Car Record Book

2012 MINI Cooper S recalls & problems

The 2012 MINI Cooper S has 2 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (13 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints23filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 23V337000 · May 11, 2023 · 97,933 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

NHTSA recall 18V248000 · Apr 18, 2018 · 47,806 vehicles

Problem: 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 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

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 recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Components: Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger; Engine and engine cooling › Engine

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2012 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 3 HB FWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.1%

2012 Mini Cooper S Roadster C FWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Cooper S Coupe

30mpg combined
City / highway26 / 34 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,750/year to fuel

Cooper S Roadster

30mpg combined
City / highway26 / 34 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,750/year to fuel

Cooper S

30mpg combined
City / highway26 / 34 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,750/year to fuel

Cooper S Coupe

28mpg combined
City / highway25 / 33 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel

Cooper S Roadster

28mpg combined
City / highway25 / 33 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel

Cooper S

28mpg combined
City / highway25 / 33 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical system
13010116,000 mi
Engine
4000—
Fuel/propulsion system
3000—
Structure
Body › Door
2000—
Seats
1010—
Wheels
Rim
1000—
Power train
1000—
Exterior lighting
1000—
Vehicle speed control
1000—
Air bags
1000—
Seat belts
1000—
Fuel system, gasoline
1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.