This page covers 5 recalls, 13 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Mini Cooper S.
29 mpg combined
8.1 L/100km
Two Seaters
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Powertrain complaints dominate what 2014 MINI Cooper S owners report, with the manual transmission drawing the most attention. Multiple owners describe first gear unexpectedly popping out of engagement, sometimes sporadically over several days, then happening repeatedly in a short stretch. A handful of owners also report a drivetrain malfunction warning appearing during highway driving. On the engine side, one owner reports a faulty fuel pump sending unit that caused the fuel gauge to stop functioning while driving. Airbag warning lights illuminating for both the driver and passenger sides appear in a single report. A separate isolated complaint describes a front strut mounting kit cracking after minor road contact, with the cracked mount producing a thumping noise during turns.
13
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
By System
The 2014 MINI Cooper S has 5 recalls, the most serious being a transmission software error that may allow the car to be shifted out of Park without the driver realizing it, allowing the vehicle to roll away.
Three recalls involve occupant protection. The front passenger airbag may not deploy in a low-speed crash, leaving that occupant without protection when they need it most. The passenger seat sensor that determines whether the front airbag should activate or suppress may misread the occupant, causing the airbag to fire when it shouldn't or stay off when it should deploy. Both issues raise the risk of injury in a crash. There are also two related structural recalls: the body structure around the rear seating area does not meet side-impact protection requirements, meaning rear seat passengers face a higher risk of injury if struck from the side. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue, which is why it appears under more than one filing.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat cushion's sensor system may have been incorrectly calibrated during service, causing the airbag to deploy or not deploy when it should.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the front passenger seat cushion if needed at no cost to you.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger front air bag may not deploy properly during a low-speed crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear seat area lacks sufficient side impact protection. In a side collision, rear passengers may not be adequately protected.
What the fix does
Dealers will add energy absorption material between the rear interior panels and exterior body to improve side impact protection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some vehicles don't meet side impact safety standards. Rear seat occupants could face increased injury risk in a side-impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install extra energy absorption material between the rear interior panels and vehicle body.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission control unit may have been reprogrammed with incorrect software during service, allowing drivers to open doors and exit the vehicle even when the transmission is not in Park.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the transmission control module with correct software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
