YearToAvoid

2013 MINI Cooper S Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2013 MINI Cooper S has 24 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 61, and 1 recall, earning a Caution verdict and ranking 8th worst out of 19 model years. Electrical system problems account for 42% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 29%.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
61/100
#8 of 19 Cooper S years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
24
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
28
26 city / 32 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2013 MINI Cooper S problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System10 (42%)
  2. Engine7 (29%)
  3. Airbags4 (17%)
  4. Other4 (17%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (8%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain2 (8%)
  7. Brakes1 (4%)
  8. Fuel System1 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbag warning lamps illuminate unexpectedly, sometimes with dealers reporting no applicable recall for the VIN.
  • Passenger seat occupant sensors fail intermittently, triggering dash warnings that the front airbag may not deploy.
  • Tail light housings melt or burn out repeatedly, including on the driver and rear sides.
  • Engine warning lights come on during highway driving, in some cases tied to turbo failure or thermostat housing leaks.
  • Front wheel bearings fail, producing noise and vibration around 40 mph.
  • Owners report poor handling traced to alignment and tire issues shortly after purchase.
2013 MINI Cooper S complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2013Aug 2016Jul 2018Jul 2020Nov 2023Oct 2024May 2025
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2013 to Oct 2025; peak Apr 2016 (2).

2013 MINI Cooper S recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2013 MINI Cooper S fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26 MPG
Highway
32 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.

2013 compared with other Cooper S years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’19’20’21’22’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Caution6731328
2012Caution5623228
2013Caution6124128
2014Good3313428
2015Caution5018428

All MINI Cooper S years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 MINI Cooper S reliable?
Compared with other Cooper S model years, 2013 lands in the Caution range with a complaint index of 61 and 24 NHTSA complaints, ranking 8th worst out of 19 years covered.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 MINI Cooper S?
NHTSA data shows Electrical System complaints make up 42% of reports, followed by Engine issues at 29% and Airbags at 17%.
Does the 2013 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall (23V337000) covering the electrical system, involving an inspection of sunroof drains, the interior footwell area, and the FRM module.
How does the 2013 model compare to other Cooper S years?
2013 is rated worse than the 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020 model years, which carry Good or Best verdicts, but it is rated better than 2005-2009, which are all rated Avoid.
At what mileage do 2013 MINI Cooper S problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 49,400 miles, though electrical system issues have a higher median of 70,389 miles.

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.