Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 MINI Cooper S problems

Owners filed 26 complaints about the 2012 MINI Cooper S with NHTSA between Jul 2014 and Sep 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (15).

Complaints
26
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
2
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 system15
  2. Engine4
  3. Fuel/propulsion system3
  4. Power train2
  5. Structure2
  6. Fuel system, gasoline1
  7. Air bags1
  8. Seat belts1
  9. Vehicle speed control1
  10. Exterior lighting1
  11. Wheels1
  12. Seats1

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
20142
20150
20162
20171
20182
20192
20205
20210
20220
20234
20246
20252

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

15 reports1 fire1 related recall
“FRM Footwell module failed leaving car stranded Problem identified by certified mechanic. Similar models (R55 & R56) in the same age range of my vehicle have been issued a recall, but the convertible model, in the same year, (R57) is not covered. All electric switches in the vehicle failed. Symptoms began with the ABS and parking brake warning lights lighting. Other warning light was a service light.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2025Electrical systemODI 11685677

Engine

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the fuel pump was defective, and the fuel pump was replaced. The contact stated that approximately a year later the failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump had failed again and needed to be replaced. The fuel pump was replaced under warranty; however, the failure recently returned a third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2025Fuel system, gasoline, EngineODI 11665052

Fuel/propulsion system

3 reports
“I LOVE MY MINI COOPER S. BUT THERE IS A ISSUE. TODAY I STARTED UP THE CAR AND IT STARTS SMOKING. TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED IN TWO WEEKS. WHEN I BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO I NOTICED ON THE INSIDE OF MY HOOD OF THE CAR IT'S A BLACK BURNT MARK. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED. LAST WEEK I TOOK IT TO A OIL SHOP AND THEY SAID MY TURBO IS BURNING MY CAR AND WOULD CATCH FIRE SOON. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING A NEW TURBO BUT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM CAUSE NOW IT'S SMOKING ONLY WHEN IN IDLE OR STARTED UP.BUT THE HOOD IS SUPER HOT AFTER A SHORT DRIVE. I HOPE YOUR CREW CAN LOOK INTO THIS PART AND SAVE SOMEONE THE TERROR OF A CAR ON FIRE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2020Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11365835

Power train

2 reports
“COILS CAUSED PROBLEM WITH ECU - RECALL IS OUT FOR SOME MODELS BUT NOT THIS ONE. NOW IT NEEDS NEW COILS AND NEW DME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2020Power trainODI 11372612

Structure

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE CARPET WAS WET. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE SOUND OF WATER SWISHING AROUND COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE BOTTOM AND THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE ALARM WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF MANHATTAN (793 11TH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10019, (212) 586-6464), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2018Electrical system, StructureODI 11105132

Fuel system, gasoline

1 report
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.