Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2010 Mini Cooper S Convertible with NHTSA between 2010 and 2023.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 18
Against the median year of the Mini Cooper S Convertible. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 43
8.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 95
56% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2010 compares with every other Mini Cooper S Convertible
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2010 Mini Cooper S Convertible
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
433.3%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
325.0%
Median failure at 32,000 miles
Airbags
216.7%
Median failure at 24,000 miles
Steering
18.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 39,400 mi
Electrical System
18.3%
Median failure at 40,110 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
Median failure at 3,700 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
111.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
333.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
333.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
222.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2010peak 2Feb 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2010 Mini Cooper S Convertible
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE11036Opened 11 Oct 2011Closed 11 Jun 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Engine compartment fire
In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine...
Recalls on the 2010 Mini Cooper S Convertible
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20120086,557 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, the auxiliary water pump (which cools the turbocharger after the engine is turned OFF) can overheat and fail. This could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump. Note: Owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors until the remedy is applied.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 39,400 milesSanta Monica, CAFire
STEERING
MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE 2006, LESS THAN 40K MILES. I WAS DRIVING FOR MAYBE 6 MILES AND WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND THE CAR WAS MOVING VERY ODDLY SO I PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY TO CHECK WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. NOTICING THE SMOKE FORM THE HOOD BEFORE I GOT OUT THE CAR AND THOUGHT MY CAR WAS OVER HEATED. I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST CALL THE ROADSIDE SERVICE TO HELP. BUT WHAT HAD TOOK PLACE NEXT WAS SOMETHING I CAN ONLY IMAGINE FROM A MOVIE SET ....SMOKE..HEAVY SMOKE...FLAME FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY WOULD NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD SO INSTEAD THEY CUT THE HOOD OPEN AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OFF THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTAL. I JUST HAD THE SERVICE ONE MONTH AGO AT THE DEALER (REPLACE BATTERY, WHEEL ALIGNMENT, ROTATION TIRES AND 32 POINT INSPECTION)AND LIKE ALL THE PREVIOUS SERVICES WAS DONE AT THE DEALER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY HAD HAPPEN TO THE CAR, MY INSURANCE CO CLAIMED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL BY BMW/MINI ON THE CAR SO THEY DON'T SEE THE POINT TO SPEND MONEY AND TIME TO CHECK INTO WHAT HAD CAUSED THE FIRE...BUT I WANTED TO KNOW AS A CAR OWNER AND A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE. I THINK I AM ENTITLE TO AND TO PREVENT THIS HAPPEN TO MORE MINI OWNER. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10358563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 24,000 milesCarlsbad, CA
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2010 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and it was determined that the front passenger occupant detection sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
NHTSA complaint #11509535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE SOUND OF THE MOTOR IS VERY VERY NOISE, AND SHAKES REALLY BAD AFTER YOU START THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11337176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
ENGINE
THE SOUND OF THE MOTOR IS VERY VERY NOISE, AND SHAKES REALLY BAD AFTER YOU START THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11337176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesHonolulu, HI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VEHICLE IS A STANDARD MODEL CONVERTIBLE, NOT AN "S" MODEL. TRUNK LATCH MALFUNCTION WHILE IN MOTION: TRUNK LATCH OPENS/DISENGAGES SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WITH THE KEY INSERTED AND THE MOTOR RUNNING. THIS UNPREDICTABLE FAULT CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE, INCLUDING ON A FREEWAY. THE TRUNK LID CAN DROP TO FULL OPEN, EXPOSING ITEMS STORED IN TRUNK AS POSSIBLE DEBRIS-THREAT TO VEHICLES FOLLOWING. DRIVER OF VEHICLE IS PRESENTED WITH CHOICE BETWEEN RISKING STOPPING (FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE SHOULDER OF A FREEWAY) OR RISKING INCIDENT INVOLVING FOLLOWING VEHICLES. EVENTUALLY, TRUNK LATCH WILL CEASE ALL FUNCTION. REPLACEMENT COST IS APPROXIMATELY $300 PLUS LABOR. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS 2010 MODEL IS DRIVEN 2 OR 3 TIMES PER WEEK FOR RELATIVELY SHORT DISTANCES. IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FEWER THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS FAULT HAS OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. ITEMS IN TRUNK HAVE SPILLED ONTO ROADWAY. DRIVER HAS HAD TO STOP AND SLAM THE TRUNK CLOSED. THE INCIDENTS LIKELY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED MANY MORE TIMES IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN DAILY AND FOR LONGER DISTANCES. TRUNK LATCH SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AND THE NEW LATCH SYSTEM BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING IN THE SAME MANNER WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF REPLACEMENT. DATE LISTED BELOW IS THE MOST RECENT DATE UPON WHICH THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #11163240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,110 milesChesnee, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LATCH ON TRUNK UNLOCKS AND RELEASES THE TRUNK WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUNK TO FALL ON TO THE ROAD ENDANGERING OTHER DRIVERS. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THE MINI OWNER SITE
NHTSA complaint #11098795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesMontclair, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING ON I 280 EAST AND NEWAR EXIT 8B THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY TIGHT. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRACTOR. I GOT OUT OF THE EXIT (EXIT 7) AND GOT MYSELF TOWED. THE MECHANIC THINKS IT IS THE TIMING BELT THAT IS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10823201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesMontclair, NJ
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON I 280 EAST AND NEWAR EXIT 8B THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY TIGHT. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRACTOR. I GOT OUT OF THE EXIT (EXIT 7) AND GOT MYSELF TOWED. THE MECHANIC THINKS IT IS THE TIMING BELT THAT IS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10823201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesHuntsville AL, AL
ENGINE
KNOCKING, TIMING. OVER 2 THOUSAND SIGNATURES OF OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10692738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,500 milesFountain Hills, AZ
ENGINE
ENGINE NOISE DUE TO TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER DEFECT. IF THE CHAIN OR TENSIONER FAIL COMPLETELY THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN MOVING TRAFFIC OR CREATE A ROADSIDE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10547666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, CT
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG "OFF" LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10454469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,400 milesSanta Monica, CAFire
STEERING
MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE 2006, LESS THAN 40K MILES. I WAS DRIVING FOR MAYBE 6 MILES AND WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND THE CAR WAS MOVING VERY ODDLY SO I PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY TO CHECK WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. NOTICING THE SMOKE FORM THE HOOD BEFORE I GOT OUT THE CAR AND THOUGHT MY CAR WAS OVER HEATED. I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST CALL THE ROADSIDE SERVICE TO HELP. BUT WHAT HAD TOOK PLACE NEXT WAS SOMETHING I CAN ONLY IMAGINE FROM A MOVIE SET ....SMOKE..HEAVY SMOKE...FLAME FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY WOULD NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD SO INSTEAD THEY CUT THE HOOD OPEN AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OFF THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTAL. I JUST HAD THE SERVICE ONE MONTH AGO AT THE DEALER (REPLACE BATTERY, WHEEL ALIGNMENT, ROTATION TIRES AND 32 POINT INSPECTION)AND LIKE ALL THE PREVIOUS SERVICES WAS DONE AT THE DEALER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY HAD HAPPEN TO THE CAR, MY INSURANCE CO CLAIMED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL BY BMW/MINI ON THE CAR SO THEY DON'T SEE THE POINT TO SPEND MONEY AND TIME TO CHECK INTO WHAT HAD CAUSED THE FIRE...BUT I WANTED TO KNOW AS A CAR OWNER AND A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE. I THINK I AM ENTITLE TO AND TO PREVENT THIS HAPPEN TO MORE MINI OWNER. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10358563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,700 milesYuma, AZ
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
COMPLETE CLUTCH FAILURE WITH ONLY 3700 MILES ON CARL IT WAS REPLACED BY DEALER BUT "NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY" DEALER CLAIMS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR IN CAR THAT IS NOT ABUSED.
NHTSA complaint #10300084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.