUPLE OF SHORT TRIPS TO WORK, I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH WHEN IT STARTED TO "SHUT DOWN", IT WAS REVVING VERY LOUDLY BUT ONLY MOVING AT ABOUT 20MPH AT THE MOST. I HAD TO PULL OVER MANY TIMES DUE TO ANXIETY, FEAR AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO FIND A BACK WAY HOME BECAUSE I COULD NO LONGER DRIVE ON ANY OF THE MAIN ROADS SINCE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT I WAS GOING TO GET HIT FROM BEHIND! *TR

NHTSA ID
10476916
Incident
Sep 10, 2012
Mileage
74,450 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 29, 2012

THE CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING, HOWEVER, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED US TODAY THAT THE CVT (TRANSMISSION) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $7000. WE ARE AWARE THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON LINE REGARDING MINI COOPER CVT POWER TRAINS IN 2002 - 2006 MINI'S AND THAT THERE ARE APPARENTLY CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS IN CALIFORNIA AND NEW JERSEY AS MINI COOPER APPARENTLY IS REFUSING TO ISSUE A RECALL. IT DOES NOT SEEM WITHIN REASON THAT A CAR WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES SHOULD HAVE THE TRANSMISSION GO OUT. ALSO, IN THAT THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS AND CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS PENDING, THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT MINI COOPER SHOULD ADMIT THAT ITS CVT POWER TRAIN IS FAULTY AND ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10463627
Incident
Jun 21, 2012
Mileage
49,500 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Oct 18, 2010

WHILE PICKING MY GRANDSON FROM SCHOOL ON OCT 18 2010 AT 2:30 PM I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE ONTO THE HIGHWAY , HALF STILL IN PARKING SPACE AND HALF ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR STOPPED--- IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD --- COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULD NOT TURN--THE MOTOR RUNNING ALL THE TIME --I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND ON TWICE BEFORE THE CAR WOULD MOVE .ONLY REASON WE WERE NOT HIT BY TRAFFIC IS BECAUSE WE WERE IN A SCHOOL ZONE AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOW AT THAT TIME. I CALLED MY MINI DEALER IN BATON ROUGE AND ASKED IF THEY HAD OTHER PEOPLE WITH TROUBLE WITH THEIR MINI THEY SAID NO-- ASKED THEY TO CHECK IF MINI HAD ANYTHING GOING ON WITH MINI S THEY WOULD NOT CHECK THEY JUST SAYING THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED AND OFFICIAL NOTICE THEY SAID I COULD BRING IT IN AND IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT 800.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10361098
Incident
Oct 18, 2010
Mileage
33,500 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 8, 2005

FRONT WHEEL RUBBING NOISES AT LOW SPEED WHEN TURNING HARD LEFT OR HARD RIGHT. MINI DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL, NOTHING WAS DONE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142210
Incident
Oct 6, 2005
Mileage
2,500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .