Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 MINI Cooper problems

Owners filed 56 complaints about the 2015 MINI Cooper with NHTSA between Jul 2015 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is engine (14).

Complaints
56
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine14
  2. Fuel/propulsion system11
  3. Electrical system10
  4. Power train10
  5. Service brakes8
  6. Suspension3
  7. Visibility/wiper2
  8. Visibility2
  9. Steering2
  10. Vehicle speed control2
  11. Equipment2
  12. Engine and engine cooling1
  13. Tires1
  14. Air bags1

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 27, 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
20156
20166
20174
20184
20195
20202
20216
20229
20237
20243
20252
20262

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

14 reports2 crashes
“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

11 reports
“The fuel filling nozzle turns off repeatedly while trying to fill the fuel tank and spills out causing a safety and environmental hazard, regardless of the pump being used. As a result, no fuel goes into the gas tank, instead it goes all over the car and the ground.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2023Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11552838

Electrical system

10 reports2 crashes
“On my 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 Door (VIN: [XXX]), the driver's side halogen headlight suddenly stopped working. When I attempted to replace the bulb, I discovered that the headlight connector/pig tail had melted on one side, one of the electrical wires had burned completely through, and there was a strong odor coming from the rear of the headlight assembly. This was not simply a burned-out bulb. The connector and wiring sustained heat damage that appears to have resulted from an electrical failure. Because of the melted connector, burned wiring, and strong burning small, I believe this created a potential fire hazard. It must be noted that there have not been any changes to the lighting or electrical system since purchasing my car and I am the first and only owner. I contacted my mini dealership and was informed that the connector is not available separately for my year, make, and model for my car and the only option is the purchase the entire headlight assembly. The cost for the assembly is $615 and while the exact charge for labor is not known at this time, from my experience, it will be between $200-$500. After researching his issue. I found reports from…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2026Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11749756

Power train

10 reports1 crash1 related recall
“Selector lever wrongly not locked in park. Put up a code for transmission (egs). I believe it falls under the transmission control unit recall on mini coopers 2 door hardtop.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2025Power trainODI 11691302

Service brakes

8 reports2 crashes
“Anytime the wipers are on and the speed is above 50 mph, this car periodically applies the brakes to keep the rotors dry. It's an automated system that BMW's and Mini's have. However, for some reason, the vehicle now pulls hard to the right, which veers the car into the other lane. The brake pads and rotors are all new. The tires are new and the alignment is good. The brake fluid was just changed and bled. There is literally nothing wrong except for this bizarre system which is now only applying some brake pressure to the front right rotor. The car slows and pulls right suddenly without applying the brake lights. I'm worried I will get rear ended or side swipe somebody. I've resorted to using Rainx and not using the wipers or simply avoiding driving in the rain. This is a serious issue that should be a recall. Thank you!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2026Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11756726

Suspension

3 reports
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHINGS How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? CONSTANT CREAKING AND CLUNKING OF FRONT SUSPENSION Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR AND GENERATION HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NOT YET Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2023SuspensionODI 11552701
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

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