The contact owns a 2007 MINICooper S. the contact stated that the clutch would not engage or shift into first, second or any other gear. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the clutch was replaced. The failure recurred within two weeks and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they could not offer assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The current mileage was approximately 40,000. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

- La Puente, CA, USA

I bought 2007 MINICooper 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 MINIdealer. 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. The dealer did not listen to me and I ended up going a reliable local mechanic and paying $2,200 to fix it without warranty. The guy at the mechanic says MINIclutch is a very common problem and he has fixed several times before. I also went to a website and realized that many people have the same problem and even say it might happen again soon. I believe it was a defected clutch and would like to complain about it. I have all evidences available. I would appreciate if you could help me to recover my monetary damages.

- Lake Mary, FL, USA

2007 MINICooper 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 MINIusa 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 MINIusa 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.

- Charleston, SC, USA

2007 MINIcooper, purchased new, approx 21,000 miles. Parked car would not go into reverse. Many web forums indicate ongoing problems with MINItransmissions.

- Columbia, SC, USA