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MINI Cooper SModel year report

2015 MINI Cooper S Problems

Complaints
18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
33,810miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns 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
4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 33 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2015 MINI Cooper S (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2015 MINI Cooper S. The part named most often is engine, with 3 complaints (17% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (3) and fuel system (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 33,810 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 376 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 60 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 6 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.

Example complaints

Engine: “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 complaint #10910541, filed 2016-09, 8,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “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 complaint #11383053, filed 2020-12, 15,250 miles

Fuel system: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11349356, filed 2020-08, 53,000 miles

Other or unknown: “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 complaint #11413435, filed 2021-04, 44,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,250 and 53,000 miles.

25%0–1017%10–2525%25–5025%50–758%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 33,810 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.

2016201942021202342026
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 2015 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 FWD★★★★☆4 / 5454 · 11.1% risk
Cooper S Hardtop · hatchback FWD★★★★☆4 / 5354 · 11.1% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2015 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

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

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2015 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 (3-doors) FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950
Cooper S (3-doors) FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual243327$3,050
Cooper S (5-doors) FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950
Cooper S (5-doors) FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual243327$3,050
Cooper S Convertible FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263429$2,850
Cooper S Convertible FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950
Cooper S Countryman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253128$2,950
Cooper S Countryman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263228$2,950
Cooper S Countryman All4 AWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual253027$3,050
Cooper S Countryman All4 AWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic233026$3,150
Cooper S Coupe FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263429$2,850
Cooper S Coupe FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950
Cooper S Paceman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253128$2,950
Cooper S Paceman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263228$2,950

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

Recall details for the 2015 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. 376 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 376 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 2015 MINI Cooper S have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2015 MINI Cooper S as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2015 MINI Cooper S is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 3 complaints (17% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 3.

Has the 2015 MINI Cooper S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2015 MINI Cooper S do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2015 MINI Cooper S 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2015 MINI Cooper S get?

The EPA rates the 2015 MINI Cooper S (Cooper S (3-doors), 2.0L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2015 MINI Cooper S reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 33,810 miles and the middle half falls between 15,250 and 53,000 miles; 67% 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.