NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Mini Cooper Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 Mini Cooper has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 66 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 2012 Mini Cooper. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2012 Mini Cooper owner complaints

Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mini Cooper, describing incidents dated February 28, 2012 to May 24, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 28 complaints
  • Engine 18 complaints
  • Air Bags 12 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 8 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 5 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints

Of the 66 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 7 a fire; across all 66 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11750905 · Filed

    This vin waa not included in a recall however had recall issues it obtained water in the footwell which mini has a recall issue for this and the car was caught on fire it is at the dealership in [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  • ODI #11739897 · Filed

    ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT. The electronic module in the driver side footwell area may short circuit. when I unlock the car or try to start, I hear loud electrical SHORT CIRCUIT noises coming out of the seating area. I am afraid to even unlock the car, and fear car might catch fire.

  • ODI #11715494 · Filed

    The electronic control module in the driver’s side footwell short-circuit, battery and electrical in the car are being drained and car does not work properly and completely drains battery.

Read all 66 complaints

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.

Other Mini Cooper model years

Check your 2012 Mini Cooper VIN

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

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