Problems · NHTSA complaints
2007 MINI Cooper problems
Owners filed 383 complaints about the 2007 MINI Cooper with NHTSA between Aug 2007 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is engine (125).
Complaints
383
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
24
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine125
- Engine and engine cooling99
- Air bags75
- Electrical system40
- Power train32
- Fuel/propulsion system13
- Seat belts12
- Steering12
- Seats9
- Fuel system, gasoline9
- Structure8
- Vehicle speed control6
- Exterior lighting4
- Visibility4
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
11
32
11
19
42
62
47
42
31
30
11
9
5
3
4
0
5
13
3
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 32 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 62 |
| 2013 | 47 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 30 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 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
Engine
125 reports10 fires
“[XXX]. Mini Cooper 2007-2013: Recalls and TSB. My car is part of a recall under MINI Recall for Timing Chains. I understand now it was settled as part of a class action lawsuit that extended the warranty. I always take my car to a dealer and now after mileage they told me that they want me to pay out of my pocket. My car is a 2007 S. My mileage is 105,000K miles. The recall notice is for the year of my car and they are saying my car is too old and the mileage. This recall is for the year of my car so I am not understanding. Upon inspection by the dealer, it and needs to be replaced and cost $4,100.00. I don't have that kind of money. . My name is [XXX], [XXX]., [XXX], [XXX]. Phone #[XXX]. The dealership is Mini Cooper 1660 E.Spring Street, Long Beach Ca 90806. I never received this recall notice and knew of this only because I took my car to the dealer for something else related for the 3rd time.”
Engine and engine cooling
99 reports3 fires
“OIL FEED LINE GOING INTO TURBO IS LEAKING OIL DIRECTLY ONTO TURBO. MINI USES A RUBBER O RING THAT IS CONNECTED TO A VERY HOT TURBO AND O RING WILL FAIL ON ALL MINI COOPERS WITH A TURBO. WHEN THIS RUBBER O RING FAILS IT WILL LEAK OIL DIRECTLY ONTO HOT TURBO AND CAUSE A FIRE. I THINK IT'S IN THE SAFETY OF ALL THAT THIS BE LOOKED INTO AND RECALLED. I BELIEVE MINI COOPER IS VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS COVERING UP THE ISSUE BY INSTALLING A CHEAP HEAT SHIELD ON OIL LINE BUT THIS IS A BANDAID FIX AT BEST. *TR”
Air bags
75 reports5 crashes1 fire
“The airbag warning light randomly remains on. From what I understand this is a known issue as there has been previous recalls by Mini. This could potentially mean the airbag system is faulty and non-operational. Based on online searches, it seems like a lot of there problem are wiring problems though, bad connections. The previous recalls should be extended further, as there are other cars with the same problem, like mine.”
Electrical system
40 reports13 fires1 related recall
“I recently purchased a used MINI Cooper with incomplete NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-337 involving the Footwell Control Module (FRM). The previous owner did not complete the recall remedy. The vehicle's turn signals and brake lights are currently inoperative. The FRM controls various vehicle lighting functions and is the component involved in Recall 23V-337. Because I purchased the vehicle with these conditions already present, I do not know what warning lamps, messages, or symptoms occurred before the failures. The loss of both turn signals and brake lights creates a significant safety risk because other motorists cannot be properly notified when the vehicle is turning, changing lanes, slowing, or stopping. Additionally, Recall 23V-337 states that corrosion of the FRM can potentially result in a short circuit and, in rare cases, a thermal event that could increase the risk of injury. The vehicle has not yet been inspected to determine whether the current lighting failures are directly caused by the recalled FRM, but the recall remains incomplete and the vehicle is available for inspection. I contacted BMW/MINI seeking completion of the recall. I was informed that…”
Power train
32 reports1 fire
“PROBLEM 1: CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 50,000 JUST AFTER WARRANTY. UNABLE TO SHIFT ON HIGHWAY, HAD TO STAY IN LOW GEAR. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. IT FAILED A SECOND TIME, WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 80,000. I BELIEVE IT IS FAILING AGAIN AS THE CLUTCH IS SLIPPING IN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS; MINI COOPER SAYS THEY NOTE NO PROBLEM. PROBLEM 2: TIMING CHAIN. PARKED, MY CAR WOULD NOT START EASILY; STARTED ON 3RD TRY. MY CAR STALLED, STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN DUE TO TRAFFIC. RESTARTED AND CONTINUED. NO ENGINE LIGHT. DRIVING TO MINI SERVICE, CAR STALLED COMING IN; HAD TO COAST IN. FOUND TO BE TIMING CHAIN, VALVETRONIC ECCENTRIC SHAFT, PERHAPS PARTS FALLING INTO OIL PAN. $2800 IN REPAIRS. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT LAW SUITS OR RECALLS OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS BECAUSE I'VE HAD MAJOR PERFORMANCE ISSUES, MINI COOPER STATED NO KNOWN SUITS EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE. I FIND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SUITS, AND I "MISSED THE WINDOW" FOR THE TIMING CHAIN.”
Fuel/propulsion system
13 reports1 fire
“What happened: Vehicle has experienced failure of the Footwell Control Module (FRM) and associated wiring harness in the driver footwell area, consistent with NHTSA Recall 23V-337. Symptoms: • Exterior lights (headlights / taillights) remain illuminated far longer than normal after vehicle shutoff, sometimes not turning off at all. • Inspection revealed melted wiring, melted connector plugs and receptacles for headlight/taillight circuits. • Water was found in driver side footwell in the past / under carpet padding. Carpet pad is saturated. This is the same failure mode described in Recall 23V-337: "Due to a number of contributing factors, over time, the FRM could become susceptible to corrosion. Eventually, the corrosion could potentially result in a short circuit, resulting in a potential thermal event which could increase the risk of a fire or injury." Safety risk: Melted wiring and connectors create short circuit and thermal event risk, including fire risk while vehicle is parked and unattended. Lights failing to shut off creates dead battery / loss of exterior lighting control. I am concerned about vehicle fire. My vehicle shows evidence of having caught…”
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.