Research · Minicompact Cars
2018 MINI CooperRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 2018 MINI Cooper. Most complaints involve electrical system (2) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 25–32 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
25–32mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
6
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2018 MINI Cooper as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2018 – Jan 2023
- Electrical system2
- Air bags2
- Engine1
- Service brakes1
- Structure1
- Other / unknown1
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 year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 269 |
| 2003 | 537 |
| 2004 | 529 |
| 2005 | 843 |
| 2006 | 413 |
| 2007 | 383 |
| 2008 | 284 |
| 2009 | 152 |
| 2010 | 102 |
| 2011 | 110 |
| 2012 | 74 |
| 2013 | 47 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 56 |
| 2016 | 39 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 |
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
2 reports
“UNKNOWN Driver side tail light socket. All lights stopped working. Took out the socket and the wiring harness connector burned up”
Air bags
2 reports2 crashes
“MY 2018 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN S WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER DRIVER WHO WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60MPH. WE WERE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 13 MPH AT TIME OF IMPACT AND THE FRONT, KNEE OR SIDE AIR BAG(S) DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE ACCIDENT AS A DASH CAM WAS IN PLACE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.”
Engine
1 report
“Took car into mini dealer for clunking noise problem. Dealer indicated motor mounts were cracked and needed to be replaced. Another customer at dealer was also having motor mounts replaced. His car was also 4 yrs old with 32K miles on it. Mount replacement was not covered under warranty as the car was 4 yrs and 3 months since warranty was activated and coverage ended at 4 yrs.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
12 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Minicompact Cars, Subcompact Cars, Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 1.5L 3-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6) · 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 Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Convertible Man 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 32 | $2,500 | 280 |
| Cooper Hardtop 2 door Man 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | $2,500 | 282 |
| Cooper Convertible Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,650 | 294 |
| Cooper Hardtop 2 door Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,650 | 294 |
| Cooper Clubman Man 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,850 | 319 |
| Cooper Countryman Man 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,850 | 319 |
| Cooper Clubman Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,950 | 323 |
| Cooper Countryman Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,950 | 323 |
| Cooper Clubman All4 Auto (S8), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | $3,050 | 341 |
| Cooper Clubman All4 Man 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | $3,050 | 344 |
| Cooper Countryman All4 Man 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | $3,050 | 344 |
| Cooper Countryman All4 Auto (S8), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 25 | $3,200 | 347 |
- 32mpg comb.
- 32mpg comb.
- 30mpg comb.
- 30mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
- 27mpg comb.
- 27mpg comb.
- 26mpg comb.
- 26mpg comb.
- 26mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 MINI Cooper as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2018 Cooper questions
How many recalls does the 2018 MINI Cooper have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.
What are the most common 2018 MINI Cooper problems?
Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (2), air bags (2), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2018 MINI Cooper get?
The EPA rates the 2018 MINI Cooper at 25–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026