2020 MINI Cooper S Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 4,714miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 30 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 35 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 MINI Cooper S (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2020 MINI Cooper S. The part named most often is engine, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and electrical system (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 4,714 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 68 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 3 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.
- Engine2 40%
- Brakes1 20%
- Electrical system1 20%
- Steering1 20%
- Wheels1 20%
Example complaints
Engine: “During a rain shower, drove at about 15mph into roughly 4 of water gathered on the shoulder of an access road adjacent to the highway and the engine stalled. Would not restart. Puddle of water was not high enough to breach the cabin - running boards were still above water and the curb adjacent to the street was not submerged. Car would not start and transmission locked up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11330340, filed 2020-06, 1,400 milesBrakes: “I was pulling into a parking spot slowly and all of the sudden the car took off and took off and I couldn’t stop and when I tried to sped hard on the break it wouldn’t work and I lost control and my car wouldn’t stop until it crashed into another vehicle that was sitting in another parking spot.”
NHTSA complaint #11669081, filed 2025-06Steering: “The contact owns a 2020 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering feature malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 25,500. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11648130, filed 2025-03, 25,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,400 and 8,028 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2020 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 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,850 |
| Cooper S Countryman FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 24 | 33 | 28 | $2,950 |
| Cooper S Countryman All4 AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 23 | 31 | 26 | $3,150 |
| Cooper S Hardtop 2 door FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 26 | 35 | 30 | $2,750 |
| Cooper S Hardtop 4 door FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 26 | 35 | 30 | $2,750 |
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
- 20V283000May 20, 2020Air bags › Side/window › CurtainCovers: MINI Cooper S 2020–2021, Cooper 2020–2021, BMW X2 2020 +3 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door…
- 19V634000Aug 28, 2019Body and structureCovers: MINI Cooper S 2020, Cooper 2020, JCW 2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW vehicles. The rear side trim panels may have been assembled without a crash pad. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal…
Recall details for the 2020 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. 68 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10252037Mar 4, 2024Suspension. During inspection and/or diagnosis there is noticeable dirt/grease buildup on the axles near the inner and/or outer CV boots.
- 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…
- 10242535Aug 1, 2023Body and structure. ?The panoramic roof sunblind does not close, or jams while closing.
- 10242534Aug 1, 2023Other or unknown. ?BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop: REPLACE CHARGE AIR LINE.
- 10238095May 1, 2023Body and structure. Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.
- 10234353Mar 1, 2023Electrical system. The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this…
- 10234352Mar 1, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lighting. The buttons on the gear selector switch (GWS) do not work, or the function indicator lighting has failed.
- 10234351Mar 1, 2023Electrical system. Oscillations in the electric drive can occur. As a result, the 12 V positive battery cable may rub against the battery box cover.
- 10233170Feb 1, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lighting. Ambient lighting changes color after the vehicle goes to sleep.
- 10228447Nov 1, 2022Electrical system. During the service life of the vehicle, the high-voltage battery may unexpectedly not provide power to the vehicle.
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 2020 MINI Cooper S have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2020 MINI Cooper S as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2020 MINI Cooper S is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 2020 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 2020 MINI Cooper S get?
The EPA rates the 2020 MINI Cooper S (Cooper S Hardtop 2 door, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 26 city and 35 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 2020 MINI Cooper S reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 4,714 miles and the middle half falls between 1,400 and 8,028 miles; 100% 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. 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.