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Research · Subcompact Cars

2020 MINI Cooper SRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints for the 2020 MINI Cooper S. Most complaints involve engine (2) and vehicle speed control (1). The EPA rates it 26–30 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
26–30mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2020
Owner complaints
5
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door (Cooper and Cooper S) vehicles. Due to a problem with the rollover sensor within the air bag control unit, in the event of a rollover crash, the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners and other safety systems, may not activate.

Air bagsReported May 20, 2020NHTSA 20V283000

Structure

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW vehicles. The rear side trim panels may have been assembled without a crash pad. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

StructureReported Aug 28, 2019NHTSA 19V634000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

5 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2019 – Jun 2025
  1. Engine2
  2. Vehicle speed control1
  3. Service brakes1
  4. Steering1
  5. Wheels1
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Visibility/wiper1

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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

2 reports1 crash
“I was pulling into a parking spot slowly and all of the sudden the car took off and took off and I couldn’t stop and when I tried to sped hard on the break it wouldn’t work and I lost control and my car wouldn’t stop until it crashed into another vehicle that was sitting in another parking spot.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2025Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, EngineCrash reportedODI 11669081

Vehicle speed control

1 report1 crash

Service brakes

1 report1 crash
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars, Minicompact Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7) · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 Nov 11, 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 Hardtop 2 door
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263530$2,600297
Cooper S Hardtop 4 door
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263530$2,600297
Cooper S Convertible
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,650304
Cooper S Countryman
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243328$2,750321
Cooper S Countryman All4
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
233126$3,000341
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 MINI Cooper S as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
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

2020 Cooper S questions

How many recalls does the 2020 MINI Cooper S have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 2020 MINI Cooper S problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (2), vehicle speed control (1), service brakes (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 MINI Cooper S get?

The EPA rates the 2020 MINI Cooper S at 26–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026