2006 MINI Cooper Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 10%of 200 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 MINI Cooper, 10% of the 200 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The air conditioning had stopped blowing cool air. Then when I was parked, and idled, my power steering stopped working while trying to back out. After wrestling with the wheel for a minute to get out of a parking lot area, the power steering came back on. The mechanic said one of my coolant fans does not work. This may be part of a recall that affect 2005 minis with coolant fan/power steering, however my car was made just a few months past the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11337932, filed 2020-07, 68,000 miles“I was driving on the freeway at 70mph in far left lane and the car just shut off. The brake and steering wheel got stiff and would not work right. The area of the freeway was crowded due to construction and it was impossible to get to the side. The car behind me was entirely to close and im surprised I was not hit.”
NHTSA complaint #10522186, filed 2013-06, 88,170 miles“Mini Cooper transmission fail. The car does not go between 20 to 50 MPH. It has no power and that can be dangers when I am getting into the highway and cars are going at a high speed. On top of it my car stalled in the middle of rush hour. Lucky I got it started and was able to make it home. Seems like everyone is having this problem the car need to be recall and get it faxed because someone can die.”
NHTSA complaint #10472689, filed 2012-08, 114,000 miles“To make you aware of a potential safety problem. The 2006 Mini Cooper CVT transmission has had numerous failures. A california judge recently ruled in favor of a class action suit against bmw(Mini Cooper). We just became aware of the transmission going out in our car. It still runs and shifts but our concern is that it could quit at an inopportune time and cause an accident. Mini has shown no moral or ethical interest in replacing the transmission at no cost or reduced cost to the consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #10788091, filed 2015-11, 69,000 miles“I have an '06 Mini Cooper and never had any engine/transmission issues prior to today. All scheduled maintenance was done by the Mini dealer. Today leaving to go to work, I started the car, put my seat belt on, checked the mirrors, rolled down the windows, put the car gear in d and started moving forward out a parking lot, and after a few seconds while driving, the car lost all acceleration and came to a stop. Then the car won't reverse nor move forward while in any gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10514390, filed 2013-05, 150,000 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…
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 2006 MINI Cooper
111 complaintsSteering
53 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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