NHTSA (USA)High Risk
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
This page covers 9 recalls, 34 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Mini Cooper.
30–32 mpg combined
7.4–7.8 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.
For the 2014 MINI Cooper, engine and powertrain issues make up the largest share of what owners report. A recurring complaint involves engine motor mounts shearing or failing, which owners describe as allowing the engine to shift and contact the frame, several reports characterize this as a known pattern on this model. Separately, owners report sudden stalling linked to a fuel relay connection inside the fuse box module, which they say can happen without warning at highway speeds or in intersections. The electrical system draws a similar complaint volume, with owners describing power windows failing to operate and doors not closing properly, often traced to a faulty footwell module. A smaller but repeated theme involves the passenger seat occupancy sensor failing, causing the passenger airbag warning light to illuminate and the airbag to remain disabled.
34
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 MINI Cooper has 9 recalls, the most serious being a spare tire that can work loose while driving and separate from the underside of the car.
Several recalls involve airbags and occupant restraints. The front passenger airbag may have been assembled incorrectly and can fail to deploy properly in a crash, raising the risk of injury to that occupant. A separate issue with the passenger seat sensor can cause the airbag to activate or deactivate incorrectly, which also increases injury risk in a crash. Rear seat passengers face elevated injury risk in a side-impact collision because certain vehicles do not meet side impact protection requirements. On the powertrain side, some vehicles with automatic transmissions may have received incorrect software during a dealer service visit that removes rollaway protection, meaning the transmission may not prevent the car from rolling after the driver exits. Two label recalls round out the list: the tire and loading information placard on some vehicles lists a maximum weight capacity that is lower than the actual rating, which could lead owners to underestimate how much weight the vehicle can safely carry.
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
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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 →
Dealers will inspect and replace the front passenger seat cushion if needed at no cost to you.
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
The tire information placard on the driver's door jamb lists an incorrect maximum tire capacity weight, making the vehicle non-compliant with federal safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the incorrect placard with a corrected one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The compliance label may show rear axle weight and total vehicle weight limits that are lower than they actually are. The tire label may also show an incorrect lower maximum capacity weight.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply corrected labels with accurate weight information.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear seat interior side panels may not absorb enough energy in a side-impact crash, increasing injury risk for rear passengers.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify the left and right rear seat interior side panels to better absorb impact energy.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During past service, your transmission control software may have been programmed incorrectly. This could allow the transmission to shift out of PARK without your knowledge, causing the vehicle to roll if the parking brake isn't applied.
What the fix does
Your dealer will reprogram the transmission control unit software to restore proper PARK function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare wheel may be secured with a nut that is not self-locking, which could loosen and cause the spare wheel to detach from under the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the spare wheel securing nut with a self-locking nut at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag may have been assembled incorrectly, causing it to deploy improperly in a crash and increasing injury risk to the front passenger.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger front airbag with a correctly assembled unit.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
