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Research · Minicompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2015 MINI Cooper SRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 71 owner complaints for the 2015 MINI Cooper S. Most complaints involve engine (17) and fuel/propulsion system (13). The EPA rates it 27–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
27–29mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Nov 2015
Owner complaints
71
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured February 25, 2014, to May 16, 2015, 2014-2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to May 9, 2015, 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured October 17, 2014, to June 2, 2015, and 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to June 11, 2015. During a service appointment, the affected vehicles received replacement front passenger seat cushions (which contain integral Capacitive Interior Sensing (CIS) functions). The CIS functions may have been incorrectly calibrated, and if so, would cause impaired occupant classification and thus inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation.

SeatsReported Nov 9, 2015NHTSA 15V739000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Air bagsReported Oct 7, 2015NHTSA 15V628000

Structure: body

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles and 2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop 2 Door vehicles. The affected vehicles do not meet the side impact performance requirements for the rear seat passengers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

StructureReported Jul 17, 2015NHTSA 15V450000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

71 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2015 – Jan 2026
  1. Engine17
  2. Fuel/propulsion system13
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Power train10
  5. Service brakes8
  6. Structure3
  7. Air bags3
  8. Suspension3
  9. Exterior lighting3

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

By model year

Complaints for each Cooper S model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004529
200636
200816
200936
201059
201140
201226
201369
201446
201571
20169
20174
20194
20205
20221
20241
20254
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

17 reports2 crashes1 fire
“Lower Engine Support and Passenger Engine Mount damaged as per routine inspection by dealer in Feb2025. Never diagnosed before. Repair done by independent service center in Feb2025 and I have receipt of approximately 1K. Also, since 22feb2025, I am not able to add fuel to the tank because the pump stops constantly and causes spill of fuel. This can cause fire. Never happened before. Tried at least 4 different gas station and same result. Dealer charges over $200 to perform inspection/diagnostics. Not done yet. Repairs to fuel tank are in the thousands. No warning in the car dashboard for none of the issues. Car with less than 80k miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2025Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11644422

Fuel/propulsion system

13 reports
“The fuel filling nozzle turns off repeatedly (as if already full) while filling the fuel tank. About 1/4 to 1/3 of a gallon of fuel will go in before it turns off, backs up, and the gas overflows onto the outside of the car and onto the concrete. It happens regardless of the pump being used. It started happening occasionally a few months ago if the tank was refilled when a quarter full. It now happens consistently, no matter the fuel level. I had the car put on a lift and the system diagnosed today. The mechanic said the cause is a faulty service valve within the fuel tank assembly. They also said it is a known issue with F56 Mini Coopers.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11692422

Electrical system

11 reports2 crashes
“While driving in the rain (light rain) front right and rear left brakes locked up. No warning lights came on, it was a very dangerous situation. The car is currently at a repair shop getting looked at, I had to have it towed there because those wheels will not turn while in neutral even. Reading forums this is a common problem, very serious and dangerous especially with no warning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2025Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11638047
All 2015 Cooper S problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact Cars, Two Seaters, Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cooper S Convertible
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,750306
Cooper S Coupe
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,750306
Cooper S (3-doors)
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,850315
Cooper S (5-doors)
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,850315
Cooper S Convertible
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,850316
Cooper S Coupe
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,850316
Cooper S (3-doors)
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243327$2,950328
Cooper S (5-doors)
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243327$2,950328
  • Cooper S Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,750/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,750/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S (3-doors)
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,850/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S (5-doors)
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,850/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S Convertible
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,850/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S Coupe
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,850/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S (3-doors)
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S (5-doors)
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Mini Cooper S Hardtop 3 HB FWD Later Release
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Overall
4 / 5
Mini Cooper S Hardtop 3 HB FWD Early Release
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
3 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 9840Vehicle 9316Vehicle 9661
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Cooper S questions

How many recalls does the 2015 MINI Cooper S have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 MINI Cooper S problems?

Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (17), fuel/propulsion system (13), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 MINI Cooper S get?

The EPA rates the 2015 MINI Cooper S at 27–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 MINI Cooper S?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 MINI Cooper S 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026