Engine. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports5 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

37 reports

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69,000 miles · Nov 25, 2015

EnginePower Train

TIMING CHAIN MECHANISM FAILURE AT 70,000 MILES. KNOWN ISSUE AMONG AT LEAST 500,000 MINI COOPER GENERATION 2 MODELS

NHTSA ODI #10806725

48,000 miles · Nov 9, 2015

Engine

DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN TIMING CHAIN BREAKS AND CAUSES THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF DAMAGE TO ENGINE. COMPRESSION TO ENGINE STOPS AND CAR STALLS OUT. ONE MOMENT TOTALLY FINE, THE NEXT WRECKED ON FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10789338

65,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

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PURCHASED CAR APRIL 2014 W 46,000 MILES. WARRANTY HISTORY SHOWED VALVE GASKET REPLACED. AT 64000 MILES DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. NOT TOLD AT PURCHASE - AT MINI DLR - THAT CAR CONSUMES A QUART OF OIL EVERY 700 MILES WHICH I WAS JUST TOLD BY LOCAL SERVICING DEALER THAT THEY CONSIDER THAT NORMAL. LEAK AT GASKET CONTRIBUTES TO AIR INFILTRATION AND POOR OIL CONSUMPTION I WAS TOLD. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR KNOWING THIS. IT ADDS CONSIDERABLY TO THE OPERATING COSTS. AFTER TELLING SERVICING DLR THIS WEEKEND THAT I KNEW THE CAR HAD ALREADY HAD VALVE COVER GASKET REPLACED, HE SAID HE WOULD COVER 75% OF OVER $800 COST. HE OBVIOUSLY KNEW THAT IT DIDN'T OR SHOULDN'T NEED THAT WORK SO SOON AFTER BEING DONE. THE MINI DEALERS ARE THIEVES AND WITHHOLD VITAL INFORMATION. THE STRUT MOUNT APPARENTLY IS ALSO "DOMED" WHICH SPEAKS TO STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THIS CAR. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A MINI TO ANYONE AND FEEL THEIR PRACTICES ARE COMPLETELY UNETHICAL AND THE BUILD QUALITY IS SUBSTANDARD TO WHAT IS CONSIDERED NORMAL. WHO NEEDS TO HAVE THE VALVE COVER GASKETS REPLACED TWICE IN UNDER 65,000 MILES? WHO HAS TO GO AND BUY OIL EVERY MONTH AND A HALF? THE LAST CAR I OWNED THAT NEEDED THAT WAS A 20 YEAR OLD 1975 PONTIAC WITH OVER 100K. MILES. GARBAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10783460

58,768 miles · Aug 28, 2015

Engine

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 MINI COOPER S 50-55 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FROM THEN ON, THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A RATTLING AND CLACKING NOISE AND THE OIL LIGHT EVENTUALLY CAME ON. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT OUT TO LOOK AT THE CAR. OIL WAS ALL OVER THE FRONTSIDE AND WHEELWELL OF THE CAR. ALL THE OIL HAD CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE. TOWED THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED AND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD BROKEN LOSE AND SOMEHOW THAT ALLOWED ALL THE OIL TO POUR OUT OF THE ENGINE. HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED FOR A COST OF A LITTLE OVER $5,000. A BMW SPECIALIST WANTED $8,500 TO DO THE SAME JOB. NOW MY NEW ENGINE THEY JUST INSTALLED IS LEAKING OIL FROM SOMEWHERE AND THERE'S A LIGHT CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IM SO AFRAID IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGIAN, AND I KNOW THAT MINI USA WILL BE OF NO HELP. IT'S A SHAME THAT I HAD TO FIND OUT WHAT A TERRIBLE COMPANY THEY ARE IN THIS WAY. I NEEDED A RELIABLE CAR FOR MY NEW JOB AND ENDED UP WITH THE EXACT OPPOSITE, AN UNRELIABLE VEHICLE FROM A MANUFACTURER THAT HAS NO INTEGRITY WHATSOEVER. I LOVED THESE CARS, NOW I JUST HOPE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE.

NHTSA ODI #10759867

50,000 miles · Aug 20, 2015

Engine

MY CAR SHUT DOWN WHEN I WAS DRIVING OUT OF A HIGHWAY ON A RAMP. IT STOPPED ON THE RAMP. I NOTICED THIS BECAUSE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS MY CAR DIDN'T SPEED UP BUT SLOWED DOWN. I TRIED TO RESTART IT MULTIPLE TIMES BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. FINALLY IT WAS TOLLED TO AN MECHANICAL SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI #10750025

68,995 miles · Jan 11, 2015

Engine

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AROUND 7:30PM ON WAY HOME FROM WORK ENGINE STARTED TICKING AND NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY. CALL MY MECHANIC, WHO IS CERTIFIED BMW, TO GET CAR INTO SHOP NEXT MORNING. TOOK CAR TO SHOP NEXT DAY AT 730AM FOR HIM TO CHECK OUT. HE CALLED LATER IN THE DAY TO TELL ME TIMING CHAIN GUIDE BROKE OFF INTO ENGINE. ACCORDING TO HIS RESEARCH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS FOR EARLIER MODELS - M110212 - SO CALLED DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY WOULD CONSIDER THIS UNDER RECALL. SPOKE TO SERVICE MANAGER AND HE SAID THE RECALL WAS FOR MINIS' UP TO DATE 5/03/2009 AND MY PRODUCTION DATE WAS 11/2009. TOLD HIM IT SEEMED ODD I HAD SAME ISSUE AND LAST TIME I HAD ISSUE WITH CAR MY REPLACEMENT PART WAS PRIOR TO PRODUCTION DATE - THIS WAS FIXED BECAUSE I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I SPOKE TO MINI USA AND THEY SAID UP TO DEALERSHIP TO CONSIDER. DEALERSHIP SAID I COULD GET IT TOLLED IN AND THEY WOULD DO DIAGNOSISTICS BUT DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WOULD BE PART OF RECALL AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SHOW PROOF OF ALL CAR MAINTANENCE - MADE ME FEEL LIKE MY FAULT. MY MECHANIC CAN CERTIFY I DO PROPER MAINTANENCE AS HE SAID HE LOOKED AT MY ENGINE AND IT IS CLEAN. MINI DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT SPEAK WITH MY MECHANIC TO GET THE PROFESSIONAL TO PROFESSIONAL EXPLANATION, THEY JUST KEPT STAYING MY PRODUCTION DATE WAS TOO LATE FOR RECALL. I HAVE OPTED NOT TO GET VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP (1 1/2 HOUR AWAY) SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSIS AND THEN TELL ME NOT PART OF RECALL SO CHARGE ME FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEN I PAY FOR TOW BACK. THE REASON BEING IS LAST TIME THEY HAD MY CAR IN FOR AN ISSUE IT TOOK THEM 3 DAYS TO DIAGNOSIS, ANOTHER WEEK TO GET PART AND COUPLE IF MORE DAYS TO FIX - THEY SEEMED TO BE IN NO HURRY TO FIX MY PROBLEM NOR CARED THAT I LIVED SO FAR AWAY AND HAD TO RENT A CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671654

68,000 miles · Dec 31, 2014

Engine

THE TIMING CHAIN BELT BROKE SUDDENLY AND FLEW UP INTO MY ENGINE, DESTROYING THE ENGINE COMPLETELY. I GOT A NEW ENGINE, BUT THIS NEW ENGINE IS ALSO FAULTY (REASON UNKNOWN) AND NOW I NEED ANOTHER NEW ENGINE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669315

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2014

Engine

ENGINE TIMING CHAIN RATTLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648994

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2014

Engine

ENGINE TIMING CHAIN RATTLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648993

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2014

Engine

TIMING CHAIN RATTLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648991

Official recalls

23V337000 · Electrical System

May 11, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

18V248000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Apr 18, 2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

12V008000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Jan 11, 2012

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

09V474000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 15, 2009

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 MINI COOPER AND COOPER S VEHICLES FOR FAILING COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH WHEELS, BUT THEIR LABEL STATES THAT THEY WERE EQUIPPED WITH 16 INCH WHEELS. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE STATED ON THE LABEL FOR THE COOPER S IS INCORRECT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ERRONEOUS TIRE INFORMATION COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER TIRE FITMENT AND INFLATION WHICH COULD AFFECT THE DURABILITY OF THE TIRE AND THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE11036 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Oct 11, 2011 · Closed Jun 11, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine And Engine Cooling