2013 MINI Cooper S problems
The 2013 MINI Cooper S has 32 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (28%) concerns electrical system. Next are engine (22%) and air bags (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 32 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 28% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 55,000 miles 16 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 16 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 55,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2013 ranks 11th most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the MINI Cooper S with enough data (13 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 mini cooper s. While driving approximately 30 MPH on a hill, the driver drove down a small embankment, crashed into a barbed wire fence, drove into a pasture, and crashed into a tree. The tree fell on top of the vehicle. The side air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained multiple injuries to the left side of the body and brain injuries, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was deemed destroyed.
I purchased a mini cooper s 2013 and noticed the car was hard to handle on the road at all times. The service department had told me that was normal for this type of car. I kept complaining and they finally took the car in to have it checked. They told me it the alignment was bad and the tires needed to be replaced. I was charged for the service, but I believe this was a manufacture defect because the car was like that from the time I drove it off the lot until the time of service.
Driving at 40MPH and suddenly a noise/slight vibration in the front started. Stopped at mechanics and was advised and shown that the front wheel bearing was bad. Contacted dealership and was told that I must have hit something to cause it. Though no other front end components show any damage.
The front passenger seat occupant sensor is failing. The dash light comes on intermittingly when a passenger is seated and the vehicle is in operation. The problem started 03/19/2021. This is a major safety issue. The front passenger air bag(s) may not deploy in case of an accident. Mini had a recall in 2015 for 2005-2008 cars. The problem persists.
The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the engine was running rough while idling. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would not exceed 65 MPH and 4,000 RPM while driving. The message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed.