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2013 MINI Cooper S problems

The most common problem on the 2013 MINI Cooper S is electrical system. It has fewer complaints than a typical Cooper S model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
78/100
Owner complaints
24
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
140
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
29mpg

The worst 2013 MINI Cooper S problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Electrical
    9
  • Engine
    7
  • Airbags
    4
  • Transmission
    2
  • Brakes
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    9
  • Engine
    7
  • Airbags
    4
  • Transmission
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Electrical systemReported May 11, 2023 · 97,933 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.

Recall number 23V337000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2013 MINI Cooper S

Technical service bulletins for the 2013 MINI Cooper S 140

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 140 bulletins for the 2013 MINI Cooper S

2013 MINI Cooper S fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.6L 4‑cylFWD263429

What 2013 MINI Cooper S owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 16, 2025 · Suspension · WA

I purchased a vehicle 2013 mini Cooper hardtop S r56 from Chevy Nissan of Walla Walla on [XXX]. During the transaction, I was misled and not provided truthful information regarding the vehicle’s condition and terms of sale. 1. I was charged for services and items I explicitly did not want or agree to. When I first was looking at the car before purchasing, the salesman, Coby, informed me that the tires were filled with nitrogen. I had no clue what that meant and I asked him if I was required to keep that in the tires do I ?” Coby told me no I was relieved since I knew nothing of nitrogen in tires nor do I know where to get it. Despite my objections, a $299 membership charge was added and activated fraudulently, and I was not properly informed beforehand. This charge was for a one year membership to Nitrofil. No one spoke to me regarding a yearly membership costing $299. It was snuck in on the entire paperwork and charged to me as well simeone activating the membership without my knowledge as well so therefore it could not be canceled. The only place in town that has nitrogen for tires is this dealership, Chevy Nissan of Walla Walla.2. “Failure to Repair Under Implied Warranty:** Within 30 days of purchase, (actually 2 1/2 weeks of me purchasing the vehicle, it developed issues to the back driver‘s tail light and reverse light sockets, not the bulbs. Both were malfunctioning and showing up on my car’s computer/ dash. Neither worked. This was considered be a safety issue with the car. Seems how no one would be able to see a malfunctioning light if it was not lighting up and possibly causing an accident . Replacing of this part would have been covered under the implied warranty (per the Lemon Law). Chevy Nissan of Walla Walla was contacted multiple times to repair these issues, but they failed to do so within the legal timeframe. As a result, I had to purchase two replacement sockets and pay a mechanic $50 each time to replace them .and the dealership h INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

Filed May 7, 2025 · Electrical · OH

Water apparantly was going thru the sunroof and clogging the drains-- No water seeped into the car or from the roof-- It went through the interior of the car nor did it ever get into the vehicle floor so no way to even be aware of car accumlating water- This interior water damage nd destroyed the electronic system of the vehicle- Insured driver - my daughter was driving when car alarm and back door released while driving-- Windshield wipers stopped working and beeping noises continuelly came on! Damage to car 8K-- The same two door model and same year was in fact recalled for the same issue this year-

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 62,137 miles · IN

The contact called on behalf of the owner of the 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side window was inoperative. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the body control module and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,137.

Filed Apr 23, 2025 · Electrical · NH

Water leakage from the sunroof drains corroded the FRM module. Car is not driveable as the doors will not latch, lighting issues, windows don't function etc.. There is a recall for this but not for this vin #?

Filed Jan 6, 2025 · Electrical · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Oct 14, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

Yes my Mini Cooper 2013 I was just driving normal speed 35 to 40 miles per hour and all the sudden my engine has just quit and stopped running I was not in any danger or in a crash I was able to move my car off to the side of the road and unfortunately this was only the first time the second time was actually on the highway I was scared to death because I was actually came to a halt on the freeway but I was able to push my car off to the side and be out of Harm's Way my car is now parked in front of my house due to engine failure and I don't know what else to do but I saw this recall and I thought I would give you guys a shout and tell you what's wrong and the only thing I replace so far was a new fuel pump and unfortunately that was not the issue my car was still not run or start and now I noticed there is a broken seal in the air intake that looks like it needs to be replaced

Filed Oct 8, 2024 · Electrical · WA

Body control module (footwell module) controls the windows and blinkers. Recall was issued May 12, 2023 have filed with the federal safety agency several weeks ago with no response. This part has stopped working can't put windows down or use blinkers.

Filed Apr 5, 2024 · Electrical · CT

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Feb 9, 2024 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there were no high beam headlights or fog lights, and the power windows were inoperable. The due for service symbol was displayed. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2023 · Airbags · 61,180 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag and the seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken the BMW dealer and diagnosed with failed front driver's side door air bag sensor and a failed passenger occupancy sensor. The contact was informed that the front driver's side door air bag sensor and the passenger's occupancy sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred with the driver's side door air bag sensor. The vehicle was taken back to the BMW dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a faulty front driver's side door air bag sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a Mini dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a Mini dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 61,180. The consumer stated that during the last diagnostic check on at the last dealership, it was found that the vehicle had a leaking valve cover gasket, coolant was leaking, as well was the thermostat needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to Mini who contacted silver rock for approval of gasket and coolant repairs, but the items were not covered under the warranty contract.

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Questions about the 2013 MINI Cooper S

Is the 2013 MINI Cooper S reliable?

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2013 MINI Cooper S, fewer than a typical Cooper S model year.

What is the 2013 MINI Cooper S year score?

The 2013 MINI Cooper S scores 78 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the MINI Cooper S: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 MINI Cooper S?

Electrical system, with 9 complaints. Next is engine (7).

How many recalls does the 2013 MINI Cooper S have?

1 recall, covering electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2013 MINI Cooper S electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 23V337000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the MINI Cooper S have the most electrical problems?

The MINI Cooper S model years with the most electrical complaints are 2005 (23 complaints), 2006 (23 complaints) and 2004 (19 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2013 MINI Cooper S get?

Official estimates for the 2013 MINI Cooper S range from 29 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 26 city and 34 highway.

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