2013 MINI Cooper S Problems
- Complaints
- 24filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 49,400miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 29 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 34 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 MINI Cooper S (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2013 MINI Cooper S. The part named most often is electrical system, with 9 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine (7) and air bags (4). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 49,400 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 140 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 45 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 27 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.
- Electrical system9 38%
- Engine7 29%
- Air bags4 17%
- Other or unknown4 17%
- Brakes1 4.2%
- Exterior lighting1 4.2%
- Fuel system1 4.2%
- Seats1 4.2%
- Suspension1 4.2%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Airbag light is showing that passenger airbag is off even though my 100 lbs daughter is sitting in the front seat. I've actually had a 2009 Mini Cooper S, 2011 Mini Cooper S and now my current 2013 Mini john cooper works with the same exact tail light issue. The driver side tail light burnt out in the exact same way on all 3 cars. My vehicle was stationary and in motion when the both issues occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #11102850, filed 2018-06Engine: “Thermostat housing failed and leaked. Some vehicle owners have received a Mini extended warranty for 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first. I had to pay for a replacement part and installation at a Mini dealer. Vehicle leaked coolant on garage floor and various parking spots. Mini is reimbursing some owners for this repair. I would like my VIN authorized for reimbursement.”
NHTSA complaint #11052833, filed 2017-12, 49,400 milesAir bags: “The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag and the seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken the BMW dealer and diagnosed with failed front driver's side door air bag sensor and a failed passenger occupancy sensor. The contact was informed that the front driver's side door air bag sensor and the passenger's occupancy sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred with the driver's side door air bag sensor. The vehicle was taken back to the BMW dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11553773, filed 2023-11, 61,180 milesOther or unknown: “Horn is not working. My husband has the same make and model and his is not working as well. I was on my way to work and tried to honk, on a few occasions, at other drivers that were about to hit me but the horn didn't work.”
NHTSA complaint #11113558, filed 2018-07Mileage when problems were reported
54% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 42,630 and 68,500 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.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper S Convertible · C FWD | not rated | — | — | — | 5 · 10.1% risk |
| Cooper S Hardtop · hatchback FWD | not 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 2013 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper S FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,850 |
| Cooper S FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,850 |
| Cooper S Clubman FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,850 |
| Cooper S Clubman FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,850 |
| Cooper S Convertible FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,850 |
| Cooper S Convertible FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,850 |
| Cooper S Countryman FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 25 | 31 | 28 | $2,950 |
| Cooper S Countryman FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,950 |
| Cooper S Countryman All4 AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 25 | 30 | 27 | $3,050 |
| Cooper S Countryman All4 AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 23 | 30 | 26 | $3,150 |
| Cooper S Countryman Coupe FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 25 | 31 | 28 | $2,950 |
| Cooper S Countryman Coupe FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,950 |
| Cooper S Countryman Coupe All4 AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 25 | 30 | 27 | $3,050 |
| Cooper S Countryman Coupe All4 AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 23 | 30 | 26 | $3,150 |
4 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
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
- 23V337000May 11, 2023Electrical systemCovers: MINI Cooper S 2007–2013, Cooper 2007–2013, JCW 2007–2013 +1 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado…
Recall details for the 2013 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. 140 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10244507Oct 25, 2023Electrical 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…
- 10206696Dec 1, 2021Electrical system, Wheels, Equipment. New RDC wheel electronics will be introduced with future generation MINI models. The new wheel electronics are identified as Huf Generation 5. These new wheel electronics will need to be programmed…
- 10179827Aug 1, 2020Seats. OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT - LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES: Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension For the above-referenced vehicles, MINI USA, a division of BMW of North…
- 10171506Jan 1, 2020Electrical system, Fuel system, Engine. CLASS 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 power while driving…
- 10162461Jul 12, 2019Equipment. Air Conditioning System Leak Testing. The customer complains of poor or no air conditioning cooling. After further diagnosis, the system is found to be low or empty of a refrigerant charge, but when…
- 10162460Jul 12, 2019Body and structure, Equipment. Service Action: Checking or Replacing the Door Sill Trim Strips. The door sill trim strips are deformed and/or peeling up at the corners. CAUSE: Insufficient surface preparation of the door sill.
- 10162442Jul 12, 2019Engine cooling. "Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion could form in the engine coolant temperature sensor. This corrosion leads to internal bridging of the contacts…
- 10160298Apr 1, 2019Engine cooling, Equipment. N18 THERMOSTAT WITH THERMOSTAT HOUSING: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/ This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 02 18 dated May 2018.
- 10160229Apr 1, 2019Equipment. N18 THERMOSTAT WITH THERMOSTAT HOUSING: LIMITED WARRANTYEXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/ This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 02 18 dated May 2018.
- 10153778Jan 1, 2019Equipment. Oc3 seat occupancy mat: limited warranty extension to 10 years/120.
Other model years of the MINI Cooper S
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 4,714 | 2 | — | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 5 | 40,830 | 1 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 6 | 17,200 | 3 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 10 | 42,000 | 3 | 4 | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 18 | 33,810 | 4 | 4 | 28 | — | Rising |
| 2014 | 13 | 25,000 | 4 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 24 | 49,400 | 1 | — | 29 | — | Rising |
| 2012 | 23 | 86,000 | 2 | — | 30 | — | Rising |
| 2011 | 31 | 65,008 | 3 | — | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2010 | 59 | 62,635 | 4 | — | 29 | 47 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 119 | 52,062 | 3 | — | 29 | 53 · Typical | Rising |
| 2008 | 168 | 53,600 | 4 | — | 29 | 72 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 249 | 52,000 | 4 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 186 | 55,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 314 | 66,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 247 | 74,000 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 217 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 83 | 75,415 | 1 | — | — | 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 2013 MINI Cooper S have?
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2013 MINI Cooper S as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2013 MINI Cooper S is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 9 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine with 7.
Has the 2013 MINI Cooper S been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 MINI Cooper S get?
The EPA rates the 2013 MINI Cooper S (Cooper S, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2013 MINI Cooper S reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 49,400 miles and the middle half falls between 42,630 and 68,500 miles; 54% 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.