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 2004 Mini Cooper owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Very disappointed with Mini Cooper and the corporation of BMW on how they handled my issues with my 2004 Mini. I came to the dealership several times in ramsey, new jersey with the repairs that were recalled. I had printed the recalls as evidence that there were identical issues as the repairs needed to my car! The dealership ignored and refused to even look at the recalls on paper and to my dismay I was forced to pay out-of-my-own pocket! I had no choice because of my concern to drive a 'safe' vehicle. To my disappointment I had to return back to the dealership with the same and additional issues that were no repaired! The next day the manager assured me that all was taken care of and the car was finally safe! Wrong again! With additional calls to both the dealership and BMW I still did not have a solution nor a safe car! . …
I was driving around 40 miles per hour and the car abruptly slowed down then sped up without any warning, if another car was behind me, it would have caused some serious damage. Now my car wouldn't shift shift out of first gear. I was told by my mechanic that the CVT transmission is gone. After reaching out to Mini USA, they told me they haven't had any problem with this transmission and it's pass the warranty date. If the folks at Mini USA had been honest with me I could have made the deadline for a settlement pertaining to the same problem they claimed they had no idea about. This product need to be recalled! After doing extensive research the CVT transmission have had problems all along and the company have been settling claims for quite some time. Why are they allowed to run hard working folks into death because they know most of us can't and wouldn't pursue this matter. …
2004 Mini Cooper purchased new aprox 62 miles on it and the CVT transmission is gone & there was a class action lawsuit for the replacement of this, I was never notified and want this fixed at no cost to me. At aprox. 50 to 60 MPH the car engines goes way beyond the proper RPM.
On my 2004 Mini Cooper, base, with CVT, it the rpms jump to ~3800 between 50-65 MPH. When I accelerate to above 65, the rpms return to the normal range. Upon slowing down, the rpms then jump again between 50-65.
I was yielding to make a left turn on green. The car was in neutral. It was a relatively hot day. When I went to go I shifted into gear and immediately found it difficult to turn. As I furthered down the road to my event and was ushered into the parking lot by traffic control, the power steering diminished more and more as I drove on. By time I got to a parking space, I could just barely turn into my spot. A few hours after the event I turned on my car and it drove as normal again. After this powersteering failure I had a power steering fluid flush done. It has been a bit over a year since the first time it happened, but in the past two weeks I've lost my power steering about ten times. It's always when I'm at a slow speed or stopped. Usually shutting the engine on and off again will solve the problem but once it did not. …
We purchased a new 2004 Mini-Cooper r50 and paid extra for installation of a CVT transmission. The CVT ' (sport mode)' failed in 2010, just 2 years after its warranty expired and with only 35,147 miles driven. We were told that it could cost between $2,000 and $9,000 to repair/replace the sport mode' function, and since the automatic transmission is still operating, we decided to avoid the uncertainty of costly repairs and make sure no one else drives this vehicle. Since then, we have learned of other premature CVT failures and three class-action lawsuits regarding this transmission: aarons v. BMW of north America, llc [redacted],bonomo v. BMW[redacted], and bourne-miller v. BMW[redacted]. Premature 'sport-mode' failure can cause permanent damage to a $9,000 transmission with deadly consequences on U.S. Highways at high speeds. …
For absolutely no reason the manual transmission failed and locked up causing me to loose control of the vehicle at 40mph. No injuries or damage to the vehicle as I was able to control the slide. However I have spoken to both dealer and manufacture and they both admit the transmissions in these vehicles both automatic and manual are weak and can cause failure at any speed which will result in lockup of the front tires. Numerous reports from other Mini Cooper owners show the same. The transmission was replaced in this vehicle 3 years ago for the same problem. Now it needs replaced again. The only repair is to put a rebuilt unit in place with the same weak gears. Mini no longer warranties the repairs as of 2008 because of the problems. …
I have a 2004 Mini Cooper it has recently reached 87000 miles and the CVT transmission is failing. Normally you change your transmission fuel every 25,000 to 50,000 miles. My model Mini Cooper hatchback does not come with a reservoir to change such a fuel it was a guarantee by the manufacturer that these models would not need such a service and that the transmission would be fine throughout the lifetime of the car. What worries me is that I have not been able to drive my Mini over 50mph due to the increase of RPM's. Without the speed increase it is not safe for me to drive on the highways as I normally would. A CVT transmission replacement could cost thousands. But more importantly I'm worried about my safety its possible that my transmission could fail while mobile. Thats my main concern. I recently read that there has been a lawsuit addressing these issues. …
I have a 2004 Mini Cooper with 87,000 miles on it. There were no events leading up to the total CVT transmission failure that took place last Friday 07/29/11. I was entering into a large intersection when the car started bucking and rattling. I just made it into a hess station parking lot (thank goodness there was one there) when it wouldn't go any further. I had it towed to a local transmission shop and they said that the trans was dead and I was going to need a new one. They informed me that there aren't any rebuilt options and the new trans is going to cost me $5000 + $1200 for labor. I have done a bunch of research on these CVT transmissions and apparently they have been a huge problem and BMW/Mini haven't done anything about it. I think it is a disgrace that this continues to happen and cost people thousands of dollars. Something needs to be done asap!!!!
I was driving down i80 and my car started to kick and sputter then the engine light went on and I dropped speeds and almost got rear ended by the car behind me he swerved honked his horn and gave me the finger. I took it to a shop and they told me the transmission needs to be replaced and the number three cylinder blew out and I would need to replace the headgasket and refurbish the engine. When I first bought the car it would periodically kick and stall out on me I took it back to the dealer ship they told me it was just the engine breaking in. A couple weeks later I saw the oil was a little low and again it kicked and stalled. I took it back in they said they had to reprogram the tranny.
Transmission complaints in other Cooper years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Mini Cooper?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Mini Cooper, 9% of the model year's 282 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mini Cooper transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2004 Mini Cooper, though it has 2 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 2004 Mini Cooper transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 9% 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.