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2013 Mini Cooper

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Mini Cooper do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 40.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 19 of 47 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 5 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

47 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2019
Engine

I HAVE A 2013 MINI COOPER ONLY 59K MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TRIED USING THE OBD MACHINE TO TURN IT OFF BUT IT WON'T TURN OFF. I HAVE P052B AND P013C CODES.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY.

NHTSA ODI #11191139

55,000 miles · Feb 6, 2019
Exterior Lighting

2013 MINI COOPER BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT THE DEALER DUE TO MELTED PLASTIC ADJACENT TO LIGHT BULB CONTACTS. QUOTING THE DEALER SERVICE RECORD "FOUND LEFT TAG LIGHT BULB OUT AND RIGHT LOWER BRAKE LIGHT MELTED. REPLACED TAG LIGHT BULB AND RIGHT TAIL LIGHT ASSY." THAT SERVICE WAS…

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2013 MINI COOPER BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT THE DEALER DUE TO MELTED PLASTIC ADJACENT TO LIGHT BULB CONTACTS. QUOTING THE DEALER SERVICE RECORD "FOUND LEFT TAG LIGHT BULB OUT AND RIGHT LOWER BRAKE LIGHT MELTED. REPLACED TAG LIGHT BULB AND RIGHT TAIL LIGHT ASSY." THAT SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AT A MINI DEALER IN 2018. THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AT A DIFFERENT MINI DEALER IN 2017. SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON THIS WEBSITE (NHTSA VEHICHLE COMPLAINTS), AND THE PROBLEM WAS FAMILIAR TO THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT BOTH DEALERSHIPS. MINI HAS A STANDARD PRACTICE OF ISSUING "WARRANTY EXTENSIONS" FOR KNOWN "DEFECTS IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP" WHICH COVER THE EXPENSE (BOTH PARTS AND LABOR) FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY, BUT DOES NOT RISE TO THE LEVEL OF A FULL RECALL. MINI ALSO KEEPS DETAILED, NON-PUBLIC, RECORDS TRACKING THE FREQUENCY OF COMMON VEHICLE REPAIRS. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THIS ISSUE RECEIVE THE NEXT LEVEL OF INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF EITHER A WARRANTY EXTENSION OR A FULL RECALL IS INDICATED. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS NOTE.

NHTSA ODI #11174757

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2018
Air Bags

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICING FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING WAS DISPLAYED. TECHNICIAN SAID THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY HAS A SENSOR FAULT. NO GUARANTEE THE AIRBAG WOULD INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT. $1123 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE. IS THERE A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS? IF SO I HAVE NOT SEEN IT. CAN NOT AFFORD TO R…

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I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICING FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING WAS DISPLAYED. TECHNICIAN SAID THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY HAS A SENSOR FAULT. NO GUARANTEE THE AIRBAG WOULD INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT. $1123 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE. IS THERE A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS? IF SO I HAVE NOT SEEN IT. CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THAT, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS IN SOME WAY? SEEMS MANDATORY TO ME THAT MINI COOPER WOULD COVER THIS. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 35K ON IT MILEAGE. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY PASSENGERS IN FRONT SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #11156739

64,000 miles · Aug 17, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainUnknown Or Other

64,000 MILES - WINTER 2017 MY 2013 MINI COOPER PACEMAN SALL4 WAS TAKING ON WATER IN THE BOOT- DIDNT KNOW IF IT WAS FROM MELTING SNOW ETC. IN CAR. DRIED OUT. WATER CAME BACK AND FLOODED BACK SEAT FLOOR. BROUGHT TO MINI- THEY TOLD ME I HAD A TAILLIGHT SEAL LEAK WHICH CAUSED WATER TO GET DOWN INTO THE CAR WHICH FRIED A COMPUTER …

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64,000 MILES - WINTER 2017 MY 2013 MINI COOPER PACEMAN SALL4 WAS TAKING ON WATER IN THE BOOT- DIDNT KNOW IF IT WAS FROM MELTING SNOW ETC. IN CAR. DRIED OUT. WATER CAME BACK AND FLOODED BACK SEAT FLOOR. BROUGHT TO MINI- THEY TOLD ME I HAD A TAILLIGHT SEAL LEAK WHICH CAUSED WATER TO GET DOWN INTO THE CAR WHICH FRIED A COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT CONTROLLED MY AWD AND OTHER THINGS. AWD IS NOT OPTIONAL WHERE I LIVE. MY WARRANTY HAD JUST ENDED. THE QUOTE FOR THE WORK WAS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I CONTACTED MINI CORPORATE THEY OFFERED TO COVER 15% OF THE BILL. I DENIED THAT AND CLAIMED IT ON MY INSURANCE WHICH NOW SHOWS NEGATIVELY AGAINST MY CAR. I DIDNT EVEN KNOW A TAILLIGHT SEAL COULD LEAK? THEN TO HAVE A COMPUTER GET FRIED AS A RESULT OF IT. THIS IS A MINI DEFECT, I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR IT. NOT TO MENTION MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR SEVERAL WEEKS OF REPAIR. THEY HAD TO COMPLETELY TAKE THE CAR APART TO DRY EVERYTHING OUT, ORDER PARTS AND REPLACE IT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #11120591

41,000 miles · Aug 17, 2018
Engine

I BOUGHT MY MINI BRAND NEW IN 2013. I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED REGULARLY AT CREVIER MINI AND I TOOK IT EVERY TIME I HAD A SERVICE LIGHT COME ON, WHICH WAS MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS. THE WARRANTY LASTED UNTIL JUNE 2017. IN NOVEMBER 2017, I NOTICED A MUSTY SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS, AND NOTICED LIQUID WAS LEAKI…

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I BOUGHT MY MINI BRAND NEW IN 2013. I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED REGULARLY AT CREVIER MINI AND I TOOK IT EVERY TIME I HAD A SERVICE LIGHT COME ON, WHICH WAS MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS. THE WARRANTY LASTED UNTIL JUNE 2017. IN NOVEMBER 2017, I NOTICED A MUSTY SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS, AND NOTICED LIQUID WAS LEAKING FROM MY CAR. I TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MINI TECHS FOUND THAT MY THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILED AND LEAKED, AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO LEAK COOLANT. MINI USA HELPED WITH THE COST OF MY REPAIR TO MY CAR WHICH ONLY HAD 37,000 MILES ON IT BECAUSE OF ITS LOW MILEAGE, FOR WHICH I WAS VERY GRATEFUL. NOW, IN AUGUST 2018, I NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN WHICH IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE THERMOSTAT WAS NOT TURNING (THE FAN WAS STILL FUNCTIONING WHEN CONNECTED TO POWER). I TOOK IT TO GET SERVICED AND MINI TECHS FOUND THAT MY ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED TO THE POINT OF BEING CRITICALLY DAMAGED. THERE WAS COOLANT FOUND IN THE SPARK PLUGS WHICH MEANS MOST LIKELY THAT THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE PRIOR REPAIR, I WAS TOLD IT IS DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT THE EXACT REASON THIS HAPPENED. HOWEVER, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN INDICATOR LIGHT TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF CRITICAL PROBLEM BEFORE IT IS IRREVERSIBLE AND CAN'T BE FIXED, BUT THERE WAS NOT. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR A SERVICE CHARGE OF AROUND $7500. THIS IS WORTH MORE THAN THE CAR ITSELF. WHAT I LEARNED IS THAT EVEN IF YOU DO EVERYTHING RIGHT, BY THE BOOK, AND PER RECOMMENDATION FROM MINI, YOUR CAR CAN STILL FAIL AND DIE WITHIN 5 YEARS- RIGHT AFTER THE COMPANY WARRANTY WEARS OFF. THIS HAS SHAKEN MY FAITH WITH THE MINI COMPANY. FOR NO REASON SHOULD A CAR HAVE FAILED AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR AROUND 40,000 MILES WHILE RECEIVING SERVICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ITSELF.

NHTSA ODI #11120568

60,000 miles · Feb 14, 2018
Structure

THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, THERE WAS NO EVENT, THERE WAS NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS TO OCCUR. IT HAD BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT IN AN OPEN AREA, AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE ONRAMP WHEN IT SOUNDED LIKE A WINDOW WAS OPEN, THEN ON THE HIGHWAY IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS ICE CRUST COMING OFF OF THE BACK OF THE…

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THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, THERE WAS NO EVENT, THERE WAS NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS TO OCCUR. IT HAD BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT IN AN OPEN AREA, AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE ONRAMP WHEN IT SOUNDED LIKE A WINDOW WAS OPEN, THEN ON THE HIGHWAY IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS ICE CRUST COMING OFF OF THE BACK OF THE CAR, THEN THERE WAS A RUSH OF WIND - PULLED OVER AND SAW THE SHATTERED ROOF. THANKFULLY THE SUNSCREEN WAS CLOSED SO THE GLASS DIDN'T POUR ONTO ME.

NHTSA ODI #11072868

37,000 miles · Sep 28, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE EPS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE EPS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #11030300

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2017
Visibility/wiper

I HAVE A 2013 COOPER S AND WANTED TO REPLACE THE BLADES TO SOMETHING WITH A BIT MORE QUALITY (THE FAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER BLADE DOES NOT CONTACT THE LOWER CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD). AFTER 2 WEEKS USING NEW OEM WIPERS THEY LOSE THEIR FLEXIBILITY AND ARE LESS ABLE TO WIPE CLEANLY. MINI CHANGE DESIGN WIPER BLADE AND ONLY…

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I HAVE A 2013 COOPER S AND WANTED TO REPLACE THE BLADES TO SOMETHING WITH A BIT MORE QUALITY (THE FAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER BLADE DOES NOT CONTACT THE LOWER CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD). AFTER 2 WEEKS USING NEW OEM WIPERS THEY LOSE THEIR FLEXIBILITY AND ARE LESS ABLE TO WIPE CLEANLY. MINI CHANGE DESIGN WIPER BLADE AND ONLY POOR QUALITY OEM BLADES AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT, NO AUTOMARKET ALTERNATIVE. I HAVE CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT OEM MINI COOPER WIPERS

NHTSA ODI #10954049

19,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THE METAL CLADDING ON THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE DETACHED AND WHEN I GRABBED THE HANDLE TO GET INTO THE CAR THE METAL CUT INTO MY INDEX FINGER, REQUIRING 5 STITCHES TO CLOSE THE WOUND. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN MY SPACE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

NHTSA ODI #10949926

32,000 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

2013 MINI COOPER PACEMAN BASE AUTO. 05/30/2016- WE EXPERIENCE INSTANCES WHERE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE MAINTAINING SPEED AFTER RELEASING GAS PEDAL WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET, HIGHWAY, CITY STREET GOING DOWNHILL. DURATION OF THE PERIOD OF CONTINUED ACCELERATION MAINTAINING SPEED TYPICALLY LAST 1 TO 3 SECOND…

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2013 MINI COOPER PACEMAN BASE AUTO. 05/30/2016- WE EXPERIENCE INSTANCES WHERE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE MAINTAINING SPEED AFTER RELEASING GAS PEDAL WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET, HIGHWAY, CITY STREET GOING DOWNHILL. DURATION OF THE PERIOD OF CONTINUED ACCELERATION MAINTAINING SPEED TYPICALLY LAST 1 TO 3 SECONDS. WE NOTED THAT THE OCCURRENCE OF THESE INSTANCES BEGAN RECENTLY AFTER ANNUAL SERVICE IN 05/2016. WE INQUIRED IF VEHICLE HAD RECENT SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE ANY DEFECT. DEALER CITED ADAPTIVE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU). DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE CITED THE SAME ISSUE WE ARE EXPERIENCING. DEALER RESET ECU UNIT. WE INQUIRED IF TRANSMISSION FLUID SERVICE WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. DEALER OFFERED TO PERFORM TRANSMISSION FLUID SERVICE AT OUR EXPENSE. NOTE VEHICLE STILL UNDER NEW CAR WARRANTY. DEALER ADVICE WHEN INSTANCE OF ACCELERATION OCCURS TO PRESS THE BRAKE. DEALER ADVISED US TO CHANGE DRIVING STYLE. WE CONFIRMED ALL REMEDIES AT DEALER LEVEL EXHAUSTED. WE CONTACTED MINI USA FOR ASSISTANCE AND INQUIRED IF TRANSMISSION FLUID SERVICE WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, REQUESTED MINI USA WORK WITH DEALER TO COVER EXPENSE. MINI USA CONTACTED DEALER. MINI USA DECLINED TO COVER TRANSMISSION FLUID SERVICE EXPENSE. MINI USA REFERRED US BACK TO DEALER SERVICE MANAGER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE AND CLOSED INCIDENT. MINI USA OFFERED TO HAVE REGIONAL REP MEET WITH US WHEN AT DEALER IN 09/2016. WE ACCEPTED OFFER TO MEET. 09/14/2016 WE CONTACTED MINI USA ABOUT MEETING WITH REGIONAL REP. MINI USA HAD NO RECORD OF OFFER OR REQUEST. WE INFORMED MINI USA ALSO EXPERIENCING SAME ACCELERATION ISSUE IN 2013 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN BASE AUTOMATIC. ANNUAL SERVICE FOR THIS VEHICLE IN 05/2016. WE ASKED IF PROBLEM IS ECU SOFTWARE RELATED. FOR THE RECORD WE INFORMED MINI USA THAT THEY HAVE DEEMED VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10906760

Official recalls

1

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.

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.