Most common 2014 Mini Cooper S problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mini Cooper S complaints by model year
Best Cooper S years: 2017, 2016, 2021. Years to avoid: 2005, 2007, 2004, 2006, 2003. Compare all years →
2014 Mini Cooper S recalls (4)
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured February 25, 2014, to May 16, 2015, 2014-2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to May 9, 2015, 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured October 17, 2014, to…
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles.
Remedy: MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015.
Structure › Body
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles and 2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop 2 Door vehicles. The affected vehicles do not meet the side impact performance requirements for the rear seat passengers.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will install additional energy absorption material between the rear interior side panels and the exterior vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door, and Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles manufactured January 6, 2014, to October 17, 2014.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module with the correct software, free of charge. The recall February 4, 2015. Owners can contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2014 Mini Cooper S:
BMW Safety Act Violations
In a Consent Order executed on December 17, 2015, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) admitted that it violated the Safety Act by: failing to conduct a timely recall for Recall No. 15V-450; failing to file certain quarterly recall reports in a timely manner; failing to timely notify vehicle owners of the existence of a defect or noncompliance; failing to promptly advise NHTSA of delays with the beginning or…
What 2014 Mini Cooper S owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Drivetrain malfunction warning - appears and reduces speed at any time of driving - this could cause severe accidents due to loss of power/performance. This warning is engaged at anytime w/o warning. Software update for vehicle should be free of charge as this impacts loss of power. When taking it to auto mechanic, no codes are found and no engine light or fault code. Researching all f56 forum, seems like this has been common complaint. Even though the warning comes on and tells you to drive carefully (slow down). You are still in a high density traffic or freeway that does not allow you enough time to pull on the side. The software should be available to consumer as this impacts the speed of the current driving condition (which is not obvious to other drivers). If it was a flat tire, or smoke coming out of the hood.. This is visible. …
Other Mini coppers from this year with different models have been recalled for an issue that allows the car to the exited when the car is not in park. My car can get shut down, this is purposefully stopped like at a parking space. While still in drive mode, I can exit the car, the car starts to roll away. This has happened to me numbers times. Having had to jump back in my car to stop it. Once on a hill and it almost caused a crash. Scary. Bought the car in 2015 spring and the started fall of 2016 and has continued to happen. Car boot to bonnet warranty was expired at the time this started. They were called the around first time this happened, I was unable to get my key out of the ignition while in park. Then I was able to get it out while in drive and now, I can often run my car without the key in the ignition. This is not a keyless start car. …
Engine & cooling
Drivetrain malfunction warning - appears and reduces speed at any time of driving - this could cause severe accidents due to loss of power/performance. This warning is engaged at anytime w/o warning. Software update for vehicle should be free of charge as this impacts loss of power. When taking it to auto mechanic, no codes are found and no engine light or fault code. Researching all f56 forum, seems like this has been common complaint. Even though the warning comes on and tells you to drive carefully (slow down). You are still in a high density traffic or freeway that does not allow you enough time to pull on the side. The software should be available to consumer as this impacts the speed of the current driving condition (which is not obvious to other drivers). If it was a flat tire, or smoke coming out of the hood.. This is visible. …
Oil filter housing failed during commute and lost all oil. Needed to have the car towed for repair. Received the car back next day. Failed part is currently subject of recall, but my car did not fall into the scope of the recall so I never received a notice. Two days after repair for the oil filter housing, the vanos system failed. Entire vanos system needed to be replaced, took a total of 6 days for repair.
2014 Mini Cooper S engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 26 / 34 / 29 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 26 / 34 / 29 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | AWD | 25 / 30 / 27 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2014 Mini Cooper S a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Cooper S rates better than average: 75% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Cooper S at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Mini Cooper S?
The transmission & drivetrain — 6 complaints, 46% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (3) and air bags (2).
How many recalls does the 2014 Mini Cooper S have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2014 Mini Cooper S, the most recent from November 9, 2015 (occupant classification). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mini Cooper S?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2016 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2007, 2004, 2006 and 2003. See the full Mini Cooper S years comparison.
At what mileage do 2014 Mini Cooper S problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 25,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.