2012 MINI Cooper recalls & problems

The 2012 MINI Cooper has 1 safety recall and 66 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (28 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints66filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 7reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 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.

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 Convertible C FWD

Overall	Not Rated
Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.1%

2012 Mini Cooper Hardtop 3 HB FWD

Overall	Not Rated
Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.1%

2012 Mini Cooper 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

32mpg combined

City / highway	29 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,550/year to fuel

Cooper Roadster

30mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,750/year to fuel

Cooper Roadster

30mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

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

Cooper

30mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 35 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,750/year to fuel

Cooper Convertible

30mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,750/year to fuel

Cooper Convertible

30mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,750/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*
Electrical system	28	0	5	0	58,749 mi
Engine	17	1	6	0	53,000 mi
Air bags Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger; Sensor › Occupant classification	16	0	0	1	42,000 mi
Unknown or other	8	0	4	0	56,000 mi
Exterior lighting	5	0	0	0	50,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	4	0	0	0	—
Seats	4	0	0	0	—
Power train	3	0	0	0	—
Service brakes	3	0	0	0	—
Seat belts	2	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	0	0	0	—
Steering	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

May 21, 2026Electrical system
This vin waa not included in a recall however had recall issues it obtained water in the footwell which mini has a recall issue for this and the car was caught on fire it is at the dealership in [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
May 24, 2026Electrical system
ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT. The electronic module in the driver side footwell area may short circuit. when I unlock the car or try to start, I hear loud electrical SHORT CIRCUIT noises coming out of the seating area. I am afraid to even unlock the car, and fear car might catch fire.
Feb 1, 2023Electrical system
The electronic control module in the driverâs side footwell short-circuit, battery and electrical in the car are being drained and car does not work properly and completely drains battery.
Mar 2, 2025Electrical system
My 2012 mini cooper has a Footwell Module recall and I took it to the dealer and they refused to replace it but they said i could pay to have it replaced even though it was a recall
Dec 4, 2024Air bags
Mini BMW is fully aware of an issue with their OC3 detection mat on the passengers side and offered a extended warranty of 10 years/ 100k miles. This is insufficient coverage for a crucial saftey part and has led to a grey market production of occupancy detection mats "emulators" which are being sold online as the only way to have your airbag system "functional".
Aug 16, 2024Electrical system
I went to have my 2012 mini coopers footwell control module replaced because it was recalled. They did not replace it because they said they found no corrosion and then marked my vehicle as the recall being fixed. When I left the dealership my blinkers or highbeans would not turn on as well as my four way flashers either. And that is dangerous. When I got home I took the cover off the footwell control module and found corrosion on the plug for it. There was also 9 codes for that when I scanned the vehicle and now is trying to charge me for a recalled part that they did not replace!
Jan 9, 2024Electrical system
We purchased this vehicle used. It is a 2012 Mini Cooper hardtop and was owned by several owners in the Canada, NY and NJ area before being brought to FL and ultimately sold to us. This defect has been known since May, 2023, yet BMW/Mini has done nothing to rectify the problem. The FRM module failed immediately after we got the car which rendered it undriveable because the power windows, power door locks, turn signals and key fob were inoperable. We called BMW/Mini about the vehicle being inoperable and unsafe to drive and were told to take it to a repair facility to get the module replaced, which we did. We had to tow it there because it was not safe to drive. We were told we would be…
May 1, 2024Power train
The clutch has been a problem. The clutch wears out prematurely, causing loss of acceleration, which caused loss of power trying to merge into freeway traffic, which nearly resulted in a collision with a semi. Looking up repair or replacement information, it appears this is a common problem that Mini has, some people were replacing the clutch 3 times before 50,000 miles, and also refusing to honor their warranty, claiming itâs the user fault. I got a quote from Mini Cooper in Tacoma, to replace the clutch, and I was quoted $3400. I paid $12,000 for my Mini Cooper. To change it myself is about impossible due to âspecialâ tools required. I think this is scam set up to get money. It is…

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