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MINI Cooper SModel year report

2012 MINI Cooper S Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
86,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
30 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 MINI Cooper S (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2012 MINI Cooper S. The part named most often is electrical system, with 13 complaints (57% of the total), followed by engine (4) and fuel system (4). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 23% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 86,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 152 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 41 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 38 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Vehicle had been driven 24 miles and parked for about 10 minutes when engine compartment caught fire. Master mechanic diagnosed it originated with the coolant pump and caused a short circuit with the electronics of the pump igniting a fire.”

NHTSA complaint #10958534, filed 2017-03, 86,000 miles

Engine: “The car stalled while driving on freeway once and high pressure fuel pump was replaced by Mini cooper and again second time on inner roads driving at 20 miles an hour....without any warning”

NHTSA complaint #11301419, filed 2020-01, 70,000 miles

Fuel system: “While moving in traffic and accelerating, the fuel pump cut out and the engine died, forcing the driver to maneuver in traffic (coasting) eventually coming to stop in a left hand turn lane which was then blocked with the dead vehicle. Though the vehicle was undamaged, the possibility of a collision existed. Research indicates that minis from 2010-early 2012 had similar problems, resulting in Mini USA extending the warranty on the fuel pump to 10 years/ 120,000 miles. Vehicles produced on or after 3/1/2012 (including mine) were fitted with different equipment. No recall was conducted. …”

NHTSA complaint #11233919, filed 2019-07, 25,404 miles

Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S. While attempting to exit the vehicle, the front passenger and driver side and the rear driver side doors failed to open without warning. The failures recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the door actuators failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired except for the rear driver side door. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”

NHTSA complaint #10886190, filed 2016-07

Mileage when problems were reported

23% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,000 and 118,000 miles.

0%0–108%10–2515%25–5023%50–7515%75–10031%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 86,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2014201620172018201920202023202452025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 MINI Cooper S. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Cooper S Hardtop · hatchback FWDnot rated———5 · 10.1% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 MINI Cooper S version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cooper S FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263430$2,750
Cooper S FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950
Cooper S Coupe FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263430$2,750
Cooper S Coupe FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950
Cooper S Roadster FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263430$2,750
Cooper S Roadster FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 MINI Cooper S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 152 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 152 bulletins →

Other model years of the MINI Cooper S

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202054,7142—30—Not enough data
2019540,8301—27—Not enough data
2017617,2003—27—Not enough data
20161042,0003428—Not enough data
20151833,8104428—Rising
20141325,0004—29—Not enough data
20132449,4001—29—Rising
20122386,0002—30—Rising
20113165,0083—300 · FewerRising
20105962,6354—2947 · TypicalFalling
200911952,0623—2953 · TypicalRising
200816853,6004—2972 · MoreFalling
200724952,0004—28Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200618655,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200531466,0002—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200424774,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200321770,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20028375,4151——Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All MINI Cooper S model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 MINI Cooper S have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2012 MINI Cooper S as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 MINI Cooper S is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 13 complaints (57% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2012 MINI Cooper S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 MINI Cooper S get?

The EPA rates the 2012 MINI Cooper S (Cooper S, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 26 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 MINI Cooper S reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 86,000 miles and the middle half falls between 70,000 and 118,000 miles; 23% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.