2012 MINI Cooper S Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 17%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2012 MINI Cooper S, 17% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,500 miles.
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.
“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“Nothing has failed yet, however, the oil stick is completely illegible. On a car that fails to have an electronic dipstick and likes to burn oil, as well as has a very small oil capacity (Around 5 liters or less) this design is going to cause the engine to run out of oil without the driver knowing. It is a seriously bad design, especially combined with BMW recommending a 10,000 mile oil change, the car will burn off all the oil it has and operator will have no idea due to the faulty design of the dipstick. …”
NHTSA complaint #11514050, filed 2023-03Related 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…
- 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…
- 10059112Jul 1, 2015Mini: because of the dme software, and a damaged clutch, the drivetrain malfunction check message appear.
- 10059098Jul 1, 2015Mini: different faults activates engine malfunction and oil warning.
- 10059113Jun 1, 2015Mini: faulty software causes the check control and engine power reduced light to appear.
- 10059111Jun 1, 2015Mini: due to faulty dme software, the service engine lights comes on, including the check control message for motor force decrease.
- 10059094Jun 1, 2015Mini: a mechanical failure and dme software error of the vanos actuators cause the engine to run rough which activates the malfunction warning light.
- 10058544Jun 1, 2015Mini: some vehicles are experiencing several issues as when idling power is loss, before engine starts, extended cranking, clutch pedal fails to return to disengaged position, a…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 40% |
| 2019 | 1 | 20% |
| 2017 | 2 | 33% |
| 2016 | 4 | 40% |
| 2015 | 3 | 17% |
| 2014 | 3 | 23% |
| 2013 | 7 | 29% |
| 2012 | 4 | 17% |
| 2011 | 16 | 52% |
| 2010 | 37 | 63% |
| 2009 | 65 | 55% |
| 2008 | 78 | 46% |
| 2007 | 94 | 38% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 MINI Cooper S
13 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 MINI Cooper S
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology