YearToAvoid

2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

71/100

#3 most-complained of 8 Cooper S Convertible years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible has 10 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 71 out of 100 — #3 highest of 8 Cooper S Convertible model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is engine (4 complaints, 40% of the total). Complaints report 1 fire.

Complaints
10
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
28
25 city / 33 hwy

Top 2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine4 (40%)
  2. Other3 (30%)
  3. Airbags2 (20%)
  4. Electrical System1 (10%)
  5. Steering1 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain1 (10%)
2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2010Apr 2012Mar 2015May 2018Jul 2020
12 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2010 to Feb 2023; peak Jan 2016 (2).

2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 12V008000Jan 11, 2012Engine90,368 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

    Bmw is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 mini cooper s, 2008-2011 mini cooper s clubman, 2009-2011 mini cooper s convertible, 2009-2011 mini cooper jcw, 2009-2011 mini cooper jcw clubman, 2009-2011 cooper jcw convertible, and 2011 cooper s countryman passenger cars manufactured from november 14, 2006, through january 18, 2011. The electric auxiliary water pump that cools the turbocharger has an electronic circuit board that can malfunction and overheat.

    Risk: The circuit board may smolder which could result in a vehicle fire.

    Remedy: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump free of charge. The safety recall beganduring february 2012. Owners may contact bmw at 1-866-275-6464.

2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,850
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Cooper S Convertible years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Caution577123.5
2009Good439128
2010Caution7110128
2011No verdict144229
2012No verdict03129

All MINI Cooper S Convertible years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible ranks #3 of 8 among Cooper S Convertible model years (Complaint Index 71/100, verdict: Caution). It has 10 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible?
The most reported problem areas are engine (4 complaints), airbags (2 complaints), and electrical system (1 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 27,000 miles.
Does the 2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible, most recently reported 2012, covering engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible?
EPA rates the 2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible at 28 MPG combined (25 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,850. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.