Mini Cooper S: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
1,779 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mini Cooper S, model years 2002 to 2025. 4 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2007 (engine 17×); 2008 (engine 12×); 2009 (engine 8×); 2010 (engine 4.1×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2012, 2013, 2011. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 83 | — | 1 | |
| 2003 Cooper S | 216 | — | 2 | |
| 2004 Cooper S | 247 | — | 2 | |
| 2005 Cooper S | 314 | — | 2 | |
| 2006 Cooper S | 186 | — | 1 | |
| 2007 Cooper S | 248 | engine 17× | 4 | |
| 2008 Cooper S | 167 | engine 12× | 4 | |
| 2009 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 119 | engine 8× | 3 | |
| 2010 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 58 | engine 4.1× | 4 | |
| 2011 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 31 | quiet: 3 of 12 | 3 | |
| 2012 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 23 | quiet: 1 of 12 | 2 | |
| 2013 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 24 | quiet: 2 of 12 | 1 | |
| 2014 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 13 | — | 4 | |
| 2015 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 18 | — | 4 | |
| 2016 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 10 | — | 3 | |
| 2017 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 6 | — | 3 | |
| 2019 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 5 | — | 1 | |
| 2020 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 5 | — | 2 | |
| 2022 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 | |
| 2024 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 | |
| 2025 Cooper SFEW REPORTS | 4 | — | 3 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
Check your Cooper S at your mileage
The verdict depends on where your mileage sits against the mileages owners reported. Pick your year and mileage: free, no sign-up.
Other Mini models
Mini Cooper · Mini Cooper Convertible. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 200320042005200620072008