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MINI · NHTSA safety record

2010 MINI Cooper

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 92 safety complaints about the 2010 MINI Cooper with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 7 mention a fire, 9 people were injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the electrical system and equipment.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 32 complaints, 35% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 52,000 miles, the median across the 50 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers September 2010 to January 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

92 complaints on file

92

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

7

Mention fire

9

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 32 · 35%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29 · 32%
AIR BAGS 21 · 23%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11 · 12%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8 · 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 · 9%
SEAT BELTS 5 · 5%
SEATS 5 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 · 4%
POWER TRAIN 3 · 3%
STRUCTURE 2 · 2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 · 2%
0 15 31

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 92.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 13.

16 12 8 4
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2010 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2010 MINI Cooper. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

23V337000 · May 11, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 97,933 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

09V474000 · December 15, 2009

The defect
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 MINI COOPER AND COOPER S VEHICLES FOR FAILING COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH WHEELS, BUT THEIR LABEL STATES THAT THEY WERE EQUIPPED WITH 16 INCH WHEELS. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE STATED ON THE LABEL FOR THE COOPER S IS INCORRECT.
The risk
ERRONEOUS TIRE INFORMATION COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER TIRE FITMENT AND INFLATION WHICH COULD AFFECT THE DURABILITY OF THE TIRE AND THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC · up to 205 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

2 injured · fire · 61,000 miles

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR FOR A 300 MILES TRIP, NEVER HAD AN ISSUE BEFORE. AFTER STOPPING IN SAN ANTONIO THE FANS KEPT RUNNING FOR AT LEAST 15MIN. STOPPED AT A CONVEINIENCE STORE AND TOPPED OFF COOLANT WHICH WASNT MISSING ANY AND CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND ADDED ONE QUART OF OIL. TAKING ON THE TRIP TO AUSTIN TX, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AT 70MPH WHEN MY LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON. TEN SECONDS LATER PULLED TO THE SIDE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE. LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FIRE STARTED BLAZING THROUGHOUT THE CAR BURNING ALL OUR BELONGINGS.

NHTSA complaint 10763268. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

2 injured · 5,600 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED BURNS TO THEIR LEGS FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE WHILE PLACING AN ITEM IN THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,732.

NHTSA complaint 10468813. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire · towed · 130,000 miles

The contact owned a 2010 Mini Cooper S Hartop. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH with the two sunroofs open, the vehicle caught fire. There were flames underneath the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact opened the hood and threw baking soda on the flames but sustained burns to her hands and face, and medical attention was provided. The neighbors had used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The airbags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There was no crash. The vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the footwell control module. The vehicle was

NHTSA complaint 11644761, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 5,500 miles

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.

NHTSA complaint 10377548. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The dealer refused to perform the required FRM recall inspection and denied the recall without providing any of the federally required documentation. I was forced to pay out‑of‑pocket for the FRM module replacement even though my VIN is listed under the safety recall. MINI of Murray stated my FRM “failed,” but admitted they never opened the module, which is required to determine internal moisture intrusion. • The Service Manager stated they based their denial on “carpet and headliner moisture,” which is not part of the FRM recall inspection procedure. • I requested the FRM inspection report, photos, and the MINI Corporate denial code. I received none of these. • MINI Corporate Recall Team

NHTSA complaint 11713743, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle is experiencing repeated failure of the Footwell module (FRM), a known defect acknowledged by MINI/BMW. During the two years I have owned the vehicle, the FRM has required four separate reflashes due to recurring malfunctions. The failure causes loss of proper power window operation, including the passenger window reversing or rolling down unexpectedly, and loss or malfunction of other body electrical functions controlled by the FRM. Headlamps will not turn off, resulting in a dead battery and electrical/intermittent dash light surges. The FRM failed again after a software reflash, which is a documented trigger for FRM internal memory corruption. MINI/BMW issued and Extended

NHTSA complaint 11709416, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Engine issues Engine leaks over heating seal gasket Timing bell Engine missed firing

NHTSA complaint 11671223. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
Passenger Airbag sensor is off even when passenger is in the seat and airbag should be on.

NHTSA complaint 11662967. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

On Thursday I was driving my 2010 Mini Cooper S with 75,000 miles on it and there was a total and sudden power outage on the high way. I was able to get to the breakdown lane and had it towed. My mini certified garage ran the computer on it and the car started right up. It was due for an inspection so we did an oil and filter and put on some new tires. No issues were found and car was running well. We picked it up on Friday and Saturday morning after a short drive I was parking and smoke started pouring out from behind the steering wheel. I ran inside a coffee shop for help and they asked if there were flames. I went back out and opened the car door and there was loud noise and the hood was

NHTSA complaint 11660568, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The passenger airbag with seat belt icon is always indicating no one is in the seat or not buckled. The alert icon for the lighting is also on and we have replaced bulbs and still won’t work and the windows at times just randomly stops would have to unplug battery for it to reset for the windows only. I just bought this car and have registered since. Was told there was several recalls with the same issue I am experiencing. Please include my car for the proper recalls so I can have a safe reliable vehicle for my family.

NHTSA complaint 11649639. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the MINI Cooper

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 12 2 —
2017 28 3 —
2016 28 4 —
2015 56 6 —
2014 34 7 —
2013 47 1 —
2012 66 1 —
2011 83 1 —

Other 2010 MINI models

Cooper S 59 Cooper Clubman 28 Cooper S Clubman 13 Cooper S Convertible 10

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every MINI on this site — 29 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst