Mini Cooper S years to avoid
The Mini Cooper S years to avoid are 2005, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2002, 2010 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2021 is the cleanest year on record.
2,181
Total complaints
23
Recall campaigns
2002–2025
Years covered
9
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Cooper S years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 383 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 300 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 279 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 258 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 243 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 197 | |
| 2009 | High complaint rate | 151 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 105 | |
| 2010 | High complaint rate | 78 |
Every Cooper S year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 10 | 3 | |
| 2015 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2014 | 17 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 32 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 30 | 2 | |
| 2011 | 46 | 3 | |
| 2010avoid | 78 | 4 | |
| 2009avoid | 151 | 3 | |
| 2008avoid | 197 | 4 | |
| 2007avoid | 300 | 4 | |
| 2006avoid | 243 | 1 | |
| 2005avoid | 383 | 2 | |
| 2004avoid | 279 | 2 | |
| 2003avoid | 258 | 2 | |
| 2002avoid | 105 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Mini Cooper S years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Cooper S years to avoid are 2005, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2002, 2010. The cleanest year on record is 2021.
What is the best year for the Mini Cooper S?
By complaint volume, 2021 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Cooper S years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Mini Cooper S have?
Across all model years, the Cooper S has 23 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,181 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.