2010 Mini Cooper S problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (32) · Fuel/Propulsion System (5) · Power Train (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mini Cooper S model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
48 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System 2023-05-11 · campaign 23V337000 · 97,933 vehicles
Defect: 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, Uta
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2018-04-18 · campaign 18V248000 · 47,806 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommen
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2012-01-11 · campaign 12V008000 · 90,368 vehicles
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.
Risk: THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.
Service bulletins (140)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2023-10-25 · M610607 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. as a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system can have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. for this rea
Wheels 2021-12-01 · M360119 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
new rdc wheel electronics will be introduced with future generation mini models. the new wheel electronics are identified as huf generation 5. these new wheel electronics will need to be programmed using the new tool when replaced or when depressurized (0 psi) for more than 2 minutes.
Seats 2020-08-01 · M011116 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
oc3 seat occupancy mat - limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles: component-specific limited warranty extension for the above-referenced vehicles, mini usa, a division of bmw of north america, llc (mini usa) is extending the limited warranty for the front passenger's oc3 seat occupancy
Fuel System, Gasoline 2020-01-01 · M010419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
class action settlement: n14 high-pressure fuel pump (hdp) service benefit class vehicles: the mini vehicle may experience a sudden engine operational failure reduced or loss of power while driving and the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) may be illuminated along with high-pressure fuel pumprelated
Equipment:electrical 2019-07-12 · M640108 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
air conditioning system leak testing. the customer complains of poor or no air conditioning cooling. after further diagnosis, the system is found to be low or empty of a refrigerant charge, but when using an electronic leak detector, no leak can be found. cause: in most cases, an electronic leak d
Structure:body:door 2019-07-12 · M510912 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service action: checking or replacing the door sill trim strips. the door sill trim strips are deformed and/or peeling up at the corners. cause: insufficient surface preparation of the door sill.
Showing the 6 most recent of 140 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-03-20 · Engine“the contact owns a 2010 mini cooper s. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. the contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. the contact stated tha…”
2020-12-07 · Air Bags · 86,000 mi“the passenger airbag sensor/passenger seatbelt sensor issue that has been reported and fixed in lots of other mini cooper model years is seemingly an issue with 2010 models too and needs to be corrected via recall. the sensor being faulty is a serious safety concern, and runs close to $1200 to repair. my sensor was intermittently off and on and is …”
2020-11-04 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 100,000 mi“the car completely quits running while you are driving it. check engine light comes on but car has already died. have to coast to a stop with no power steering since the engine has died. car will not always restart. sometimes it will crank but not turn over. sometimes it will restart. today it died while i was going 65mph on the interstate a d i ha…”
2020-02-19 · Engine · 64,000 mi · 🔥 fire“mi vehculo mini cooper s 2010, estando estacionado en el garage por ms de 12 horas y sin prender el motor en ningn momento comenz a incendiarse sin ningn motivo. por fortuna haba personas que alertaran de lo ocurrido y pude apagar el fuego en el vehculo, aunque ya haba consumido partes elctrica, de motor y cofre, etc. cabe mencionar que esto sucedi…”
2019-12-16 · Engine · 30,000 mi“high pressure fuel pump needs replaced @ 30,000 miles…”
2019-12-09 · Unknown Or Other · 119,000 mi“airbag and seatbelt warning lights come on for passenger seat and will not turn off. it indicates that the passenger airbag will not activate in the event of an accident with an occupant in the passenger seat. front passenger will not have airbag protection in the event of a crash.…”
2019-10-04 · Electrical System · 45,000 mi“mini cooper seat occupation sensor oc3 is faulty causing airbag not to work properly.…”
2019-08-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the high pressure fuel pump had the warranty extended to 10 years or 120000 miles due to federal emissions requirements on all years except the 2010. m01 01 16 [si] july 2016 shows the 2011 and 2012 and a letter from mini shows 2007 -2009. nobody at mini corporate understands why the 2010 was left out, but all agree it is the same pump and i have f…”
2019-08-06 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 97,000 mi“high pressure fuel pump failed, mini has issued ext warranties o the 2009, 2001, 20012 models because of this issue but not this model. car is below 100,000 miles if these years have problems and now i am having a problem should the 2010 models be covered…”
2019-02-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 71,800 mi“got the high pressure fuel pump issue, the car will not start and stall and will not keep in ideal until stepping on the gas over 3000 rpm for over 1 mins, it stalled on local street couple times. the dealership said mini cover up to 7 years only.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.