MINI Cooper S Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
MINI Cooper S years to avoid: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Best years: 2019. Based on 1,234 NHTSA owner complaints and 21 recall campaigns across 19 model years (2005–2025).
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 19
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,234
- Recall campaigns
- 21
- Crashes reported
- 21
- Fires reported
- 70
- Top problem area
- Engine
Cooper S Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
MINI Cooper S problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 94 | 314 | 6 | 17 | 2 | Steering | 24 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 78 | 186 | 4 | 9 | 1 | Airbags | 24 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 100 | 249 | 2 | 14 | 4 | Engine | 27 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 89 | 168 | 1 | 10 | 4 | Engine | 28 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 83 | 119 | 2 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 27.5 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 72 | 59 | 1 | 5 | 4 | Engine | 28 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 67 | 31 | 0 | 5 | 3 | Engine | 28 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 56 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Electrical System | 28 | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 61 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 28 | — |
| 2014 | Good | 33 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 28 | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 50 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 4 | Electrical System | 28 | — |
| 2016 | Good | 39 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 27.5 | — |
| 2017 | Good | 28 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 26 | — |
| 2019 | Best | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 26 | — |
| 2020 | Good | 44 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 29 | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 27.5 | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 27.5 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 27.5 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 32 | — |
Cooper S years to avoid: what went wrong
2007 MINI Cooper S Index 100 · 249 complaints · 4 recalls
Owners filed 249 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 MINI Cooper S, led by engine (176), airbags (28), and transmission & powertrain (26). NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 2 crashes and 14 fires.
2007 engine problems →2007 airbags problems →2007 transmission & powertrain problems →
2005 MINI Cooper S Index 94 · 314 complaints · 2 recalls
Owners filed 314 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 MINI Cooper S, led by steering (212), airbags (71), and electrical system (25). NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 6 crashes and 17 fires.
2005 steering problems →2005 airbags problems →2005 electrical system problems →
2008 MINI Cooper S Index 89 · 168 complaints · 4 recalls
Owners filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 MINI Cooper S, led by engine (121), airbags (30), and electrical system (9). NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 1 crashes and 10 fires.
2009 MINI Cooper S Index 83 · 119 complaints · 3 recalls
Owners filed 119 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 MINI Cooper S, led by engine (81), airbags (17), and transmission & powertrain (16). NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 2 crashes and 4 fires.
2009 engine problems →2009 airbags problems →2009 transmission & powertrain problems →
2006 MINI Cooper S Index 78 · 186 complaints · 1 recalls
Owners filed 186 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 MINI Cooper S, led by airbags (67), steering (48), and engine (24). NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this year. Complaints mention 4 crashes and 9 fires.
2006 airbags problems →2006 steering problems →2006 engine problems →
Most common MINI Cooper S problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine508 (41%)
- Steering273 (22%)
- Airbags232 (19%)
- Electrical System139 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain103 (8%)
- Structure & Body54 (4%)
- Fuel System51 (4%)
- Other51 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers22 (2%)
- Brakes21 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year MINI Cooper S should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 MINI Cooper S have the highest Complaint Index among 19 model years and are the years to avoid. The 2007 model year ranks worst with 249 complaints and 4 recalls.
- What is the best year for the MINI Cooper S?
- The 2019 MINI Cooper S has the lowest Complaint Index of the years we track, with the 2019 at 5 complaints and 1 recalls. Complaint counts are adjusted for how long each model year has been on the road.
- What are the most common problems with the MINI Cooper S?
- Across all model years, the most reported problem areas in NHTSA complaints are engine (508, 41%), steering (273, 22%), and airbags (232, 19%).
- How many recalls does the MINI Cooper S have?
- NHTSA lists 21 distinct recall campaigns covering MINI Cooper S model years 2005–2025. Recalls are repaired free of charge by dealers; check any specific vehicle by VIN before buying.