The defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CONNECTS THE GEARSHIFT LEVER IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR TO THE SHIFT LINKAGE ON THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE SHIFT CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE WHILE THE DRIVER IS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS. IF THE CABLE DETACHES FROM THE SHIFT LINKAGE, GEAR CHANGES WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL REMAIN IN THE LAST GEAR SELECTED.
The risk
IF SHIFT CABLE DETACHMENT OCCURS AND THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN ANY FORWARD GEAR, THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE DRIVEN IN THAT GEAR ONLY. HOWEVER, IF THE TRANSMISSION MOVES INTO NEUTRAL AND REMAINS THERE, THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP OVER THE END OF THE SHIFT CABLE TO PREVENT IT FROM DETACHING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-ASK-MINI (1-866-275-6464).
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| MINI Cooper | 2002 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINI Cooper | 2002 | 187 | 3 |
Other power train recalls in 2002
23 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the power train; BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE filed 145 campaigns in all.
| 02V336000 13 Dec 2002 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 02V319000 27 Nov 2002 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 02V313000 21 Nov 2002 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 02V282000 30 Oct 2002 | SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 02V272000 3 Oct 2002 | HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY |
| 02V261000 23 Sept 2002 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V192000 23 Jul 2002 | CHANCE COACH, INC. |
| 02V174000 12 Jul 2002 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002