2005 MINI Cooper Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 7%of 372 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,968miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 MINI Cooper, 7% of the 372 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,968 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10487188, filed 2012-12, 41,230 miles“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 complaint #11397204, filed 2021-02, 1 miles“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 complaint #10884074, filed 2016-07, 69,791 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11311300, filed 2020-02, 77,500 miles“Transaxle on the Mini Cooper failed. Unit contains sealed bearings (so I'm told), that are not serviceable. Therefore, I had to buy a complete new unit at a cost of $3,000 ()included $900 labor). I understand this is not an uncommon failure for minis, and that Mini and bmw are refusing to work with consumers to address this problem. However, they have apparently changed the design, recognizing the poor design of the original unit.”
NHTSA complaint #10358166, filed 2010-09, 110,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10134994Feb 1, 2018Aisin automatic transmisison: right side output shaft seal replacement
- 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.
- 10017779Oct 1, 2005Rattling/grinding noise coming from the transmission area when in neutral during a cold start. My '05 cooper with 5-speed getrag.
- 10016682May 9, 2005Transmission noise diagnosis.
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 2005 MINI Cooper
276 complaintsAir bags
41 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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