Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine3
- Electrical system3
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Seat belts1
- Service brakes1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Air bags1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe failed the safety check 1.25% of the time — 50% less often than the average 2012 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 74,991 miles.
399first inspections
1.25%failed on safety
74,991 mimedian odometer
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2012
272 new MINI Cooper Coupe cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2012; the largest markets were Germany (164), Italy (54), Belgium (22).
- Average mass
- 1,184 kg
- Average power
- 90 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 100%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
In Finland
8 of these cars first registered in 2012 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 127,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 7.3–7.7 L/100 km (about 31–32 mpg US), CO₂ 168–177 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Coupe · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 8.0 | 6.4 | 7.3 |
| Cooper Coupe · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 8.5 | 6.6 | 7.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What MINI told its dealers about the 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10244507 | 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 reason, a battery replacement will permanently eliminate the problem only in the rarest of cases. The energy diagnosis test module helps to localize these causes. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. Without performing the energy |
| 10216755 | N18 engine high pressure fuel pump (hdp): limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles |
| 10206696 | 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. |
| 10179827 | 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 mat (shown) to: 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date. |
| 10171506 | 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 faults stored in the Engine Control Module (DME). PROCEDURE Perform the corresponding diagnosis/vehicle test and run the test plans to completion as applicable. |
| 10162461 | 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 detector is not sufficient for identifying small leaks in the system. Electronic leak detectors can give false alarms and can lead to an improper diagnosis of small leaks. A leak cannot be located exactly if accessibility is impaired (in the case of the expansion valve, evaporator or condenser). |
| 10162442 | "Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts, which can cause an inaccurate engine temperature reading. This false reading could lead to difficulty in the engine starting and/or a ""Service Engine Soon"" lamp being illuminated." |
| 10160298 | N18 THERMOSTAT WITH THERMOSTAT HOUSING: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/ This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 02 18 dated May 2018. |
| 10160229 | N18 THERMOSTAT WITH THERMOSTAT HOUSING: LIMITED WARRANTYEXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/ This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 02 18 dated May 2018. |
| 10159154 | N16 ENGINE IGNITION COILS: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120000 MILES This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 08 17 dated February 2018. |
| 10153778 | OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120. |
| 10152680 | "MANUAL TRANSMISSION - STIFF DIAGONAL GEARSHIFT LEVER MOVEMENT. The customer may complain of a ""stiff diagonal shift"" (e.g., N-R, R-N, 2-3/3-2 or 4-5/5-4). Also, in some cases, gears cannot be selected, or the selector gear does not go into the neutral position. CAUSE 1. The deflection lever circlip of the gearshift mechanism is damaged or missing. 2. Possible corrosion at the gearshift mechanism (shift cables or transmission gearshift unit)" |
| 10152335 | Brake Fluid Maintenance Service: 36-Month Interval. The CBS displays the first brake fluid service as a 36-month interval from the date of production, instead of the appropriate 24-month interval. Only vehicles within the specified production range can be serviced and covered by this bulletin. For vehicles outside of the production range specified in this bulletin, refer to the CBS and/or Key Read information for the brake fluid service. |
| 10151349 | Bluetooth Connection Failures This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M84 01 14 dated February 2016.. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. Contact List incomplete General connection failures Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its variants) Samsung S6 and S6 Edge device firmware |
| 10151347 | Delay in Automatic Driving Light Switching on/off. When driving out of a tunnel or exiting underground parking, the automatic driving light remains switched on for two minutes. Shut-off period varies based on detected situation. This is normal operational behavior. |
| 10151345 | Engine Misfire Due to Failed Ignition Coil This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M12 01 15 dated March 2016.. The Check Engine or Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is on with misfire fault(s) stored in the DME. Intermittent performance or rough running without a relevant DME fault stored The most likely cause is that an ignition coil has failed, which in many cases can be confirmed with basic diagnosis. During operation with high temperature fluctuations, the different materials used in the Bosch ignition coil construction can deteriorate over time, leading to a failure. |
| 10151221 | "N18 Engine High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HDP): Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years/120,000 Miles. For the above-referenced vehicles, MINI USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC (""MINI USA"") is extending the limited warranty for the engine's High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HDP) to: 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date Item #1: This ""componentspecific"" limited warranty extension applies to defects in materials and workmanship and is subject to the applicable vehicle and coverage eligibility requirements, exclusions and limitations that apply to the New |
| 10151060 | This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M84 01 14 dated November 2014. SUBJECT Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: z Apple iPhones z Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: z Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. z Contact List incomplete z General connection failures z Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its variants) z Samsung S6 and S6 Edge device firmware |
| 10150985 | ?OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES. This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 01 11 16 dated December 2016. |
| 10150399 | "Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts, which can cause an inaccurate engine temperature reading. This false reading could lead to difficulty in the engine starting and/or a ""Service Engine Soon"" lamp being illuminated." |
| 10150356 | "Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed. MINI electrical systems and advancements in vehicle technology have resulted in an increased demand on the vehicle battery. This SI will help the dealer handle ""discharged battery"" complaints. A discharged battery can have various causes, most unrelated to the battery. A failed battery is often the symptom and not the cause. A fully serviceable battery fails when an electrical component causes the battery to discharge; the battery becomes internally damaged and must be replaced. For more information, refer to http://www.batteryuniversi |
| 10150355 | Rattling Noise from the Tailgate. A rattling noise may be heard from the tailgate area when driving on rough roads. CAUSE The felt strip on the lower bump stop is either mis-shaped or missing. |
| 10150353 | "Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts, which can cause an inaccurate engine temperature reading. This false reading could lead to difficulty in the engine starting and/or a ""Service Engine Soon"" lamp being illuminated." |
| 10150352 | "Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts, which can cause an inaccurate engine temperature reading. This false reading could lead to difficulty in the engine starting and/or a ""Service Engine Soon"" lamp being illuminated." |
| 10150351 | "Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts, which can cause an inaccurate engine temperature reading. This false reading could lead to difficulty in the engine starting and/or a ""Service Engine Soon"" lamp being illuminated." |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)