2012 MINI Cooper Coupe Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 38%of 8 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe, 38% of the 8 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving and went to brake, but the car wouldn't respond. To avoid hitting another car, I swerved sharply and went up onto the curb. The car started smoking and caught fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11772569, filed 2026-10, 105,000 miles“In weather below zero f when the car is left outside for over 8 hours the engine sometimes starts in limp mode and does not allow full power until fully warmed up. This can take over 10 miles of driving, idling alone does not warm up the engine very quickly in below zero weather and limp mode. The danger is that limp mode is very limited to engine power and one becomes a hazard to others when sharing the road. In the climate I live in this occurs a few times a winter. The dealership has not come up with a solution. …”
NHTSA complaint #10681326, filed 2015-02, 2,000 miles“It's something going on with the engine and the engine cooling system and with alot of stuff with this car I get one thing fix in two more things go wrong with it just having so many problems with this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11219731, filed 2019-06Related service bulletins
- 10171506Jan 1, 2020CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N14 HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HDP) SERVICE BENEFIT CLASS VEHICLES: The MINI vehicle may experience a sudden engine operational failure reduced or loss of…
- 10159154Mar 1, 2019N16 ENGINE IGNITION COILS: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120000 MILES This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 08 17 dated February 2018.
- 10146720Jun 1, 2017"N18 Engine High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HDP): Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years/120,000 Miles This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 01 16 dated March 2016..
- 10146985Jul 1, 2016"Technical Service N18 Engine High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HDP): Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years/120,000 Miles This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 01 16 dated…
- 10147906Dec 1, 2015Surface Cracks on the Water Pump Drive Pulley. During a repair, service or inspection, the drive pulley on the water pump shows signs of cracking. No part replacement is…
- 10147223Jul 1, 2015Intermittent Poor Throttle Response at High Ambient Temperatures. The engine throttle response from a stop can intermittently be sluggish when the outside ambient temperatures…
- 10059114Jul 1, 2015Mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature is high outside, and more obvious if the tank is only partly filled.
- 10057380May 22, 2015Mini: see document search button for owner letter. Questions and answers for timing chain of various mini.
- 10147700Mar 1, 2015"Engine Cranks, No Start and/or Engine Coolant Temperature Faults. 1 The engine either exhibits a crank, no start or a hard start (long crank), usually on a cold engine. No…
- 10147697Mar 1, 2015Engine Misfire Due to Failed Ignition Coil. ? The Check Engine or Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is on with misfire fault(s) stored in the DME. ? Intermittent performance or…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 | 38% |
Other parts of the 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe
3 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology