2012 MINI Cooper Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 26%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine of the 2012 MINI Cooper, 26% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving 45 MPH on busy city four-lane road, I braked gradually in approach to red light, which is my normal braking style. Car did not come to a complete stop--brakes only worked to a point but did not completely stop car; simultaneously engine revved to very high RPM. I threw transmission into park and turned off ignition lest my car ram car ahead of me. Very frightening. …”
NHTSA complaint #10875740, filed 2016-06, 24,239 miles“While driving for about 30 minutes on the highway, my Mini Cooper shut off completely, I was able to pull onto the shoulder and that is when smoke started coming from the engine, within 6 minutes my whole engine was engulfed in flames, car totaled. Insurence inspectors couldn't figure out a cause. One of the fire fighters said it looks like it started near the water pump. There are recalls on other models for this problem, but not mine. My Mini hasn't been worked on since last year when I got new tires, I also keep up with every oil change.”
NHTSA complaint #11162247, filed 2018-12, 53,000 miles“Vehicle was in motion on a highway and after going over several pot holes the engine temperature warning light came on. The engine power was reduced and an engine failure light also appeared. This is when I pulled over into the off ramp and the vehicle came to a sputtering stop. I placed the car in neutral and pushed it to the dirt side lane of the off ramp. I opened the hood, smelled something burning, and saw smoke coming from the engine. I could see burnt circuits, burnt plastic, and coolant leaking all over the engine and exposed wiring. …”
NHTSA complaint #11119998, filed 2018-08, 56,000 miles“Vehicle was in motion on a highway and, after going over several pot holes, the engine temperature warning light came on. The engine power was reduced, and the engine failure light also appeared. This is when I pulled over into the off ramp, and the vehicle came to a sputtering stop. I placed the car in neutral and pushed it to the dirt side lane of the off ramp. I opened the hood, smelled something burning, and saw smoke coming from the engine. I could see burnt circuits, burnt plastic, and coolant leaking all over the engine and exposed wiring. …”
NHTSA complaint #11120060, filed 2018-08, 56,000 miles“Vehicle was in motion on a highway and, after going over several pot holes, the engine temperature warning light came on. The engine power was reduced, and the engine failure light also appeared. This is when I pulled over into the off ramp, and the vehicle came to a sputtering stop. I placed the car in neutral and pushed it to the dirt side lane of the off ramp. I opened the hood, smelled something burning, and saw smoke coming from the engine. I could see burnt circuits, burnt plastic, and coolant leaking all over the engine and exposed wiring. …”
NHTSA complaint #11120057, filed 2018-08, 56,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11000632May 6, 2024Hot-Film Air Mass Meter Return
- 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…
- 10159154Mar 1, 2019N16 ENGINE IGNITION COILS: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120000 MILES This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M01 08 17 dated February 2018.
- 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…
- 10147223Jul 1, 2015Intermittent Poor Throttle Response at High Ambient Temperatures. The engine throttle response from a stop can intermittently be sluggish when the outside ambient temperatures…
- 10059114Jul 1, 2015Mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature is high outside, and more obvious if the tank is only partly filled.
- 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.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 1 | 13% |
| 2017 | 6 | 21% |
| 2016 | 10 | 36% |
| 2015 | 14 | 25% |
| 2014 | 8 | 24% |
| 2013 | 4 | 9% |
| 2012 | 17 | 26% |
| 2011 | 12 | 14% |
| 2010 | 32 | 35% |
| 2009 | 46 | 30% |
| 2008 | 44 | 38% |
| 2007 | 30 | 26% |
| 2006 | 10 | 5% |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 MINI Cooper
28 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 MINI Cooper
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