FaultScore

Mini Cooper S fuel system problems

55 of the 2,181 complaints filed about the Mini Cooper S are about the fuel system — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

55

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

0

Crashes

5

Fires

Fuel & Propulsion complaints by model year

2003 Cooper S 2 3.6%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

2004 Cooper S 2 3.6%

Median failure at 126,500 miles

2005 Cooper S 1 1.8%

Median failure at 140,000 miles

2006 Cooper S 7 12.7%

Median failure at 42,902 miles

2007 Cooper S 15 27.3%

Median failure at 44,071 miles

2008 Cooper S 5 9.1%

Median failure at 80,500 miles

2009 Cooper S 6 10.9%

Median failure at 58,500 miles

2010 Cooper S 6 10.9%

Median failure at 84,400 miles

2011 Cooper S 2 3.6%

Median failure at 18,250 miles

2012 Cooper S 4 7.3%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2013 Cooper S 1 1.8%
2014 Cooper S 1 1.8%

Median failure at 46,000 miles

2015 Cooper S 3 5.5%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

What owners said

2015 Mini Cooper S Bainbridge Island, WA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The fuel filling nozzle turns off repeatedly (as if already full) while filling the fuel tank. About 1/4 to 1/3 of a gallon of fuel will go in before it turns off, backs up, and the gas overflows onto the outside of the car and onto the concrete. It happens regardless of the pump being used. It started happening occasionally a few months ago if the tank was refilled when a quarter full. It now happens consistently, no matter the fuel level. I had the car put on a lift and the system diagnosed today. The mechanic said the cause is a faulty service valve within the fuel tank assembly. They also said it is a known issue with F56 Mini Coopers.

NHTSA complaint #11692422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Mini Cooper S at 87,000 miles Ronkonkoma, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the fuel pump was defective, and the fuel pump was replaced. The contact stated that approximately a year later the failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump had failed again and needed to be replaced. The fuel pump was replaced under warranty; however, the failure recently returned a third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA complaint #11665052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Mini Cooper S Commerce City, CO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Yes my Mini Cooper 2013 I was just driving normal speed 35 to 40 miles per hour and all the sudden my engine has just quit and stopped running I was not in any danger or in a crash I was able to move my car off to the side of the road and unfortunately this was only the first time the second time was actually on the highway I was scared to death because I was actually came to a halt on the freeway but I was able to push my car off to the side and be out of Harm's Way my car is now parked in front of my house due to engine failure and I don't know what else to do but I saw this recall and I thought I would give you guys a shout and tell you what's wrong and the only thing I replace so far was a new fuel pump and unfortunately that was not the issue my car was still not run or start and now I noticed there is a broken seal in the air intake that looks like it needs to be replaced

NHTSA complaint #11619586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Mini Cooper S at 67,000 miles Simi Valley, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the vehicle previously had the fuel carbon filter replaced; however, the failure recurred while attempting to refuel the vehicle. The fuel tank dispersed the gasoline outward, spilling on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

NHTSA complaint #11477351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mini Cooper S at 100,000 miles Columbia, SC

FUEL/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 NUMBER 13-51-7-588-879

NHTSA complaint #11373045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Mini Cooper S Castleberry, AL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I LOVE MY MINI COOPER S. BUT THERE IS A ISSUE. TODAY I STARTED UP THE CAR AND IT STARTS SMOKING. TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED IN TWO WEEKS. WHEN I BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO I NOTICED ON THE INSIDE OF MY HOOD OF THE CAR IT'S A BLACK BURNT MARK. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED. LAST WEEK I TOOK IT TO A OIL SHOP AND THEY SAID MY TURBO IS BURNING MY CAR AND WOULD CATCH FIRE SOON. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING A NEW TURBO BUT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM CAUSE NOW IT'S SMOKING ONLY WHEN IN IDLE OR STARTED UP.BUT THE HOOD IS SUPER HOT AFTER A SHORT DRIVE. I HOPE YOUR CREW CAN LOOK INTO THIS PART AND SAVE SOMEONE THE TERROR OF A CAR ON FIRE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11365835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Mini Cooper S at 53,000 miles Apopka, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL FILLING NOZZLE SHUTS OFF REPEATEDLY WHILE REFUELING. UPON GASSING UP, VALVE CLICKS IMMEDIATELY AND PUMP SHUTS OFF LIKE IT'S FULL NO MATTER WHICH GAS STATION OR PRESSURE I EXERT. I SAW A BULLETIN "SI M16 01 15" WHICH AFFECTED MINIS PRODUCED IN 2014 BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY 2015 COOPER S. A COMMENT FROM THE BULLETIN HAD A TEMPORARY SOLUTION WHICH IS TO ANGLE THE PUMP TO 45, THEN PUMP SLOWLY AT THE MAGIC SPEED, THOUGH THIS CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 30 MINUTES. THIS IS DANGEROUS ON MY PART AS I TRAVEL PAST MIDNIGHT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND SPENDING MORE TIME AT A GAS STATION IN THE DARK IS WORRISOME. I DO GET SPILLS OCCASIONALLY WHICH I HAVE TO KEEP WIPING AND IS A STATION HAZARD. REPLACING THE FUEL TANK COMPLETELY AT AN ESTIMATED $2K+ IS TOO COSTLY ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND IS DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING.

NHTSA complaint #11349356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Mini Cooper S at 70,000 miles Santa Clara, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY ONCE AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED BY MINI COOPER AND AGAIN SECOND TIME ON INNER ROADS DRIVING AT 20 MILES AN HOUR....WITHOUT ANY WARNING

NHTSA complaint #11301419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mini Cooper S SAN Antonio, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THERE IS A CONSTANT FUEL / GASOLINE SMELL IN MY CAR AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. NO VISIBLE LEAKS. THE SMELL IS CONSTANT.

NHTSA complaint #11256017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mini Cooper S Lodi, CA

FUEL/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.

NHTSA complaint #11246085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mini Cooper S at 97,000 miles Simpsonville, SC

FUEL/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

NHTSA complaint #11242087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Mini Cooper S at 25,404 miles Tampa, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC AND ACCELERATING, THE FUEL PUMP CUT OUT AND THE ENGINE DIED, FORCING THE DRIVER TO MANEUVER IN TRAFFIC (COASTING) EVENTUALLY COMING TO STOP IN A LEFT HAND TURN LANE WHICH WAS THEN BLOCKED WITH THE DEAD VEHICLE. THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS UNDAMAGED, THE POSSIBILITY OF A COLLISION EXISTED. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT MINIS FROM 2010-EARLY 2012 HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, RESULTING IN MINI USA EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE FUEL PUMP TO 10 YEARS/ 120,000 MILES. VEHICLES PRODUCED ON OR AFTER 3/1/2012 (INCLUDING MINE) WERE FITTED WITH DIFFERENT EQUIPMENT. NO RECALL WAS CONDUCTED. MY CAR HAD 25,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #11233919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mini Cooper S at 95,200 miles Holland, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 55-60 MPH. VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START OR TURNOVER. 15 MINUTES OF REST AND CAR WAS STARTED AND RPMS WERE FLUTTERING. MINI COOPER OF GRAND RAPIDS STATED THE TIMING CHAIN WAS "MOST LIKELY" "OUT". THEY ALSO STATED NO GOODWILL ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE WINDOW, FOR A PREVIOUS LAWSUIT INVOLVING THEE 2009 MINI COOPER S, WAS CLOSED AND THE DEFECTIVE TENSIONER AND GUIDE RAILS (TO INCLUDE ENGINE DESIGN) WERE STILL IN MY MINI COOPER. CAR HAS STARTED ONCE SINCE BUT WILL NOT STAY RUNNING. OTHER CASES OF FUEL PUMPS FAILING ON SAID MODEL WERE ACKNOWLEDGED BUT "NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED" SAID MINI, THUS NOT WARRANTING ANY REPAIR OR CONCERN FOR MY FAILED MINI. REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS 3,985$. AFTER MENTIONING THE PREVIOUS LAWSUIT DURING 2015, A 'RANDOM' DISCOUNT WAS ANNOUNCED OF 10-15% TO BRING SAID TOTAL TO EST. 2,900$. MY 2009 MINI COOPER S HAS HAD IDLE AND RPM ISSUES/FLUCTUATIONS FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER PREVIOUS OWNER HAD JUST REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY IN JANUARY OF 2019 WITH GENUINE MINI REPLACEMENT PARTS (FACTORY PARTS CAUSING THE SAME FACTORY DEFECT)

NHTSA complaint #11221055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Mini Cooper S at 46,000 miles Abingdon, MD

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BAD SENDING UNIT ON FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY; THIS CAUSED THE GAS LIGHTS TO STOP WORKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11180415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mini Cooper S at 71,800 miles Santa Monica, CA

FUEL/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.

NHTSA complaint #11179738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Mini Cooper S at 140,000 miles Tulsa, OK Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND LOST POWER. I PULLED TO SHOULDER AND BLACK SMOKE CAME THRU AIR VENTS. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS FIRE. MY CAR COMPLETELY BURNED UP. I NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE BELIEVED THE FIRE STARTED UNDER MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11163802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mini Cooper S at 147,000 miles Cupertino, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING A 2009 MINI COOPER S AT OVER 35 MILES PER HOUR THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE AND MINI REFUSED TO ACT IN GOOD FAITH AND REPLACE THE PRODUCT DESPITE ISSUING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THAT SPECIFIC COMPONENT IN A SAFETY BULLETIN.

NHTSA complaint #11162452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mini Cooper S at 130,000 miles Benton City, WA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL FILTER HAD A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11096780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mini Cooper S Titusville, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

JUST HAD TO HAVE A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACED IN MY MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE AND HAD . I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL THE FUEL PUMPS IN THIS YEAR MAKE OF CAR WERE RECALLED EXCEPT THE ONE ON THE CONVERTIBLE?? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHY THE FUEL PUMP IS ANY DIFFERENT? IT ACTUALLY WENT OUT ON AN INTERSTATE AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY A SEMI TRUCK. I HAVE THE BILL FOR THE REPAIR WHICH COST ME OVER $1400.00..

NHTSA complaint #11062584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Mini Cooper S at 102,000 miles Sammamish, WA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY CAR IS LITTLE OVER 102,000 MILES. IT SUDDENLY STOPPED, NEAR MY HOUSE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO START AGAIN. REPLACED BATTERY, HOWEVER FOUND OUT THAT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. WARRANTY REPORTED BY MINI EXPIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR. THIS COULD BE SAFETY ISSUE, IF CAR STOPS IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11052627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mini Cooper S problems