2013 Mini COOPER S: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
49,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 24 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Electrical System: 8; Engine: 7; Air Bags: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Power Train: 2; Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 |
2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 4; 2025: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10550252 · 2013-10-30 (October 30, 2013)
I PURCHASED A MINI COOPER S 2013 AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS HARD TO HANDLE ON THE ROAD AT ALL TIMES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR. I KEPT COMPLAINING AND THEY FINALLY TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY TOLD ME IT THE ALIGNMENT WAS BAD AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE, BUT I BELIEVE THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS LIKE THAT FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT UNTIL THE TIME OF SERVICE. THIS, IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER IF NOT ONLY ONE CAR IS SOLD LIKE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10550252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10605535 · 2014-06-24 (June 24, 2014)
DRIVING AT 40MPH AND SUDDENLY A NOISE/SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT STARTED. STOPPED AT MECHANICS AND WAS ADVISED AND SHOWN THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING TO CAUSE IT. THOUGH NO OTHER FRONT END COMPONENTS SHOW ANY DAMAGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10605535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10853874 · 2016-04-06 (April 6, 2016)
VIN: [XXX] AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP CAME ON ANDROID STAYS ON. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE WHEN THE WARNING LAMP CAME ON. ODOMETER READING WHEN THE WARNING LAMP CAME ON WAS: 42630 MILES. CALLED MINI CHARLESTON OF SAVANNAH AND ALSO MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEORY IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR VIN DESPITE OTHER VIN'S OF THE SAME MODEL BEING AFFECTED BY AN AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION. AM NOW FACED WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE AIRBAGS TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY DURING NORMAL DRIVING, OR THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPL…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,630 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10853923 · 2016-04-06 (April 6, 2016)
ON SATURDAY MARCH 19TH, 2016 I EXPERIENCED A MAJOR VEHICLE MALFUNCTION WITH MY 2013 MINI PACEMAN S. WHILE TRAVELING NB ON THE 15 FREEWAY IN THE #1 OR FAST LANE, I SLOWED FOR TRAFFIC TO A STOP, IMMEDIATELY THE CAR TEMPERATURE LIGHT TURNED ON AND WITHIN SECONDS IT CHANGED TO THE HALF ENGINE LIGHT. DURING THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL 3 TIMES TO ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC LANES TO PREVENT INJURY AND THE CAR DIED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE FAST LANE ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE I SAT WITH 3 CHILDREN INSIDE THE CAR A…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853923 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10896383 · 2016-08-16 (August 16, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A HILL, THE DRIVER DROVE DOWN A SMALL EMBANKMENT, CRASHED INTO A BARBED WIRE FENCE, DROVE INTO A PASTURE, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE TREE FELL ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY AND BRAIN INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10896383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052833 · 2017-12-06 (December 6, 2017)
THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILED AND LEAKED. SOME VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE RECEIVED A MINI EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. I HAD TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT PART AND INSTALLATION AT A MINI DEALER. VEHICLE LEAKED COOLANT ON GARAGE FLOOR AND VARIOUS PARKING SPOTS. MINI IS REIMBURSING SOME OWNERS FOR THIS REPAIR. I WOULD LIKE MY VIN AUTHORIZED FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 49,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052833 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11102850 · 2018-06-20 (June 20, 2018)
AIRBAG LIGHT IS SHOWING THAT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN THOUGH MY 100 LBS DAUGHTER IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. I'VE ACTUALLY HAD A 2009 MINI COOPER S, 2011 MINI COOPER S AND NOW MY CURRENT 2013 MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS WITH THE SAME EXACT TAIL LIGHT ISSUE. THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT BURNT OUT IN THE EXACT SAME WAY ON ALL 3 CARS. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION WHEN THE BOTH ISSUES OCCURRED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11102850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11113558 · 2018-07-25 (July 25, 2018)
HORN IS NOT WORKING. MY HUSBAND HAS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND HIS IS NOT WORKING AS WELL. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND TRIED TO HONK, ON A FEW OCCASIONS, AT OTHER DRIVERS THAT WERE ABOUT TO HIT ME BUT THE HORN DIDN'T WORK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11113558 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V337000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2023-05-11 (May 11, 2023)
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.
Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
NHTSA campaign record ↗