MINI COOPER S · model year

2010 MINI COOPER S

78 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010MINICOOPER S carries 78 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 7 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 COOPER S is engine with 37 filings, followed by air bags (6) and fuel/propulsion system (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2010 COOPER S. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

78
Complaints
1
Crashes
7
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

78 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE37
AIR BAGS6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
POWER TRAIN5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
SUSPENSION2
PARKING BRAKE1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1
WHEELS1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1

Recalls (4)

18V24800018/04/2018

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

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, Coo

09V47400015/12/2009

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 MINI COOPER AND COOPER S VEHICLES FOR FAILING COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH WHEELS, BUT THEIR LABEL STATES THAT THEY WERE EQUIPPED WI

23V33700011/05/2023

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,

12V00800011/01/2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14

Recent Complaints

20250320ENGINE

The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20201207AIR BAGS

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR/PASSENGER SEATBELT SENSOR ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED AND FIXED IN LOTS OF OTHER MINI COOPER MODEL YEARS IS SEEMINGLY AN ISSUE WITH 2010 MODELS TOO AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED VIA RECALL. THE SENSOR BEING FAULTY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND RUNS CLOSE TO $1200 TO REPAIR. MY SENSOR WAS INTERMITTENTLY OFF AND ON AND IS NOW FULL TIME WARNING ABOUT THE AIRBAG BEING OFF. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE - AS SOON AS THE MOTOR IS RUNNING THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE LIT UP.

Mileage: 86,000

20201104ENGINE

THE CAR COMPLETELY QUITS RUNNING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT CAR HAS ALREADY DIED. HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP WITH NO POWER STEERING SINCE THE ENGINE HAS DIED. CAR WILL NOT ALWAYS RESTART. SOMETIMES IT WILL CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART. TODAY IT DIED WHILE I WAS GOING 65MPH ON THE INTERSTATE A D I HAD TO DODGE ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. HAVE HAD THIS EXACT ISSUE BEFORE. 3 YRS AGO I REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS WAS A $1500 REPAIR COST. MINI COOPER SAID THAT 2010 MINI COOPERS WERE NOT COVERED. ONLY MINIS UP TO TNE YEAR 2009 WERE COVERED IN THAT SAFETY RECALL SO I PAID OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER, MINI COOPER USED THE SAME PART THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED ON MY 2010. IT FAILED IN 2017 AND THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN. MINI COOPER CALLED IT A "KNOWN" ISSUE, BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT COST IN 2017. REPAIR ORDER NUMBER WITH MINI COOPER DEALER: 262724 AND PART N

Mileage: 100,000

20201104FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE CAR COMPLETELY QUITS RUNNING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT CAR HAS ALREADY DIED. HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP WITH NO POWER STEERING SINCE THE ENGINE HAS DIED. CAR WILL NOT ALWAYS RESTART. SOMETIMES IT WILL CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART. TODAY IT DIED WHILE I WAS GOING 65MPH ON THE INTERSTATE A D I HAD TO DODGE ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. HAVE HAD THIS EXACT ISSUE BEFORE. 3 YRS AGO I REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS WAS A $1500 REPAIR COST. MINI COOPER SAID THAT 2010 MINI COOPERS WERE NOT COVERED. ONLY MINIS UP TO TNE YEAR 2009 WERE COVERED IN THAT SAFETY RECALL SO I PAID OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER, MINI COOPER USED THE SAME PART THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED ON MY 2010. IT FAILED IN 2017 AND THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN. MINI COOPER CALLED IT A "KNOWN" ISSUE, BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT COST IN 2017. REPAIR ORDER NUMBER WITH MINI COOPER DEALER: 262724 AND PART N

Mileage: 100,000

20200219FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MI VEHCULO MINI COOPER S 2010, ESTANDO ESTACIONADO EN EL GARAGE POR MS DE 12 HORAS Y SIN PRENDER EL MOTOR EN NINGN MOMENTO COMENZ A INCENDIARSE SIN NINGN MOTIVO. POR FORTUNA HABA PERSONAS QUE ALERTARAN DE LO OCURRIDO Y PUDE APAGAR EL FUEGO EN EL VEHCULO, AUNQUE YA HABA CONSUMIDO PARTES ELCTRICA, DE MOTOR Y COFRE, ETC. CABE MENCIONAR QUE ESTO SUCEDI EN LA CIUDAD DE MXICO, NO EN EUA, PERO USTEDES TIENEN MEJOR INFORMACIN AL RESPECTO. SALUDOS.

Mileage: 64,000

20200219FireENGINE

MI VEHCULO MINI COOPER S 2010, ESTANDO ESTACIONADO EN EL GARAGE POR MS DE 12 HORAS Y SIN PRENDER EL MOTOR EN NINGN MOMENTO COMENZ A INCENDIARSE SIN NINGN MOTIVO. POR FORTUNA HABA PERSONAS QUE ALERTARAN DE LO OCURRIDO Y PUDE APAGAR EL FUEGO EN EL VEHCULO, AUNQUE YA HABA CONSUMIDO PARTES ELCTRICA, DE MOTOR Y COFRE, ETC. CABE MENCIONAR QUE ESTO SUCEDI EN LA CIUDAD DE MXICO, NO EN EUA, PERO USTEDES TIENEN MEJOR INFORMACIN AL RESPECTO. SALUDOS.

Mileage: 64,000

20191216ENGINE

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACED @ 30,000 MILES

Mileage: 30,000

20191209AIR BAGS

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR PASSENGER SEAT AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Mileage: 119,000

20191209SEAT BELTS

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR PASSENGER SEAT AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Mileage: 119,000

20191209UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR PASSENGER SEAT AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Mileage: 119,000

20191209AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR PASSENGER SEAT AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Mileage: 119,000

20191004AIR BAGS

MINI COOPER SEAT OCCUPATION SENSOR OC3 IS FAULTY CAUSING AIRBAG NOT TO WORK PROPERLY.

Mileage: 45,000

20191004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MINI COOPER SEAT OCCUPATION SENSOR OC3 IS FAULTY CAUSING AIRBAG NOT TO WORK PROPERLY.

Mileage: 45,000

20190823FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD THE WARRANTY EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 120000 MILES DUE TO FEDERAL EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS ON ALL YEARS EXCEPT THE 2010. M01 01 16 [SI] JULY 2016 SHOWS THE 2011 AND 2012 AND A LETTER FROM MINI SHOWS 2007 -2009. NOBODY AT MINI CORPORATE UNDERSTANDS WHY THE 2010 WAS LEFT OUT, BUT ALL AGREE IT IS THE SAME PUMP AND I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE SAYING THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS THE WRONG THE YEAR. THESE PUMPS FAIL AND THE VEHICLE FAILS EMISSIONS TESTING. THE PUMP IS 1300 DOLLARS PLUS LABOR AND CAN ONLY BE DONE AT THE DEALER.

20190806FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED, MINI HAS ISSUED EXT WARRANTIES O THE 2009, 2001, 20012 MODELS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE BUT NOT THIS MODEL. CAR IS BELOW 100,000 MILES IF THESE YEARS HAVE PROBLEMS AND NOW I AM HAVING A PROBLEM SHOULD THE 2010 MODELS BE COVERED

Mileage: 97,000

20190213FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GOT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ISSUE, THE CAR WILL NOT START AND STALL AND WILL NOT KEEP IN IDEAL UNTIL STEPPING ON THE GAS OVER 3000 RPM FOR OVER 1 MINS, IT STALLED ON LOCAL STREET COUPLE TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID MINI COVER UP TO 7 YEARS ONLY.

Mileage: 71,800

20181028ENGINE

VEHICLE JERKS/HESTIATES AT LOW SPEED AROUND 10MPH. JERKS DURING STOP AND GO IN TRAFFIC. BE TO A HANDFUL OF AUTO SHOPS AND NO SOLUTION.

Mileage: 52,000

20181028POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE JERKS/HESTIATES AT LOW SPEED AROUND 10MPH. JERKS DURING STOP AND GO IN TRAFFIC. BE TO A HANDFUL OF AUTO SHOPS AND NO SOLUTION.

Mileage: 52,000

20181028STEERING

VEHICLE JERKS/HESTIATES AT LOW SPEED AROUND 10MPH. JERKS DURING STOP AND GO IN TRAFFIC. BE TO A HANDFUL OF AUTO SHOPS AND NO SOLUTION.

Mileage: 52,000

20180629ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOM BUSH MINI (9881 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, (904) 371-4360) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 106,000

Compare 2010MINICOOPER S to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 MINI COOPER S have?
The 2010 MINI COOPER S has 78 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 7 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2010 MINI COOPER S?
Yes, the 2010 MINI COOPER S has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 MINI COOPER S?
The most-complained component for the 2010 MINI COOPER S is ENGINE with 37 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2010 MINI COOPER S safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.