2020 MINI Cooper S

Recalls

2 recalls name the 2020 MINI Cooper S. Newest first.

• Air bags

  May 20, 2020NHTSA 20V28300076 vehicles

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door (Cooper and Cooper S) vehicles. Due to a problem with the rollover sensor within the air bag control unit…

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  If the safety systems do not deploy as intended in a roll over crash, it may increase the risk of injury.

  Remedy

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

  Full recall details →

• Structure

  Aug 28, 2019NHTSA 19V634000683 vehicles

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW vehicles. The rear side trim panels may have been assembled without a crash pad. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  Without a crash pad, rear seat passengers would have an increased risk of injury in the event of a side impact crash.

  Remedy

  MINI will notify owners, and MINI dealers will install crash pads, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Engine2
2. Service brakes1
3. Electrical system1
4. Vehicle speed control1
5. Visibility/wiper1
6. Wheels1
7. Steering1

Latest complaints

• Jun 25, 2025ILCrash1 injury
  Engine · Service brakes · Vehicle speed control

  I was pulling into a parking spot slowly and all of the sudden the car took off and took off and I couldn’t stop and when I tried to sped hard on the break it wouldn’t work and I lost control and my car wouldn’t stop until it crashed into another vehicle that was sitting in another parking spot.

• Mar 13, 2025PA25,500 mi
  Steering
  The contact owns a 2020 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering feature malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering pump had failed…

  The contact owns a 2020 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering feature malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 25,500. The VIN was not available.

• Mar 18, 2021NY8,028 mi
  Wheels

  The tires on this vehicle have blown out 3 times in the 9 months we have owned this car. Another tire (a fourth incident) had a bubble that was replaced before it blew out. All incidents were separate times. The dealer and BMW will do nothing. All blow outs were on the highway traveling about 60 mph.

• Jun 23, 2020TX1,400 mi
  Electrical system · Engine
  During a rain shower, drove at about 15mph into roughly 4" of water gathered on the shoulder of an access road adjacent to the highway and the engine stalled. would not restart. Puddle of water was not high enough to breach the cabin - running boards were still above water and the curb adjacent to…

  During a rain shower, drove at about 15mph into roughly 4" of water gathered on the shoulder of an access road adjacent to the highway and the engine stalled. would not restart. Puddle of water was not high enough to breach the cabin - running boards were still above water and the curb adjacent to the street was not submerged. Car would not start and transmission locked up. BMW roadside assistance contacted and advised not to start; tow truck had difficulty loading onto the flatbed because the electrical system had malfunctioned in the electric convertible top and was overriding the ability to put the car into neutral. *Tr

• Dec 19, 2019FL10 mi
  Visibility/wiper
  When sitting in drivers seat ( I am 5FT. 1 in tall) and the convertible top IS open, I can not see through the rear view mira because the convertible top folded IS blocking my vision. my seat IS at highest position. just as point of reference I had a 2012 MINI conv. And this was not a problem.…

  When sitting in drivers seat ( I am 5FT. 1 in tall) and the convertible top IS open, I can not see through the rear view mira because the convertible top folded IS blocking my vision. my seat IS at highest position. just as point of reference I had a 2012 MINI conv. And this was not a problem. because of this I had to take the car back to the dealer and get another vehicle which cost me in excess of $5000 as my 3 day old car was considered used with 91 miles on it. my husband who IS 5'9" tall tried it and had some visibility but very limited. this IS a dangerous thing and should have been corrected by MINI. either the mechanism or the fabric used has to be changed to allow the top to retract out of sight. this does not matter if you are moving or standing still, and could cause the drive to easily have an accident because they can't see what IS behind them.

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.

• 10252037During inspection and/or diagnosis there is noticeable dirt/grease buildup on the axles near the inner and/or outer CV boots.
• 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.
• 10242535?The panoramic roof sunblind does not close, or jams while closing.
• 10242534?BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop: REPLACE CHARGE AIR LINE.
• 10238095Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.
• 10234353The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to a production error, the telematics control units were delivered without an IMS configuration. The Connected Drive voice services (Concierge Call, MINI Assistance and emergency call voice) can no longer be used regionally in the US in vehicle with telematics control units ATM-1 and TCB-4G. Voice control of the vehicle and all other telephone (paired mobile devices) functions are not affected. Emergency call location data is unaffected.
• 10234352The buttons on the gear selector switch (GWS) do not work, or the function indicator lighting has failed.
• 10234351Oscillations in the electric drive can occur. As a result, the 12 V positive battery cable may rub against the battery box cover.
• 10233170Ambient lighting changes color after the vehicle goes to sleep.
• 10228447During the service life of the vehicle, the high-voltage battery may unexpectedly not provide power to the vehicle.
• 10228446It is possible that the guide stem (aka rotational axis) on the wind deflector can break, upon removal and or during installation.
• 10228445During a vehicle inspection and/or while addressing a customer's concern, the engine stabilizer bar/link appears to be worn.
• 10225134Due to a production error, the telematics control units were delivered without an IMS configuration. The Connected Drive voice services (Concierge Call, MINI Assistance and emergency call voice) can no longer be used regionally in the US in vehicle with telematics control units ATM-1 and TCB-4G. Voice control of the vehicle and all other telephone (paired mobile devices) functions are not affected. Emergency call location data is unaffected.
• 10214994Mist formation on the windscreen inner surface may occur at departure or after MSA (automaticstart/stop). Acoustic abnormality in the area of the recirculated air flap (recirculation flap closing and opening several times). The above may occur individually or in combination.
• 10214993The following complaints may be noticed while slow maneuvering with a steering input of 80-100% (at or near full lock, e.g., parking lot maneuvers) or accelerating with a medium to large steering angle: Humming or creaking noises from the rear area; slight vibrations, also noticeable from the driver's seat; the vehicle may also jerk slightly.
• 10214271The Check Control message "Door open" appears in the instrument cluster (Kombi) even though all vehicle doors are securely closed and locked.
• 10212534Vehicles with total mileage below approx. 12,500 may experience premature wear of the left rear brakes. In some cases, there also may be visible damage due to thermal overload.
• 10206757Any or all of the following CCM ID code 14/15/16/17 door open appear in the instrument cluster when the door is properly closed and locked. The locking operation of the door is not affected by the incorrect display.
• 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.
• 10206695When the vehicle is on a lift and wheels are manually spun, a clanking noise is heard from the transmission area.
• 10206694In situations when the fuel tank vent line becomes blocked, the on-board diagnosis (OBD) may not detect the blockage.
• 10204665The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT came in vehicles with option 609. This uses map North America NEXT. The Headunit High 2 (HU-H2), also called NBT-EVO, superseded the NBT HU and came in vehicles with option code 609. This uses map North America EVO. The ENTRY Media/Navigation (HU-B) is the low line business version of the navigation system and came in vehicles with option 6UM. This uses map North America ROUTE. The ENTRY NAV EVO (HU-B2) replaced Entry Media/Navigation as the low-line business version and came in vehicles with option code 609 or 6NP . This uses map North America WAY.
• 10204664Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vents).
• 10201152Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vent). The following fault code is saved in the IHKA (integrated automatic heating/air conditioning system) control unit: 801189 - Engine mixed air right: Initialization fault.
• 10200492SERVICE ACTION 0041080200: MINI F54 RIGHT FRONT DOOR: Due to a fault in the press shop, there may be a crack in the inner door panel of the front right door in the area of the window frame.
• 10200491Creaking Noise When Cornering: A creaking noise is heard from the front end of the vehicle while cornering (predominantly left turns)
• 10200252A groaning and/or squeaking noise from the front axle occurs when turning at low speeds or idle
• 10194312ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) CANNOT BE ACTIVATED: After the recent software update, the cruise control cannot be activated.
• 10190871REPLACING THE CELL MODULE OF HIGHVOLTAGE BATTERY: During the service life of the vehicle, the high-voltage battery may unexpectedly not provide power to the vehicle.
• 10190870CLICKING NOISE IN VEHICLE INTERIOR DURING CHARGING: Clicking noise from the interior passenger side footwell when the vehicle is being charged, with the air conditioning running at the same time.
• 10186896?REPLACING THE CELL MODULE OF HIGHVOLTAGE BATTERY: During the service life of the vehicle, the high-voltage battery may unexpectedly not provide power to the vehicle. The high-voltage battery cells may not have been produced according to specifications.
• 10186234?REPLACING THE CELL MODULE OF HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY: During the service life of the vehicle, the high-voltage battery may unexpectedly not provide power to the vehicle. The high-voltage battery cells may not have been produced according to specifications.
• 10184597NOISE DURING FORWARD / BACK SEAT ADJUSTMENT OVER THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF TRAVEL: A loud screeching noise can be heard from the front driver's or passenger's seat during forward/back seat adjustment.
• 10182928CONDENSATION FROM AIR CONDITIONING LEAKS INTO PASSENGER FOOTWELL: Condensation from the air conditioning systems evaporator drips, below the instrument panel, into the passenger's footwell. During assembly, the cover of the fresh air intake was not fully seated when the screws were tightened. This cover can then leak condensation out through the existing gap.
• 10182927BUZZING NOISE IS HEARD WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS DEACTIVATED: A buzzing noise is heard when the air conditioning (A/C) is deactivated while the vehicle is in park or neutral. Prior to turning off the A/C, the system was functional and cooling properly. A/C compressor, or The power supply to the A/C compressor is too low.
• 10182926SERVICE ACTION - F60 TAILGATE HANDLE STRIP: The incorrect tailgate handle strip may have been installed during production.
• 10182925SERVICE ACTION - MOUNTING THE OIL FILLER CAP CORRECTLY: The oil filler cap may not be mounted correctly. The cap was not installed correctly during assembly.
• 10182629CONDENSATION FROM AIR CONDITIONING LEAKS INTO PASSENGER FOOTWELL: Condensation from the air conditioning systems evaporator drips, below the instrument panel, into the passenger's footwell. During assembly, the cover of the fresh air intake was not fully seated when the screws were tightened. This cover can then leak condensation out through the existing gap.
• 10182628BUZZING NOISE IS HEARD WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS DEACTIVATED: A buzzing noise is heard when the air conditioning (A/C) is deactivated while the vehicle is in park or neutral. Prior to turning off the A/C, the system was functional and cooling properly. A/C compressor, or The power supply to the A/C compressor is too low.
• 10182627SERVICE ACTION - F60 TAILGATE HANDLE STRIP: The incorrect tailgate handle strip may have been installed during production.

Every MINI Cooper S model year

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