Summary
The MINI Cooper S has 8 recalls spanning 2007–2017, with the most serious being a 2007 model year auxiliary water pump that can overheat after the engine is shut off, creating a fire risk that can damage the vehicle or injure people nearby.
On the most recent end of production, 2016–2017 Clubman and JCW Clubman trims have a brake light that goes dark when the turn signal is active at the same time, which can confuse following drivers who cannot tell the vehicle is slowing down. The 2015 model year has two separate concerns: a front seat recliner mechanism that can let the seatback shift out of position in a hard impact, raising the risk of injury to the occupant, and a separate issue where certain 2014-2015 hardtop two-door vehicles may have received incorrect transmission software during a dealer service visit, allowing the driver to exit the car while the transmission is not in park and leaving the vehicle free to roll. The 2014 model year also has a compliance issue with side-impact protection requirements for rear seat occupants.
Going back further, the 2002–2005 model years share a power steering concern where the electro-hydraulic steering assist can fail temporarily or permanently, requiring significantly more steering effort at low speeds and raising the chance of a crash. The 2002 model year has an additional filing for the same steering pump system, where the pump's control electronics, cooling fan, or power supply can fail and knock out assist. Back in 2007, there is also a tailpipe extension that protrudes slightly past the rear bumper and can burn someone who brushes against it when the pipe is hot.
