I JUST BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2013 MINI COOPER LAST YEAR ON NOVEMBER 2012. SOMETIME DURING LAST WEEK SEPTEMBER 18, 2013, I DROVE HOME FROM WORK TURN OFF MY CAR BUT THE KEY WOULDN'T RELEASE. I HAVE TO PRESS MANY TIMES FOR IT TO RELEASE. THE NEXT DAY HEADING OUT TO WORK, START THE CAR BUT THE GEAR SHIFT GOT STUCK. IT WOULDN'T SHIFT TO REVERSE. I CALL THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG…
2013 mini Cooper Convertible powertrain problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
64,000 MILES - WINTER 2017 MY 2013 MINI COOPER PACEMAN SALL4 WAS TAKING ON WATER IN THE BOOT- DIDNT KNOW IF IT WAS FROM MELTING SNOW ETC. IN CAR. DRIED OUT. WATER CAME BACK AND FLOODED BACK SEAT FLOOR. BROUGHT TO MINI- THEY TOLD ME I HAD A TAILLIGHT SEAL LEAK WHICH CAUSED WATER TO GET DOWN INTO THE CAR WHICH FRIED A COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT CONTROLLED MY AWD AND OTHER THINGS. AWD IS NOT OPTIONAL W…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 mini Cooper Convertible?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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