Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 MINI Cooper Roadster problems
Owners filed 68 complaints about the 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster with NHTSA between Mar 2012 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (28).
Complaints
68
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system28
- Engine17
- Air bags13
- Seats5
- Exterior lighting5
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Power train3
- Seat belts3
- Service brakes3
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Visibility1
- Structure1
- Steering1
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 Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
2
2
5
11
4
9
4
3
1
3
7
10
2
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
28 reports5 fires
“This vin waa not included in a recall however had recall issues it obtained water in the footwell which mini has a recall issue for this and the car was caught on fire it is at the dealership in [XXX]”
Engine
17 reports1 crash6 fires
“This car was maintained, by Mini and BMW authorized mechanics and only had OEM parts installed and followed management of vehicle as directed by manufacturer, throughout its history. It was always driven and kept in moderate weather conditions, no extreme heat, cold, wet, or speeds. Used almost daily for 30-60 minute commutes. Just after 100K miles, total engine failure was suddenly experienced on the freeway, due to combustion in two valves, damaging two cylinders and sudden leaking of the exhaust system under the hood. The manufacturer, BWM, has been shown evidence of malfunctioning of the four cylinder engine and will not show evidence of their grounds for why they will not take responsibility.”
Air bags
13 reports
“The passenger seat occupancy sensor has malfunctioned. The airbag turns off when a passenger of sufficient weight is seated; a warning light comes on intermittently. This happens often, posing a safety risk to the passenger.”
Seats
5 reports
“Passenger side airbag light on with no one in seat, had it checked, the repair shop stated that there is a seat sensor fault, the code is 93c3(passenger seat occupancy detector). I have done some research on this and it seems that this a common problem, but there hasn't been any recalls by Mini, and if there is an accident the airbag may not deploy. I was told to by the dealer that it will cost $2300 for parts and labor.”
Exterior lighting
5 reports
“i bought the car in august 2023 from carmax they were aware of recall , my car has no headlight, brake lights, door states open when not , windows do not roll down, cannot use alarm, will not lock, smells hot , i spoke with mini cooper and there is no remedy this is my only car i transport my grandchildren to and from school , i lost house due to a fire a yr ago , and lost everything , and see that a fire is at risk. mini cooper says nothing they can do because no remedy, carmax should not of sold this car with a recall .”
Fuel/propulsion system
4 reports
“started with lights not going off once i cut car off, then windshield wipers would come on it's on, then check engine warning lights, check fuel pump and check rear bulbs lights and several other warning lights would stay on, finally it got to it wouldn't crack until after three or four tries, then it started cutting off while driving, then I would have to wait for 30 min. or more, then it would crank back up. now it won't crack at all. I've been waiting on this recall since 5/12/23 recall #23V337. Please advise and Help!!”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.