2012 MINI Cooper Coupe

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Engine3
2. Electrical system3
3. Electronic stability control (esc)1
4. Air bags1
5. Engine and engine cooling1
6. Seat belts1
7. Service brakes1

Latest complaints

• Oct 20, 2026FL105,000 miFire2 injuries
  Electrical system · Engine

  I was driving and went to brake, but the car wouldn't respond. To avoid hitting another car, I swerved sharply and went up onto the curb. The car started smoking and caught fire.

• Feb 3, 2026TX55,000 mi
  Engine and engine cooling
  The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. While inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered that cylinder #4 coil was charred, melted, and smoking, and the ECU was…

  The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. While inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered that cylinder #4 coil was charred, melted, and smoking, and the ECU was damaged. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic, who determined that the failure was caused by an inoperable electronic auxiliary water pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 55,000.

• Oct 30, 2024MO
  Seat belts
  Seatbelt restraint has been inspected by a mechanic and a computer was connected for electronic fault codes. No codes were discovered, yet the car displaces a seatbelt restraint malfunction and request it be inspected at the nearest dealership. It also displays the seatbelt connection alert and…

  Seatbelt restraint has been inspected by a mechanic and a computer was connected for electronic fault codes. No codes were discovered, yet the car displaces a seatbelt restraint malfunction and request it be inspected at the nearest dealership. It also displays the seatbelt connection alert and sounds the alert buzzer. Mechanics find no issues or default codes I have personally inspected the components and had them replaced with not result

• Sep 16, 2024WIFire
  Electrical system
  On Sunday, [XXX] I drove my car 34 miles to [XXX] . I parked right around 9:30am. Around 3:30pm we were getting ready to leave the track and we noticed smoke coming from my car. A friend told me to pop the hood but when I reached down to pull the release the area was in flames. Safety teams and the…

  On Sunday, [XXX] I drove my car 34 miles to [XXX] . I parked right around 9:30am. Around 3:30pm we were getting ready to leave the track and we noticed smoke coming from my car. A friend told me to pop the hood but when I reached down to pull the release the area was in flames. Safety teams and the fire department were able to get the fire out before it got completely out of control. The car was towed to the Mini dealer in Madison, WI and the insurance adjuster said it was an electrical defect not covered by insurance. As I did more checking on things, I found that my make and model car had a recall for the same issue, only in Canada. I really don't understand how it could be recalled there, but not here (especially in WI where the road/weather conditions are basically the same as in Canada). I now have a dead car with an estimate for $30K worth of work that the insurance company, nor Mini will do anything about. I have owned the car since it was brand new and have kept it in great condition, making sure to follow the service and maintenance schedules. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• Jun 13, 2019FL
  Engine

  It's something going on with the engine and the engine cooling system and with alot of stuff with this car I get one thing fix in two more things go wrong with it just having so many problems with this vehicle.

• Feb 13, 2016CA17,800 mi
  Electrical system · Electronic stability control (esc) · Service brakes

  Traction control and brake warning lights come on at start up and do not turn off. problem IS intermittent at this time. dealer reports that it IS the szl module (steering angle sensor) IS failing. BMW issued a service bulletin on the 2006 5 and 6 series for this same sensor. reading the MINI forums this seems to be a fairly common problem. car has 17,800 miles

• Feb 4, 2015MN2,000 mi
  Engine
  In weather below zero f when the car IS left outside for over 8 hours the engine sometimes starts in "limp" mode and does not allow full power until fully warmed up. This can take over 10 miles of driving, idling alone does not warm up the engine very quickly in below zero weather and limp mode.…

  In weather below zero f when the car IS left outside for over 8 hours the engine sometimes starts in "limp" mode and does not allow full power until fully warmed up. This can take over 10 miles of driving, idling alone does not warm up the engine very quickly in below zero weather and limp mode. The danger IS that limp mode IS very limited to engine power and one becomes a hazard to others when sharing the road. In the climate I live in this occurs a few times a winter. The dealership has not come up with a solution. My 2007 model was retro fitted with a revised intake and that resolved the issue, but no such fix has been offered. *tr

• Oct 11, 2012FL2,500 mi
  Air bags

  TL* the contact owns a 2012 MINI cooper. The contact stated that while the vehicle was occupied by a passenger the air bag light illuminated as if there were no passenger present. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure mileage was 2,500 and the current mileage was 3,000.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10244507MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. Breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system can have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. For this reason, a battery replacement will permanently eliminate the problem only in the rarest of cases. The energy diagnosis test module helps to localize these causes. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of a discharged battery cannot be identified. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time, it is very important that the diagnostic test plan is performed to completion; with all results taken into consideration.
• 10216755N18 engine high pressure fuel pump (hdp): limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles
• 10206696New RDC wheel electronics will be introduced with future generation MINI models. The new wheel electronics are identified as Huf Generation 5. These new wheel electronics will need to be programmed using the new tool when replaced or when depressurized (0 psi) for more than 2 minutes.
• 10179827OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT - LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES: Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension For the above-referenced vehicles, MINI USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC (MINI USA) is extending the limited warranty for the front passenger's OC3 seat occupancy mat (shown) to: 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date.
• 10171506CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N14 HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HDP) SERVICE BENEFIT CLASS VEHICLES: The MINI vehicle may experience a sudden engine operational failure reduced or loss of power while driving and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may be illuminated along with high-pressure fuel pumprelated faults stored in the Engine Control Module (DME). PROCEDURE Perform the corresponding diagnosis/vehicle test and run the test plans to completion as applicable.
• 10162461Air Conditioning System Leak Testing. The customer complains of poor or no air conditioning cooling. After further diagnosis, the system is found to be low or empty of a refrigerant charge, but when using an electronic leak detector, no leak can be found. CAUSE: In most cases, an electronic leak detector is not sufficient for identifying small leaks in the system. Electronic leak detectors can give false alarms and can lead to an improper diagnosis of small leaks. A leak cannot be located exactly if accessibility is impaired (in the case of the expansion valve, evaporator or condenser).
• 10162442"Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts, which can cause an inaccurate engine temperature reading. This false reading could lead to difficulty in the engine starting and/or a ""Service Engine Soon"" lamp being illuminated."
• 10160298N18 THERMOSTAT WITH THERMOSTAT HOUSING: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/ This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 02 18 dated May 2018.
• 10160229N18 THERMOSTAT WITH THERMOSTAT HOUSING: LIMITED WARRANTYEXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/ This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 02 18 dated May 2018.
• 10159154N16 ENGINE IGNITION COILS: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120000 MILES This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 08 17 dated February 2018.
• 10153778OC3 seat occupancy mat: limited warranty extension to 10 years/120.
• 10152680"MANUAL TRANSMISSION - STIFF DIAGONAL GEARSHIFT LEVER MOVEMENT. The customer may complain of a ""stiff diagonal shift"" (e.g., N-R, R-N, 2-3/3-2 or 4-5/5-4). Also, in some cases, gears cannot be selected, or the selector gear does not go into the neutral position. CAUSE 1. The deflection lever circlip of the gearshift mechanism is damaged or missing. 2. Possible corrosion at the gearshift mechanism (shift cables or transmission gearshift unit)"
• 10152335Brake Fluid Maintenance Service: 36-Month Interval. The CBS displays the first brake fluid service as a 36-month interval from the date of production, instead of the appropriate 24-month interval. Only vehicles within the specified production range can be serviced and covered by this bulletin. For vehicles outside of the production range specified in this bulletin, refer to the CBS and/or Key Read information for the brake fluid service.
• 10151349Bluetooth Connection Failures This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M84 01 14 dated February 2016.. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. Contact List incomplete General connection failures Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its variants) Samsung S6 and S6 Edge device firmware
• 10151347Delay in Automatic Driving Light Switching on/off. When driving out of a tunnel or exiting underground parking, the automatic driving light remains switched on for two minutes. Shut-off period varies based on detected situation. This is normal operational behavior.
• 10151345Engine Misfire Due to Failed Ignition Coil This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M12 01 15 dated March 2016.. The Check Engine or Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is on with misfire fault(s) stored in the DME. Intermittent performance or rough running without a relevant DME fault stored The most likely cause is that an ignition coil has failed, which in many cases can be confirmed with basic diagnosis. During operation with high temperature fluctuations, the different materials used in the Bosch ignition coil construction can deteriorate over time, leading to a failure.
• 10151221"N18 Engine High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HDP): Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years/120,000 Miles. For the above-referenced vehicles, MINI USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC (""MINI USA"") is extending the limited warranty for the engine's High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HDP) to: 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date Item #1: This ""componentspecific"" limited warranty extension applies to defects in materials and workmanship and is subject to the applicable vehicle and coverage eligibility requirements, exclusions and limitations that apply to the New MINI Passenger Car Limited Warranty. Important Note: This limited warranty extension only applies to the listed vehicles produced up to and including 2/29/2012 (Leap year). Vehicles produced on or after 3/1/2012 are fitted with different equipment. This bulletin is notice of a ""limited warranty extension."" This is NOT a notice of a Recall or Service Action. There is no immediate repair required unless the MINI vehicle is currently experiencing this problem. Even though this is NOT a Recall, MINI USA will be sending VIN-specific customer notification letters in a phased release."
• 10151060This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M84 01 14 dated November 2014. SUBJECT Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: z Apple iPhones z Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: z Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. z Contact List incomplete z General connection failures z Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its variants) z Samsung S6 and S6 Edge device firmware
• 10150985?OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES. This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 01 11 16 dated December 2016.
• 10150399"Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts, which can cause an inaccurate engine temperature reading. This false reading could lead to difficulty in the engine starting and/or a ""Service Engine Soon"" lamp being illuminated."
• 10150356"Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed. MINI electrical systems and advancements in vehicle technology have resulted in an increased demand on the vehicle battery. This SI will help the dealer handle ""discharged battery"" complaints. A discharged battery can have various causes, most unrelated to the battery. A failed battery is often the symptom and not the cause. A fully serviceable battery fails when an electrical component causes the battery to discharge; the battery becomes internally damaged and must be replaced. For more information, refer to http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-42B.htm. For this reason, replacing the battery is not usually a permanent repair. The cause of the discharged battery must be analyzed in order to guarantee a proper repair. To properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, the diagnostic test plans must be performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. The procedure below will guide the technician to properly repairing the vehicle and getting paid for a warranty claim. CAUSE Discharged battery."
• 10150355Rattling Noise from the Tailgate. A rattling noise may be heard from the tailgate area when driving on rough roads. CAUSE The felt strip on the lower bump stop is either mis-shaped or missing.
• 10150353"Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts, which can cause an inaccurate engine temperature reading. This false reading could lead to difficulty in the engine starting and/or a ""Service Engine Soon"" lamp being illuminated."
• 10150352"Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts, which can cause an inaccurate engine temperature reading. This false reading could lead to difficulty in the engine starting and/or a ""Service Engine Soon"" lamp being illuminated."
• 10150351"Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts, which can cause an inaccurate engine temperature reading. This false reading could lead to difficulty in the engine starting and/or a ""Service Engine Soon"" lamp being illuminated."
• 10150347During Engine Oil Service a Small O-Ring Is Found in the Oil Filter Housing. No customer complaint has been received. During the scheduled engine oil service, the technician notices a black rubber o-ring lying on the bottom of the engine oil filter housing. The o-ring has been dislodged from the non-return valve inside the engine oil filter housing. No subsequent engine damage occurs from the dislodged o-ring. Engine oil filter housing (1) Rubber o-ring (2) The material dimensions of the rubber o-ring are not satisfactory, allowing it to become dislodged from its installation location.
• 10150309Squeaking Noise from Front Seat. A noise may be heard from the front driver's seat back when the customer applies sideways pressure during cornering. CAUSE Surface corrosion on the metal seat back frame can make a squeaking noise when rubbing against the foam rubber padding of the seat back.
• 10150308Bonnet Lock Difficult to Open or Close. The bonnet lock fails to operate correctly and is difficult to open or close. CAUSE Corrosion in the bonnet lock assembly
• 10150306"Erroneous ""Service due"" Message Though Brake Lining Thickness Sufficient. The CBS data calculated for the remaining distance of the front and/or rear brake pads does not agree with the actual brake pad thickness. The yellow brake lining service due indicator illuminates even though the pad thickness is greater than the minimum wear limit (approximately 3.7 mm); the brake wear sensor has not yet been activated (from a thickness of approx. 4.2 mm). In some cases, the red warning message may already be active. The CBS front/rear brake display is based on a mathematical calculation. Various influences are incorporated into this calculation (for example, vehicle speed, brake pressure, and rotor temperature). Due to changing driving characteristics and/or unfavorable environmental conditions, the calculated remaining distance may differ from actual pad thickness."
• 10150305Adjusting Rear Camber. Rear camber cannot be adjusted properly. CAUSE Repair instructions not followed properly
• 10150269Intermittent Humming or Buzzing Noise from Speedometer. When the vehicle is decelerating, an intermittent humming or buzzing noise coming from the instrument cluster may be heard when the speedometer needle is between 0 and 12 mph. Hardware error in the instrument cluster
• 10150241Incorrect Customer Relations Telephone Number Is Saved in the Vehicle. The customer is not connected to MINI Customer Relations after dialing the number displayed in the vehicle Kombi or radio. CAUSE During the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI), the incorrect telephone number is being written into the vehicle. INFORMATION 1. When performing the PDI test plan, it is extremely important that you select MINI if the ISID is configured for both BMW and MINI. 2. After completion of the PDI test plan, verify that the customer relations number stored in the vehicle is correct. 3. The correct customer relations phone number is 1(866) 275-6464. 4. If the number stored in the vehicle is incorrect and the correct test plan was used, contact your 3g Administrator and have him or her verify the number stored in the ISID. 5.This picture shows the correct number stored in the Combox control unit. Note: To read out telephone number:
• 10150239Brake Fluid Maintenance Service: 36-Month Interval. The CBS displays the first brake fluid service as a 36-month interval from the date of production, instead of the appropriate 24-month interval.
• 10150238"N14 and N18 Engine: High-pressure Pump Repair Instruction. INFORMATION The current version of ISTA/D Repair Instruction 13 51 017, ""Removing and installing or replacing high-pressure pump (N14, N18)"" has a procedure error. The current version of the Repair Instruction states to replace the highpressure supply hose on the N14 engine. The Repair Instruction also states not to replace the high-pressure supply hose on the N18 engine. The N18 portion of the Repair Instruction is incorrect. As an interim solution, follow the procedure outlined below until this portion of the Repair Instruction is corrected. https://www.minitis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/15601.2.M130113... 8/30/2013 Page 2 of 2 All vehicles equipped with the N18 engine and produced from 3/2012 and later. When the engine is fitted with a Bosch High-pressure Pump (1) the highpressure supply hose (2) MUST NOT be replaced when making repairs. The remaining portion of the Repair Instruction and tightning torques are correct. Refer to EPC for the applicable part numbers when making repairs. "
• 10150237?N18 Engine: FC 2BF2 Rail Pressure Sensor Is Stored in DME Fault Memory. The customer states that the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated and the following fault is stored in the DME: FC 2BF2 Rail pressure sensor, workspace: pressure too high CAUSE A DME calibration error in the fuel pressure diagnostics results in an increased sensitivity.
• 10150205"?SI M34 01 13 November 2013 BrakesTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 34 01 13 dated October 2013. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT Erroneous ""Service due"" Message Though Brake Lining Thickness Sufficient. The CBS data calculated for the remaining distance of the front and/or rear brake pads does not agree with the actual brake pad thickness. The yellow brake lining service due indicator illuminates even though the pad thickness is greater than the minimum wear limit (approximately 3.7 mm); the brake wear sensor has not yet been activated (from a thickness of approx. 4.2 mm). In some cases, the red warning message may already be active. The CBS front/rear brake display is based on a mathematical calculation. Various influences are incorporated into this calculation (for example, vehicle speed, brake pressure, and rotor temperature). Due to changing driving characteristics and/or unfavorable environmental conditions, the calculated remaining distance may differ from actual pad thickness."
• 10150203N16 Engine: FC 2D9B Knock Sensor, Signal Is Stored in the DME. Certain areas of the US experience extremely cold climate conditions during the winter months, which can cause the Service Engine Soon lamp to illuminate while the engine temperature is increasing to full operating temperature. The following fault may be stored in the DME: ??FC 2D9B Knock Sensor, Signal CAUSE Unfavorable DME knock sensor diagnostic at outside ambient temperatures below -5 C
• 10150148Basic SVS: Voice Recognition Inoperative After Programming. After programming the vehicle with ISTA/P 2.48.x, the voice recognition (Basic SVS) is inoperative. NOTE: The Basic SVS only includes voice recognition for phone functions. Error in the coding data of ISTA/P 2.48.x The voice recognition function is unintentionally deactivated.
• 10150147"CHAMP2: Stored Radio Stations Deleted After Ignition Off. After ignition off, the stored radio stations (AM/FM and Satellite radio) are no longer available in: * Menu ""PRESETS"" * Preset buttons on the head unit Hardware error in the CHAMP2 head unit"
• 10150146Active Rear Spoiler Does Not Retract. Loose wiring connector at rear spoiler drive motor

Every MINI Cooper Coupe model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.