MINI Cooper S Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
MINI Cooper S years 2005 through 2009 are rated Avoid, with 2007 the worst (complaint index 100, 249 complaints, mostly engine). 2019 is the Best year, with only 5 complaints and a complaint index of 17.
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
2007 is the worst-ranked Cooper S year, with a complaint index of 100 across 249 complaints. Engine problems account for 71% of complaints at a median 52,000 miles, with owners reporting water pump failures, burning smells, and under-hood fires while parked or shortly after driving. Four recalls cover engine, electrical, and sunroof drain concerns. NHTSA logs two crashes, 14 fires, and ten injuries for this year, the highest injury count among the avoid years.
2007 engine problems →2007 airbags problems →2007 transmission & powertrain problems →
2005 MINI Cooper S Index 94 · 314 complaints · 2 recalls
NHTSA lists 314 complaints for the 2005 Cooper S, the highest count of any year, with a complaint index of 94. Steering issues dominate at 68% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles; owners describe the electro-hydraulic power steering system overheating, in some cases catching fire. Airbag complaints (23%) followed, tied to a passenger seat occupant detection mat later recalled. Two recall campaigns address steering and airbags. Six crashes, 17 fires, three injuries, and one death are on record for this year.
2005 steering problems →2005 airbags problems →2005 electrical system problems →
2008 MINI Cooper S Index 89 · 168 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 Cooper S has a complaint index of 89 from 168 complaints. Engine issues make up 72% of complaints at a median 52,000-mile failure point, with owners describing under-hood fires occurring both while driving and while parked in garages. Airbag complaints follow at 18%. Four recalls apply, covering engine water pump and electrical/sunroof drain issues shared with other years. NHTSA records one crash, ten fires, and three injuries for this model year.
2009 MINI Cooper S Index 83 · 119 complaints · 3 recalls
2009 has a complaint index of 83 across 119 complaints, the lowest complaint count among the avoid years. Engine complaints represent 68% of the total at a median 53,000-mile failure point, with owners describing turbo oil feed line leaks and under-hood fires after short drives. Transmission and electrical complaints each add roughly 13% and 11%. Three recalls apply, sharing the water pump and electrical/sunroof drain campaigns. NHTSA lists two crashes and four fires for this year.
2009 engine problems →2009 airbags problems →2009 transmission & powertrain problems →
2006 MINI Cooper S Index 78 · 186 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2006 Cooper S carries a complaint index of 78 across 186 complaints. Airbags lead problem areas at 36% (median 56,000 miles), followed by steering at 26% (median 62,000 miles), where owners describe power steering pump and wiring failures leading to smoke or fire. Engine complaints made up 13%. One recall covers the airbag occupant detection mat. NHTSA records four crashes, nine fires, and seven injuries for this model year.
2006 airbags problems →2006 steering problems →2006 engine problems →
Most common MINI Cooper S problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years should I avoid for the MINI Cooper S?
- NHTSA data marks 2005 through 2009 as Avoid years, with 2007 ranked worst overall at a complaint index of 100 and 249 complaints, mostly engine-related.
- What is the best year for the MINI Cooper S?
- 2019 is rated Best, with just 5 complaints and a complaint index of 17, the lowest among years with recorded verdicts.
- What is the most common problem with the MINI Cooper S?
- Across all years, Engine complaints are the largest category at 508 complaints (41% of the total), followed by Steering at 273 complaints (22%) and Airbags at 232 complaints (19%).
- Does the 2007 MINI Cooper S have engine fire complaints?
- Yes. Engine complaints make up 71% of the 249 total complaints for 2007, with a median failure mileage of 52,000, and owners describe under-hood fires; the year has four recall campaigns.
- Are 2010-2013 MINI Cooper S years safe to buy?
- These years are rated Caution rather than Avoid or Good, with complaint indexes ranging from 56 to 72 and lower complaint counts than 2005-2009, but still above the Best-rated 2019.