Most common 2021 Mini Cooper problems
Share of the 7 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mini Cooper complaints by model year
Best Cooper years: 2018, 2020, 2024. Years to avoid: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2006, 2002. Compare all years →
2021 Mini Cooper recalls (4)
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery thermal › Management › Software
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) vehicles. Faults may occur in the high voltage battery or high voltage system, resulting in a short circuit.
Remedy: Owners are advised that if a warning message is displayed in the vehicle, to park the vehicle outside and away from structures until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will provide a software update, free of charge.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) vehicles. The high voltage battery housing may not have been sealed properly, allowing water to enter the battery.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and leak test the high voltage battery, and repair the battery as necessary, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed June 28, 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.
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door (Cooper and Cooper S) vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at…
What 2021 Mini Cooper owners say
Electrical system
After work, I started the car in a parking lot. Before leaving, a fire started under the hood behind the passenger side headlight. After using the jaws of life to take off the hood, the fire department contained the fire. No injuries. There was extensive damage to the right front. The contents were all smoke damaged. Neighboring cars were not damaged. The car has been totaled.
Digital instrument cluster of electric Mini SE (includes speedometer and battery/range information) turns off without warning while driving and does not turn back on until car is powered down for over half an hour. This has happened more than ten times. Vehicle was inspected by MINI dealer locally and no obvious equipment defect was identified, although they were able to replicate it happening. After disassembly and reassembly by dealer, issue stopped for about two weeks after car was returned to owner. Now it has begun again, to the point of turning off within a few minutes of driving every day, rendering car unusable as driver has no other speedometer in vehicle. After sitting for half an hour, the instrument cluster will turn on when the car is turned on next, only to go out again after a few minutes of driving. …
2021 Mini Cooper engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Single-speed | FWD | 115 / 100 / 108 MPGe | 110 mi |
| 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | 7-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 28 / 37 / 31 | — |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 7-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 26 / 35 / 30 | — |
| 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 26 / 37 / 30 | — |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 33 / 27 | — |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Mini Cooper a good car?
Based on 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Cooper rates better than average: 64% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Cooper 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 2021 Mini Cooper?
The electrical system — 3 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the wheels & tires (1) and air bags (1).
How many recalls does the 2021 Mini Cooper have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2021 Mini Cooper, the most recent from August 15, 2024 (software). 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?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2020 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2006 and 2002. See the full Mini Cooper years comparison.
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.