2012 MINI Cooper S Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 MINI Cooper S has a Complaint Index of 56 and ranks 9th worst of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 23 complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 fire reports, with the Electrical System the top problem area at 57% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 56/100
- #9 of 19 Cooper S years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 23
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 MINI Cooper S problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System13 (57%)
- Engine5 (22%)
- Fuel System4 (17%)
- Structure & Body3 (13%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported, in one case traced to a coolant pump that short-circuited and ignited nearby electronics.
- Owners describe the vehicle stalling or the engine dying while driving, sometimes tied to fuel pump failure.
- Doors have failed to open from inside, with owners pointing to failed door actuators on driver and passenger sides.
- Tire rims have cracked, in one case affecting three of four wheels discovered during routine maintenance.
- Water intrusion has left carpets wet and triggered unexplained alarm activation.
- Engine rattling noise attributed to the timing chain and tensioner has been reported at low mileage.
2012 MINI Cooper S recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V337000May 11, 2023Electrical System97,933 vehicles
Electrical system
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
- NHTSA 18V248000Apr 18, 2018Engine47,806 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
2012 MINI Cooper S 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.
2012 compared with other Cooper S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 MINI Cooper S reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Cooper S a Complaint Index of 56 with a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst out of 19 model years for the Cooper S. It has fewer complaints than most earlier MINI Cooper S years but more than several newer ones.
- What is the top problem area for the 2012 MINI Cooper S?
- The Electrical System accounts for 57% of complaints (13 of 23), with a median failure mileage of 116,000 miles, followed by Engine issues at 22%.
- Does the 2012 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Cooper S, one covering the Electrical System (sunroof drains and interior footwell area) and one covering the Engine (electric auxiliary water pump). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2012 Cooper S compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 56 is much lower than the 2005-2009 years, which ranged from 78 to 100 and are all rated Avoid, but higher than 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2019, which rate Good or Best.
- Were there any fires reported in the 2012 MINI Cooper S?
- NHTSA lists 2 fire reports for this year, including one engine compartment fire linked to a coolant pump short circuit and one involving a front passenger seat.