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Research · Subcompact Cars

2020 MINI CooperRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 2020 MINI Cooper. Most complaints involve electrical system (2) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 27–108 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
27–108mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2020
Owner complaints
6
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door (Cooper and Cooper S) vehicles. Due to a problem with the rollover sensor within the air bag control unit, in the event of a rollover crash, the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners and other safety systems, may not activate.

Air bagsReported May 20, 2020NHTSA 20V283000

Structure

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW vehicles. The rear side trim panels may have been assembled without a crash pad. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

StructureReported Aug 28, 2019NHTSA 19V634000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2020 – Oct 2024
  1. Electrical system2
  2. Air bags2
  3. Power train1
  4. Fuel/propulsion system1
  5. Steering1
  6. Forward collision avoidance1
  7. Service brakes1
  8. Visibility1

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

2 reports
“Originally problem started with a about five warning messages, a brake system one, a chassis stabilization one, Collision warning one, pedestrian warning one, and a drive train message. They were would appear while drive at any speed but, would go away after the car was shut off and restarted. A couple of months later the car started to shut off and put itself in park while driving, this problem has occurred multiple times and at speeds around 30mph. I started trying to get this fixed by a dealership in December of 2023. It went in and out a couple of times before they were able to replicate the problem. First they replaced the EME module and that worked for about 2000 miles before it started acting up again. Took it back to the same dealership in April when it started acting up. They updated the EME software and replaced a high voltage connector that was corroded. This repair took them until July 2nd. I went to pick up the car and made it about 3 blocks from the dealership it shut itself off on me. Took it back right away. They have had the car since then. Lastly I informed them about the most recent recall back on august 29th and it still shows as incomplete.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2024Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11622035

Air bags

2 reports2 crashes
“Run out of lane over raised median hit 2 road signs head on they flew over the car into opposite side of traffic and into a ditch at 45mph. Airbags did not deploy despite broken frame, collapsed suspension, all 4 no flat tires were flat and front end damage.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11513759

Power train

1 report
Send 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

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars, Minicompact Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines
Electric motor · 1.5L 3-cyl turbo · 1.5L 3-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (A1) · Automatic (AM-S7) · Automatic (S6) · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity · Premium Gasoline
EV range
300 mi (EPA)

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 SE Hardtop 2 door
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
115100108$700—
Cooper Convertible
Auto (AM-S7), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283631$2,550281
Cooper Hardtop 2 door
Auto (AM-S7), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283631$2,550281
Cooper Hardtop 4 door
Auto (AM-S7), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283631$2,550281
Cooper Countryman
Auto (AM-S7), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263329$2,750307
Cooper SE Countryman All4
Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
293029$2,750175
Cooper Countryman All4
Auto (S8), 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
243327$2,950322
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

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 MINI Cooper as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026
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

2020 Cooper questions

How many recalls does the 2020 MINI Cooper have?

2 safety recalls 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 2020 MINI Cooper problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (2), air bags (2), power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 MINI Cooper get?

The EPA rates the 2020 MINI Cooper at 27–108 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026