2007 Mini Cooper S: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 257 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (34% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 257 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the parking brake engaged, and the vehicle came to a stop. The contact manually pulled the parking brake lever several times until the parking brake released. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.”Owner report · Parking Brake · Jun 2023
“Passenger seat mat occupancy sensor/pad has gone bad again after the recall.*dt safety recall report xxx-xxx 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).' *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2019
“The turbocharger had to be replaced, new turbo got hot and melted the valve cover. Then the turbocharger caught fire while in motion in a rural neighborhood. All within 6 months.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“To the right of my gas pedal in my car gets super hot! It reaches over 207 fahrenheit degrees. It gets worse when I use my ac. When I wear my flip flops it burns my toes.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2018
“My vehicle is currently @ braman bmw wpb (5612423210) for a timing chain problem which was under recall. The service advisor called me and notified me that the timing chain broke inside the engine & completely destroyed the motor. Te timing chain job alone estimate is $3800, but theyve notified me that the engine is unrepairable & must be replaced! They also failed to acknowledge that this happen whilst driving on an interstate, almost causing a huge accident!! Please help!! Mini apparently cares more about money than lives!!”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2018
“Takata recall, I have a 2007 mini cooper that only has 84000 miles and have had to have the time chain replace 4 times. The repair garage is telling me that mini keeps updating the kits for every repair. The time chain was replaced in 2009, 2012,2016,2018. Once thing they did tell me that I don't keep enough oil in the car, but if the oil light doesn't come on how am I to know this. I don't have $2000.00 to $2500.00 every couple of years to keep getting the car repaired. So I'm thinking about getting read of the car. Has anyone else had this problem.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2018
“The seats' heating elements had been replaced due to a recall approximately 2 years ago. This month I brought the car to nd from tx and we used the heated seats here. The seats' were very hot. Today I noticed three burn holes in the back of the driver's seat where it contacts the driver's back.”Owner report · Seats · Apr 2018
“There was a recall for the timing chain, so I had it replaced in the recall program that was offered through mini cooper. Less then 2 years later, my timing chain broke again, and has damaged the motor of my car. It would not start”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2018
“My car is little over 102,000 miles. It suddenly stopped, near my house and I was not able to start again. Replaced battery, however found out that high pressure fuel pump failed. Warranty reported by mini expired earlier this year. This could be safety issue, if car stops in middle of highway.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2017
“Car crash may 30, 2017, driver's air bag did not deploy causing great bodily injury to driver.. Driver was traveling 25 mph in town at around 10:30 a.m.. Driver had a stroke, passed out, crossed over to opposite side of road and hit an unoccupied parked car. That car hit another parked vehicle and chain reaction left four cars in the accident. State farm or gene's auto body shop have photos.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
CERTAIN CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.' THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THE TIRE SIZE AND CORRESPONDING TIRE PRESSURE BE INDICATED ON THE LABEL AND THE LABEL DOES NOT CORRESPOND TO THE ACTUAL TIRES MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW TIRE INFORMATION PLACARDS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MINI AT 1-866-275-6464.
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.
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 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.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.
BMW IS RECALLING 28,450 MY 2007-2008 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES. THE CENTRALLY LOCATED TAILPIPE EXTENSION PROTRUDES SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAILPIPE WITH A NEW SHORTER TAILPIPE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.
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.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
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 Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cooper S by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2007 Mini Cooper S reliable?
NHTSA has 257 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 Mini Cooper S. The most complained-about area is engine (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 Mini Cooper S problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,000 miles or less.
Does the 2007 Mini Cooper S have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.