Home · 2015 Mini Cooper Se · Complaints

What 71 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Mini Cooper Se

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (71)Crash / fire / injury (5)Engine (17)Fuel system (14)Electrical system (11)Transmission & drivetrain (10)Brakes (8)Airbags (3)Body & structure (3)Lights (3)Suspension (3)Visibility & wipers (3)

Newest first · 71 complaints · page 2 of 3

Feb 8, 2022Fuel system

Fuel tank shuts off the gas pump no matter how much gas is in the tank. Faulty fuel tank vent (purge) value is causing the issue. This is a known issue on Mini's. A voluntary recall has been issued for 2016 Mini's, but this problem is also happening on 2015 Mini's. Dealership as well as another auto service store has replicated the issue. Check engine light is lit up as well.

NHTSA ODI 11450980

Jan 8, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Warning light to secure vehicle against rolling when placed in park. Alert of a danger situation.

NHTSA ODI 11446716

Dec 15, 2021Fuel system

Unable to fill gas as pump repeatedly shuts-off while trying to fill and would even over flow out of the filler neck. Tried 2 different pumps at local QT without luck.. Drove up to local Phillips 66 with exact same issue. Found several other owner with similar issue and found the following Service Bulletin posted on "NHTSA": https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2015/MC-10147283-9999.pdf My vehicle build date is not covered under this Service Bulletin, however, suffering exact same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11443888

Jul 31, 2021Engine

Crankshaft Pulley burnt while driving. Could not accelerate. Car threw overheating codes and AC blew hot air. Battery Charging Malfunction error shown as well.

NHTSA ODI 11427300

Jul 27, 2021Engine

The contact owns a 2015 Mini Copper The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000. The Vin was not available

NHTSA ODI 11426647

Jul 15, 2021Fuel system

Fuel tank did not allow me to input fuel. Pump clicked off immediately. MINI issued a service bulletin on the problem in 2015. I have been advised the entire fuel tank must be replaced, and have heard from other MINI owners this is a systemic problem. If I had been traveling and this problem had surfaced I would have been stranded. The repairs warrant warranty coverage on the part of MINI. See service bulletin SI M16 01 15. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2015/MC-10147283-9999.pdf

NHTSA ODI 11424939

Jun 14, 2021Suspension

Engine Mount and right control arm bushings have cracked and need to be replaced below 60,000 miles and only being 4 years old.

NHTSA ODI 11420895

Apr 22, 2021

CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE BOTH MOVING AND STATIONARY. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS SAID IT WAS THE OIL FILTER HOUSING AND RELATED PARTS. REPLACED HOUSING, OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND THE BOTTOM SCREW. WORKS AGAIN. CAR HAD UNDER 45,000 MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL HOUSING HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOR OTHER AND RELATED MINIS, INCLUDING SOME SUBJECT TO RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11413435

Feb 2, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. SECURE GEAR ROLL- A-WAY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MINI COOPER (8360 MIRAMAR PL STE A, SAN DIEGO, CA 92121, (858) 535-9999) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V789000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. ## VIN FAILED ## 2015 MINI COOPER ##

NHTSA ODI 11394256

Dec 11, 2020Lights

DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT HAS A SHORT/OVER HEATS AND MELTS CONNECTOR TO THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING. NOTIFICATION PROMPTS YOU THAT YOU HAVE A BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE HAS 15K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11383053

Oct 22, 2020Engine

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WENT OUT AT 50,000 MILES WHILE IN MOTION MAKING CAR OVERHEAT.

NHTSA ODI 11365676

Aug 15, 2020Fuel system

FUEL FILLING NOZZLE SHUTS OFF REPEATEDLY WHILE REFUELING. UPON GASSING UP, VALVE CLICKS IMMEDIATELY AND PUMP SHUTS OFF LIKE IT'S FULL NO MATTER WHICH GAS STATION OR PRESSURE I EXERT. I SAW A BULLETIN "SI M16 01 15" WHICH AFFECTED MINIS PRODUCED IN 2014 BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY 2015 COOPER S. A COMMENT FROM THE BULLETIN HAD A TEMPORARY SOLUTION WHICH IS TO ANGLE THE PUMP TO 45, THEN PUMP SLOWLY AT THE MAGIC SPEED, THOUGH THIS CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 30 MINUTES. THIS IS DANGEROUS ON MY PART AS I TRAVEL PAST MIDNIGHT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND SPENDING MORE TIME AT A GAS STATION IN THE DARK IS WORRISOME. I DO GET SPILLS OCCASIONALLY WHICH I HAVE TO KEEP WIPING AND IS A STATION HAZARD. REPLACING THE FUEL TANK COMPLETELY AT AN ESTIMATED $2K+ IS TOO COSTLY ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND IS DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING.

NHTSA ODI 11349356

Jan 4, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngine

12/19/19 I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO HAVE 2 FRONT TIRES REPLACED HAD THEM MOUNT AND BALANCED AND A FRONT ALIGNMENT DONE. THE DEALER ALSO COMPLETED MULTI POINT VEHICLE CHECK. I GET HOME. THE CAR SITS STILL SATURDAY. I START IT SATURDAY AT 1:30PM AND GET READY TO PULL OUT OF DRIVE WAY. WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DASH STATING BATTERY IS NOT CHARGING. STOP CAREFULLY. CONSULT NEAREST SERVICE CENTER. I CONTACTED SERVICE ADVISOR. HE STATED TO DRIVE IT BACK AND THEY WILL GIVE A LOANER. I SAID NO! THE VEHICLE ISN'T DRIVE ABLE AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE. HE STATED THEY CLOSE IN 30 MINUTES. I WANTED TO SPEAK TO UPPER MANAGEMENT. NO ONE WAS AVAILABLE HE STATED. I SAID I WOULD CALL BACK MONDAY DECEMBER23 2019. I SPOKE TO RECEPTIONIST WHO MAKES APPOINTMENTS. SHE HAD AVAILABLE SPOT ON THURSDAY DECEMBER26,2019. I TOLD HER I WILL HAVE IT TOWED THAT THURSDAY. I GET THERE TOLD THEM ABOUT THE MESSAGE THAT CAME ON DASH. I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE BATTERY AND NEEDED A BRAKE FLUSH AND OH BY THE WAY LOOKS LIKE YOUR PULLEY WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 37,502 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A PULLEY BEING REPLACE AT THIS MILEAGE. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER RELATIONS FOR BMW MINI THAT FRIDAY. THEY SAID THEY WILL CONTACT IN 1 BUSINESS DAY. THEY DID SAY THERE IS AN OPEN CASE. THEY WILL CONTACT JAN 7. I WAS IN A LOANER FOR 6 DAYS. I SPOKE TO SERVICE MANAGER TUES 31,2019 WHICH WAS NEW YEAR'S EVE. SHE STATED THE DEALERSHIP WILL GIVE 20% DISCOUNT AND BMW MINI WILL STILL CONTACT ME IF THEY ARE GOING TO ASSIST. I MENTIONED TO THEM ABOUT THE DEFECTED PULLEYS ON 2002 THRU 2006 MODELS. THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT.

NHTSA ODI 11297064

Dec 2, 2019

THE HORN NO LONGER WORKS UNLESS YOU PRESS IT REALLY HARD AND IN CENTER OF STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI 11286361

Oct 28, 2019EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 MINI COOPER S. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. FIRE REPORT NUMBER: 1900355515 WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY SCHEDULED A VEHICLE INSPECTION AT THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 11271653

Jul 30, 2019LightsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK AND THE 'MALFUNCTION REAR LIGHT CLUSTER' MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN MOTORCARS (561-465-8293, LOCATED AT 2901 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409) WHERE THE REAR BRAKE CLUSTER AND THE TURN SIGNALS WERE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNT DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,621.

NHTSA ODI 11240552

Jul 18, 2019Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF SAN ANTONIO (LOCATED AT 15507 W IH 10, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78249, (210) 732-7121) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,816.

NHTSA ODI 11233051

Jun 8, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

THE CARS TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHEN TURNING ONTO A CITY STREET OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT ON A CITY STREET. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED 3 TIMES THIS WEEK AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES THIS PAST WEEK AND IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE 2015 MINI COOPER S MANUAL. MY CAR ONLY HAS 25,400 MILES ON IT. THE WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED ON 05/18/2019 (OUT BY DATE) THIS MONTH AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. IF THIS IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM, WHY DOESN'T THE DEALER TAKE THE STEPS TO FIX IT PROPERLY?

NHTSA ODI 11218600

Apr 1, 2019Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, BUT THERE WAS NO BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HABBERSTAD BMW (945 E JERICHO TURNPIKE, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY 11746) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND DECLINED TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11193131

Mar 26, 2019Engine

PURCHASED VEHICLE NOVEMBER 2017. CAR WAS PARKED AND WHEN I STARTED ENGINE THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO MINI COOPER SERVICE. WAS TOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT HAD COLLAPSED AND IT HAS ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE HEAT SHIELD FOR THE TURBO. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? NO SIGNS OR PRIOR PROBLEMS. MY MAINTENANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN UP TO DATE. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HEARD THE RADDLEING.

NHTSA ODI 11191649

Feb 25, 2019Tires

2015 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TREAD ON TIRES BEING WORN AT ONLY 10,000 MILES. *LD *TR

NHTSA ODI 11175591

Jan 3, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ORLANDO MINI COOPER (350 S. LAKE N. DESTINY DR, ORLANDO, FL) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11164732

Aug 8, 2018Engine

TIMING BELT DEFECTIVE LEADING TO SERIOUS ENGINE FAILURE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF REPLACEMENT ENGINE AGAIN WAS DEFECTIVE REQUIRING A SECOND REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11118596

Jul 30, 2018Airbags

I GOT THE AIR BAD WARNING A FEW MONTHS AGO WHILE DRIVING THE SIGNAL WITH A LIL AIRBAG ON MY DASH BOARD. I CALLED THE DEALER TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALER SAID MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY DIDN'T CHECK TO SEE IF THIS ISSUE WAS A RECALL THEY JUST CARED ABOUT FIXING IT IF I PAID THEM. SINCE THEN I GET THE AIRBAG WARNING EVERY TIME THE CAR IS ON.

NHTSA ODI 11114549

Jun 12, 2018Electrical system

THE HORN CONTACTS ARE CORRODED AND THE HORN WILL NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY. IT MAY TAKE 5 OR 6 TIMES PUSHING THE HORN TO GET IT TO ACTIVATE, OR HOLD IT DOWN FOR A LONG TIME AND TRY TO MOVE IT AROUND TO SCRAPE THE CORROSION OFF THE CONTACTS TO GET ACTIVATION. IT OCCURS WHETHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON A MINI COOPER FORUM. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11101416

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Working with the data? Download all 71 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 Mini Cooper Se verdict →