NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 Mini Cooper Recalls & Complaints

The 2015 Mini Cooper has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 56 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. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2015 Mini Cooper owner complaints

Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mini Cooper, describing incidents dated January 15, 2015 to August 13, 2026.

Most-cited components

Engine 14 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 11 complaints
Electrical System 10 complaints
Power Train 10 complaints
Service Brakes 8 complaints
Unknown or Other 4 complaints

Of the 56 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 56 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11756726 · Filed August 13, 2026
Anytime the wipers are on and the speed is above 50 mph, this car periodically applies the brakes to keep the rotors dry. It's an automated system that BMW's and Mini's have. However, for some reason, the vehicle now pulls hard to the right, which veers the car into the other lane. The brake pads…
ODI #11749756 · Filed July 11, 2026
On my 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 Door (VIN: [XXX]), the driver's side halogen headlight suddenly stopped working. When I attempted to replace the bulb, I discovered that the headlight connector/pig tail had melted on one side, one of the electrical wires had burned completely through, and there was…
ODI #11691302 · Filed October 3, 2025
Selector lever wrongly not locked in park. Put up a code for transmission (egs). I believe it falls under the transmission control unit recall on mini coopers 2 door hardtop.

Read all 56 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2015 Mini Cooper in 2 investigations. 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
Audit Query AQ15-003: International Autos, Inc. / Mini Recall
Closed August 23, 2016

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 February 25, 2014 – June 2, 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.

Incorrect Capacity Information on Label/FMVSS 110

NHTSA #15V034000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported January 26, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 13,130 vehicles

Repair completion: 83.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified October 15, 2015 · Vehicles built December 1, 2013 – December 14, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop two door vehicles manufactured December 1, 2013, to December 14, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect maximum capacity weight stated on the Tire Information Placard. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."

Safety consequence

The maximum weight listed on the label is incorrect (too low) and therefore does not comply with Federal Regulations.

Manufacturer remedy

MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect labels with corrected labels, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notification on March 18, 2015. The recall began on October 15, 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.

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.

Seatback may Fold in Rear Impact Crash

NHTSA #14V721000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported November 10, 2014 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 846 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.98% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 29, 2014 · Vehicles built August 12, 2014 – September 2, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door vehicles manufactured August 12, 2014, to September 2, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seatback adjustment mechanism may not be fully engaged.

Safety consequence

If the seatback adjustment mechanism is not fully engaged, the seatback may fold during a rear impact collision, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Manufacturer remedy

MINI will notify owners, and dealers will re-align and re-tighten the seatback adjustment mechanisms, free of charge. The recall began December 29, 2014. 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 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

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

Unknown or Other; Service Brakes

ODI #11756726

Incident: August 13, 2026 · Filed: August 13, 2026

Anytime the wipers are on and the speed is above 50 mph, this car periodically applies the brakes to keep the rotors dry. It's an automated system that BMW's and Mini's have. However, for some reason, the vehicle now pulls hard to the right, which veers the car into the other lane. The brake pads and rotors are all new. The tires are new and the alignment is good. The brake fluid was just changed and bled. There is literally nothing wrong except for this bizarre system which is now only applying some brake pressure to the front right rotor. The car slows and pulls right suddenly without applying the brake lights. I'm worried I will get rear ended or side swipe somebody. I've resorted to using Rainx and not using the wipers or simply avoiding driving in the rain. This is a serious issue that should be a recall. Thank you!

Electrical System; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11749756

Incident: July 11, 2026 · Filed: July 11, 2026

On my 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 Door (VIN: [XXX]), the driver's side halogen headlight suddenly stopped working. When I attempted to replace the bulb, I discovered that the headlight connector/pig tail had melted on one side, one of the electrical wires had burned completely through, and there was a strong odor coming from the rear of the headlight assembly. This was not simply a burned-out bulb. The connector and wiring sustained heat damage that appears to have resulted from an electrical failure. Because of the melted connector, burned wiring, and strong burning small, I believe this created a potential fire hazard. It must be noted that there have not been any changes to the lighting or electrical system since purchasing my car and I am the first and only owner. I contacted my mini dealership and was informed that the connector is not available separately for my year, make, and model for my car and the only option is the purchase the entire headlight assembly. The cost for the assembly is $615 and while the exact charge for labor is not known at this time, from my experience, it will be between $200-$500. After researching his issue. I found reports from other MINI owners describing similar failures involved melted headlight connector and burned wiring on vehicles with halogen headlights. Based on these reports and my own experience, I am cornered this may represent a recurring safety-related defect rather than normal wear and tear. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can evaluate whether this issue warrants investigation. I have photographs documenting the melted connector, burned wiring, and resulting damage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Power Train

ODI #11691302

Incident: October 2, 2025 · Filed: October 3, 2025

Selector lever wrongly not locked in park. Put up a code for transmission (egs). I believe it falls under the transmission control unit recall on mini coopers 2 door hardtop.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11644422

Incident: February 22, 2025 · Filed: February 23, 2025

Lower Engine Support and Passenger Engine Mount damaged as per routine inspection by dealer in Feb2025. Never diagnosed before. Repair done by independent service center in Feb2025 and I have receipt of approximately 1K. Also, since 22feb2025, I am not able to add fuel to the tank because the pump stops constantly and causes spill of fuel. This can cause fire. Never happened before. Tried at least 4 different gas station and same result. Dealer charges over $200 to perform inspection/diagnostics. Not done yet. Repairs to fuel tank are in the thousands. No warning in the car dashboard for none of the issues. Car with less than 80k miles.

Visibility

ODI #11606822

Incident: July 22, 2024 · Filed: August 6, 2024

While driving the rear view mirror suddenly tilted downward (drooped). What happened, was that the tension ring popped off. As it turns out, this is a known issue per internet Mini Cooper pages. On hot days the ring loosens and, since the design does not include anything to prevent the ring from sliding off, it does slide off, resulting in the rear view mirror drooping. I reinstalled the ring. This occurred again the next day. I ended up uninstalling the rear view mirror, reinstalling the ring and gluing it in place. Thus far this has held.

Visibility

ODI #11594817

Incident: June 16, 2024 · Filed: June 17, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear convertible glass suddenly separated from the convertible compartment and fell on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The contact stated that while searching online, he became aware that the failure had been a very well-known failure since 2017 with similar vehicles. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

Electrical System

ODI #11569480

Incident: September 13, 2023 · Filed: February 2, 2024

The sensors do not work. The car does not tell me when oil is needed, when my tires are low. No sensors work in the car. The dealer, Mini Of Edison, states FOUND INTERNAL HARDWARE FAULTS. But are stating its costs 2300.00 to fix. This is a huge safety issue.Ive been having to guess when my oil is low and when my tires are low. This has been going on since September 2023, the car was only bought in May 2023.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11552838

Incident: October 4, 2023 · Filed: October 31, 2023

The fuel filling nozzle turns off repeatedly while trying to fill the fuel tank and spills out causing a safety and environmental hazard, regardless of the pump being used. As a result, no fuel goes into the gas tank, instead it goes all over the car and the ground.

Suspension

ODI #11552701

Incident: October 16, 2023 · Filed: October 30, 2023

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHINGS How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? CONSTANT CREAKING AND CLUNKING OF FRONT SUSPENSION Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR AND GENERATION HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NOT YET Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO

Service Brakes

ODI #11551994

Incident: August 4, 2023 · Filed: October 26, 2023

Without any warning lamps,The vehicle started pulling left when the brakes were applied a certified mechanic looked at it and feels that is the due to a defective DSC/ABS control unit. The unit hasn't been otherwise inspected but is available for inspection

Other Mini Cooper model years

Check your 2015 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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