AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION; SEATS
2015 MINI Cooper S
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 MINI Cooper S, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, engine and fuel system categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 376 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 2 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 3 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 4 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 5 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 6 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 7 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 8 |
| Aug 2020 | 1 | 9 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 10 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 11 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 12 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 13 |
| Jan 2025 | 2 | 15 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 16 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 17 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 18 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Exterior lighting317.6%
- Engine317.6%
- Fuel system317.6%
- Airbags211.8%
- Body & structure211.8%
- Electrical211.8%
- Brakes15.9%
- Powertrain (other)15.9%
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
4 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.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
STRUCTURE:BODY
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
BMW Safety Act Violations
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The rear windshield fell out of the top of my convertible. There was no accident or foul play involved. The glue that bonds the window to the top became unglued. This happened at 70,000 miles. The top is made of fabric and the window is made out of glass. Have to you replace the entire top to repair it. Not sure why this is not a recall. It is a well-known problem for the car.
- NHTSA ID
- 11708598
- Incident
- Sep 11, 2025
The fuel filling nozzle turns off repeatedly (as if already full) while filling the fuel tank. About 1/4 to 1/3 of a gallon of fuel will go in before it turns off, backs up, and the gas overflows onto the outside of the car and onto the concrete. It happens regardless of the pump being used. It started happening occasionally a few months ago if the tank was refilled when a quarter full. It now happens consistently, no matter the fuel level. I had the car put on a lift and the system diagnosed today. The mechanic said the cause is a faulty service valve within the fuel tank assembly. They also said it is a known issue with F56 Mini Coopers.
- NHTSA ID
- 11692422
- Incident
- Oct 6, 2025
The back window comes unglued to the convertible top when the car is parked outside in warm weather. Ive seen this in several other mini cooper roadsters within the past few weeks. This causes the car to have a hole in the convertible top and leaves the glass hanging from the sensor. To fix it you need to buy a whole new top. This HAS to be a design defect.
- NHTSA ID
- 11677078
- Incident
- Jul 8, 2025
While driving in the rain (light rain) front right and rear left brakes locked up. No warning lights came on, it was a very dangerous situation. The car is currently at a repair shop getting looked at, I had to have it towed there because those wheels will not turn while in neutral even. Reading forums this is a common problem, very serious and dangerous especially with no warning.
- NHTSA ID
- 11638047
- Incident
- Dec 30, 2024
Defect in passenger frontal airbag-The front passenger seat occupancy detection mat is not functioning correctly. This was recalled but not for my VIN and needs to be part of the recall.
- NHTSA ID
- 11637797
- Incident
- Jan 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated stating that the air bag was turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat mat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the request for assistance was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11549827
- Incident
- Aug 13, 2023
- Mileage
- 80,000 mi
The contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the vehicle previously had the fuel carbon filter replaced; however, the failure recurred while attempting to refuel the vehicle. The fuel tank dispersed the gasoline outward, spilling on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11477351
- Incident
- Aug 3, 2022
- Mileage
- 67,000 mi
CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE BOTH MOVING AND STATIONARY. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS SAID IT WAS THE OIL FILTER HOUSING AND RELATED PARTS. REPLACED HOUSING, OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND THE BOTTOM SCREW. WORKS AGAIN. CAR HAD UNDER 45,000 MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL HOUSING HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOR OTHER AND RELATED MINIS, INCLUDING SOME SUBJECT TO RECALL.
- NHTSA ID
- 11413435
- Incident
- Apr 4, 2021
- Mileage
- 44,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
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 âÂÂdischarged batteryâ 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
?The panoramic roof sunblind does not close, or jams while closing.
COMMUNICATION:MANUFACTURER TELEMATICS
?BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop: REPLACE CHARGE AIR LINE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Oscillations in the electric drive can occur. As a result, the 12 V positive battery cable may rub against the battery box cover.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to a production error, the telematics control units were delivered without an IMS configuration. The Connected Drive voice services (Concierge Call, MINI Assistance and emergency call voice) can no longer be used regionally in the US in vehicle with telematics control units ATM-1 and TCB-4G. Voice control of the vehicle and all other telephone (paired mobile devices) functions are not affected. Emergency call location data is unaffected.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The buttons on the gear selector switch (GWS) do not work, or the function indicator lighting has failed.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 5 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 9 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2015Viewing | 18 | 4 | 1 | 62.6 |
| 2014 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 51.8 |
| 2013 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 42.9 |
| 2012 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 46.3 |
| 2011 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 57.8 |
| 2010 | 59 | 4 | 1 | 59.7 |
| 2009 | 119 | 3 | 1 | 52.3 |
| 2008 | 168 | 4 | 2 | 58.6 |
| 2007 | 249 | 4 | 3 | 61.8 |
| 2006 | 186 | 1 | 0 | 40.9 |
| 2005 | 314 | 2 | 2 | 55.6 |
| 2004 | 247 | 2 | 2 | 55.4 |
| 2003 | 217 | 2 | 5 | 62.0 |
| 2002 | 83 | 1 | 3 | 53.5 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.