2012 MINI Cooper Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 8%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 MINI Cooper, 8% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 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.
“My driver side brake light keeps melting. The plastic the the light build screws into is actually melting t the brake light bulb. I've paid Mini to repair the damage and the same issues has surfaced. The driver's side brake light does not work at all.”
NHTSA complaint #11197140, filed 2019-04, 50,000 miles“Rear brake light burnt and melted. It was repaired and now it melted and burnt again but has caused further damage requiring the whole taillight needing replacement.”
NHTSA complaint #11089223, filed 2018-04, 65,000 miles“Brake light failed, bulb could not be removed from inside the vehicle. Dealer said the complete assembly would need to be replaced. Upon removing the assembly, the fixture was reviewed to find where excesive heat had melted the connection to the bulb (same ones used in bmws that melted the wiring harness back in 2003). I repaird the the assembly by soldering the sockets to the board such that it did not depend on a piece of plastic for pressure contact. It works, but when a bulb truely burns out, the assembly must be removed to change the bulb.”
NHTSA complaint #11072200, filed 2018-02, 45,000 miles“My car is affected by this recall and I have no turn signals, dash lights, high beams, working windows, security system, or backup sensors. There are also codes thrown which prevents me from renewing my registration due to DEQ test failure. The dealership can’t do anything and BMW North America has done nothing to remedy things.”
NHTSA complaint #11566575, filed 2024-01“i bought the car in august 2023 from carmax they were aware of recall , my car has no headlight, brake lights, door states open when not , windows do not roll down, cannot use alarm, will not lock, smells hot , i spoke with mini cooper and there is no remedy this is my only car i transport my grandchildren to and from school , i lost house due to a fire a yr ago , and lost everything , and see that a fire is at risk. mini cooper says nothing they can do because no remedy, carmax should not of sold this car with a recall .”
NHTSA complaint #11573969, filed 2024-02Related service bulletins
- 10151347May 1, 2016Delay in Automatic Driving Light Switching on/off. When driving out of a tunnel or exiting underground parking, the automatic driving light remains switched on for two minutes…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 21% |
| 2016 | 8 | 29% |
| 2013 | 3 | 6% |
| 2012 | 5 | 8% |
| 2011 | 9 | 11% |
| 2010 | 11 | 12% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 MINI Cooper
28 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsOther or unknown
8 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 28, 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