2013 MINI Cooper Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 6%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 MINI Cooper, 6% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 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.
“64,000 miles - winter 2017 my 2013 Mini Cooper paceman sall4 was taking on water in the boot- didnt know if it was from melting snow etc. In car. Dried out. Water came back and flooded back seat floor. Brought to Mini- they told me I had a taillight seal leak which caused water to get down into the car which fried a computer system that controlled my awd and other things. Awd is not optional where I live. My warranty had just ended. The quote for the work was thousands of dollars. I contacted Mini corporate they offered to cover 15% of the bill. …”
NHTSA complaint #11120591, filed 2018-08, 64,000 miles“I just bought a brand new 2013 Mini Cooper last year on november 2012. Sometime during last week september 18, 2013, I drove home from work turn off my car but the key wouldn't release. I have to press many times for it to release. The next day heading out to work, start the car but the gear shift got stuck. It wouldn't shift to reverse. I call the dealer to make an appointment to see what's wrong with the car. The Mini dealer called to notify that they will need to stay overnight as if they said they are waiting for one part to come in. …”
NHTSA complaint #10545544, filed 2013-09, 34,000 miles“Freeze plug randomly popped out while driving causing vehicle to stall in the middle of traffic almost causing a major accident and or death. Research indicates there has been numerous complaints by Mini Cooper owners experiencing the same issue of a premature unexplained failure with no action taken from Mini to mitigate this safety issue. I’m lucky to be alive.”
NHTSA complaint #11574805, filed 2024-03Related service bulletins
- 10152680Nov 1, 2018"MANUAL TRANSMISSION - STIFF DIAGONAL GEARSHIFT LEVER MOVEMENT. The customer may complain of a ""stiff diagonal shift"" (e.g., N-R, R-N, 2-3/3-2 or 4-5/5-4). Also, in some cases…
- 10146924Oct 1, 2016"ENGINE POWER REDUCTION WITH "CLUTCH DAMAGED"" FAULTS STORED This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M12 06 15 dated July 2015. A drivetrain malfunction check control…
- 10148206Dec 1, 2014Dual Mass Flywheel: Diagnosis and Inspection. INFORMATION The following three criteria must to be checked, evaluated and the resulting findings documented on the repair order…
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 2013 MINI Cooper
19 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 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