2003 MINI Cooper Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 89about this part
- Share
- 28%of 320 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 89 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 MINI Cooper, 28% of the 320 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10817225, filed 2015-12, 113,300 miles“It started with loud noises and RPM jumps to between 5 and 6 when accelerating. It now makes unbelievable sounds when trying to go beyond 50 MPH. I took it to a local mechanics and he told me the transmission is gone and it has to be replaced. Bmw does not sell parts. It would cost me about $5400 at least for a rebuilt transmission. This car has only 55000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10430949, filed 2011-10, 52,000 miles“My 2003 Mini Cooper has transmission failure it fell to pieces at 61,000 miles after impeccable engine maintenance for no apparent reason then I found online that many Mini owners had similar problems at the same time approximately 4 yrs after buying the Mini scam that they sell this faulty car just glad it didn't cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10255379, filed 2009-01, 61,000 miles“Auto transmission CVT failure. I'm the original owner of this 2003 Mini Cooper with only 58,000 miles and this car is just sitting in my garage. The Mini dealer wants $9,000 to r&r the trans. I can't afford to fix. I feel bmw / Mini should be ashamed of them selves. Last year the Mini dealer charge me over $2,100 to r&r the steering pump when the car had under 50,000 miles on it. Bmw / Mini should have to pay up or replace these CVT trans. T/y”
NHTSA complaint #10532490, filed 2013-07, 58,000 miles“The transmission in my car failed when I was trying to go through a green light. There were no prior warning signs that the transmission was going to stop working. I was left stranded in the middle of an intersection because of this. I was nearly hit several times because of my location. When I spoke to the Mini dealer they told me that this was a know problem and there was nothing they could do about it and that this was a known problem with this type of transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10577645, filed 2014-04, 120,000 milesRelated 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…
- 10025903Jun 1, 2008Mini- r5 & r56 (cooper; cooper s) with getrag 6 speed manual transmission: complaint of an intermittent no-crank, no start situation. The clutch switch module has not been…
- 10025846Jun 1, 2008Mini: r55, r56 (cooper, cooper s) with f21 asin 6-speed automatic transmission - incorrect gear display.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2017 | 6 | 21% |
| 2016 | 6 | 21% |
| 2015 | 10 | 18% |
| 2014 | 8 | 24% |
| 2013 | 3 | 6% |
| 2012 | 3 | 5% |
| 2011 | 9 | 11% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 5 | 3% |
| 2008 | 12 | 10% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 20 | 10% |
| 2005 | 25 | 7% |
| 2004 | 26 | 9% |
| 2003 | 89 | 28% |
| 2002 | 43 | 23% |
| 2001 | 3 | 50% |
Other parts of the 2003 MINI Cooper
159 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsTires
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 MINI Cooper
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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