Automatic Transmission problems of the 2005 Mini Cooper

I have noticed for the last 2 years that my car has been lurching. In just the last week I have noticed that when I get to about 55-65 mph, my rpm's are around 4000. I take my foot off the gas and the rpm's increased. I had some minor work done on the auto-sequential transmission in 2010. I had broken the line and has been welded back in and had no major problems aside from the lurching until recently. All factory parts are still on the car. Transmission has not been replaced. I am outside my warranty.

During November of 2008, I broke down 4 times. The first time was on 11/1 (when I had an appt to have my ailing car looked at on 11/3). I made the appt for 11/3 on 10/30 when I was on a highway and the car began bucking like a mechanical bull. Obviously, I did not make it to the appointment. I had it towed to the dealership on 11/1 after breaking down in the middle of a busy intersection while trying to make a left hand turn. The diagnosis was I needed a new battery, valve cover gasket, and transmission. I was "good-willed" the transmission by otto's BMW because I was over my warranty in time and not mileage (passed 4 years, but not 50000 miles). I paid $386 to fix the first two items. The next day, I got my car back. On 11/8, I broke down again while pulling out of a driveway. I realized on my way to my destination, I destroyed two streets and my family's driveway with my transmission fluid. I was irate, and the dealer towed it in. They said the trans cool line disconnected. I had my car back in a couple days. On 11/23, I broke down again in the middle of the street. The car's ems and check engine soon lights came on. The car would restart, but then shook viciously and then conked out when it was put in gear. Mini towed it in again. They "couldn't verify the concern" and said it drove off the flatbed fine, and yet I couldn't get it to move again 24 hours after breaking down. Mini kept the car for approximately three days to ensure they were thorough in their efforts. On 11/30, I broke down again on my way to have the car detailed to prepare it for sale the following day. I had to call out of work on 12/1 to wait for Mini's tow company to come retrieve the car for the forth and final time. The service advisor said it was "acting up real nice" when they got it off the flatbed this time. By this point in time, I was having panic attacks behind the wheel of any car because I was so paranoid and didn't feel safe. Why has no one recalled the Mini?.

I had my brand new 2005 Mini Cooper s automatic for less than one month when it stalled in the middle of the street - the engine just stalled out or went into what I've been told is "limp mode". Luckily, the street wasn't crowded and I was able to coast to the side of the road. But what if I was on the freeway???? I've subsequently found out many people have had the same problem and BMW knows about it, but hasn't been able to fix the problem correctly. I believe this is a huge safety issue! BMW said it is a software problem and they have made updates, but I don't believe it has been corrected. I am still afraid to drive on the freeway for fear of becoming a statistic! BMW should at least notify all mcs automatic owners of the potential hazard!.

My 2005 Mini Cooper s automatic suddenly stopped twice for no apparent reason while driving. Car was only 4 months old, about 4000 miles on car. I was actually in motion, and the car just stopped moving! I had to turn off the car and restart it. Eml and check engine lights came on once the car stopped. The check engine light stayed on for a few days, then went off, so I assumed it was a fluke and nothing to worry about (otherwise I assume the light would stay on). The second time it happened was exactly the same scenario as the first. I have since learned that Mini is calling this "limp mode", but I had never received any recall notification from Mini, or anything indicating that they knew about this problem. However, the did know, based on what I have read of others who complained to them about the exact same problems!! yet Mini apparently did not notify dealerships, because the first one I called had no idea what the problem was which I described, and wasn't going to take me for service until 2 weeks later. I called a second dealer who immediately knew the problem, and said it was a voluntary recall. Still I had not heard anything from Mini USA. I took my car in and it was fixed in an hour--they reprogrammed the dme. This is a safety issue! I still haven't heard anything from Mini about a safety recall for this problem! maybe they didn't notify me because I had it taken care of already, but had this happened on the freeway, rather than in my neighborhood, I could be dead now! why isn't Mini notifying owners who purchased the 2005 automatics!! why aren't they issuing a recall? are they waiting for someone to be killed?.

On 3 different occasions after traveling a few hundred yards or so our Mini would suddenly lose power and go into a "limp mode" as we move from either a stop sign or traffic signal. This would cause the vehicle to stop in the intersection causing a potentially hazardous condition. The vehicles ses check engine light also comes on. We have taken our vehicle in for service three times to get this defect addressed. Mini states that it is a "known" problem with the current software. I now have a third version of the software, but we are afraid to drive the car to "test" it out. I hope either Mini or the NHTSA will post a recall on this dangerous condition.

Started vehicle in the evening when leaving work then drove out onto the street and the vehicle stopped. The throttle would not do anything and the car wouldn't move. The dealer said a temperature sensor told the computer it was out of range and sent the automatic transmission into a limp mode. After pulling over and restarting the car it was possible to drive it home, but the service engine light was on. The vehicle was only 1 month old. The dealer has replaced two map sensors and an electronic throttle motor, but it's not supposed to be fixed until they correct the software. There are 7 Mini Cooper s automatics with the same problem at this dealer and many more throughout the u. S.