Engine
1.6L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 185 of 186 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 155 of 186 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Air bags
71 complaint records
"PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR WENT BAD. SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. $1,500 TO HAVE DEALER REPAIRED. CAR IS NOT REPAIRED YET. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Steering
48 complaint records4 fire reports1 crash report
"WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON LOCAL ROADS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD A LOSS OF POWER AND STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER/TURN..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →
Electrical system
23 complaint records6 fire reports2 crash reports
"ENGINE CRANKED BUT DID NOT START. AAA FLATBED TO MINI OF ALLENTOWN. RECEIVED CALL FROM DEALER POSSIBLE WATER DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL, CONTINUING DIAGNOSIS. VEHICLE FRM FAILURE...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15V205000 | Air Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S... | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015147 2015-04-07 | Seats And Restraints | 7,865 | On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue over time. As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating the airbag warning lamp and the passenger airbag ON/OFF lamp. |
| 2006013 2006-01-16 | Powertrain | 11 | On certain vehicles equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT), the connection between the transmission gear selector rod and the lock plate may not have been laser-welded correctly. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| M610607 Oct 2023 | Electrical System | MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. | |
| M240112 Jul 2019 | Electrical System | Programming a Replacement EGS Module with ISTA/P. Programming a replacement electronic transmission control module (EGS) with ISTA/P requires the manual entry of the correct target basic and programmed part numbers. Programming concept. | |
| M650610 Jun 2018 | Equipment | NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance: | |
| M650610 May 2018 | Electrical System | NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance: | |
| M240118 Feb 2018 | Power Train | AISIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISISON: RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL REPLACEMENT |
Show 44 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| M320214 Mar 2016 | Steering | This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. SUBJECT Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle is No Longer Required. Left-hand drive steering spindles are currently available. | |
| 11 06 15 Jul 2015 | Engine | MINI: DIFFERENT FAULTS ACTIVATES ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND OIL WARNING. *MA | |
| 12 06 15 Jul 2015 | Electrical System | MINI: BECAUSE OF THE DME SOFTWARE, AND A DAMAGED CLUTCH, THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION CHECK MESSAGE APPEAR. *MA | |
| 11 02 15 Jun 2015 | Engine | MINI: A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND DME SOFTWARE ERROR OF THE VANOS ACTUATORS CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH WHICH ACTIVATES THE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT. *MA | |
| 12 05 15 Jun 2015 | Engine | MINI: DUE TO FAULTY DME SOFTWARE, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON, INCLUDING THE CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE FOR MOTOR FORCE DECREASE. *MA | |
| 12 07 15 Jun 2015 | Engine | MINI: FAULTY SOFTWARE CAUSES THE CHECK CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED LIGHT TO APPEAR. *MA | |
| SIM-11-10-14 Dec 2014 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MINI: SOME VEHICLES HAVE TURBOCHARGER NOISE AND A LACK OR LOSS OF PERFORMANCE, DUE TO RESTRICTION OF TURBOCHARGER OIL SUPPLY, RESULTING IN OIL STARVATION AND SEIZING OF TURBOCHARGER ASSEMBLY. MODEL ALL. *PE | |
| M010113 Nov 2014 | Equipment | Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Limited Warranty Extension to 13 Years/150,000 Miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump can fail. | |
| M320214 Aug 2014 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle. Supply shortage of left-hand drive steering spindles | |
| SIM-01-05-14 Jun 2014 | Equipment | MINI: INFORMATION ON PARTS WARRANTY EXTENSION APPLYING TO PREVIOUS QUALIFYING REPAIRS AND NO IMMEDIATE REPAIR REQUIRED UNLESS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH CVT ASSEMBLY OR COMPONENT. MODEL 2005-2008 COOPER, COOPER S. *PE | |
| SIM-61-05-14 Jun 2014 | Visibility | MINI: THERE IS A DISCONNECTION OR KINK, IN WNIDSHIELD WASHER HOSE, WHICH IS TOO SHORT, CAUSING WINDSHIELD FRONT WASHER JET TO FAIL. MODEL F56 (COOPER, COOPER S). *PE | |
| SIM-11-01-12 Jan 2014 | Engine | MINI: ON CERTAIN MODEL VEHICLES, AN ENGINE OIL LEAK MAY OCCUR, DUE TO THE COMPROMISED OIL PUMP VOLUME CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE, FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF ENGINE. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED 4/19/2013. *KB UPDATED 3/11/14. *PE | |
| M120213 Nov 2013 | Engine And Engine Cooling | State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails Due to an Invalid VIN Number. The affected vehicle may fail to pass a State Inspection and Emission (I/M) test due to a noncompliant 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) stored in the DME (Digital Motor Electronic). | |
| M120213 Oct 2013 | Engine And Engine Cooling | State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails to Read 17-Character VIN. An affected vehicle may fail to pass a state-mandated Inspection and/or Emission (I/M) test due to a noncompliant 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) being read out and displayed on the state's... | |
| SI-M-13-01-13 Aug 2013 | Equipment | MINI: THERE IS A PROCEDURAL ERROR IN THE REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING HIGH PRESSURE PUMP CURRENT VERSION THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH THE CORRECTED REPAIR INSTRUCTION PORTION FOR THE N14 AND N18 ENGINE. MODELS R55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE | |
| M010113 Jul 2013 | Equipment | Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump can fail. | |
| M010113 Jun 2013 | Steering | Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump can fail. | |
| SIM-11-03-12 Jun 2012 | Engine | MINI: WHEN RESEALING ENGINE OIL PAN, ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET REPLACEMENT SHOULD NO LONGER BE USED DUE TO CAUSING SEALING FLANGE BECOMING DEFORMED. MODELS R55, R56, R59, R60, R57, AND R58. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE | |
| SIM-12-07-12 Jun 2012 | Electrical System | MINI: THERE IS A SOFTWARE ERROR CAUSING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED THAT IS RELATED TO VALVETRONIC DIAGNOSTICS. MODELS R55, R56, R58, R57, R60, R59. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE | |
| SIM-65-08-03 Mar 2012 | Air Bags | BMW MINI: AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON: MRS FC 02, 03, 05, 06. *KB | |
| SI-M61-01-12 Jan 2012 | Unknown Or Other | MINI: AFTER DRIVE-AWAY LOCKING ACTIVATES, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE BOOT. *KB | |
| SIM-65-06-11 May 2011 | Air Bags | BMW: THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON WITH A FAULT STORED. THE WIRING UNDER THE SEAT MAY BE PINCHED OR DAMAGED. *RM | |
| SIM-12-04-09 May 2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW: THE CRIMPING PROCESS OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR COULD LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE INSIDE THE SENSOR. THERE MAY BE A MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON WITH A FAULT CODE STORED. *RM | |
| SIM-11-03-08 Mar 2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MINI: TURBOCHARGER FAILURE; OIL SUPPLY LINE BLOCKAGE. LOSS OF PERFORMANCE AND TURBOCHARGER NOISE. *PE UPDATED 8/16/11. *PE | |
| SIM-17-01-10 Feb 2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW: ENGINE TOO HOT MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED WITH STORED TROUBLE CODES. THE WATER PUMP DOESNT POWER UP. *RM | |
| SIM-11-07-08 Nov 2010 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW: DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICATIONS OF CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM. *RM | |
| SIM-13-06-10 Oct 2010 | Fuel System | MINI: TEILECLEARING FOR N14/N18 ENGINE DRIVABILITY AND FUEL SYSTEM. ENHANCED TECHNICAL SUPPORT (TEILECLEARING) PROCESS HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO HELP IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSES OFCUSTOMER COMPLAINTS RELATING TO THE N14/N18 DRIVABILITY AND FUEL SYSTEM *E.G., LONG CRANK, LOSS OF POWER,... | |
| SIM -01-04-10 Aug 2010 | Fuel System | BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT MAY BE ON WITH STORED TROUBLE CODES AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONS. *RM | |
| 110107 Mar 2009 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM - COLD CLIMATE CONDITIONS. *KB UPDATED ON 10/17/07. *NJ UPDATED 6/15/09. *PE | |
| SI-M-51-09-08 Mar 2009 | Structure | MINI: REAR SPLIT DOOR OPENING PROBLEMS. ONE OR BOTH OF THE REAR SPLIT DOORS INTERMITTENTLY HAVE FUNCTIONAL PROBLEMS. THE DOOR(S) MAY NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE LEVER ON THE HANDLE IS PULLED OR THE LATCH MAY RELEASE UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT BEING PULLED. *PE UPDATED 7/10/09. *PE | |
| SI-M63-01-09 Mar 2009 | Exterior Lighting | MINI: WHILE DRIVING OR AT IDLE, THE HEADLAMPS FLICKER OR SPORADICALLY MOVE UP OR DOWN BY THEMSELVES. THE HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS IS DAMAGED DUE TO CHAFFING AT THE ENGINE GROUND POINT. R55 (COOPER CLUBMAN, COOPER S CLUBMAN); R56 (COOPER, COOPER S). *PE | |
| SI-M-63-01-09 Mar 2009 | Exterior Lighting | MINI VEHICLES: WHILE DRIVING OR AT IDLE, THE HEADLAMPS FLICKER OR SPORADICALLY MOVE UP OR DOWN BY THEMSELVES. THE HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS IS DAMAGED DUE TO CHAFFING AT THE ENGINE GROUND POINT. *PE | |
| SI-M-11-01-09 Mar 2009 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MINI: WHEN REPLACING THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER ON A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE NEW N14 ENGINE, THE COVER WILL LOOK DIFFERENT IN APPEARANCE. THE REPLACEMENT COVER IS NOW EQUIPPED WITH A CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE | |
| SIM-12-02-09 Feb 2009 | Fuel System | MINI: SERVICE ENGINE SOON OR CHECK GAS CAP WARNING IS ILLUMINATED: TANK LEAKAGE. LEAKAGE IS DETECTED IN THE TANK VENTILATION OR EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM. *PE | |
| SI-M-13-01-08 Jul 2008 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MINI: FUEL ODOR FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP (HDP) AND/OR THE LOW PRESSURE SUPPLY HOSE CONNECTION CAN ALLOW FUEL SEEPAGE, RESULTING IN THE FUEL ODOR. *PE | |
| SI M34-01-07 Jun 2008 | Steering | MINI: DSC INDICATOR LAMP ACTIVE. R56 (COOPER, COOPER S) VEHICLES PRODUCED AUGUST 31, 2006 TO JULY 22, 2007. THE DSC INDICATOR LAMP (DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL) IS ACTIVE AND THE AUTOMATIC TURN SIGNAL RESET IS INOPERATIVE. *PE | |
| SI M64-02-08 Jun 2008 | Equipment | MINI: DRIVER FOOTWELL AREA BECOMES HOT. THE HEARTER CORE PIPES ARE POORLY INSULATED. MODEL R56. *PE | |
| SI M24 01 08 Jun 2008 | Power Train | MINI: R55, R56 (COOPER, COOPER S) WITH F21 ASIN 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - INCORRECT GEAR DISPLAY. *PE | |
| SI M21-03-08 Jun 2008 | Power Train | MINI- R5 & R56 (COOPER; COOPER S) WITH GETRAG 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION: COMPLAINT OF AN INTERMITTENT NO-CRANK, NO START SITUATION. THE CLUTCH SWITCH MODULE HAS NOT BEEN SECURED IN THE CORRECT POSITION ON THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. *PE | |
| SI-M-65-05-08 Jun 2008 | Equipment | MINI: CHECK SVS FUNCTION. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE VOICE INPUT SYSTEM (SVS SA 620) DOES NOT FUNCTION. THE SVS WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLES. *PE | |
| SI M11 02 07 Jan 2008 | Engine And Engine Cooling | RATTLE NOISE FROM ENGINE. FROM START OF PRODUCTION UP TO APRIL 11, 2007. WITH N14 ENGINE. *NJ | |
| SIM-51-09-07 Dec 2007 | Structure | MINI: WATER LEAK FROM THE FRONT DOORS. AFTER HEAVY RAIN, THE CARPET MAY BE WET IN THE AREA NEAR THE REAR OF THE FRONT DOORS OR IN THE FOOTWELL AREA. | |
| SIM-17-02-07 Dec 2007 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MINI: ELECTRIC COOLING FAN RUNS AFTER ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF, THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN CONTINUES TO RUN. DUE TO THE OPERATING STRATEGY OF THE DME, THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN MAY CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF IN TWO DIFFERENT SCENARIOS. | |
| 360106 Apr 2006 | Tires | NITROGEN INFLATED TIRES. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this MINI Cooper S →