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2015 Mini Cooper

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 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

26 reports with mileage · 30 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

56 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

Fuel tank causes gas pump to click off after dispensing a tenth gallon of gasoline. Gas spills from gas tank while removing pump creating a safety and environmental hazard. Fuel tank will not accept gas at pump. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms were present prior to the failure. Mini Cooper dealership stated that service …

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Fuel tank causes gas pump to click off after dispensing a tenth gallon of gasoline. Gas spills from gas tank while removing pump creating a safety and environmental hazard. Fuel tank will not accept gas at pump. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms were present prior to the failure. Mini Cooper dealership stated that service valve in tank has failed and entire fuel tank must be replaced.

NHTSA ODI #11546035

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2023
Electrical System

While driving on freeway in 109 degree temp the service engine light came on. Proceeded with trip home (approx 2 hrs). Made a service appt online with Mini of Stevens Creek which was for 3 days later. Upon inspection it was found that vehicle had multiple problems. Service Advisor would not allow me to drive vehicle home while a…

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While driving on freeway in 109 degree temp the service engine light came on. Proceeded with trip home (approx 2 hrs). Made a service appt online with Mini of Stevens Creek which was for 3 days later. Upon inspection it was found that vehicle had multiple problems. Service Advisor would not allow me to drive vehicle home while awaiting parts that were on B/O. Estimated it could be as long as 2 months before repaired because there were 391 units coming in next delivery but my vehicle was number 403 on the list requiring this part and would have to wait for the following months delivery. I was quite alarmed of the repairs needed since my vehicle has <28,000 miles and well maintained.

NHTSA ODI #11542137

78,000 miles · Apr 19, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for a routine oil change, the mechanic also determined that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced and an unknown engine software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of …

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The contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for a routine oil change, the mechanic also determined that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced and an unknown engine software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #11517933

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2023
Electrical System

The horn does no longer work. Had to press harder and harder on the horn button and in different places as time went on. Also have the same problem in a 2005 Mini Cooper.

NHTSA ODI #11512027

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

When refueling, fuel is rejected after dispensing about 1/8 US gallons, about 4 oz. Of course, fuel spills are a hazard - both in possibly of fire, and to the environment - by contaminating ground water. Dealer said that there are several solenoid operated valves and replaced fuel tank and fill pipe, a cost to me of $2400.00. Th…

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When refueling, fuel is rejected after dispensing about 1/8 US gallons, about 4 oz. Of course, fuel spills are a hazard - both in possibly of fire, and to the environment - by contaminating ground water. Dealer said that there are several solenoid operated valves and replaced fuel tank and fill pipe, a cost to me of $2400.00. There are many reports of this on social media, one person suggested holding the fuel nozzle upside down which made a larger spill.

NHTSA ODI #11487713

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

When refueling, nozzle kept shutting off, a gallon was pumped after nine attempts, also fuel erupted as the fill tube was filled with gas. reluctant to drive this car not knowing how much gas is in the tank. The needle shows less than 1/4 and miles remaining fluctuates between 80 and 110 miles. We are told that this problem exis…

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When refueling, nozzle kept shutting off, a gallon was pumped after nine attempts, also fuel erupted as the fill tube was filled with gas. reluctant to drive this car not knowing how much gas is in the tank. The needle shows less than 1/4 and miles remaining fluctuates between 80 and 110 miles. We are told that this problem exists in many mini automobiles, dealer has replacement gas tanks, but same problem exists Parking our Mini, indication of "roll back" is possible when car is parked. Shifter unit was replaced due to torsion spring.

NHTSA ODI #11485453

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2022
Service BrakesSteering

The proportioning value that controls brake function had a catastrophic failure and caused the brake calipers especially the left front to lock suddenly. The caused the left front wheel to lock and caused the car to pull hard to left and become difficult if not impossible to control. The car pulled hard left and risked the car …

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The proportioning value that controls brake function had a catastrophic failure and caused the brake calipers especially the left front to lock suddenly. The caused the left front wheel to lock and caused the car to pull hard to left and become difficult if not impossible to control. The car pulled hard left and risked the car moving uncontrollably into on coming traffic. The failed part was saved and is available for inspection. The safety of the driver(my wife) was put at risk during the loss of control of the car. Other cars in the area were also put at risk simply due to the loss of control of our car. The problem was confirmed by the independent service center. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to the dealership. The dealership thought the root cause was the brake master cylinder. This turned out not to be the case. The root cause was the failed proportioning valve. This caused the calipers to lock. The discs, rotors, calipers and proportioning value were replaced. There were no warning lights and the car had been taken for regular service at the dealership which was included in the purchase of the car. We were told that there is no warning light for a failure of this part.

NHTSA ODI #11484820

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2022
Power Train

On display I am getting warning " secure vehicle with parking brake when stationary" whereas my car is in park position with hand brake applied. The warning still shows up. The gearbox works fine the car drives fine. Its the warning that doesn't seem to go away. On diagnostics is shows code "420106" . DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT LEVER …

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On display I am getting warning " secure vehicle with parking brake when stationary" whereas my car is in park position with hand brake applied. The warning still shows up. The gearbox works fine the car drives fine. Its the warning that doesn't seem to go away. On diagnostics is shows code "420106" . DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT LEVER SPRING

NHTSA ODI #11478373

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2022
Unknown Or Other

On July 12 early morning hours I left Maryland drove to Augusta GA and continued on to Decatur GA totaling 704 Miles. Within an hour of me arriving to Atlanta, I attempted to leave the house again and the car would not crank. I had it towed to Global Mini there in Chamblee, GA. The key stopped communicating with the car, and I…

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On July 12 early morning hours I left Maryland drove to Augusta GA and continued on to Decatur GA totaling 704 Miles. Within an hour of me arriving to Atlanta, I attempted to leave the house again and the car would not crank. I had it towed to Global Mini there in Chamblee, GA. The key stopped communicating with the car, and I was asked to give them my spare key-I did not travel with my spare key and the key fob design does not have a replaceable battery per the dealership the fob is designed to charge while driving. I had to pay for someone to overnight my second key-which did crank the car. I had to purchase another key and I had to rent a car until they ordered another key to have sent to the dealer because the dealer does not make keys. This is a safety issue because i made several stops for gas and restroom breaks and what if this happened in the middle of nowhere? It was a scary situation and I feel that we should have been notified as owners that this could be a possible event. I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2015.

NHTSA ODI #11478249

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

The fuel filling nozzle turns off repeatedly while filling the fuel tank, regardless of position of nozzle, pressure used, station used. In an attempt to remedy, Mini Service Technicians replaced tank vent valve but it did not correct the issue. I am unable to fill my gas tank.

NHTSA ODI #11453987

Official recalls

6

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)

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 .

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 .

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.

14V721000 · Seats

Nov 10, 2014

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door vehicles manufactured August 12, 2014, to September 2, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seatback adjustment mechanism may not be fully engaged.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the seatback adjustment mechanism is not fully engaged, the seatback may fold during a rear impact collision, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will re-align and re-tighten the seatback adjustment mechanisms, free of charge. The recall began December 29, 2014. Owners can contact MINI 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

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.