Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2010 MINI Cooper S, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine37
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Air bags6
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Power train5
- Electrical system4
- Unknown or other3
- Suspension2
- Wheels1
- Steering1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2010
7,847 new MINI Cooper S cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2010; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (5,086), Italy (1,109), Spain (595).
- Average mass
- 1,254 kg
- 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
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 280 of these cars first registered in 2010 took their annual MOT test. 75% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2010 the figure was 60%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.6% | 17.8% |
| Suspension | 4.6% | 15.5% |
| Tyres | 4.6% | 7.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% | 4.5% |
| Visibility | 3.6% | 6.0% |
| Brakes | 3.2% | 9.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
42 of these cars first registered in 2010 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 154,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
79 2010 cars are on the New Zealand register; 23% arrived as used imports, 77% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 8.1–8.8 L/100 km (about 27–29 mpg US), CO₂ 186–202 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper S · Minicompact · Premium gasoline | 9.1 | 6.8 | 8.1 |
| Cooper S · Minicompact · Premium gasoline | 10.0 | 7.4 | 8.8 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2010 MINI Cooper S.
| 2012008 11 Jan 2012 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the auxiliary water pump (which cools the turbocharger after the engine is turned OFF) can overheat and fail. This could result in a vehic… |
| 2009358 17 Dec 2009 | Label On certain vehicles, the tire information label may have the wrong tire size or the wrong tire pressure. Correction: Dealers will install new tire information l… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 MINI COOPER AND COOPER S VEHICLES FOR FAILING COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH WHEELS, BUT THEIR LABEL STATES THAT THEY WERE EQUIPPED WITH 16 INCH WHEELS. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE STATED ON THE LABEL FOR THE COOPER S IS INCORRECT.
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 2010 MINI Cooper S: 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 |
| 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). |
| 10162460 | 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. |
| 10162441 | "Cooper S with N14: Diagnosis for Misfire Faults. The Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is illuminated and/or the customer complains that the engine runs rough (engine cold or warm) with any of the following misfire faults stored in the DME: * 2771, 2772, 2773, 2775, 2776, 2777, 2779, 277A, 277B, 277D, 277E, 277F - "Combustion misfire, cylinder 1..4", sometimes together with: * 2781, 2782, 2783 - "Combustion misfire, multiple cylinders." On rare occasions, the Service Engine Soon lamp may not be illuminated (with misfire faults still stored in the DME) when the vehicle is brought to the workshop |
| 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)" |
| 10152360 | "The Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is illuminated and/or the customer complains that the engine runs rough (engine cold or warm) with any of the following misfire faults stored in the DME: * 2771, 2772, 2773, 2775, 2776, 2777, 2779, 277A, 277B, 277D, 277E, 277F - ""Combustion misfire, cylinder 1..4"", sometimes together with: * 2781, 2782, 2783 - ""Combustion misfire, multiple cylinders"" On rare occasions, the Service Engine Soon lamp may not be illuminated (with misfire faults still stored in the DME) when the vehicle is brought to the workshop. Multiple causes related to electrical and me |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| 10150396 | "Cooper S with N14: Diagnosis for Misfire Faults. The Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is illuminated and/or the customer complains that the engine runs rough (engine cold or warm) with any of the following misfire faults stored in the DME: ??2771, 2772, 2773, 2775, 2776, 2777, 2779, 277A, 277B, 277D, 277E, 277F - ""Combustion misfire, cylinder 1..4"", sometimes together with: ??2781, 2782, 2783 - ""Combustion misfire, multiple cylinders"" On rare occasions, the Service Engine Soon lamp may not be illuminated (with misfire faults still stored in the DME) when the vehicle is brought to the worksh |
| 10150357 | ?SUBJECT DWA (Anti-theft Alarm System): False Alarm Is Triggered Intermittently. When the vehicle is parked and locked (DWA active), the alarm system is triggered intermittently. One or more of the following conditions may trigger the alarm system: Sun roof in the tilted/open position, Window partially open, Excessive local noise (for example, near an airport, on a busy road, or in heavy rain) CAUSE Normal sensitivity of the interior ultrasonic sensor. |
| 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 |
| 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." |
| 10150347 | During Engine Oil Service a Small O-Ring Is Found in the Oil Filter Housing. No customer complaint has been received. During the scheduled engine oil service, the technician notices a black rubber o-ring lying on the bottom of the engine oil filter housing. The o-ring has been dislodged from the non-return valve inside the engine oil filter housing. No subsequent engine damage occurs from the dislodged o-ring. Engine oil filter housing (1) Rubber o-ring (2) The material dimensions of the rubber o-ring are not satisfactory, allowing it to become dislodged from its installation location. |
| 10150309 | Squeaking Noise from Front Seat. A noise may be heard from the front driver's seat back when the customer applies sideways pressure during cornering. CAUSE Surface corrosion on the metal seat back frame can make a squeaking noise when rubbing against the foam rubber padding of the seat back. |
| 10150308 | Bonnet Lock Difficult to Open or Close. The bonnet lock fails to operate correctly and is difficult to open or close. CAUSE Corrosion in the bonnet lock assembly |
| 10150306 | "Erroneous ""Service due"" Message Though Brake Lining Thickness Sufficient. The CBS data calculated for the remaining distance of the front and/or rear brake pads does not agree with the actual brake pad thickness. The yellow brake lining service due indicator illuminates even though the pad thickness is greater than the minimum wear limit (approximately 3.7 mm); the brake wear sensor has not yet been activated (from a thickness of approx. 4.2 mm). In some cases, the red warning message may already be active. The CBS front/rear brake display is based on a mathematical calculation. Various in |
| 10150305 | Adjusting Rear Camber. Rear camber cannot be adjusted properly. CAUSE Repair instructions not followed properly |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fire
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation