RoadVitals

2015 MINI Cooper S Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
18
Latest Jan 3, 2026
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.
2
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since Jun 11, 2015

What this page shows

Our database holds 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 MINI Cooper S. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–18 of 18

Body & structure
Filed Jan 3, 2026

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
Fuel system
Filed Oct 9, 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
Body & structure
Filed Jul 29, 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
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 23, 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
Airbags
Filed Jan 22, 2025

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
Airbags
Filed Oct 13, 2023

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
Fuel system
Filed Aug 3, 2022

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
Filed Apr 22, 2021

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
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 11, 2020

DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT HAS A SHORT/OVER HEATS AND MELTS CONNECTOR TO THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING. NOTIFICATION PROMPTS YOU THAT YOU HAVE A BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE HAS 15K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID
11383053
Incident
Dec 9, 2020
Mileage
15,250 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 15, 2020

FUEL FILLING NOZZLE SHUTS OFF REPEATEDLY WHILE REFUELING. UPON GASSING UP, VALVE CLICKS IMMEDIATELY AND PUMP SHUTS OFF LIKE IT'S FULL NO MATTER WHICH GAS STATION OR PRESSURE I EXERT. I SAW A BULLETIN "SI M16 01 15" WHICH AFFECTED MINIS PRODUCED IN 2014 BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY 2015 COOPER S. A COMMENT FROM THE BULLETIN HAD A TEMPORARY SOLUTION WHICH IS TO ANGLE THE PUMP TO 45, THEN PUMP SLOWLY AT THE MAGIC SPEED, THOUGH THIS CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 30 MINUTES. THIS IS DANGEROUS ON MY PART AS I TRAVEL PAST MIDNIGHT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND SPENDING MORE TIME AT A GAS STATION IN THE DARK IS WORRISOME. I DO GET SPILLS OCCASIONALLY WHICH I HAVE TO KEEP WIPING AND IS A STATION HAZARD. REPLACING THE FUEL TANK COMPLETELY AT AN ESTIMATED $2K+ IS TOO COSTLY ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND IS DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING.

NHTSA ID
11349356
Incident
Aug 7, 2020
Mileage
53,000 mi
Filed Dec 2, 2019

THE HORN NO LONGER WORKS UNLESS YOU PRESS IT REALLY HARD AND IN CENTER OF STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
11286361
Incident
Nov 10, 2019
Engine
Filed Oct 28, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 MINI COOPER S. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. FIRE REPORT NUMBER: 1900355515 WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY SCHEDULED A VEHICLE INSPECTION AT THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

NHTSA ID
11271653
Incident
Oct 28, 2019
Mileage
53,000 mi
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Jul 30, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK AND THE 'MALFUNCTION REAR LIGHT CLUSTER' MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN MOTORCARS (561-465-8293, LOCATED AT 2901 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409) WHERE THE REAR BRAKE CLUSTER AND THE TURN SIGNALS WERE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNT DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,621.

NHTSA ID
11240552
Incident
Jul 25, 2019
Mileage
42,621 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 8, 2019

THE CARS TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHEN TURNING ONTO A CITY STREET OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT ON A CITY STREET. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED 3 TIMES THIS WEEK AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES THIS PAST WEEK AND IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE 2015 MINI COOPER S MANUAL. MY CAR ONLY HAS 25,400 MILES ON IT. THE WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED ON 05/18/2019 (OUT BY DATE) THIS MONTH AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. IF THIS IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM, WHY DOESN'T THE DEALER TAKE THE STEPS TO FIX IT PROPERLY?

NHTSA ID
11218600
Incident
Jun 7, 2019
Mileage
25,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 12, 2018

THE HORN CONTACTS ARE CORRODED AND THE HORN WILL NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY. IT MAY TAKE 5 OR 6 TIMES PUSHING THE HORN TO GET IT TO ACTIVATE, OR HOLD IT DOWN FOR A LONG TIME AND TRY TO MOVE IT AROUND TO SCRAPE THE CORROSION OFF THE CONTACTS TO GET ACTIVATION. IT OCCURS WHETHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON A MINI COOPER FORUM. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID
11101416
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
20,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 18, 2016
Fire reported

VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOUR TIMES, SINCE PURCHASED IN MAY 2015 FOR BURNS TO LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET MELTING INTO HOUSING. MALFUNCTIONING ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS WHILE DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAYS AND STREETS. TAILLIGHT IS ON THE LEFT SIDE, NOT FAR FROM GAS TANK. CAR IS UNSAFE DUE TO OVERHEATING, BURNS AND MELTING OF TAILLIGHT COMPONENTS AND PROXIMITY TO GAS TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10916801
Incident
May 16, 2015
Mileage
25 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 29, 2016

WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ITS FIRST SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE ANY SUCH RECALL. I HAVE FOUND THIS ENTIRE EXPERIENCE TO BE VERY UNUSUAL.

NHTSA ID
10910541
Incident
Aug 31, 2016
Mileage
8,000 mi
Filed Jun 11, 2015

AIR CONDITION EMITS STRONG ODORS

NHTSA ID
10724862
Incident
May 25, 2015
Mileage
250 mi

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .