2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,370 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Mini Cooper drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Mini Cooper:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Mini Cooper Owner Comments

problem #11

Aug 162016

Cooper

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper. While driving 15 mph out of a parking lot, the vehicle made a left turn and the gear shifter failed. In addition, the gear shifter cable detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02V201000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Litchfield, OH, USA

problem #10

Jan 012012

Cooper

  • 118,457 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The electronic learning module and the pyramid warning light illuminated. The contact stated that several components were replaced due to manufacturer defects. The gear lever, transmission, brake pedal, motor, clutch, front and rear axles, and the accelerator pedal position sensor were all replaced. The failure mileage was 118,457.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

problem #9

Feb 092015

Cooper

  • 136,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper. The contact stated that the transmission failed on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service and stated that the transmission was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving home, the transmission seized. The vehicle was then towed back to the dealer, who determined that the drive shift cable failed. The contact was informed of NHTSA campaign number: 02V201000 (power train). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 136,000.

- Bear, DE, USA

problem #8

Mar 052014

Cooper

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my MINICooper on a major road in heavy traffic my MINICooper experienced a complete loss of power to the wheels (sudden transmission failure). My only option to avoid being rear-ended was to steer the car off the road ( with the remaining forward momentum into a fast food parking lot in order to avoid being involved in an accident. Description of failed component/affected part: MINICooper's cvt transmission have a known history of sudden failure at 80K-120K. BMW the manufacturer of the MINIhas known about the defective transmission in their vehicle for years, and has never informed owners of their vehicles of the transmission problem or the potential risk for accidents, injury, or death that could result from the sudden failure of the MINIs transmission and resulting total loss of power. BMW has never issued a recall or offer to replace the defective transmission under the vehicle warranty. Additionally, BMW has issued service advisories to their service managers about the problems associated with their MINICooper's cvt transmission, but as mentioned has not communicated this problem to MINIowners.

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

problem #7

May 012014

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 22,000 miles
2002 MINICooper, manual transmission. Low mileage, only 22,000 miles on it. While driving is city traffic, the transmission failed to engage when I shifted into 1st and lifted the clutch trying to start from a red light. There was a small "sputter" and then the car could not be driven. I was able to push it to the side of the road and thought that the clutch was out. The repair shop found out that the entire manual transmission had disintegrated. It had torn itself apart over the years. The repair shop said that he was aware that this is a common flaw with the early MINICoopers. This was a $2500 repair.

- Chevy Chase, MD, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #6

Feb 102006

Cooper

  • 34,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper S. the contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle failed to shift gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the shift linkage had failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 02V201000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 34,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Azusa, CA, USA

problem #5

Nov 082012

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 148,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper. The contact started the ignition and shifted into reverse however, the gear shifter failed to move out of reverse after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who advised that the shift cable was detached from the transmission shift linkage. There was a recall associated with the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 02V201000 (power train:manual transmission:floor shift assembly) however, the contact's VIN was ineligible for recall repairs. The part was ordered and the vehicle was scheduled for repairs when the part became available. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 148,200.....updated 12/20/12 updated 12/27/2012

- El Paso De Robles, CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 032012

Cooper

  • 56,416 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the transmission hesitated in a jerking motion and began to down-shift into another gear continuously. In addition, the engine warning indicator and ep code illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who stated that the transmission would need to be replaced due to internal damage. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 56,416.

- King Of Prussia, PA, USA

problem #3

Nov 182011

Cooper 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles
Bought this car in 2008 and have had very few issues. This month (November 2011) the cvt (automatic transmission) went out. Only repair apparently is "replacement" - receiving quotes between 7K and 9K from the dealer and aamco. Now finding out this is a very common problem with all MINICooper cvt's. this is unacceptable. Repair cost now exceeds car's value. Won't do it. Fool me once... shame on you.

- Valley Springs, CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 072008

Cooper

  • 62,000 miles
Clutch and cables fail at 100 000km. Rattling noise at start up. Very loud humming noise coming from the steering. Transmission gone at 103 000km.

- Laval, 00, USA

problem #1

Jun 022003

Cooper

  • miles
The transmission failed without warning.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

Not what you are looking for?