2012 MINI Cooper vs 2012 MINI Cooper S
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 MINI Cooper | 2012 MINI Cooper S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 66 | 23 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 132 | 152 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 1 | 0 |
| Fire reports | 7 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 28–32 | 28–30 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 54,000 mi | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | MINI Cooper | MINI Cooper S |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 28 | 13 |
| Engine | 17 | 4 |
| Air Bags | 12 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 1 |
| Seats | 4 | 1 |
| Power Train | 3 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 0 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Overheating | 5 | 0 |
2012 MINI Cooper
2012 MINI Cooper S
Compare all MINI Cooper vs MINI Cooper S years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.