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2020 MINI Cooper S problems

The most common problem on the 2020 MINI Cooper S is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical Cooper S model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
93/100
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
68
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
26-29mpg

The worst 2020 MINI Cooper S problems

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

  • Engine
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Steering
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Visibility
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 2

Air bags: side/window: curtainReported May 20, 2020 · 76 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, in the event of a rollover crash, the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners and other safety systems, may not activate.
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.

Recall number 20V283000 · Recall details

StructureReported August 28, 2019 · 683 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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
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.

Recall number 19V634000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2020 MINI Cooper S

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 MINI Cooper S 68

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

See all 68 bulletins for the 2020 MINI Cooper S

2020 MINI Cooper S fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD263429
2.0L 4‑cylAWD233226

What 2020 MINI Cooper S owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 25, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · IL · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Mar 13, 2025 · Steering · 25,500 miles · PA

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.

Filed Mar 18, 2021 · Wheels · 8,028 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jun 23, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 1,400 miles · TX

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.

Filed Dec 19, 2019 · Visibility · 10 miles · FL

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.

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Questions about the 2020 MINI Cooper S

Is the 2020 MINI Cooper S reliable?

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2020 MINI Cooper S, fewer than a typical Cooper S model year.

What is the 2020 MINI Cooper S year score?

The 2020 MINI Cooper S scores 93 out of 100 (good). 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 2020 MINI Cooper S?

Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is acceleration (1).

How many recalls does the 2020 MINI Cooper S have?

2 recalls, covering air bags and structure.

What gas mileage does the 2020 MINI Cooper S get?

Official estimates for the 2020 MINI Cooper S range from 26 to 29 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 26 city and 34 highway.

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