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2010 Mini Cooper

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Mini Cooper do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 40.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

50 reports with mileage · 42 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports7 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

92 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2020
Air BagsSeats

I HAVE A 2010 MINI COOPER HARDTOP. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM OF THE LAST THREE YEARS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ALERT GOES ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT SAYING PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. I'VE TAKEN IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WILL NEED TO DISMANTLE THE SEAT TO SEE IF THE SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACE. I SEE THAT OTHER MODE…

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I HAVE A 2010 MINI COOPER HARDTOP. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM OF THE LAST THREE YEARS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ALERT GOES ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT SAYING PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. I'VE TAKEN IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WILL NEED TO DISMANTLE THE SEAT TO SEE IF THE SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACE. I SEE THAT OTHER MODELS OF MINI COOPERS HAVE HAD RECALLS FOR THIS DEFECT IN SEAT SENSORS. MODELS IN YEARS BEFORE AND AFTER 2010. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PROCEDURE, AND DANGEROUS IF I HAVE A PASSENGER.

NHTSA ODI #11376890

41,000 miles · Sep 6, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING, CARS AROUND ME WERE BEEPING WHEN I SWITCHED LANES AFTER SIGNALING AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKES. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED! COME TO FIND OUT ALL OF MY LIGHTING SYSTEMS WERE INOPERABLE. I HAD: *NO BRAKE LIGHTS *NO TURN SIGNALS *NO HAZARD LIGHTS *NO HEADLIGHTS *NO TAIL LIGHTS *WINDOWS WERE INOPERABLE. THE …

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WHILE DRIVING, CARS AROUND ME WERE BEEPING WHEN I SWITCHED LANES AFTER SIGNALING AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKES. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED! COME TO FIND OUT ALL OF MY LIGHTING SYSTEMS WERE INOPERABLE. I HAD: *NO BRAKE LIGHTS *NO TURN SIGNALS *NO HAZARD LIGHTS *NO HEADLIGHTS *NO TAIL LIGHTS *WINDOWS WERE INOPERABLE. THE LIST GOES ON. THIS IS TERRIFYING TO HAVE HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, AND EVEN WORSE, I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT WAS HAPPENING UNTIL I HAD NEARLY BEEN HIT BY TWO DIFFERENT CARS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN WORSE HAD IT FAILED AT NIGHT. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE FOOTWELL MODULE (AKA FRM) HAD FAILED. THIS HAPPENED AT ONLY 41,000 MILES. APPARENTLY THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON AND A LONG-KNOWN DEFECT ON MINI COOPERS. IN MY OPINION THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL ON ALL AFFECTED FRMS. I LEARNED THAT MINI ISSUED A "SILENT RECALL" OF EXTENDED WARRANTIES, FROM 4 YEARS TO 8 YEARS, AND NOW TO 10 YEARS/156,000 MILES. I AM OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY 6 MONTHS BY TIME, BUT WITHIN WARRANTY BY 115,000 MILES. I CONTACTED MINI USA TO REQUEST THAT THEY COVER THE PART REPAIR, AS THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART IN MY CAR'S MODEL AND YEAR AND A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. THEY HAVE REFUSED, DESPITE ME GETTING IN TOUCH THREE TIMES. I ALSO NOTIFIED CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT MINI USA THAT I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THIS PART, OR ON ANY OTHER PART. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF RECALLS THAT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE, THOUGH THROUGH MY RECENT RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT SOME HAVE BEEN ISSUED. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH AS WELL AS DISCUSSIONS WITH MINI TECHS WILL REVEAL WIDESPREAD FRM FAILURE. MANY OTHER COMPLAINANTS ON THIS PAGE ARE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. HAS ANY INVESTIGATION TAKEN PLACE? IF NOT, I HOPE THERE WILL BE ONE.

NHTSA ODI #11353457

65,915 miles · May 21, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

AIR BAG PASSENGER LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WINDOWS DOWN GO UP OR DOWN. TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK. AC STOP WORKING. IT BLOWS OUT HOT AIR IN THE FRONT. A LOUD THUD NOISE HAPPENS ONCE IN A WHILE FROM THE BACK. SOMETIMES WON'T START LIKE IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. SOMETIMES ENGINE WON'T TURN OFF AND WILL RUN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE I…

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AIR BAG PASSENGER LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WINDOWS DOWN GO UP OR DOWN. TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK. AC STOP WORKING. IT BLOWS OUT HOT AIR IN THE FRONT. A LOUD THUD NOISE HAPPENS ONCE IN A WHILE FROM THE BACK. SOMETIMES WON'T START LIKE IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. SOMETIMES ENGINE WON'T TURN OFF AND WILL RUN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I'VE ONLY HAD IT SINCE OCT 2019. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325466

72,000 miles · Mar 1, 2020
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR IS BROKEN. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMWS AND MINI COOPERS. SOME MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. BUT MANY HAVE NOT, INCLUDING MINE. THE SYMPTOM IS THAT SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG WARNINGS LIGHT UP.

NHTSA ODI #11315369

109,008 miles · Sep 8, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

AFTER RECEIVING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A BATTERY ISSUE I WAS DRIVING HOME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT NIGHT WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTING OF MY DASHBOARD WENT OUT AND MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, TURN SIGNALS, FOG LIGHTS, HIGH BEAMS, AND WINDOWS CEASED TO FUNCTION. WHEN I MADE IT HOME I SCANNED MY VEHICLE VIA OBD2 AND A PLETHORA OF CODES HAD A…

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AFTER RECEIVING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A BATTERY ISSUE I WAS DRIVING HOME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT NIGHT WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTING OF MY DASHBOARD WENT OUT AND MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, TURN SIGNALS, FOG LIGHTS, HIGH BEAMS, AND WINDOWS CEASED TO FUNCTION. WHEN I MADE IT HOME I SCANNED MY VEHICLE VIA OBD2 AND A PLETHORA OF CODES HAD APPEARED ALMOST ALL RELATED TO SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS LIGHTING, AIRBAGS,DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL, SUSPENSION, ABS, AND SPEED SENSING DEVICES. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF RESEARCH AND DIAGNOSTIC WORK I DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE DRIVER SIDE FOOTWELL MODULE WHICH HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN TO BE A DEFECTIVE ITEM TO MINI/BMW SO MUCH SO THAT IT'S BEEN GIVEN A WARRANTY EXTENSION OF 10 YEARS/ 156,000 MILES THAT REMAINS ACTIVE, BUT ONLY TO ELIGIBLE VEHICLE WARRANTY HOLDERS. AFTER MY EXPERIENCE OF LOSING PRACTICALLY ALL VEHICLE LIGHTING WHICH INCLUDED BOTH TURN AND HAZARD SIGNALING ABILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I IMPLORE THE NHTSA TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL ON THESE FAULTY FOOTWELL MODULES GIVEN THE EASE AND SUDDENNESS AT WHICH THEY CEASE TO FUNCTION FOR REASONS THAT RANGE FROM MOISTURE INTOLERANCE, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PRACTICES, AND EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AS WAS MY PARTICULAR CASE. THE PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND I FEEL IT IS NOW TIME THAT THE GOVERNMENT ADDRESS THIS KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE IN ORDER TO PROTECT AMERICA'S ROADS AND HIGHWAYS AS WELL AS THE CITIZENRY AT LARGE.

NHTSA ODI #11254014

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2019
Air BagsSeat Belts

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND SEAT BELL LIGHT REMAINS ON ENTIRE TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON 2009 AND EARLIER MODELS BUT NOT 2010'S, HOWEVER IT'S THE SAME ISSUE. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR HOWEVER THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAD THE REPLACED IN 2015 BUT NOW THE LIGHTS ARE BACK ON.

NHTSA ODI #11209383

83,000 miles · May 1, 2019
EnginePower Train

MINI COOPER TIMING CHAIN TENSONER DEFECT. I HAVE A R56 HARDTOP 2010 MINI COOPER. MY CAR STARTED HAVING ISSUES LIKE TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, ESPECIALLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. WHILE I WAS DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD SNAP NOISE AND MY CAR SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER THAT A…

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MINI COOPER TIMING CHAIN TENSONER DEFECT. I HAVE A R56 HARDTOP 2010 MINI COOPER. MY CAR STARTED HAVING ISSUES LIKE TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, ESPECIALLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. WHILE I WAS DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD SNAP NOISE AND MY CAR SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER THAT AND WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOK THERE WAS A BROKEN VALVE COVER. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN LAS VEGAS IS NOT HONORING THE LAWSUIT. NOT REALLY SURE HOW TO PROCEED. THEY WANT $3,500. IN REPAIRS. MY CAR IS ONLY AT 83,000MILES AND JUST PAID OFF. NOT SURE HOW TO PROCEED.

NHTSA ODI #11205138

81,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018
Engine

2010 MINI COOPER S 2 DOOR, UP TO DATE WITH ALL MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE, CHANGED OIL EVERY 4,000 MILES. CAR SHOWROOM QUALITY. AT 81,000. MILES I SHUT IT OFF IN MY GARAGE AND LATER WENT TO START THE ENGINE, IT WAS DEAD AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER EVEN WITH A CHARGE. I HAD IT TOWED TO BRAMAN MOTORCARS, WPB, FL WHERE I PURCHASED IT NE…

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2010 MINI COOPER S 2 DOOR, UP TO DATE WITH ALL MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE, CHANGED OIL EVERY 4,000 MILES. CAR SHOWROOM QUALITY. AT 81,000. MILES I SHUT IT OFF IN MY GARAGE AND LATER WENT TO START THE ENGINE, IT WAS DEAD AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER EVEN WITH A CHARGE. I HAD IT TOWED TO BRAMAN MOTORCARS, WPB, FL WHERE I PURCHASED IT NEW AND ORIGINAL OWNER AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE RETENTION CHAIN. BMW OF N. AMERICA HAD A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR 2007 TO 2010 MINI COOPERS, SUIT CLOSED IN 2015 SAID MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AND REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR. THEY WANT 11,000-13,000 TO FIX. I AM WITHIN THE YEARS THE SUIT WAS MENTIONED MY MILEAGE IS RIGHT AT THE POINT IT MAKES MENTION IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT. MY VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE THEY ONLY PAID ON THE VIN NUMBERS THAT WERE IN THE SUIT. BMW OF N AMER. DID NOT ADD VIN# OF OTHER CARS THAT WERE NOT IN THE SUIT. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED AND DID NOT KNOW ABOUT MY CAR. I AM TOLD I CAN JUNK IT AND BUY A NEW CAR. I TOOK CARE OF MY CAR FOR EVERYTHING AND NOW MY CAR IS JUST GONE AND THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO HELP ME FIX IT. BMW OF N AMERICA DID NOT OFF ANY GOODWILL ON THE REPAIR NOR MAKE IT A RECALL ISSUE. THEY JUST SETTLED THE CASE FOR THE CARS KNOWN AT THAT TIME AND THE REST OF US CAN JUST GO POUND DIRT! I NOW AM WITHOUT A CAR OR TRANSPORTATION AND BRAMAN MOTORCARS TRIED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME WITH QUOTING ME HIGH PRICES ON A NEW CAR, THAT I CANNOT AFFORD. PLEASE HELP. NO ONE THAT KNOWS ME OR MY CAR CAN BELIEVE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR BECAUSE OF HOW WELL I TAKE CARE OF IT.

NHTSA ODI #11141137

35,000 miles · Sep 29, 2018
Engine

ENGINE LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY. TIMING CHAIN LOOSENED, CAUSED SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11132237

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2018
Air Bags

WHEN YOU TURN ON THE CAR THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY ON MY DASHBOARD AND THE YELLOW PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING SIGNS ON THE TOP OF THE CAR ALSO COMING ON AND OFF, SOMETIMES IT DISAPPEAR WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. I CALLED MINI COOPER LOCAL DEALER, NO RECALL NOTED INCLUDING IN YOUR WEBSIT…

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WHEN YOU TURN ON THE CAR THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY ON MY DASHBOARD AND THE YELLOW PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING SIGNS ON THE TOP OF THE CAR ALSO COMING ON AND OFF, SOMETIMES IT DISAPPEAR WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. I CALLED MINI COOPER LOCAL DEALER, NO RECALL NOTED INCLUDING IN YOUR WEBSITE.

NHTSA ODI #11128220

Official recalls

2

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.