YearToAvoid

2012 MINI Cooper Engine Problems

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2012 MINI Cooper, 27% of all 66 complaints for this model year. That is #7 highest engine complaint count among 21 Cooper model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 6 fires. Median mileage at failure: 49,250 miles.

Engine complaints
18
27% of 66
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
49,250 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2012 MINI Cooper engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 2, 2012, latest Jul 13, 2021.

2012 MINI Cooper engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2012Jul 2015Apr 2016Jul 2016Sep 2017Aug 2018Dec 2019Jul 2021
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2012 to Jul 2021; peak Aug 2018 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2012 MINI Cooper

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Cooper model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200517 (5%)
  2. 200620 (10%)
  3. 200741 (35%)
  4. 200858 (50%)
  5. 200951 (34%)
  6. 201040 (43%)
  7. 201119 (23%)
  8. 201218 (27%)
  9. 20136 (13%)
  10. 201410 (29%)
  11. 201515 (27%)
  12. 201610 (36%)
  13. 20176 (21%)
  14. 20181 (13%)
  15. 20191 (8%)
  16. 20200 (0%)
  17. 20210 (0%)
  18. 20220 (0%)
  19. 20231 (14%)
  20. 20240 (0%)
  21. 20251 (100%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 MINI Cooper have engine problems?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints about the engine in the 2012 MINI Cooper, 27% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 49,250 miles.
Which MINI Cooper year has the most engine complaints?
The 2008 MINI Cooper has the most engine complaints (58), compared with 18 for the 2012.
Is there a engine recall for the 2012 MINI Cooper?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2012 MINI Cooper is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

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.