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2014 Mini Cooper

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Mini Cooper do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 40.5.

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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

27 reports with mileage · 7 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 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 reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

34 reports
9,200 miles · May 12, 2015
EnginePower Train

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, CAR LOST OIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY, OIL POURED OUT OF VEHICLE, SMOKING AS WARNING LIGHTS INDICATED "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" AND THEN, "LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE: STOP VEHICLE". DIAGNOSED AS A FAILURE OF A WELDING ON THE OIL PUMP HOUSING. MINI REPLACED PART AND RETURNED CAR TO ME. WITHIN 1 MILE, "DRIVE TRAIN MA…

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DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, CAR LOST OIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY, OIL POURED OUT OF VEHICLE, SMOKING AS WARNING LIGHTS INDICATED "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" AND THEN, "LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE: STOP VEHICLE". DIAGNOSED AS A FAILURE OF A WELDING ON THE OIL PUMP HOUSING. MINI REPLACED PART AND RETURNED CAR TO ME. WITHIN 1 MILE, "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" IGNITED AGAIN. A WEEK LATER, THEY REPORTED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. I SOLD IT BACK TO MINI AS A LEMON.

NHTSA ODI #10715824

6,500 miles · Apr 6, 2015
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED SHAKING AND HAVING LOUD CLUNKING RATTLING NOISE. THE EXHAUST WAS SPEWING HEAVY WHITE SMOKE. THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED AND THEN STOPPED WITH " DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION." WE ALSO GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704005

6,200 miles · Mar 13, 2015
SeatsInjury

DRIVING TO SHOPPING CENTER, I HAD MY HEATED SEAT TURNED TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE SEAT WAS UNUSUALLY WARM SO I TURNED THE SEAT DOWN TO THE MEDIUM SETTING AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE SEAT CONTINUED TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AS I DROVE, SO I TURNED IT DOWN TO LOW, BUT IT STILL DID NOT COOL DOWN. IT BECAME ALARM…

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DRIVING TO SHOPPING CENTER, I HAD MY HEATED SEAT TURNED TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE SEAT WAS UNUSUALLY WARM SO I TURNED THE SEAT DOWN TO THE MEDIUM SETTING AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE SEAT CONTINUED TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AS I DROVE, SO I TURNED IT DOWN TO LOW, BUT IT STILL DID NOT COOL DOWN. IT BECAME ALARMINGLY HOT SO I TURNED IT OFF COMPLETELY BUT IT DID NOT COOL DOWN. AT THIS POINT I WOULD HAVE EXITED THE CAR, BUT I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF THE MALL. AFTER PARKING I DID MY SHOPPING AND DID NOT TURN THE SEAT ON FOR THE DRIVE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I DISCOVERED A 13 INCH BURN IN THE CONFIGURATION OF A WIRE ON MY LEFT BUTTOCK AND THIGH. (PICTURE TAKEN) BMW REPORT STATED THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT AND THAT IT "PERFORMED AS IT WAS DESIGNED." THEY ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY BODILY INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694167

7,000 miles · Mar 12, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. A "VEHICLE NOT IN PARK, PLEASE PUT IN PARK AND RESTART" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. A "VEHICLE NOT IN PARK, PLEASE PUT IN PARK AND RESTART" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI #10693827

7,000 miles · Mar 9, 2015
Seat Belts

AFTER UNLATCHING THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT, THE BELT FOLD INTO THE RETRACTION MECHANISM SUCH THAT IT GOT STUCK AND COULD NOT BE USED UNTIL IT WAS MANUALLY UNSPOOLED, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DO. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THIS CAR AND PRESENTS AND SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT RENDERS THE SEATBELT POTENTIALLY UNUSABLE…

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AFTER UNLATCHING THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT, THE BELT FOLD INTO THE RETRACTION MECHANISM SUCH THAT IT GOT STUCK AND COULD NOT BE USED UNTIL IT WAS MANUALLY UNSPOOLED, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DO. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THIS CAR AND PRESENTS AND SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT RENDERS THE SEATBELT POTENTIALLY UNUSABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692918

190 miles · Mar 4, 2015
Suspension

MY CAR WOULD MAKE A NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE CAR WHEN I DROVE ON A BUMPY STREET, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND AFTER THERE INSPECTION , THEY SAID THE REAR SWAY BAR LINKS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE, MAYBE THE NEW PARTS WILL ALSO BE DEFECTIVE... THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, THE …

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MY CAR WOULD MAKE A NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE CAR WHEN I DROVE ON A BUMPY STREET, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND AFTER THERE INSPECTION , THEY SAID THE REAR SWAY BAR LINKS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE, MAYBE THE NEW PARTS WILL ALSO BE DEFECTIVE... THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER IS MAKING THE REPAIRS...UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF THE DEALER STATED THE REAR SWAY BAR LINK WAS NOT THE PROBLEM CAUSING THE NOISE. UPDATED 10/20/15 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10692115

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2015
Engine

THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND TIME IN WHICH I HAVE HAD TO VISIT NICK ALEXANDER IMPORTS OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING OF MY VEHICLE, SPECIFICALLY THE ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME, MY CAR HAD STALLED ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TIME. THE SERVICE SPECIALIST AT THE DEALERSHIP ATTRIBUTED MY CAR STALLING AS A SYSTEM UP…

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THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND TIME IN WHICH I HAVE HAD TO VISIT NICK ALEXANDER IMPORTS OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING OF MY VEHICLE, SPECIFICALLY THE ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME, MY CAR HAD STALLED ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TIME. THE SERVICE SPECIALIST AT THE DEALERSHIP ATTRIBUTED MY CAR STALLING AS A SYSTEM UPDATE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON A VEHICLE PART (A NUT THAT SECURES THE SPARE TIRE TO THE CAR THAT COULD BECOME LOOSE DURING DRIVING), WHICH HE REPLACED. THIS SECOND TIME, WHICH WAS ON JANUARY 5TH, 2015, MY CAR STARTED TO WARN ME THAT THE "ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WAS TOO LOW" AND TO STOP MY ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF PARKING MY CAR, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL GATHERING UNDER THE UPPER PORTION OF MY VEHICLE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED BY THE DEALER'S SERVICE SPECIALIST, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL ON A PART. THIS TIME IT WAS THE OIL FILTER HOUSING THAT CRACKED BECAUSE IT WAS "TOO WEAK". THE SPLASH SHIELD AND OIL DEFLECTOR ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN BOTH INCIDENTS I WAS PLACED IN LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS AND CAN NO LONGER FEEL CONFIDENT THAT MY MINI COOPER IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672090

5,600 miles · Nov 22, 2014
Power Train

2014 MINI COOPER S HARDTOP MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAIL. THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY DROPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, CAUSING THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THIS FIRST OCCURRED ON NOV 17 AND HAS OCCURRED WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY TO NOW HAPPENING ABOUT 9/10 TIMES THE CAR IS STARTING FROM A STOP. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAF…

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2014 MINI COOPER S HARDTOP MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAIL. THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY DROPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, CAUSING THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THIS FIRST OCCURRED ON NOV 17 AND HAS OCCURRED WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY TO NOW HAPPENING ABOUT 9/10 TIMES THE CAR IS STARTING FROM A STOP. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC, MERGES, AND ON HILLS. NOTE, THIS CAR HAD A DEALER REQUIRED PROGRAMMING UPDATE ON OCTOBER 26 2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660274

10,000 miles · Sep 13, 2014
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsSeats

THERE WAS NO ONE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT MY IPOD WAS ON THE SEAT. A "FASTEN SEAT BELT" WARNING WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 30 MINUTES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WHILE DRIVING, I REMOVED THE IPOD FROM THE SEAT, BUT THE WARNING DID NOT STOP. BECAUSE IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATE…

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THERE WAS NO ONE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT MY IPOD WAS ON THE SEAT. A "FASTEN SEAT BELT" WARNING WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 30 MINUTES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WHILE DRIVING, I REMOVED THE IPOD FROM THE SEAT, BUT THE WARNING DID NOT STOP. BECAUSE IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY POSSIBLE TO PULL OVER, I HAD TO IGNORE SAFETY LIGHTS AND CHIMES UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER. ALTHOUGH THIS FALSE WARNING HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH LIGHT OBJECTS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, IT DOES NOT HAPPEN CONSISTENTLY. THE DEALER INSISTS THE CAR IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, AND SUGGESTED I LEAVE THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FASTENED. I THINK THIS BEHAVIOR IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE (1) IT IS A SOURCE OF UNPREDICTABLE DRIVER DISTRACTION; (2) IT ENCOURAGES DRIVERS TO DEFEAT A SAFETY WARNING BY LEAVING THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FASTENED; AND (3) IF THE SEAT SENSOR CAN'T DISTINGUISH BETWEEN AN IPOD AND A PERSON, HOW CAN IT GIVE THE PROPER READINGS TO THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10632960

9,000 miles · Aug 29, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

NEARLY RAN OUT OF GASOLINE BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT ACCURATE. AT AN INDICATED 1/2 FULL, THE CAR IS DOWN OVER 9 GALLONS AND THE TANK HOLD ABOUT 12.5 GALLONS. USING THE GAS GAUGE THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL REMAINS IN THE TANK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629419

Official recalls

7

15V739000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification; Seats

Nov 9, 2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured February 25, 2014, to May 16, 2015, 2014-2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to May 9, 2015, 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured October 17, 2014, to June 2, 2015, and 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to June 11, 2015. During a service appointment, the affected vehicles received replacement front passenger seat cushions (which contain integral Capacitive Interior Sensing (CIS) functions). The CIS functions may have been incorrectly calibrated, and if so, would cause impaired occupant classification and thus inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation can increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 .

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured February 25, 2014, to May 16, 2015, 2014-2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to May 9, 2015, 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured October 17, 2014, to June 2, 2015, and 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to June 11, 2015. During a service appointment, the affected vehicles received replacement front passenger seat cushions (which contain integral Capacitive Interior Sensing (CIS) functions). The CIS functions may have been incorrectly calibrated, and if so, would cause impaired occupant classification and thus inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation.

Consequence: Inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation can increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 .

Seats

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured February 25, 2014, to May 16, 2015, 2014-2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to May 9, 2015, 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured October 17, 2014, to June 2, 2015, and 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to June 11, 2015. During a service appointment, the affected vehicles received replacement front passenger seat cushions (which contain integral Capacitive Interior Sensing (CIS) functions). The CIS functions may have been incorrectly calibrated, and if so, would cause impaired occupant classification and thus inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation.

Consequence: Inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation can increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 .

15V628000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 7, 2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.

Remedy: MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

15V450000 · Structure:body

Jul 17, 2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles and 2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop 2 Door vehicles. The affected vehicles do not meet the side impact performance requirements for the rear seat passengers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the side impact performance requirements are not met, rear seat passengers may be at a higher risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will install additional energy absorption material between the rear interior side panels and the exterior vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525. Note: this recall supersedes 14V-815.

15V034000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jan 26, 2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop two door vehicles manufactured December 1, 2013, to December 14, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect maximum capacity weight stated on the Tire Information Placard. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The maximum weight listed on the label is incorrect (too low) and therefore does not comply with Federal Regulations.

Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect labels with corrected labels, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notification on March 18, 2015. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

14V789000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Dec 15, 2014

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door, and Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles manufactured January 6, 2014, to October 17, 2014. During service appointments, dealers may have inadvertently reprogrammed the transmission control unit with software that may allow drivers to exit the vehicle when the transmission is not in Park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being in Park, the vehicle could roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module with the correct software, free of charge. The recall February 4, 2015. Owners can contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

14V619000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

Oct 3, 2014

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2-door vehicles manufactured January 7, 2014, to July 21, 2014. The spare wheel may have been attached under the car with a nut that is not self-locking.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Vibrations from driving may cause the nut to loosen, allowing the wheel to separate from the car. If the spare wheel separates from the vehicle, it could become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spare wheel securing nut with a self-locking nut, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2014. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-275-6464.

14V422000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jul 14, 2014

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling a certain model year BMW i3 vehicle manufactured March 31, 2014, and certain 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop vehicles manufactured February 2, 2014 to May 30, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with an air bag inflator that was not assembled correctly. This could cause the air bag to not deploy properly in the event of an accident.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bag deploys improperly in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bags, the seat occupant may be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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

2

AQ15004 · BMW Safety Act Violations

Opened Sep 24, 2015 · Closed Oct 2, 2017

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

In a Consent Order executed on December 17, 2015, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) admitted that it violated the Safety Act by: failing to conduct a timely recall for Recall No. 15V-450; failing to file certain quarterly recall reports in a timely manner; failing to timely notify vehicle owners of the existence of a defect or noncompliance; failing to promptly advise NHTSA of delays with the beginning or completion dates for mailing owner or dealer notifications; and failing to timely submit copies to NHTSA of communications relating to recalls.As part of the Consent Order, NHTSA imposed a total civil penalty of $40 million against BMW NA for its violations of the Safety Act.The civil penalty consists of a cash payment, monetary performance obligations, and stipulated penalties.BMW NA paid the $10 million cash penalty on February 12, 2016.Failure to comply with the terms of the Consent Order or the Safety Act will result in portions of the stipulated penalties coming due.The Consent Order required BMW NA to appoint an independent safety consultant to assist BMW NA in developing best practices for complying with the Safety Act and evaluating safety issues under consideration by BMW NA.BMW NA was also required to develop a program to train dealers on the importance of complying with the prohibition on selling unremedied vehicles under recall, improve dealers' access to information necessary to maximize completion of open recalls, and invest in a pilot program to determine whether BMW NA can use data analytics to detect emerging safety defect trends.The population listed in this closing resume is based on BMW NA's untimely recall and does not include other issues addressed by the Consent Order, which relate to BMW NA's safety processes.Based on the Consent Order, BMW NA's admissions that it violated the law, and its ongoing performance obligations, this audit query investigation, AQ15-004, is closed. Closure of this AQ has no bearing on the terms of the Consent Order, including BMW NA's ongoing performance obligations or legal obligations, and does not represent a determination by NHTSA as to BMW NA's performance under the Consent Order to date.

AQ15003 · International Autos, Inc. / Mini Recall

Opened Aug 18, 2015 · Closed Aug 23, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:other:labels

The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ?? 30112(a), 30120(i)).NHTSA opened AQ15-003 to determine whether International Autos, Inc. of West Allis, Wisconsin complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act). NHTSA received information that International Autos sold and delivered at least one new model year (MY) 2015 Mini Cooper 2-door hardtop vehicle to a customer without having had all required safety recall repairs performed on that vehicle. NHTSA opened this investigation and then issued an information request (IR) to International Autos on August 20, 2015.A copy is of this request is in this investigation's file, together with a public copy of International Autos' response.A careful review of the information supplied confirm that International Autos sold and delivered at least eleven new vehicles with outstanding safety recalls on them. Under a Settlement Agreement dated April 26, 2016, International Autos committed to take concrete actions to improve its processes for verifying that prior to sale and delivery of any new vehicle International Autos has confirmed that the vehicle is not subject to an un-remedied recall. International Autos confirmed that it had engaged in these processes since June 25, 2015.International Autos also committed that it now also checks for open recalls on every customer vehicle brought in for service, and that it checks for open recalls on every used trade-in vehicle, regardless of make or model, and takes steps to have all used trade-in vehicles repaired prior to retail sale. International Autos admitted to violating the prohibition on sales of new vehicles with open recalls, and agreed to pay civil penalties in the amount of $40,000.This Audit Query is closed.