MINI Cooper Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

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Safety Recall

The dealer refused to perform the required FRM recall inspection and denied the recall without providing any of the federally required documentation. I was forced to pay out‑of‑pocket for the FRM module replacement even though my VIN is listed under the safety recall. MINI of Murray stated my FRM “failed,” but admitted they never opened the module, which is required to determine internal moisture intrusion. • The Service Manager stated they based their denial on “carpet and headliner moisture,” which is not part of the FRM recall inspection procedure. • I requested the FRM inspection report, photos, and the MINI Corporate denial code. I received none of these. • MINI Corporate Recall Team confirmed they had no documentation from the dealer and incorrectly stated that the module does not need to be opened. • Without a completed inspection uploaded to MINI Corporate, a denial code cannot be generated. • I was charged for the FRM replacement part, even though the recall should cover the repair if the module is affected. • The dealer only offered to waive a $149 programming fee. Safety Concern: The dealer failed to follow required recall procedures, failed to document the inspection, and denied federally mandated recall coverage without evidence. This violates recall protocol and leaves the safety defect unresolved. The module was replaced at my expense.

The vehicle is experiencing repeated failure of the Footwell module (FRM), a known defect acknowledged by MINI/BMW. During the two years I have owned the vehicle, the FRM has required four separate reflashes due to recurring malfunctions. The failure causes loss of proper power window operation, including the passenger window reversing or rolling down unexpectedly, and loss or malfunction of other body electrical functions controlled by the FRM. Headlamps will not turn off, resulting in a dead battery and electrical/intermittent dash light surges. The FRM failed again after a software reflash, which is a documented trigger for FRM internal memory corruption. MINI/BMW issued and Extended Limited Warranty for FRM failure, acknowledging this defect; however, I received the official notice after the warranty period had already expired, leaving no opportunity to repair the defect while covered. This failure affects safe operation of the vehicle, including the inability to properly secure windows and maintain normal electrical functionality. The issue is not due to wear or misuse, but an internal electronic defect recognized by the manufacturer. The repeated nature of the failure and reliance on reflashing demonstrate the defect was never fully resolved. I am reporting this issue to document the repeated failures, late manufacturer notification, and ongoing safety-related electrical system issues. I purchased the vehicle with 86,000 miles. It now has 100,000, well below the criteria for the LW. In the 14,000 miles and two years I have owned and driven it, it has required four FRM reflashings. Had I known about the Extended Limited Warranty, I would have had BMW repair it under said warranty. That wasn't possible because I received notice of the known failure after the ELW expired.

Engine issues Engine leaks over heating seal gasket Timing bell Engine missed firing

Passenger Airbag sensor is off even when passenger is in the seat and airbag should be on.

On Thursday I was driving my 2010 Mini Cooper S with 75,000 miles on it and there was a total and sudden power outage on the high way. I was able to get to the breakdown lane and had it towed. My mini certified garage ran the computer on it and the car started right up. It was due for an inspection so we did an oil and filter and put on some new tires. No issues were found and car was running well. We picked it up on Friday and Saturday morning after a short drive I was parking and smoke started pouring out from behind the steering wheel. I ran inside a coffee shop for help and they asked if there were flames. I went back out and opened the car door and there was loud noise and the hood was in flames. The entire dash was melted, the hood had a hole burned in it and with the fire rescue interventions the car was a total loss. No one was injured.

The passenger airbag with seat belt icon is always indicating no one is in the seat or not buckled. The alert icon for the lighting is also on and we have replaced bulbs and still won’t work and the windows at times just randomly stops would have to unplug battery for it to reset for the windows only. I just bought this car and have registered since. Was told there was several recalls with the same issue I am experiencing. Please include my car for the proper recalls so I can have a safe reliable vehicle for my family.

The contact owned a 2010 Mini Cooper S Hartop. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH with the two sunroofs open, the vehicle caught fire. There were flames underneath the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact opened the hood and threw baking soda on the flames but sustained burns to her hands and face, and medical attention was provided. The neighbors had used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The airbags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There was no crash. The vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the footwell control module. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The insurance deemed the vehicle a total loss.

In an attempt to resolve persistent rough running engine issue, mechanic discovered that the timing chain guides failed (broke apart) and that plastic pieces of the guides migrated into the engine oil system.

Engine stalling Oil pan leaks Caused the engine to shut down when slowing down or sitting in traffic on highway. No warning lights prior to incidents Only right after

COPY OF COMPLAINT sent to MINI USA today 9/2/24. (Removed my personal data -name, address, email, phone number): I have been waiting since JULY 2023 for notice of a fix for this DANGEROUS ISSUE of failed FOOTWELL MODULES that can CATCH ON FIRE! How is this either legal or humane? When I call, and I call regularly, to ask about any progress made in CORRECTING THE POTENTIALLY FATAL to the driver, problem, I'm asked to BE PATIENT...that a fix is being studied but none has become available. And, oh yes, always the "FOOTWELL FIRES are very very rare"...so I suppose if I have one and I DIE my heirs should take comfort in knowing that it was very very rare? Here's the bottom line. I spoke with a service manager at MINI OF LOVELAND and I will not divulge his name because he doesn't deserve to be reprimanded or hassled. I asked him if they were replacing ANY FOOTWELL MODULES BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. I was given the same BS about "working on creating a part that will fix it". Yeah, right. But here's the jewel in this conversation: When I asked what they'd do if my Footwell module failed for MECHANICAL REASONS he told me and I BELIEVE it's a fix that should be offered to all affected owners: "He told me that when FWMODULES in my make/model/year mini, fail (not catch fire but fail as they normally do - i.e. windows won't go up or down, OR turn signals and or/headlights won't work, etc. the fix for that also address the recall issue: REPLACE THE FOOTWELL WITH THE SAME PART with these modifications to address the corrosion/fire recall: They remove the old broken module. They clean out the entire footwell removing any signs of corrosion from the leaked in water. THEY PACK the module with material that will prevent moisture from seeping in. AND then they close it back up! AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER> I WANT THIS FIX! I deserve this fix as do other mini owners who are affected by this recall to prevent death or severe burns or both from failed footwell modules. THANKS

Airbag light is deployed when passenger is sitting in seat. Module under seat is not recognizing the passenger and airbags are turned off. This is a safety concern in likeliness of an accident the passenger could be injured.

The car showed a check vehicle light. Looks like a car being lifted up (red light). The windows do not move up or down, light switches do not work and the blinkers do not work. I was told by my mechanic it was the footwell module. I read there was a recall for this but my VIN wasn't on the list. Is it possible to check to see if it should have been on the list for the recall?

Footwell Control Module was recalled on 12 May 2023 NHTSA Recall Number 23V337. This item has been outstanding for almost a year and I am not able to repair it yet because a manufacturer remedy is not yet available. In rare cases corrosion could result in short circuit, thermal runaway and injury. Please compel the manufacturer to develop a remedy immediately.

Trailer brakes disconnected in 18k lb trailer while driving down mountain. This bulletin is the issue, should be a recall. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The FRM module on my 2010 MINI Cooper S failed in 2022. I was unable to access multiple functions on the vehicle, including interior and exterior lighting, window controls, and other operations that worked randomly during this time. I needed my car fully operational for work commuting so I had to find a replacement FRM, which I did from an OEM MINI parts website, [XXX] . The new FRM I purchased was matched to my vehicle's VIN and installed and programmed by my local MINI shop, Detroit Tuned [XXX] ) , in Clawson, MI. The total bill for this was over $800 (I have receipts for the purchase and the install). The recall notice from MINI/BMW came in 2023, and according to their website there is still no fix, which makes no sense since I bought an OEM replacement that was fitted to my car in 2022, as I noted here. How can a part that when fails can potentially cause vehicle fires ("thermal incident", per their recall notes) NOT be replaced immediately by the manufacturer? And how can MINI/BMW say they can't get the part when an OEM version is available online? The delay in this fix is unacceptable. My OEM replacement FRM works perfectly, but I am out the $800+ I spent to get it since MINI didn't then and still doesn't have them available, "officially". So if they ever get the part and replace my fully operational replacement for free, I am still out the money I spent in 2020 to make my car operationally safe. What can I do to get a refund from MINI/BMW? Thanks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On [XXX], mileage was 47,744 I took Mini for service, and told them that the front right headlight didn't work, they replaced the light bulb and they found out that the headlight was still inoperable, and internally shorted. They didn't want to include it in the extended warranty. The mini has electrical issues (FRM). The headlight wires are damaged inside the light housing and are bare-striped even if you change the light bulb when you hit a bump the wires touch the bulb short out. So my car was under the extended warranty when I took it to Braman Motors Miami for service but they failed to correct the problem. BMW of North America extended the warranty for 10 years /156,000 miles whichever occurs first, as determined by your vehicle's service date (original service date is 3/16/2010) extending the limited warranty for the Footwell Module (FRM) This problem is a known problem by BMW / Mini they currently have open recalls on the model, series, production date, and year. but since hardly anyone files complaints to NHTSA in Fla, this problem is ongoing. [XXX], under violation of federal law (The Safety Act) dealers can't sell, lease, or deliver any vehicle until recall repairs have been performed. But they overlook the problem at the dealership when the car is in the shop for service. I was given a multi-point inspection it passed 28 of them LOL, but the first one (Operation of all light and signals, (passed)...lol So how can this test pass? When I picked up the Mini nothing was working turn signals, the front right headlight, windows, hazard lights, fog lights. However, the dealer overlooks the safety recall and wants to charge the client an additional charge to diagnose the FRM. They gave me an estimate for $1,985.38 if I had approved the work that they said the Mini needed, but nothing to do with the recall (FRM) is this how BMW handles this safety recall? They don't care to solve the problem at any level dealer or manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that she was unable to check for warning lights due to a previous failure of the instrument cluster. The contact was able to coast the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact stated that the stall was an intermittent failure and occurred at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that there were various other electrical failures with the power windows. Additionally, the sunroof was unable to open or close as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle was also intermittently not able to turn off after turning the ignition key to the off position and remained running until the vehicle turned off independently. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an electrical failure. The contact stated that the turn signals, the headlights, the power window switches, the gauges and other unknown components were inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had locked independently. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that they needed to pay a fee for the repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the power window switch had failed to operate as needed intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the gauges were inoperable. An unknown dealer was contacted and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to their location for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact recently stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.