2013 Mini COOPER S

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Mini COOPER S has 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: 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 t.

1 crash report 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

9 complaints

28%

• 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 T
• The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the engine was running rough while idling. Additionally, the contact stated that t
• The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there were no high beam headlights or fog lights, and the power windows were inoperable. The due for service symbol was displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electric

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

7 complaints

22%

• 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 NEEDE
• 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. DUR
• 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 R

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 NEEDE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

4 complaints

13%

• 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 THA
• 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 SUSTA
• 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 T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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 THA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

4 complaints

13%

• 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.
• MY CAR HAS PROTRUDING TAILPIPES, IT CAUSED ME AND MY HUSBAND 3RD-DEGREE BURNS AFTER A SHORT DRIVE TO COSTCO.
• Water apparantly was going thru the sunroof and clogging the drains-- No water seeped into the car or from the roof-- It went through the interior of the car nor did it ever get into the vehicle floor so no way to even be aware of car accumlating water- This interior water damage nd destroyed the el

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

2 complaints

• THE 2013 COOPER S WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHERE THE CAR HESITATED TO ACCELERATE, AS IT IS USUALLY DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE HISTORY. WHAT HAPPENS IN REAL DRIVING SITUATIONS IS THAT WHEN YOU CRUISE AT AROUND 2,000 RPM AND THEN DECIDE TO ACCELERATE THE CAR LOSES THE POWER, COMPLETELY
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED CLASSIC MINI COOPER AT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE 2013 COOPER S WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHERE THE CAR HESITATED TO ACCELERATE, AS IT IS USUALLY DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE HISTORY. WHAT HAPPENS IN REAL DRIVING SITUATIONS IS THAT WHEN YOU CRUISE AT AROUND 2,000 RPM AND THEN DECIDE TO ACCELERATE THE CAR LOSES THE POWER, COMPLETELY”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 32 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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 NEEDE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: 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 THA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)