2010 MINI Cooper
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 87 of 161 complaints (54%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 297 in 2009 to 161 in 2010.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | vs. 2010 Minicompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,350 | 2,400–3,000 | 2,400–2,850 | 2,400–2,750 | 2,400–2,750 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–32 | 26–32 | 27–32 | 28–32 | 28–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–28 / 29–37 | 23–28 / 32–37 | 24–28 / 32–37 | 25–29 / 33–36 | 25–29 / 33–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 278–386 | 278–342 | 278–329 | 278–317 | 278–317 | |
| Complaints filed | 299 | 297 | 161 | 118 | 92 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 16 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 9 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 7 | 12 | 4 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2010 MINI Cooper have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2010 MINI Cooper?
Engine: 87 of 161 NHTSA complaints (54%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2010 MINI Cooper get?
EPA rates it 27–32 MPG combined across 8 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 MINI Cooper?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 36 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,500 | 287 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,750 | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,750 | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,650 | 306 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 32 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 329 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,650 | 306 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 32 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 329 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 278 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 87 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 34 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 29 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · Campaign 23V337000 · May 11, 2023
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.
Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · Campaign 18V248000 · Apr 20, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · Campaign 12V008000 · Jan 12, 2012
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 09V474000 · Dec 15, 2009
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.