YearToAvoid

2019 MINI Cooper S Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2019 MINI Cooper S has a complaint index of 17, the lowest among ranked model years, and earns a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 5 complaints, 1 recall, and no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths for this year.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
17/100
#16 of 19 Cooper S years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
5
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2020
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
23 city / 32 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2019 MINI Cooper S problems

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

  1. Electrical System2 (40%)
  2. Engine1 (20%)
  3. Steering1 (20%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain1 (20%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers1 (20%)

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

What owners report

  • A drivetrain malfunction indicator triggered a sudden shudder and rapid deceleration from highway speed to about 20 mph at 175 miles, creating a hazard in traffic.
  • A rear driver's side brake light failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed, noticed by another driver following behind.
  • Rocks kicked up during highway construction cracked the windshield on both the driver and passenger sides at 81,485 miles.
  • The starter began smoking at startup, accompanied by a clutch failure at a traffic light.
2019 MINI Cooper S complaints: complaints filed per month1Jan 2019Feb 2024May 2025Aug 2025May 2026
5 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2019 to May 2026; peak Jan 2019 (1).

2019 MINI Cooper S recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V465000Jul 11, 2018Engine5,309 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, 740i, 740i xDrive, MINI Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), and MINI Clubman (Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, JCW All4) vehicles.

    Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

2019 MINI Cooper S fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
32 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,050
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.

2019 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
2016Good399327.5
2017Good286326
2019Best175126
2020Good445229
2021No verdict00227.5

All MINI Cooper S years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 MINI Cooper S reliable?
Among 2019 MINI Cooper S model years tracked, the 2019 has a complaint index of 17, the lowest of all ranked years, and carries a Best verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
What problems does the 2019 MINI Cooper S have?
NHTSA lists 5 complaints for the 2019 Cooper S, spread across electrical, engine, steering, transmission, and visibility systems, with electrical issues making up 40% of the complaints.
Does the 2019 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2019 Cooper S, covering a crankshaft sensor firmware issue in the engine, with no do-not-drive or park-outside restrictions.
How does the 2019 MINI Cooper S compare to other years?
The 2019 ranks 16th worst out of 19 model years, meaning most other years have higher complaint indexes; only 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2020 also carry a Good or Best verdict.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 MINI Cooper S?
EPA rates the 2019 Cooper S at 26 mpg combined (23 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050.

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.