Is there something wrong with your Mini Cooper? Let’s look at some of the most common transmission problems, and see what you can do to get your car back on the road.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Mini Cooper Recalls
2014-2015 Cooper / Cooper S – 14V789000
Summary
BMW of North America recalled certain 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door, and Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles manufactured January 6, 2014, to October 17, 2014. During service appointments, dealers may have inadvertently reprogrammed the transmission control unit with software that may allow drivers to exit the vehicle when the car is not in Park.
Consequence
If the driver exits the car without the transmission being in Park, it could roll away as the driver and other occupants exit or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy
This recall began on February 1, 2015, and dealers were instructed to reprogram the transmission control module with the correct software, free of charge. Owners can contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
2002 Cooper – 02V201000
Summary
On 2002 Mini Cooper models equipped with the manual transmission, shift cable is responsible for connecting the gearshift lever in the vehicle interior to the shift linkage. It is possible for the shift cable to detach from the shift linkage while the driver is attempting to change gears. If the cable detaches from the shift linkage, gear changes will no longer be possible and the transmission will remain in the last gear selected.
Consequence
If shift cable detachment occurs and the transmission remains in any forward gear, the vehicle can still be driven in that gear only. However, if the car shifts into neutral and remains there, the ability to accelerate or maintain speed will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owner notification began in August 2002, and dealers were instructed to inspect the shift cable and, if necessary, install a retaining clip over the end of the shift cable to prevent it from detaching from the transmission. Owners can contact BMW at 1-866-ask-mini (1-866-275-6464), or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Mini Cooper Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
2014 Mini Cooper A/T – TSB SI M12 07 14
Problem:
After a cold start, the engine idles poorly and could shut off when the transmission in placed into Reverse or Drive position.
Solution:
A software fault is the cause of this issue, and it can be corrected by reprogramming the DME using version ISTA/P 2.53.2 or later.
2008 Cooper / Cooper S – TSB SI M25 02 14
Problem:
The gear selector lever cannot be disengaged from the “P” position. This can occur very randomly and is difficult to reproduce. No faults are stored in the EGS control unit, and no warnings are displayed in the instrument cluster. For the most part, if the car is locked and goes to sleep (the light in the hazard switch goes out), the problem is no longer present.
Solution:
This problem is caused by an error in the EGS software. The computer will have to be reprogrammed using the latest version of ISTA/P. z Target integration: R056-14-11-501 or higher
What Transmission Do I Have?
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What Problem Does Your Cooper Have?
Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!
I have a 02 mini cooper took it to a transmission shop and they said it need a transmission computer bc it in limp mode
Total transmission failure- 2014 Countryman, 54,000 miles, automatic. I bought it new and drive it like an old lady going to church on Sundays. Now it’s sitting at Santa Monica Mini. Cost for new transmission (unrepairable) is $8900. Not going to spend this – Mini USA has offered to split with me. But that still seems like a bad solution. Any ideas out there?
2006 s53 automatic stuck in 3rd gear with load clunk from park to rev and rev to drive paddles not working no d indicator on dash and a whine while driving car code p7oo and 1611
I have a 2002 mini cooper base model with a 5 speed transmission. 4th gear has acted as neutral since I had the car. All the other gears shift fine but the car does need a clutch. Is my 4th gear gone and should I replace the trans?
Limp mode from sixth gear. Code 4ee9 speed sensor, turbo. What do I need to change???
hi… I have a 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman S All4 6 speed manual transmission… has 120k miles. I bought this used from a dealer about 2 years ago at about 86K miles. It has run perfectly since. no issues, no weird noises, stutters or breakdowns. Only work done was tire/s replacement, fluid and filters. Today I was driving and the shifter went slack and “floppy” in my hand. I was able to still drive and shift into what I believe, by feel, and rpm to forward movement ratio, was only able to select 3rd and 4th. I cannot access reverse or other lower or higher gears. There was no pre-indication of any issues until the shifter went slack as stated prior. I have no dashboard/check lights on.
if you or anyone has any insight I would love to hear it… and I am thinking this is not a DIY fix…
Thanks in advance for any info! 🙂
what was your problem ? My daughter has exactly the same issue.
2005 mini cooper. Automatic… It shifts fine the first couple gears then it wont shift unless i floor it and when i let off the gas it down shifts
2008 mini Cooper hatchback automatic transmission, is slipping in fourth can get to fifth and six Will slip out if I go over 65 mph.
I have a 2004 automatic and once the car has been running for a while, the RPMs are gearing up but the car does not gain speed. It’s trying to shift gears but does not seem to work and the car is idling at 30/kph.
What could it be?
Please advise.
I have a 2003 mini, 5 speed.. it started having a slight grind shifting into 5th gear.. 2 days later it started when shifting into 3rd, and it was significantly louder, a definite grind. I’ve had issues where shifting from gear to gear it’s been stiff, and once it almost seemed to seize and wouldnt move… I’m struggling here
Hang 3 to 4 gear
I just changed the clutch cilinder on my 2003 Mini R50. It engages perfectly and shift the transmission while the engine is off. Once I start the car, the transmission refuses to shift. Is this a computer problem?
My 2003 mini Cooper with a 5 speed transmission is going crazy, the tranny won’t stay engaged in a gear, any of them, it will kick it out of gear after a few seconds of moving, what could cause this
2019, COUTRYMAN S E ALL4, HYBRID – ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AFTER 9 CHECK ENGINE and ONLY 8,000km (5,000miles). Anybody had the same problem?
I’m thinking of buying a automatic second hand mini2004 the gear jumps into drive how much would it cost to fix or should I steer clear.
2007 Mini Cooper S Manual Transmission. Will go into all gears, no clunking or grinding. Engine revs very high before getting any movement, and then what movement we get is minimal.