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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine125
  2. Engine and engine cooling99
  3. Air bags75
  4. Electrical system40
  5. Power train32
  6. Fuel/propulsion system13
  7. Seat belts12
  8. Steering12
  9. Seats9
  10. Fuel system, gasoline9
  11. Structure8
  12. Vehicle speed control6
  13. Exterior lighting4
  14. 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
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
200711
200832
200911
201019
201142
201262
201347
201442
201531
201630
201711
20189
20195
20203
20214
20220
20235
202413
20253
20263

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

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 25, 2024EngineODI 11627193

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2015Engine and engine coolingODI 10714082

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11646268

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11760344

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2019Power train, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11267347

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11757609
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.