2010 MINI Cooper S Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2010 MINI Cooper S.

20092011
Complaints
78
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Injuries
3
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2010 MINI Cooper S Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#137 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:87,850 mi
Fires:2
#26 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:67,650 mi
#36 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:83,450 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2010 MINI Cooper S.

Engine Problems
37
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
87,850
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,650
Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
83,450
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,747
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 MINI Cooper S. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2010 MINI Cooper S

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~236,107 vehicles.

23V337000Electrical System
~97,933 affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.

18V248000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
~47,806 affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

12V008000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
~90,368 affected

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.

Other MINI Cooper S Years

2010 MINI Cooper S — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2010 MINI Cooper S reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2010 MINI Cooper S has 78 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 37 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2010 MINI Cooper S?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (37 complaints, avg 87,850 mi); Airbags (6 complaints, avg 67,650 mi); Fuel System (6 complaints, avg 83,450 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 MINI Cooper S?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 82,700 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2010 MINI Cooper S?
NHTSA complaints for the 2010 MINI Cooper S include 1 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2010 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 236,107 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2010 MINI Cooper S?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full MINI Cooper S reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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