2005 MINI Cooper Convertible Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 6%of 96 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,595miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible, 6% of the 96 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,595 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible needs the transmission replaced. My car has only 92,000 miles and it is unfair that already it has to be replace at a ridiculous cost. There was a class action law suit with bmw/Mini for the transmission that went wrong. There are many people besides myself who where not notified of this and were left out. Mini cooper should recall the transmissions .there are many forums of Mini cooper owners who are outraged and have similar situations. Please consider and make this company recall the transmissions. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10670215, filed 2015-01, 92,000 miles“Hi, I'm writing to report that my 2005 Mini cooper, with less than 43k miles is in need of a third transmission. I nearly did not make it home one evening because the jerking motion the car was making and because the engine just felt like it was going to shut off. I nearly stalled on the highway, while in traffic. The first transmission, while under warranty was replaced in november 2007 at 28k miles. On 12/16/08, I had an accident where the transmission pan among other things had to be replaced. It was the only known damage caused to the transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #10320761, filed 2010-03, 43 miles“Automatic CVT transmission failed at 77,000 miles. Car stopped when going down interstate, pressing gas, nothing. Check engine light came on. I was able to stop the car safely, turned it off, restarted it, check engine light and ep (transmission) warning light came on.Mini cooper dealership says min is very aware of this transmission problem, and stopped putting the CVT transmissions in, apparently it was experimental. Cannot rebuild the transmission, and Mini estimates $7100 to replace the transmission, and will only give me $2500 on it as a trade in due to the known transmission issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10434001, filed 2011-11, 77,000 miles“Daughter/co-owner was driving car. Shifting from 1st in to 2nd gear. Loud clunk or rattle/clicking from unside. Car lost power steering, battery light came on. Could not control vehicle. Had to call tow truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10472498, filed 2012-08, 70,595 miles“The transmission will cycle first through third and when it tries to go into 4th it slips and will not operate higher gears it caused me to lose my forward drive momentum as I was switching lanes and the car I was getting in front of almost ran into me.”
NHTSA complaint #11452775, filed 2022-02Related service bulletins
- 10149392Oct 1, 2014MINI CVT Replacement Parts Warranty Extension: Additional 12 Months with Up to 50,000 Accumulated Miles. A MINI vehicle's CVT assembly or component that was previously repaired…
- 10148241Jun 1, 2014MINI CVT Replacement Parts Warranty Extension: Additional 12 Months with Up to 50,000 Accumulated Miles. A MINI vehicle's CVT assembly or component that was previously repaired…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible
75 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology