The 2014 MINI Cooper S has 4 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (6 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints13filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
NHTSA recall 15V739000 · Nov 9, 2015 · 38 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured February 25, 2014, to May 16, 2015, 2014-2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to May 9, 2015, 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured October 17, 2014, to June 2, 2015, and 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to June 11, 2015. During a service appointment, the affected vehicles received replacement front passenger seat cushions (which contain integral Capacitive Interior Sensing (CIS) functions). The CIS functions may have been incorrectly calibrated, and if so, would cause impaired occupant classification and thus inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation.
Risk: Inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation can increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
Fix: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 .
Components: Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification; Seats
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 15V628000 · Oct 7, 2015 · 6,073 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
Fix: MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles and 2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop 2 Door vehicles. The affected vehicles do not meet the side impact performance requirements for the rear seat passengers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Risk: If the side impact performance requirements are not met, rear seat passengers may be at a higher risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will install additional energy absorption material between the rear interior side panels and the exterior vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525. Note: this recall supersedes 14V-815.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
NHTSA recall 14V789000 · Dec 15, 2014 · 1,928 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door, and Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles manufactured January 6, 2014, to October 17, 2014. During service appointments, dealers may have inadvertently reprogrammed the transmission control unit with software that may allow drivers to exit the vehicle when the transmission is not in Park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being in Park, the vehicle could roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module with the correct software, free of charge. The recall February 4, 2015. Owners can contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
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
2014 Mini Cooper S Clubman SW FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2014 Mini Cooper S Convertible C FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.1%
2014 Mini Cooper S Countryman 5 HB FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2014 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 5 HB AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2014 Mini Cooper S Coupe 2 DR FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 3 HB FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
11.1%
2014 Mini Cooper S Paceman 3 HB FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2014 Mini Cooper S Paceman ALL4 3 HB AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2014 Mini Cooper S Roadster C FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not 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
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
Cooper S Roadster
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
Cooper S Convertible
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
Cooper S Clubman
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
Cooper S Roadster
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
Cooper S Coupe
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
Cooper S Convertible
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
Cooper S Clubman
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
Cooper S (3-doors)
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
Cooper S Countryman
28mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel
Cooper S Countryman
28mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel
Cooper S Paceman
28mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Premium 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 area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train
6
0
0
0
20,500 mi
Engine
3
0
0
0
6,000 mi
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
Air bags
2
1
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 2, 2020 · 48,000 milesAir bags PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE, I HAVE SEEN THIS REPORTED IN OTHER MINI COOPERS THAT WERE RECALLED BUT MY SPECIFIC MODEL WAS NOT. I WANT TO BE SURE ALL APPLICABLE VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHER MINI OWNERS. I HAVE NO AIRBAG FUNCTION RIGHT NOW AND BOTH MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR AT THE LEAST.
Nov 1, 2020Power train FIRST GEAR POPS OUT RANDOMLY, WHEN IT'S BEGINNING TO MOVE OR AFTER IT STARTED MOVING. IT CAN GO DAYS WITHOUT HAPPENING THEN IT WILL HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE DAY.
Feb 7, 2019 · 46,000 milesFuel/propulsion system BAD SENDING UNIT ON FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY; THIS CAUSED THE GAS LIGHTS TO STOP WORKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.
Oct 5, 2018 · 39,000 milesSuspension I WAS DRIVING, MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN I HIT A ROCK ON THE ROAD WITH MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE. AFTER THIS, I WOULD HEAR A THUMPING SOUND WHILE TURNING. THEN WE LEARNED THAT THE MOUNTING KIT OF THE FRONT STRUT CRACKED; THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT OUR DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT IT'S A COMMON ISSUE AMONG MY MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR.
Nov 14, 2018Power train DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION APPEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY
Aug 8, 2018 · 35,000 milesEngine DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING - APPEARS AND REDUCES SPEED AT ANY TIME OF DRIVING - THIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSS OF POWER/PERFORMANCE. THIS WARNING IS ENGAGED AT ANYTIME W/O WARNING. SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR VEHICLE SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE AS THIS IMPACTS LOSS OF POWER. WHEN TAKING IT TO AUTO MECHANIC, NO CODES ARE FOUND AND NO ENGINE LIGHT OR FAULT CODE. RESEARCHING ALL F56 FORUM, SEEMS LIKE THIS HAS BEEN COMMON COMPLAINT. EVEN THOUGH THE WARNING COMES ON AND TELLS YOU TO DRIVE CAREFULLY (SLOW DOWN). YOU ARE STILL IN A HIGH DENSITY TRAFFIC OR FREEWAY THAT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU ENOUGH TIME TO PULL ON THE SIDE. THE SOFTWARE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO CONSUMER AS THIS IMPACTS THE SPEED…
Sep 1, 2015 · 12,000 milesUnknown or other THE F56 HORN IS NOT SENSITIVE, AND REQUIRES AGGRESSIVE PUSHING TO SOUND, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD.
Oct 1, 2016 · 40,000 milesPower train OTHER MINI COPPERS FROM THIS YEAR WITH DIFFERENT MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR AN ISSUE THAT ALLOWS THE CAR TO THE EXITED WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. MY CAR CAN GET SHUT DOWN, THIS IS PURPOSEFULLY STOPPED LIKE AT A PARKING SPACE. WHILE STILL IN DRIVE MODE, I CAN EXIT THE CAR, THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL AWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMBERS TIMES. HAVING HAD TO JUMP BACK IN MY CAR TO STOP IT. ONCE ON A HILL AND IT ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. SCARY. BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2015 SPRING AND THE STARTED FALL OF 2016 AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. CAR BOOT TO BONNET WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AT THE TIME THIS STARTED. THEY WERE CALLED THE AROUND FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
AQ15004 · opened Sep 24, 2015 · closed Oct 2, 2017BMW Safety Act Violations In a Consent Order executed on December 17, 2015, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) admitted that it violated the Safety Act by: failing to conduct a timely recall for Recall No. 15V-450; failing to file certain quarterly recall reports in a timely manner; failing to timely notify vehicle owners of the existence of a defect or noncompliance; failing to promptly advise NHTSA of delays with the beginning or completion dates for mailing owner or dealer notifications; and failing to timely submit copies to NHTSA of communications relating to recalls.As part of the Consent Order, NHTSA imposed a total civil penalty of $40 million against BMW NA for its violations of the Safety Act.The civil penalty consists of a cash payment, monetary performance obligations, and stipulated penalties.BMW NA paid the $10 million cash penalty on February 12, 2016.Failure to comply with the terms of the…