The problem
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
The risk
If the side impact performance requirements are not met, rear seat passengers may be at a higher risk of injury during a crash.
The fix
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. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525. Note: this recall supersedes 14V-815.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 15V-450 (15V450000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Component | Structure › Body |
| Report date | July 17, 2015 |
| Owners notified | September 4, 2015 |
| Vehicles affected | 30,456 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the body & structure
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 15V-450 repair free?
Yes. Mini dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 30,456 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.