Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 MINI Clubman problems

Owners filed 28 complaints about the 2010 MINI Clubman with NHTSA between Nov 2011 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (16).

Complaints
28
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system16
  2. Engine9
  3. Air bags5
  4. Fuel/propulsion system4
  5. Exterior lighting3
  6. Power train2
  7. Seats1
  8. Latches/locks/linkages1
  9. Engine and engine cooling1
  10. Other / unknown2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20112
20122
20130
20140
20151
20163
20172
20180
20192
20201
20211
20221
20234
20246
20252
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

16 reports3 fires
“The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that the electronic control module had short circuited from water entering the foot well from the sunroof. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who confirmed that the electronic control module on the driver's side had short-circuited. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2026Electrical systemODI 11719900

Engine

9 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that there were electrical wires exposed. The contact stated that the lights, windows, and brake lights were inoperable. The Service Soon message was displayed. Additionally, the air bag, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The exclamation and A symbol were displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 106,059.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11647428

Air bags

5 reports
“Since November 20, 2022, my low milage 2010 MINI has Passenger Airbag Warning light in the roof near the mirror and dashboard. The OBD II scanner show that "ACSM/MRS: Seat-occupancy detector, passenger." I contacted dealer Herb Chambers MINI of Boston. I was told no recall for my car. After I searched on internet, I am aware that a lot of customers have same Passenger Airbag issue. They can't afford the high repair cost so that they have to look for alternative solutions beyond recalls, such as Passenger Occupancy Sensor Bypass, modifying system parameters on car computer by themself. All these solutions are obviously potential dangerous for MINI cooper customers. I request that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate MINI cooper Passenger Airbag issue and ask MINI USA to recall defective parts.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2023Air bags, SeatsODI 11527250

Fuel/propulsion system

4 reports
“RE: Recall Campaign No. 23V-337 It has been roughly half-of-a-year and MINI has not offered a solution. My car lost power while driving and it appears to be related to this issue--that is only my NON-EXPERT opinion. Can NHTSA direct BMW/MIONI to solve this problem, it's is looking like more than $1k to fix their issue. The vehicle is not operational. This situation is unfair.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2023Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11553752

Exterior lighting

3 reports1 fire
“My car has an active recall for the footwell module. This module controls the windows, the turn signals, the hazard lights, and the dome light, possibly other systems. My module has short circuited and these systems are no longer operational making my car not road legal. Our local Mini mechanic shop confirmed they aren’t able to fix this issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2024Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherODI 11585196

Power train

2 reports
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, I CALLED THE DEALER WITHIN SECONDS AND ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS A CONCERN. THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT IN IT WAS PROBABLY JUST THE OIL LEVEL NEEDING TOPPED OUT. I CONTINUED FOR ABOUT A MILE WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND CALLED THEM BACK. THE AGAIN SAID TO BRING IT IN. I WALKED AROUND THE CAR BEFORE PROCEEDING AND NOTED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WELL,TIRE AND WHEEL WERE ALL SOAKED WITH OIL( PASSENGER SIDE) . I CALLED THEM BACK AND REQUESTED A TOW TRUCK AS WHEN I STARTED IT UP IT MADE AN EXCEPTIONALLY LOUD HAMMERING NOISE. I I KNEW THAT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO LET GO IF I CONTINUED. THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR IN AND CALLED ME A DAY OR SO LATER TO INFORM THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE A,FLATTENING THE VALVES, MESSING UP THE VALVES AND ENGINE BLOCK. THE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS APPROX 7,000MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD AN EXTENDED 100,000 SERVICE WARRANTY SOLD TO ME BY THE DEALER IN CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA. I WAS SOLD THIS BY THE "FINANCE MANAGER" AND HE MADE ME BELIEVE THAT I WAS COVERED. THE DEALER WHERE I LIVE IN DUBLIN OHIO, HAS SERVICED THE CAR FOR EVERY REQUIRED SERVICE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2012Power train, EngineODI 10462333
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.