Most common 2015 Mini Cooper S problems
Share of the 18 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 →
2015 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 2015 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 2015 Mini Cooper S owners say
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owned a 2015 Mini Cooper s. While parked in the driveway, the vehicle caught fire. The contact attempted to extinguish the fire with a water hose, but was unsuccessful. The fire department arrived and extinguished the flames. There were no injuries. Fire report number: 1900355515 was filed. The contact's insurance company scheduled a vehicle inspection at the contact's home. The fire department deemed the vehicle totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper s. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the rear driver's side turn signal and brake lights did not work and the 'malfunction rear light cluster' message illuminated. The vehicle was taken to braman motorcars [phone], located at 2901 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33409) where the rear brake cluster and the turn signals were replaced. The technician also diagnosed and replaced the engine mount due to an oil leak. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,621.
Lights
Vehicle has been serviced four times, since purchased in May 2015 for burns to light bulb and socket melting into housing. Malfunctioning engine light appears while driving car on highways and streets. Taillight is on the left side, not far from gas tank. Car is unsafe due to overheating, burns and melting of taillight components and proximity to gas tank.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper s. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the rear driver's side turn signal and brake lights did not work and the 'malfunction rear light cluster' message illuminated. The vehicle was taken to braman motorcars [phone], located at 2901 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33409) where the rear brake cluster and the turn signals were replaced. The technician also diagnosed and replaced the engine mount due to an oil leak. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,621.
Fuel & propulsion system
The contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the vehicle previously had the fuel carbon filter replaced; however, the failure recurred while attempting to refuel the vehicle. The fuel tank dispersed the gasoline outward, spilling on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
The fuel filling nozzle turns off repeatedly (as if already full) while filling the fuel tank. About 1/4 to 1/3 of a gallon of fuel will go in before it turns off, backs up, and the gas overflows onto the outside of the car and onto the concrete. It happens regardless of the pump being used. It started happening occasionally a few months ago if the tank was refilled when a quarter full. It now happens consistently, no matter the fuel level. I had the car put on a lift and the system diagnosed today. The mechanic said the cause is a faulty service valve within the fuel tank assembly. They also said it is a known issue with F56 Mini Coopers.
2015 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 | 25 / 33 / 28 |
| 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: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 Mini Cooper S a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 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 2015 Mini Cooper S?
The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the lights (3) and fuel & propulsion system (3).
How many recalls does the 2015 Mini Cooper S have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2015 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 2015 Mini Cooper S problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 43,000 miles; 67% 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.