RoadVitals

2007 MINI Cooper S Convertible

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Apr 21, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 6, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 MINI Cooper S Convertible, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 24 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags562.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Interior & seats112.5%
  • Steering112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Apr 6, 2015
91,800 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
The risk: An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
The remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Nov 20, 2007
320 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.' THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THE TIRE SIZE AND CORRESPONDING TIRE PRESSURE BE INDICATED ON THE LABEL AND THE LABEL DOES NOT CORRESPOND TO THE ACTUAL TIRES MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE.
The risk: INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR AND TIRE DAMAGE WHICH COULD LEAD TO UNFAVORABLE DRIVING CONDITIONS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW TIRE INFORMATION PLACARDS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MINI AT 1-866-275-6464.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE11036ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Engine compartment fire

Opened Oct 11, 2011
Closed Jun 11, 2012

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 12V008000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Interior & seats
Filed Apr 21, 2018

THE SEATS' HEATING ELEMENTS HAD BEEN REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. THIS MONTH I BROUGHT THE CAR TO ND FROM TX AND WE USED THE HEATED SEATS HERE. THE SEATS' WERE VERY HOT. TODAY I NOTICED THREE BURN HOLES IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHERE IT CONTACTS THE DRIVER'S BACK.

NHTSA ID
11089231
Incident
Apr 21, 2018
Mileage
45,808 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 27, 2015
Fire reported

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND BURNT TO THE GROUND. CAR ONLY HAD 27000 MILES ON IT AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND IN PERFECT CONDITION.

NHTSA ID
10743624
Incident
Jul 27, 2015
Mileage
27,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 2, 2015

PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OPEN OR OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER (150 LBS). *TR

NHTSA ID
10669663
Incident
Jul 1, 2010
Mileage
25,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 16, 2014

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY GOES OUT, ALMOST HIT 2 CARS TRYING TO GET OFF FREEWAY. PARKED THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES, STARTED IT BACK UP AND STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED HALF A DOZEN TIMES. I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GET THIS REPAIRED WITHOUT IT COSTING ME $$$$. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10645036
Incident
Oct 17, 2012
Mileage
65,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 16, 2014

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT CAME ON WHILE THERE WAS AN ADULT MALE (198 LBS) IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT REMAINED LIT WHETHER SOMEONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT INDICATING THE SYSTEM WAS DISABLED AT ALL TIMES. THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE SEATBELT TENSIONING SYSTEM IS CONTROLLED VIA THIS SAFETY SYSTEM WHICH MEANT THAT IT WAS DISABLED AS WELL. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY A MINI SERVICE PROVIDER (DEALER WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED AS NEW) AS A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR LOCATED IN THE SEAT BASE AND WAS REPAIRED AS VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. EXACTLY TWO YEARS AND 3 MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM HAS RECURRED BUT BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT SENSOR IS WARRANTIED FOR ONLY TWO YEARS FROM INSTALLATION I WAS INFORMED THE COST TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM WOULD BE $1400.00. THIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THE BMW 3,4 & 5 SERIES AND WAS HANDLED BY A RECALL BUT BMW (MINI PARENT COMPANY) HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE SAME FAULT WITH THEIR MINI COOPER LINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10622655
Incident
Apr 4, 2012
Mileage
20,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 24, 2014

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED, AIRBAG LIGHT AND PASSENGER OCCUPANCY LIGHT ARE ILLUMINATED. COST TO REPLACE IS AROUND $1K. THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS FOR MODELS UP TO 2005, BUT THIS MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10615906
Incident
Nov 1, 2013
Mileage
610,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 24, 2012

PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHTS (DASH AND ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR) ARE ON INDICATING NO PASSENGER IS PRESENT (THUS DISABLING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM) EVEN WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL IS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND BOUGHT THE SUPPLEMENTAL BMW WARRANTY WHICH I WAS TOLD EXTENDED THE SUPPLIED WARRANTY FROM 4 YEARS/50,000 MILES TO 6 YEARS/100,000 MILES AND COVERED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BUT WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. AND THE PRIOR YEAR MODEL OF MINI (2006) DID HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ADDRESSED AND THE WARRANTY EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS RELATING TO THE SAME SENSOR FAILING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10452842
Incident
Feb 20, 2012
Mileage
26,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 14, 2009

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING THAT THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND THE SYSTEM IS INACTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10273763
Incident
Mar 15, 2009
Mileage
14,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

M610607

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. Breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system can have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. For this reason, a battery replacement will permanently eliminate the problem only in the rarest of cases. The energy diagnosis test module helps to localize these causes. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of a discharged battery cannot be identified. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time, it is very important that the diagnostic test plan is performed to completion; with all results taken into consideration.

M240112

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Programming a Replacement EGS Module with ISTA/P. Programming a replacement electronic transmission control module (EGS) with ISTA/P requires the manual entry of the correct target basic and programmed part numbers. Programming concept.

BMWJUL1316

ENGINE; EQUIPMENT

MINI Water Pump Class Action Settlement

M320214

STEERING

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. SUBJECT Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle is No Longer Required. Left-hand drive steering spindles are currently available.

SIM-11-10-14

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

MINI: SOME VEHICLES HAVE TURBOCHARGER NOISE AND A LACK OR LOSS OF PERFORMANCE, DUE TO RESTRICTION OF TURBOCHARGER OIL SUPPLY, RESULTING IN OIL STARVATION AND SEIZING OF TURBOCHARGER ASSEMBLY. MODEL ALL. *PE

M010514

POWER TRAIN

MINI CVT Replacement Parts Warranty Extension: Additional 12 Months with Up to 50,000 Accumulated Miles. A MINI vehicle's CVT assembly or component that was previously repaired and/or replaced by an authorized MINI dealer or BMW center may experience a subsequent failure.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

MINI Cooper S Convertible by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012310
2011421
2010101144.5
2009911
2008711
2007Viewing821
2006361036.4
2005611146.7

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.