10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,652 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Mini Cooper electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Mini Cooper Owner Comments

problem #15

May 022022

Cooper

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Footwell module is not working due to rear left blinker is not signaling only the front light does work when turning left.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #14

Mar 022022

Cooper

  • miles
The failed component is the "Footwell Relay Module" (FRM) which enables communication between the instrument panel in the passenger compartment and the engine control components in the engine compartment. When this component fails the following essential controls become inoperable: emergency flashers, turn signals, door locks, and windows. Most other "convenience features controlled by the car instrument panel become inoperable as well. This problem was confirmed by an independent technician, a technician at Mini of Stevens Creek in San Jose, CA, and the owner. No inspections of the part were ever done and the FRM failed without warning. This is a common failure in Minis due to a faulty design. The part is insufficiently protected from inrush current surge when a fully-charged battery is reconnected following service. It is also not sufficiently protected from induced voltage surges from EMI such as C, K or Ka band radar or electrical storms. One or more integrated circuits in the part are destroyed when exposed to current or voltage spikes rendering the part inoperable. The cost to replace the FRM (parts & labor) exceeds $1000.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #13

Aug 252020

Cooper

  • miles
Bought MINIfrom carvana a January 2020 and have had too many problems. Car overheated on 48, had 2 new cylinders put in, 2 weeks later, due to many notable problems this car has had, all coolant leaked out and was quoted by MINIdealership $9,000 to fix a problem that was caused by a recall not listed for my year

- Elizabeth, PA, USA

problem #12

Apr 032020

Cooper

  • 118,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electrical control unit went out

- South Gate, CA, USA

problem #11

Nov 062019

Cooper

  • 70,000 miles
The car stalled while driving on freeway once and high pressure fuel pump was replaced by MINIcooper and again second time on inner roads driving at 20 miles an hour....without any warning

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 062018

Cooper

  • miles
Takata inflators" I notice a burning smell inside my vehicle which I reported to the dealer. They stated "they couldn't find anything. Then I would depart from my car with the windows up sunroof closed and lock it I would return the windows would be all the way down and top up. This took place again on 3/6/19.

- Jensen Beach, FL, USA

problem #9

Aug 132018

Cooper

  • 56,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle was in motion on a highway and, after going over several pot holes, the engine temperature warning light came on. The engine power was reduced, and the engine failure light also appeared. This is when I pulled over into the off ramp, and the vehicle came to a sputtering stop. I placed the car in neutral and pushed it to the dirt side lane of the off ramp. I opened the hood, smelled something burning, and saw smoke coming from the engine. I could see burnt circuits, burnt plastic, and coolant leaking all over the engine and exposed wiring. Had it not been for immediately exiting onto the off ramp, the vehicle would have stopped in the middle of the highway without warning. I could have almost died because of the fire; this faulty engineering by BMW/MINIhas already taken the life of a driver in South Korea. BMW issued a recall of the 2012 MINICooper S roadster in South Korea, but when I had the car towed to one of their service centers, the technicians were unaware of this manufacturing defect and stated that the repair parts are unavailable. I see that my vehicle has been recalled, but when I type in my VIN, no recall is attached to my vehicle. BMW/MINIis taking no action; they are harming and killing drivers of its vehicles.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #8

Aug 132018

Cooper

  • 56,000 miles
Vehicle was in motion on a highway and, after going over several pot holes, the engine temperature warning light came on. The engine power was reduced, and the engine failure light also appeared. This is when I pulled over into the off ramp, and the vehicle came to a sputtering stop. I placed the car in neutral and pushed it to the dirt side lane of the off ramp. I opened the hood, smelled something burning, and saw smoke coming from the engine. I could see burnt circuits, burnt plastic, and coolant leaking all over the engine and exposed wiring. Had it not been for immediately exiting onto the off ramp, the vehicle would have stopped in the middle of the highway without warning. I could have almost died because of the fire; this faulty engineering by BMW/MINIhas already taken the life of a driver in South Korea. BMW issued a recall of the 2012 MINICooper S roadster, but when I had the car towed to one of their service centers, the technicians were unaware of this manufacturing defect and stated that the repair parts are unavailable. I see that my vehicle has been recalled, but when I type in my VIN, no recall is attached to my vehicle. BMW/MINIis taking no action; they are harming and killing drivers of its vehicles.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 132018

Cooper

  • 56,000 miles
Vehicle was in motion on a highway and after going over several pot holes the engine temperature warning light came on. The engine power was reduced and an engine failure light also appeared. This is when I pulled over into the off ramp and the vehicle came to a sputtering stop. I placed the car in neutral and pushed it to the dirt side lane of the off ramp. I opened the hood, smelled something burning, and saw smoke coming from the engine. I could see burnt circuits, burnt plastic, and coolant leaking all over the engine and exposed wiring. Had it not been for immediately exiting onto the off-ramp, the vehicle would have stopped in the middle of the highway without warning.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 202017

Cooper

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 MINICooper S. the contact stated that the front and rear driver side carpet was wet. Also, while driving, the sound of water swishing around could be heard coming from the bottom and the top of the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle alarm would independently activate. The vehicle was taken to MINIof manhattan (793 11th ave, New York, NY 10019, (212) 586-6464), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #5

Feb 242018

Cooper

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rear brake light burnt and melted. It was repaired and now it melted and burnt again but has caused further damage requiring the whole taillight needing replacement.

- West Park, FL, USA

problem #4

Mar 032017

Cooper

  • 86,000 miles
Vehicle had been driven 24 miles and parked for about 10 minutes when engine compartment caught fire. Master mechanic diagnosed it originated with the coolant pump and caused a short circuit with the electronics of the pump igniting a fire.

- Cutler Bay, FL, USA

problem #3

Apr 202016

Cooper

  • 58,749 miles
Car key stuck in slot and would not allow the vehicle to shift. After taking it in for repair to MINICooper, we were informed that moisture was found in a computer which is located under the beverage holder. Yes, you read that right. A computer under the beverage holder and no moisture barrier, no protection over this component.. now who does that" there is nothing in the owners manual to warn you of this nor is there any indication on the beverage holder itself that indicates there is a computer component below. How would a consumer know? honestly, who designs a car like this" of course there will be moisture... its a beverage holder for pete sake! it was a $1200. Fix. Had I known or been pre-warned somehow, I would not have used the darn thing or at least wrapped my drinks in a paper towel. Of all the places to put a computer, why would anyone place it under the beverage holder. I can only guess that MINICooper counts on this repair sometime in the life of the automobile. I feel they should be responsible for the cost of this repair.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #2

Jan 152015

Cooper

  • 85,000 miles
Started car, red service icon on dash alternating with driver door open icon. This was a loss of interior lights, signal lights, brake lights, hazard lights, window up/down controls, and door lock functions. Car otherwise operated normally. This malfunction requires dealer only repair.

- Madison, CT, USA

problem #1

Oct 142013

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 9,030 miles
Purchased a certified pre-owned MINInext 2012 clubman 6-speed with 6,498 miles on it 08/2013. * 10/14/2013 around 9K miles lost power on the highway and went into limp mode, maneuvered to side of highway and called roadside assistance. Towed car in to dealer who replaced 4 spark plugs said all was ok. * 10/17/2013 I pick the car up, get 3 miles from dealer on interstate and the car does it again so I maneuvered off the closest exit and called roadside assistance. Towed back into dealer and they kept car until 26th. They said the dme was bad and replaced it and 4 fuel injectors. * 10/30/2013 car did it again and I drove home in limp mode, car was shaking and sounded like a 1970 VW beetle, nearly died at every idle, rough, acceleration and I called roadside assistance and they had car towed from my driveway back to dealer./5/2013 dealer still has car.

- Alto, GA, USA

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