Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 1.3× | 3 | Brake | Few |
| 2021 | 0 | −83% | 2 | — | Good |
| 2020 | 5 | −56% | 2 | Engine | Good |
| 2019 | 5 | −80% | 1 | Electrical | Good |
| 2017 | 6 | −88% | 3 | Engine | Good |
| 2016 | 9 | −83% | 3 | Engine | Good |
| 2015 | 18 | −75% | 4 | Engine | Good |
| 2014 | 13 | −75% | 4 | Transmission | Good |
| 2013 | 24 | −75% | 1 | Electrical | Good |
| 2012 | 26 | −73% | 2 | Electrical | Good |
| 2011 | 35 | −62% | 3 | Electrical | Good |
| 2010 | 69 | 1.3× | 4 | Engine | Average |
| 2009 | 128 | 2.3× | 3 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2008 | 175 | 3.4× | 5 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2007 | 257 | 5.1× | 6 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2006 | 222 | 4.0× | 1 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 2005 | 375 | 6.5× | 2 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2004 | 247 | 4.9× | 2 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2003 | 217 | 3.7× | 2 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2002 | 83 | −23% | 1 | Steering | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Cooper S year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mini Cooper S problems
Latest Mini Cooper S recalls
Electronic stability control (ESC)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles.
Remedy: The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026.
Electronic stability control (ESC) › Control module
BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024.
Electrical system
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,…
Remedy: 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.
Seat belts
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mini Cooper S should you avoid?
2005, 2007, 2004, 2006, 2003 and 2008 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Cooper S years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2005.
What is the best year for the Mini Cooper S?
2017 has the fewest complaints compared with other Cooper S years at the same age, followed by 2016 and 2021. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Mini Cooper S problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (713), engine & cooling (546) and air bags (305). Steering complaints peak in the 2005 model year.
How many recalls has the Mini Cooper S had?
24 recalls across 2002–2025. The model year with the most is 2007. See all Mini Cooper S recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.