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2015 MINI Cooper SProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 2015 MINI Cooper S, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-739 the manufacturer reports only 89% of affected cars repaired.

2015 MINI Cooper S
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 89%Owner complaints182 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage15kExterior lighting, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 3, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: MINI Cooper Lover, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2015 MINI Cooper S has problems

18 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Exterior lighting31
Engine31
Air bags20
Electrical system20
Fuel/propulsion system20
Structure20
Service brakes10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Power train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2015 MINI Cooper S recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

89%repaired · 2017 Q1

Sensor: occupant classification

Recall 15V-739 · Nov 9, 2015 · 38 vehicles · 34 repaired

Risk. Inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation can increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a vehicle crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

93%repaired · 2017 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 15V-628 · Oct 7, 2015 · 6,073 vehicles · 5,640 repaired

Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

90%repaired · 2016 Q4

Structure: body

Recall 15V-450 · Jul 17, 2015 · 30,456 vehicles · 27,375 repaired

Risk. If the side impact performance requirements are not met, rear seat passengers may be at a higher risk of injury during a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

95%repaired · 2016 Q2

Automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Recall 14V-789 · Dec 15, 2014 · 1,928 vehicles · 1,838 repaired

Risk. If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being in Park, the vehicle could roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with MINI.

Best & worst years

2015 vs. every other Cooper S year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cooper S median. How we score

'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'19'20'21'22'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2015 MINI Cooper S safety ratings

2015 Mini Cooper S 2 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2015 MINI Cooper S, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BMW Safety Act ViolationsAQ15004 · closed Oct 2, 2017
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cooper S owners report

Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT HAS A SHORT/OVER HEATS AND MELTS CONNECTOR TO THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING. NOTIFICATION PROMPTS YOU THAT YOU HAVE A BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE HAS 15K MILES ON IT.
Complaint 11383053 · Dec 11, 2020 · 15,250 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK AND THE 'MALFUNCTION REAR LIGHT CLUSTER' MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN MOTORCARS [PHONE], LOCATED AT 2901 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM…
Complaint 11240552 · Jul 30, 2019 · 42,621 miles
VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOUR TIMES, SINCE PURCHASED IN MAY 2015 FOR BURNS TO LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET MELTING INTO HOUSING. MALFUNCTIONING ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS WHILE DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAYS AND STREETS. TAILLIGHT IS ON THE LEFT SIDE, NOT FAR FROM GAS TANK. CAR IS UNSAFE DUE TO OVERHEATING, BURNS AND…
Complaint 10916801 · Oct 18, 2016 · 25 miles

Own a 2015 Cooper S?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.