MINI Cooper vs MINI Cooper S
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
MINI Cooper
- Total complaints
- 2,173
- Avg per model year
- 97
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 27
- Most complained year
- 2005 (372)
Top problems: Steering, Air Bags, Electrical System
MINI Cooper S
- Total complaints
- 1,720
- Avg per model year
- 94
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 23
- Most complained year
- 2005 (314)
Top problems: Steering, Engine, Air Bags
Complaints by model year
| Year | MINI Cooper | MINI Cooper S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 5 | ||
| 2019 | 12 | 5 | ||
| 2017 | 28 | 5 | ||
| 2016 | 28 | 9 | ||
| 2015 | 55 | 18 | ||
| 2014 | 34 | 13 | ||
| 2013 | 47 | 24 | ||
| 2012 | 66 | 23 | ||
| 2011 | 82 | 31 | ||
| 2010 | 92 | 59 | ||
| 2009 | 150 | 119 | ||
| 2008 | 115 | 168 | ||
| 2007 | 115 | 249 | ||
| 2006 | 200 | 186 | ||
| 2005 | 372 | 314 | ||
| 2004 | 282 | 247 | ||
| 2003 | 320 | 217 | ||
| 2002 | 187 | 83 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.