2010 MINI Cooper problems
NHTSA has received 142 complaints about the 2010 MINI Cooper, and 28% of them involve engine. Next are electrical system (20%) and air bags (16%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 142 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 28% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 11
- Injuries and deaths
- 13 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 60,000 miles 69 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 | 10 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 18 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 22 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 69 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 60,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 50,000 miles (24 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 11 complaints mention a fire; 13 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2010 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the MINI Cooper with enough data (33 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
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.
I was driving the car for a 300 miles trip, never had an issue before. After stopping in san antonio the fans kept running for at least 15min. Stopped at a conveinience store and topped off coolant which wasnt missing any and checked the oil level and added one quart of oil. Taking on the trip to austin tx, the car was running fine at 70MPH when my low oil light came on. Ten seconds later pulled to the side and smoke started coming from the engine.
Purchase previously owned (by 1 owner, low mileage) 2010, mini cooper from dealership 2 years ago. Currently has only 70k miles. Last week while driving, timing chain failed subsequently causing $3100+ in estimated damages. First issue I have is how does a timing belt last only 70k miles on a supposed high-end, high-performance vehicle like mini/bmw?
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mini cooper. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal noise. After safely pulling the vehicle off the road, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to blue ridge motor work (2424 fort henry dr., kingsport, tn) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist due to no recalls being attributed to the VIN.