Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 MINI Cooper S, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system9
- Engine7
- Unknown or other4
- Air bags4
- Power train2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Service brakes1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
- Exterior lighting1
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 2013
12,698 new MINI Cooper S cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2013; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (5,670), Germany (4,645), Italy (703).
- Average mass
- 1,341 kg
- Average power
- 135 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
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 2,767 of these cars first registered in 2013 took their annual MOT test. 78% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2013 the figure was 68%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.9% | 12.5% |
| Tyres | 6.1% | 6.7% |
| Suspension | 4.1% | 10.4% |
| Visibility | 3.5% | 4.7% |
| Brakes | 3.4% | 6.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.3% | 2.7% |
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
45 of these cars first registered in 2013 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 134,000 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
131 2013 cars are on the New Zealand register; 21% 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 6 variants: combined 8.0–8.2 L/100 km (about 29 mpg US), CO₂ 184–189 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper S · Minicompact · Premium gasoline | 8.9 | 6.7 | 8.0 |
| Cooper S Coupe · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 8.9 | 6.7 | 8.0 |
| Cooper S Roadster · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 8.9 | 6.7 | 8.0 |
| Cooper S · Minicompact · Premium gasoline | 9.2 | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| Cooper S Coupe · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 9.2 | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| Cooper S Roadster · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 9.2 | 7.0 | 8.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · 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.
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 2013 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 |
| 10216787 | Service Action: Program Vehicle to Activate Speech Recognition |
| 10216784 | XM Satellite Radio Recekption - Audio, Navigation, Monitors, Alarms, SRS |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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)" |
| 10152363 | Convertible Top Cannot Be Locked or Secured when Fully Opened or Closed. The convertible top cannot be locked or secured when it is in the fully opened or closed position. CAUSE Folding sunroof drive unit hardware error |
| 10152359 | N18 Engine: FC 37DE Engine Ventilation, Heating, Triggering Stored in the DME After Programming. The Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated after reprogramming the vehicle to integration level R056-11-11503 (ISTA/P P45.1.3.0) or higher. When diagnosed, the following fault code is stored in DME fault memory: ??37DE Engine ventilation, heating, triggering: open circuit CAUSE Due to a DME software change, the diagnostic monitoring capability is improved for the engine ventilation heating system. However, a fault will be stored in the fault memory because the engine ventilation heater circuit has |
| 10152338 | Door Open Message Displayed, Even Though Door Is Closed. The customer complains that while driving, a CCM (check control message) indicates the doors are open, even though they are closed. Also, sometimes the gong will sound and the interior lights will go on and off. Unspecified FRM (footwell module) door lock status due to voltage variations |
| 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. |
| 10151423 | CAS Module Fails Programming with CoAPI Error 2082. During vehicle programming, the CAS (Car Access System) module fails to program with CoAPI error 2082 displayed. Refer to the attachment, which lists the affected CAS serial numbers. The following part numbers are affected: 61 35 9 287 534 61 35 9 226 238 61 35 9 227 053 61 35 9 287 535 |
| 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." |
| 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 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)