NHTSA vehicle safety data

2010 Mini Cooper S Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2010 Mini Cooper S has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 59 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mini dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2010 Mini Cooper S, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2010 Mini Cooper S owner complaints

Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Mini Cooper S, describing incidents dated October 1, 2010 to March 20, 2025.

Most-cited components

Engine 43 complaints
Air Bags 6 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 6 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Unknown or Other 3 complaints

Of the 59 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 5 a fire; across all 59 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11649587 · Filed March 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the…
ODI #11378369 · Filed December 7, 2020
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR/PASSENGER SEATBELT SENSOR ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED AND FIXED IN LOTS OF OTHER MINI COOPER MODEL YEARS IS SEEMINGLY AN ISSUE WITH 2010 MODELS TOO AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED VIA RECALL. THE SENSOR BEING FAULTY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND RUNS CLOSE TO $1200 TO…
ODI #11373045 · Filed November 4, 2020
THE CAR COMPLETELY QUITS RUNNING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT CAR HAS ALREADY DIED. HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP WITH NO POWER STEERING SINCE THE ENGINE HAS DIED. CAR WILL NOT ALWAYS RESTART. SOMETIMES IT WILL CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART. TODAY IT DIED…

Read all 59 complaints

Owner-reported

2010 Mini Cooper S mileage at failure

48 of the 59 complaints on file for the 2010 Mini Cooper S give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–70,000 miles	Based on 34 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2010 Mini Cooper S in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE11-036: Engine compartment fire
Closed June 11, 2012

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Control Module in Footwell May Short Circuit

NHTSA #23V337000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2023 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 97,933 vehicles

Repair completion: 18.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 13, 2024

Defect description

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, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.

Safety consequence

An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Electric Auxiliary Water Pump Failure

NHTSA #18V248000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger · NHTSA notice

Reported April 18, 2018 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 47,806 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.07% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 15, 2018 · Vehicles built June 28, 2007 – September 23, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Safety consequence

If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

AUXILIARY WATER PUMP/POSSIBLE FIRE

NHTSA #12V008000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger · NHTSA notice

Reported January 11, 2012 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 90,368 vehicles

Owners notified February 29, 2012 · Vehicles built November 14, 2006 – October 27, 2010 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.

Safety consequence

THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

TIRE LABEL/FMVSS 110

NHTSA #09V474000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported December 15, 2009 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 205 vehicles

Owners notified March 4, 2010 · Vehicles built August 19, 2009 – October 9, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 MINI COOPER AND COOPER S VEHICLES FOR FAILING COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH WHEELS, BUT THEIR LABEL STATES THAT THEY WERE EQUIPPED WITH 16 INCH WHEELS. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE STATED ON THE LABEL FOR THE COOPER S IS INCORRECT.

Safety consequence

ERRONEOUS TIRE INFORMATION COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER TIRE FITMENT AND INFLATION WHICH COULD AFFECT THE DURABILITY OF THE TIRE AND THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Notes

2010 MINI Cooper S w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

59 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Mini Cooper S.

Engine

ODI #11649587

Incident: March 20, 2025 · Filed: March 20, 2025

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Air Bags

ODI #11378369

Incident: December 4, 2020 · Filed: December 7, 2020

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR/PASSENGER SEATBELT SENSOR ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED AND FIXED IN LOTS OF OTHER MINI COOPER MODEL YEARS IS SEEMINGLY AN ISSUE WITH 2010 MODELS TOO AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED VIA RECALL. THE SENSOR BEING FAULTY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND RUNS CLOSE TO $1200 TO REPAIR. MY SENSOR WAS INTERMITTENTLY OFF AND ON AND IS NOW FULL TIME WARNING ABOUT THE AIRBAG BEING OFF. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE - AS SOON AS THE MOTOR IS RUNNING THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE LIT UP.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11373045

Incident: November 4, 2020 · Filed: November 4, 2020

THE CAR COMPLETELY QUITS RUNNING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT CAR HAS ALREADY DIED. HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP WITH NO POWER STEERING SINCE THE ENGINE HAS DIED. CAR WILL NOT ALWAYS RESTART. SOMETIMES IT WILL CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART. TODAY IT DIED WHILE I WAS GOING 65MPH ON THE INTERSTATE A D I HAD TO DODGE ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. HAVE HAD THIS EXACT ISSUE BEFORE. 3 YRS AGO I REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS WAS A $1500 REPAIR COST. MINI COOPER SAID THAT 2010 MINI COOPERS WERE NOT COVERED. ONLY MINIS UP TO TNE YEAR 2009 WERE COVERED IN THAT SAFETY RECALL SO I PAID OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER, MINI COOPER USED THE SAME PART THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED ON MY 2010. IT FAILED IN 2017 AND THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN. MINI COOPER CALLED IT A "KNOWN" ISSUE, BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT COST IN 2017. REPAIR ORDER NUMBER WITH MINI COOPER DEALER: 262724 AND PART NUMBER 13-51-7-588-879

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11310103

Fire

Incident: February 18, 2020 · Filed: February 19, 2020

MI VEHCULO MINI COOPER S 2010, ESTANDO ESTACIONADO EN EL GARAGE POR MS DE 12 HORAS Y SIN PRENDER EL MOTOR EN NINGN MOMENTO COMENZ A INCENDIARSE SIN NINGN MOTIVO. POR FORTUNA HABA PERSONAS QUE ALERTARAN DE LO OCURRIDO Y PUDE APAGAR EL FUEGO EN EL VEHCULO, AUNQUE YA HABA CONSUMIDO PARTES ELCTRICA, DE MOTOR Y COFRE, ETC. CABE MENCIONAR QUE ESTO SUCEDI EN LA CIUDAD DE MXICO, NO EN EUA, PERO USTEDES TIENEN MEJOR INFORMACIN AL RESPECTO. SALUDOS.

Engine

ODI #11289322

Incident: December 14, 2019 · Filed: December 16, 2019

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACED @ 30,000 MILES

Air Bags; Seat Belts; Unknown or Other

ODI #11287864

Incident: December 20, 2018 · Filed: December 9, 2019

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR PASSENGER SEAT AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #11266192

Incident: October 3, 2019 · Filed: October 4, 2019

MINI COOPER SEAT OCCUPATION SENSOR OC3 IS FAULTY CAUSING AIRBAG NOT TO WORK PROPERLY.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11246085

Incident: August 2, 2019 · Filed: August 23, 2019

THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD THE WARRANTY EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 120000 MILES DUE TO FEDERAL EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS ON ALL YEARS EXCEPT THE 2010. M01 01 16 [SI] JULY 2016 SHOWS THE 2011 AND 2012 AND A LETTER FROM MINI SHOWS 2007 -2009. NOBODY AT MINI CORPORATE UNDERSTANDS WHY THE 2010 WAS LEFT OUT, BUT ALL AGREE IT IS THE SAME PUMP AND I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE SAYING THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS THE WRONG THE YEAR. THESE PUMPS FAIL AND THE VEHICLE FAILS EMISSIONS TESTING. THE PUMP IS 1300 DOLLARS PLUS LABOR AND CAN ONLY BE DONE AT THE DEALER.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11242087

Incident: August 3, 2019 · Filed: August 6, 2019

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED, MINI HAS ISSUED EXT WARRANTIES O THE 2009, 2001, 20012 MODELS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE BUT NOT THIS MODEL. CAR IS BELOW 100,000 MILES IF THESE YEARS HAVE PROBLEMS AND NOW I AM HAVING A PROBLEM SHOULD THE 2010 MODELS BE COVERED

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11179738

Incident: January 24, 2019 · Filed: February 13, 2019

GOT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ISSUE, THE CAR WILL NOT START AND STALL AND WILL NOT KEEP IN IDEAL UNTIL STEPPING ON THE GAS OVER 3000 RPM FOR OVER 1 MINS, IT STALLED ON LOCAL STREET COUPLE TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID MINI COVER UP TO 7 YEARS ONLY.

Other Mini Cooper S model years

Check your 2010 Mini Cooper S VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mini Cooper S at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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