Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine (46.4% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Engine complaints here are 5.7× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 78 · 46.4% | Recalled | Recall 18V248000 · Recall 08V657000 · Recall 12V008000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 36 · 21.4% | Recalled | Recall 18V248000 · Recall 08V657000 · Recall 12V008000 |
| Air Bags | 30 · 17.9% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 8 · 4.8% | Recalled | Recall 23V337000 |
| Power Train | 6 · 3.6% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 4 · 2.4% | Recalled | Recall 18V248000 · Recall 08V657000 · Recall 12V008000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 168 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 18V248000 · 2018 · reported 04/18/2018
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V657000 · 2008 · reported 12/12/2008
IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V008000 · 2012 · reported 01/11/2012
THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 23V337000 · 2023 · reported 05/11/2023
An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKEN AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE AT MILE 48544 - 48552”NHTSA complaint 10872172 — filed 06/02/2016 · ENGINE
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THICK, GREY SMOKE…”NHTSA complaint 10852542 — filed 03/30/2016 · ENGINE
“I OWN A 2008 MINI COOPER S AND IT HAS 62000 MILES ON IT. AS MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS, I HAVE " RATTLE NOISE" ISSUE…”NHTSA complaint 10852027 — filed 03/28/2016 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 78 of 168 NHTSA complaints (46.4%), followed by engine and engine cooling (36), air bags (30), electrical system (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
168 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 1 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 3 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V248000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
