NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 Mini Cooper S Recalls & Complaints

The 2015 Mini Cooper S has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 18 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 2015 Mini Cooper S. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2015 Mini Cooper S owner complaints

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mini Cooper S, describing incidents dated May 16, 2015 to October 6, 2025.

Most-cited components

Engine 3 complaints
Exterior Lighting 3 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
Unknown or Other 3 complaints
Air Bags 2 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints

Of the 18 complaints on file, 2 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11708598 · Filed January 3, 2026
The rear windshield fell out of the top of my convertible. There was no accident or foul play involved. The glue that bonds the window to the top became unglued. This happened at 70,000 miles. The top is made of fabric and the window is made out of glass. Have to you replace the entire top to repair…
ODI #11692422 · Filed October 9, 2025
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…
ODI #11677078 · Filed July 29, 2025
The back window comes unglued to the convertible top when the car is parked outside in warm weather. Ive seen this in several other mini cooper roadsters within the past few weeks. This causes the car to have a hole in the convertible top and leaves the glass hanging from the sensor. To fix it you…

Read all 18 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2015 Mini Cooper S in 1 investigation. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. 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.

Audit Query AQ15-004: BMW Safety Act Violations
Closed October 2, 2017

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Replacement Passenger Seat Cushions/Air Bag Coding

NHTSA #15V739000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported November 9, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 38 vehicles

Repair completion: 89.47% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 28, 2015 · Vehicles built March 28, 2014 – June 11, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 June 2, 2015, and 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to June 11, 2015. During a service appointment, the affected vehicles received replacement front passenger seat cushions (which contain integral Capacitive Interior Sensing (CIS) functions). The CIS functions may have been incorrectly calibrated, and if so, would cause impaired occupant classification and thus inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation.

Safety consequence

Inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation can increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact MINI 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.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag May not Deploy Properly

NHTSA #15V628000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported October 7, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 6,073 vehicles

Repair completion: 93.24% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 25, 2015

Defect description

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. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Safety consequence

In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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.

Side Impact Crash Worthiness/FMVSS 214

NHTSA #15V450000 · Structure — Body · NHTSA notice

Reported July 17, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 30,456 vehicles

Repair completion: 90.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 4, 2015

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

If the side impact performance requirements are not met, rear seat passengers may be at a higher risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525. Note: this recall supersedes 14V-815.

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.

Transmission Software may Result in Rollaway

NHTSA #14V789000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) · NHTSA notice

Reported December 15, 2014 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,928 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.48% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 4, 2015 · Vehicles built January 6, 2014 – October 17, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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. During service appointments, dealers may have inadvertently reprogrammed the transmission control unit with software that may allow drivers to exit the vehicle when the transmission is not in Park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Safety consequence

If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being in Park, the vehicle could roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

2015 Mini Cooper S C FWD

—

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

2 investigations

2015 Mini Cooper S 2 DR FWD

—

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

2 investigations

18 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Mini Cooper S.

Structure

ODI #11708598

Incident: September 11, 2025 · Filed: January 3, 2026

The rear windshield fell out of the top of my convertible. There was no accident or foul play involved. The glue that bonds the window to the top became unglued. This happened at 70,000 miles. The top is made of fabric and the window is made out of glass. Have to you replace the entire top to repair it. Not sure why this is not a recall. It is a well-known problem for the car.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11692422

Incident: October 6, 2025 · Filed: October 9, 2025

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.

Structure

ODI #11677078

Incident: July 8, 2025 · Filed: July 29, 2025

The back window comes unglued to the convertible top when the car is parked outside in warm weather. Ive seen this in several other mini cooper roadsters within the past few weeks. This causes the car to have a hole in the convertible top and leaves the glass hanging from the sensor. To fix it you need to buy a whole new top. This HAS to be a design defect.

Electrical System; Service Brakes

ODI #11638047

Incident: December 30, 2024 · Filed: January 23, 2025

While driving in the rain (light rain) front right and rear left brakes locked up. No warning lights came on, it was a very dangerous situation. The car is currently at a repair shop getting looked at, I had to have it towed there because those wheels will not turn while in neutral even. Reading forums this is a common problem, very serious and dangerous especially with no warning.

Air Bags

ODI #11637797

Incident: January 8, 2025 · Filed: January 22, 2025

Defect in passenger frontal airbag-The front passenger seat occupancy detection mat is not functioning correctly. This was recalled but not for my VIN and needs to be part of the recall.

Air Bags

ODI #11549827

Incident: August 13, 2023 · Filed: October 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated stating that the air bag was turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat mat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the request for assistance was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11477351

Incident: August 3, 2022 · Filed: August 3, 2022

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11413435

Incident: April 4, 2021 · Filed: April 22, 2021

CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE BOTH MOVING AND STATIONARY. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS SAID IT WAS THE OIL FILTER HOUSING AND RELATED PARTS. REPLACED HOUSING, OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND THE BOTTOM SCREW. WORKS AGAIN. CAR HAD UNDER 45,000 MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL HOUSING HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOR OTHER AND RELATED MINIS, INCLUDING SOME SUBJECT TO RECALL.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11383053

Incident: December 9, 2020 · Filed: December 11, 2020

DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT HAS A SHORT/OVER HEATS AND MELTS CONNECTOR TO THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING. NOTIFICATION PROMPTS YOU THAT YOU HAVE A BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE HAS 15K MILES ON IT.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11349356

Incident: August 7, 2020 · Filed: August 15, 2020

FUEL FILLING NOZZLE SHUTS OFF REPEATEDLY WHILE REFUELING. UPON GASSING UP, VALVE CLICKS IMMEDIATELY AND PUMP SHUTS OFF LIKE IT'S FULL NO MATTER WHICH GAS STATION OR PRESSURE I EXERT. I SAW A BULLETIN "SI M16 01 15" WHICH AFFECTED MINIS PRODUCED IN 2014 BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY 2015 COOPER S. A COMMENT FROM THE BULLETIN HAD A TEMPORARY SOLUTION WHICH IS TO ANGLE THE PUMP TO 45, THEN PUMP SLOWLY AT THE MAGIC SPEED, THOUGH THIS CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 30 MINUTES. THIS IS DANGEROUS ON MY PART AS I TRAVEL PAST MIDNIGHT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND SPENDING MORE TIME AT A GAS STATION IN THE DARK IS WORRISOME. I DO GET SPILLS OCCASIONALLY WHICH I HAVE TO KEEP WIPING AND IS A STATION HAZARD. REPLACING THE FUEL TANK COMPLETELY AT AN ESTIMATED $2K+ IS TOO COSTLY ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND IS DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING.

Other Mini Cooper S model years

Check your 2015 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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