MINI Cooper S years to avoid
More than twice the Cooper S's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best MINI Cooper S years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
MINI Cooper S complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common MINI Cooper S problems
All model years combined.
- Steering669
- Engine524
- Airbags260
- Electrical173
- Transmission115
- Visibility70
- Fuel system55
- Seats40
- Brakes28
- Body28
- Acceleration26
- Seat belts24
Most reported problems on the MINI Cooper S
MINI Cooper S problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | - | 4 | Brakes | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | - | 1 | Engine | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | 95 | 1 | Electrical | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 93 | 5 | Engine | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2019 | 93 | 5 | Electrical | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2017 | 92 | 6 | Brakes | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2016 | 81 | 10 | Engine | 43,000 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 82 | 18 | Engine | 42,621 | 4 | 0 | Fewest complaints |
| 2014 | 86 | 13 | Transmission | 25,000 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 78 | 24 | Electrical | 49,400 | 1 | 1 | Fewest complaints |
| 2012 | 81 | 23 | Electrical | 86,000 | 2 | 0 | Fewest complaints |
| 2011 | 69 | 31 | Engine | 70,000 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 48 | 59 | Engine | 64,000 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 25 | 119 | Engine | 52,124 | 3 | 2 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 12 | 168 | Engine | 53,600 | 4 | 1 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 5 | 249 | Engine | 52,000 | 4 | 2 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 10 | 186 | Airbags | 55,000 | 1 | 4 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 5 | 314 | Steering | 66,000 | 2 | 6 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 5 | 247 | Steering | 74,000 | 2 | 7 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 5 | 217 | Steering | 70,000 | 2 | 11 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 39 | 83 | Steering | 75,415 | 1 | 3 | Avoid |
Recalls 23
Questions about the MINI Cooper S
What years of the MINI Cooper S should you avoid?
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Each has more than twice the MINI Cooper S's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2005 alone has 314, mostly about steering and airbags.
What is the best year for a used MINI Cooper S?
2015, 2012 and 2013 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (18, 23 and 24).
What is the most common problem with the MINI Cooper S?
Steering, with 669 complaints across all years, followed by engine (524) and airbags (260).
How many recalls does the MINI Cooper S have?
23 recalls between 2002 and 2025. The 2015 model year has the most, with 4.
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