Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Mini Cooper S owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper s. The contact stated that the clutch always emitted an odor of burning plastic. The engine gradually revved within a 48 hour period. While driving 30 MPH, the clutch failed. The dealer stated that a new clutch needed to be installed at the estimated cost of $3,300. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 5,000.
I bought 2007 Mini Cooper s pre-owned car on 8/24/09 which has 3,627 miles on it at $24,000. On 10/25/09, is only 3 months later, I was driving a car and noticed smelling something burning. The car won't go in gear and move. On that night, the car stopped in the middle of the load. Even if I push a gas, it just does make noisy sound and smell really bad, and it never move. Next day it was towed to the orlando Mini dealer. The dealer says that the clutch was burned out and this repair (per the dealers estimate is $3,000)is not covered by the warranty because it was driven by an inexperienced person or neglected. I am an experienced manual car driver and what the dealer told me is not true. It is only 4,000 miles and it should never happen if we drive in a normal way. …
I purchased the vehicle as is from a small local lot January of 2013, everything checked out as perfect. I love the car. Was driving home from work and luckily I was about 10 miles from home and at the speed of 35 MPH when it felt like it was stuck in a gear (car is automatic) then I noticed my check engine light came on. I remained at the speed of 35mph or lower because I didn't want to take any chances. Then my brake light came on which made me think I had brake issues. I parked it lifted the hood and it was extremely hot and you could hear the fans running extra hard. We took it to a local guy to look at it as he told us he just had a Mini in with same issue weeks before and aaa came to tow it to hendrick Mini in charlotte. They thought it was value stems and etc find out a few hours later not the case I need a whole new transmission. …
I almost had a timing chain/tensioner failure. Took my '07 mcs into the Mini dealer for its 4 year service. They found that the 'timing chain tensioner is weak and needs to be replaced' or 'tensioner worn and causing excessive chain slack and chain noise'. I bought my Mini new, it now has 35464 miles and this should fall into the category as 'unusual'. This should not be a part that wears out or suffers failure with so few miles. As I checked out this failure on the web I quickly found out that this is not unusual but is happening quite frequently. I missed this being covered under the warranty by 2 weeks. My lose? Maybe; maybe not, at least I did not destroy the engine. According to the service department paperwork they replaced the chain tensioner with an updated 551 tensioner, p/n: 11 31 7 607 551, @ $26.21 ($146 for installation). …
I bought my 2007 Mini used 1 month ago. When I went to test drive the car the engine would not start and there was a check engine light on. The dealer told me that they would have it fixed and call me back in for a test drive. I went back and when the car started it had a very slight rattle that eventually went away. Now in the month time that I have had the car it takes me 6 or 7 tries to get the engine to start, and when it runs it has the rattle that has plagued so many other Mini owners. Enough is enough. Action must be taken to correct the inadequacy of the inferior timing chain set up. The dealer has told me that it is a "normal" Mini noise and that I would have to get used to it. That is in a sense a "cop out" for a problem that is heavily known in the Mini community and that BMW Mini is well aware of. …
The engine began to make a large rattling noise and the check engine light eventually came on. I stopped the car and checked the oil to see if it was low and discovered that I was not able to get the dip stick back in. At this point I called a tow truck and took it to a local mechanic because there isn't a Mini dealer within 100 miles of my location. Turns out it was the timing chain tensioner which is a common problem for the Cooper s and Mini has released three fixes and claim the latest TSB will fix the problem. My car has less than 40,000 miles and I had to spend $1,700 dollars for a $26 dollar part that was faulty to begin with. Mini knew they had a problem and tried to fix it but failed on two separate occasions there's no telling how long this new fix will hold up. …
While driving in heavy traffic following extended highway speed, stopped at traffic light and engine died with no warning and would not restart. Car had to be towed a considerable distance to original dealership. Learned that the vacuum pump seized / locked up, causing a chain reaction of catastrophic results that totally destroyed engine. Car needs complete new engine at 74,000 miles (out of warranty)and Mini USA attitude is that such engine failure is not their responsibility even though this particular Mini was impeccably maintained beyond Mini servcie requirements, but to no avail as engine blew at a very young 74,000 miles of age and there are repeated instances of same engine failure on internet BMW/Mini blogs. …
I bought this 2007 Mini Cooper s pre owned about 1 month ago. This car had approx. 32000 miles on it when I purchased it. After driving the car for a few days I noticed a burning smell like rubber or plastic. I complained to the man who sold this car to me and he had the turbo water pump replaced through the recall due to overheating. Heat in the motor reaching more than 225 degrees can destroy many other parts on this car! Now after the turbo water pump replacement the car continues to smell like burning plastic and he says it must take a while for the odor to leave the car. Two weeks later the car begins loosing power and acts like it has no clutch. I am an experienced driver and have owned many cars with manual gears. …
Timing belt tensioner failed resulting in slack in the timing belt. Final result was the timing belt slack contacted plastic chain guards which broke off and lodged inside the engine. After being towed to Mini service, they recommended replacing the entire engine. This is a safety issue because the critical timing chain failure LED to premature engine failure. There was a strong smell of smoke and I had initial concern that the car was going to catch on fire. I was lucky that the incident did not occur while driving in traffic as I would have been stuck on the road without any power endangering myself and other drivers. Mini is well aware of the issue with the timing belt tensioner, but has failed to proactively address the issue. The service manager at Mini even has a bag full of bent rods at his desk that he showed me and told me he has had multiple cars come in with the same issue.
2007 Mini Cooper s - manual transmission would not allow gearshifts and could only be driven in first gear. Dealership stated clutch came apart after 8 months of ownership. Dealership replaced with remanufactured clutch, flywheel, gearbox oil and clip under warranty. In July of 2009 I noticed that the transmission was shifting rough and the clutch was making a squeaking sound when applied. Dealership got a work order from Mini USA to remove the clutch/transmission. On August 12, 2009 the dealership removed the clutch/transmission and replaced the plastic part causing the noise, but noticed the flywheel had heat damage and cracking again. This time the dealership and Mini USA state that this was caused by "wear and tear" and not covered under the manufactures warranty despite being covered 15K miles earlier. Current miles on vehicle are 31K with 19K remaining on manufacturers warranty.
Transmission complaints in other Cooper S years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Mini Cooper S?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Mini Cooper S, 10% of the model year's 257 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Mini Cooper S transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Mini Cooper S, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Mini Cooper S transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.