Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Minicompact Cars · 5 NHTSA variants

2013 MINI CooperRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 47 owner complaints for the 2013 MINI Cooper. Most complaints involve electrical system (19) and air bags (11). The EPA rates it 30–32 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
30–32mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2023
Owner complaints
47
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.

Electrical systemReported May 11, 2023NHTSA 23V337000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

47 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2013 – Feb 2025
  1. Electrical system19
  2. Air bags11
  3. Fuel/propulsion system5
  4. Seat belts4
  5. Exterior lighting4
  6. Engine4
  7. Power train3
  8. Seats2
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)2

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20016
2002269
2003537
2004529
2005843
2006413
2007383
2008284
2009152
2010102
2011110
201274
201347
201434
201556
201639
201718
20186
201910
20206
20221
20235
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

19 reports
“Passenger occupancy sensor malfunctions all the time and there are hundreds of claims regarding this issue but was never addressed by the manufacturer The same issue prompted a recall in older models but has not been corrected in newer ones”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2024Electrical system, Air bags, SeatsODI 11621760

Air bags

11 reports1 crash
“As per NHTSA there was a recall the replace OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT but I never received recall notice and just passed 10 years with 40K millage and started getting air bag light, dealer is not replacing it under warranty, if they was a recall they should have replaced my seat earlier so that I would not have this issue today. is there a way to extend warranty to longer time or recall all the cars and replace them so that we do not have to spend 2k to replace it? "01 11 16_OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES"”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2024Air bags, Seat belts, SeatsODI 11617003

Fuel/propulsion system

5 reports
“Freeze plug randomly popped out while driving causing vehicle to stall in the middle of traffic almost causing a major accident and or death. Research indicates there has been numerous complaints by Mini Cooper owners experiencing the same issue of a premature unexplained failure with no action taken from Mini to mitigate this safety issue. I’m lucky to be alive.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2024Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11574805
All 2013 Cooper problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact Cars, Two Seaters
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
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 28, 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
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293632$2,500278
Cooper Coupe
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293632$2,500278
Cooper
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,650292
Cooper Clubvan
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273430$2,650300
Cooper Clubvan
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273430$2,650297
Cooper Convertible
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273430$2,650300
Cooper Convertible
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273430$2,650297
Cooper Coupe
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,650292
  • Cooper
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    29 city · 36 hwy · $2,500/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    29 city · 36 hwy · $2,500/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,650/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper Clubvan
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,650/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper Clubvan
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,650/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper Convertible
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,650/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,650/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper Coupe
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,650/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 MINI Cooper as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 7318Vehicle 7319Vehicle 7418
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

2013 Cooper questions

How many recalls does the 2013 MINI Cooper have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 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 2013 MINI Cooper problems?

Owners filed 47 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (19), air bags (11), fuel/propulsion system (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 MINI Cooper get?

The EPA rates the 2013 MINI Cooper at 30–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026