2013 Mini Cooper coupe problems
The Mini Coupé and Mini Roadster are two-seater sports cars that were engineered and manufactured by German automaker BMW under the Mini marque between 2011 and 2015.
The hardtop Coupé was unveiled in June 2011 and formally launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011. Production was shown in the 2011 documentary Megafactories. It is the first two-seater Mini. It was joined by a convertible version called Mini Roadster in 2012, following its showing as a concept car in 2009. The Coupé is known by the internal code R58 and the Roadster by code R59.
In February 2015 Mini announced the end of production for both models.
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Common 2013 Mini Cooper coupe problems
The Mini Cooper Coupe, produced in 2013, is known for its sleek design and sporty handling. However, like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported.
One issue that has been reported is low pressure in the fuel pump of the 1.6-litre petrol engine. This can lead to low pressure in the oil pump, starving the timing chain of oil on start-up and causing some stretching. This problem can be identified by checking for blue or black smoke from the exhaust, which is a sign of engine wear. It's important to regularly check the engine for signs of wear and tear, especially if the car has been used enthusiastically.
Another issue that has been reported is water leaking in through the passenger side window, which can cause problems with the electrics. This has led to issues such as the radio not switching off, the spoiler not raising, and difficulty starting the engine. This problem can be identified by checking for water leaks around the window and the electrics for any signs of malfunction.
There have also been reports of oil leaks from the timing chain tensioner. Mini's parent company, BMW, has stated that technicians might find an O-ring in the oil filter housing when changing the oil. This O-ring is from the oil filter non-return valve inside the engine, and it dislodges because it is too small. This problem can be identified by checking for oil leaks around the timing chain tensioner and the oil filter housing.
The Mini Cooper Coupe has also been known to have issues with the power steering pump. This problem can be attributed to low fluid or a faulty coolant fan. It's important to regularly inspect the pump for weak performance and possible leaks to prevent this issue from becoming a more serious problem.
The timing system in the Mini Cooper requires an ample amount of oil to perform as intended. If the timing assembly does not have enough oil, increased friction can lead to damage. To prevent this damage from occurring, it's important to check and change your oil as part of your routine maintenance.
The water pump and thermostat housing are prone to leaking and must be replaced every 50,000 miles. It's best to have the problem parts replaced by a qualified import car repair shop before damage begins to occur.
Finally, clutch failure is a more serious problem that can lead to hefty repair bills. This problem can be prevented by driving sensibly and being mindful of the car's limitations.
In summary, while the Mini Cooper Coupe is a sporty and unique vehicle, it's important for owners to be aware of these common problems and take preventative measures to ensure the longevity of the vehicle. Regular inspections and maintenance can go a long way in preventing these issues from becoming more serious problems.
Is 2013 a good year for mini?
A 2013 MINI is lower than average when compared across all MINI generations but the most reliable when only compared against 2nd generation MINIs. Compared to other car brands, MINI is on par with the other german brands but below the reliability of a Honda or Toyota.
What is the most common problem with Mini Cooper?
Issue #1: Engine Overheating in Mini Cooper S (2007-2010)
Oil cooler leaks have also been reported on some vehicles. These problems cause the engine to gradually overheat, leading to coolant loss and severe damage if left unchecked. Head gasket failure is a common result of the engine overheating in the R56 Cooper S.
How many miles do 2013 Mini Coopers last?
How Long Do MINI Coopers Last? The MINI Cooper is the type of car that's designed to last a long time. A MINI Cooper that's well cared for can last anywhere between 75 thousand miles to 150 thousand miles. Depending on how much you drive the car, it can last a long time.
Are mini coupes reliable?
How Reliable is the Mini Cooper? In general, Mini Coopers offer average reliability, which, like most car brands, varies from one model to the other. The Mini Cooper is a stylish classic that is fun to drive and worth the assessment.
2013 Mini Cooper coupe car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mini Cooper coupe problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Seat belts problems
- Exterior lighting problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2013 Mini Cooper coupe vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2013 Mini Cooper coupe
The NHTSA has received 46 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2013 Mini Cooper coupe. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2013 Mini Cooper coupe vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- VIN: WMWSU3C56DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: Passenger occupancy sensor malfunctions all the time and there are hundreds of claims regarding this issue but was never addressed by the manufacturer The same issue prompted a recall in older models but has not been corrected in newer ones
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- VIN: WMWSU3C53DT
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS
- Summary: As per NHTSA there was a recall the replace OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT but I never received recall notice and just passed 10 years with 40K millage and started getting air bag light, dealer is not replacing it under warranty, if they was a recall they should have replaced my seat earlier so that I would not have this issue today. is there a way to extend warranty to longer time or recall all the cars and replace them so that we do not have to spend 2k to replace it? "01 11 16_OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES"
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-16
- VIN: WMWSU3C5XDT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Blinkers stopped working and windows are no long rolling down
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-18
- VIN: WMWSU3C54DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-07
- VIN: WMWSU3C53DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-04
- VIN: WMWSU3C51DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-28
- VIN: WMWSU3C5XDT
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Freeze plug randomly popped out while driving causing vehicle to stall in the middle of traffic almost causing a major accident and or death. Research indicates there has been numerous complaints by Mini Cooper owners experiencing the same issue of a premature unexplained failure with no action taken from Mini to mitigate this safety issue. I’m lucky to be alive.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-12
- VIN: WMWSU3C53DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Hardtop. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-02
- VIN: WMWSU3C5XDT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the passenger's side seat occupancy sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 106,000.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-16
- VIN: WMWSV3C58DT
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: I wrote to you before. My complaint number is/was:11559619. I never received a response from you. I explained in my previous complaint that I purchased a used car from Carvana in August of 2022. I bought a 2013 Mini Cooper S. This car comes standard with run-flat tires. When I took possession of the car there were 4 brand new tires on it. I drove the car for a year or so, and got a flat tire one night. There is no spare in this car because there is no room for a spare. I was stranded on the side of a busy highway with NON-run-flat tires and no spare because Carvana replaced the standard run-flats with non-run-flat tires. I had no way of knowing this until I got a flat and found myself stranded on the side of the road, alone, at night. Carvana never informed me that the tires they put on the car were not run flat tires, and they did not provide me with any type of flat tire pump or anything like that. They sold me an unsafe car! I am STILL driving a car with no spare and non-run-flat tires all because Carvana wanted to save a few bucks and figured I wouldn't find out until the 7-day or 30-day warranty had long ago expired. Carvana is guilty of selling an unsafe car. They know that the Mini Cooper comes with run flat tires and that there is no spare in the car, yet they didn't care and replaced the tires with cheaper non-run-flat tires. I have contacted Carvana multiple times but they just tell me that since I didn't report this issue within the 7-day return window I'm out of luck. How would I have known the tires they put on the car before selling it were not standard tires until I had a flat tire! I am not able to schedule my flat tire so that it happens within their short warranty window. I have contact the States Attorney General's office, the BBB, Consumer Affairs and eveyone tells me that they don't handle these types of complaints. I need you to help me get Carvana to replace the unsafe equip they put on the car with safe tires! PLEASE!!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-29
- VIN: WMWSU3C59DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH on a slight incline and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was sluggish and delayed while responding. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving on a slight incline. The contact stated that a service warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-14
- VIN: WMWSU3C59DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the footwell control module had failed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and diagnosed that the footwell control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-02
- VIN: WMWSV3C52DT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: BMW/MINI have known about a faulty airbag sensor in the seats, yet never did a recall. The passenger side airbag does not operate when someone sits in the seat due to a faulty sensor on the seat cushion. BMW was around $1600 to replace this. Big safety concern if a crash happens and air bag does not go off. Should be a factory recall.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-11
- VIN: WMWSV3C52DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: The footwell module that controls the lights, brake lights windows and dashboard is faulty on all mini cooper of this module. Every time I change my battery or disconnect it the module brakes and the dealership knows this problem and still want to charge 1300 dollars to fix it it is a safety and hazard issue.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-16
- VIN: WMWSV3C58DT
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: I purchased a used car from Carvana. It had brand new tires on the car when I took possession of it. The make and model of my car comes standard with run-flat tires because my car does not have a spare tire. Before Carvana sold the car they replaced the tires with non run-flat tires but did not inform me of this. One year after I took possession of the car, I had a flat tire and was stranded on the side of a busy highway for hours because I had no spare and the tires Carvana put on the car were not run flat tires. I think Carvana put my safety at risk just to save a few bucks. I have contacted them multiple times and they won't help me. I think they should replace the tires on my car with run flat tires since I'm still driving an unsafe car. They knew the car comes standard with run flats and they knowingly replaced the tires with non run flats. Can you help me?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-21
- VIN: WMWZN3C50DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that the turn signal became inoperable, and the windows failed to roll up or down. The contact stated there was an unknown red warning light illuminated. The message to "Take Vehicle to BMW Dealer Immediately" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the foot well control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 56,750.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-15
- VIN: WMWSU3C50DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-01
- VIN: WMWSV3C58DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-01
- VIN: WMWSU3C53DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-20
- VIN: WMWSU3C51DT
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: In July 2023, a recall letter I received from MINI states a defective Footwell Control Module “could potentially result in a short circuit, resulting in a potential thermal event which could increase the risk of a fire or injury.” It also states “a remedy is currently being developed.” I called the local MINI dealer service department, and that department had never heard of the defect or the recall, sending me in to MINI Customer Relations. The gentlemen I spoke with said he thought the car was safe to drive (nowhere mentioned in the letter), and he could not offer anything in writing to back-up his claim. When I said what if there is a fire in the car, he suggested I “evacuate the vehicle.” I asked for a loaner since I was and still am concerned the car is not in fact safe to drive without an official written confirmation from MINI explaining why and how MINI knows my affected car is safe to drive in light of “increased risk of a fire or injury” identified in the recall letter. He could not answer and sent me on to MINI’s “Executive Office.” I received a call from Alyssa in that office who confirmed that no loaner or alternative transportation would be provided and who offered no other solution beyond another assurance the car was safe to drive despite the specific reference to increased “risk of fire or injury” in the recall letter. Again, no supporting information was provided for that claim, so I remain uncertain as to the safety of my vehicle and will not drive it without a remedy. I offered to have MINI buy back the car if they are so sure it is safe since I will not try to sell the car to anyone else under the circumstances. Since then, nothing whatsoever has happened and my car just sits idle. Surely there is some remedy available for this sort of callous disregard of customer safety and lack of any remedy about a safety issue that MINI itself has acknowledged. I am hoping your office can help me get this resolved quickly.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-14
- VIN: WMWSU3C5XDT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-12
- VIN: WMWSU3C53DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The fuel pump relay circuit board has a failed point in the soldering, causing the car to intermittently stall and die on the road. My safety was at risk because my car died randomly with no warning on a busy road. Can not even limp car to side of road. The part is being replaced by dealer where car was purchased, but a quick internet search provides thousands of similar results. There were no warning lights or any kind of code stored in the computer. I only had the car for one day before the car died so I am not aware of any prior warning signs.
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-25
- VIN: WMWSV3C51DT
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: There have been at least 7 write-ups about air bag failure on this model reported to you. When a passenger sits in the seat of my car, with the seat belt on, 01 the airbag light and seat belt light come on. If I have an accident the airbag on the passenger side will not deploy, leading to death or injury to the passenger. This has been reported to a MINI dealership. They will inspect it at my cost to see if it rates as a safety item. It is available for inspection as I can't drive it with a passenger and I can't leave my disabled wife alone at home. The car has 92323 miles on it. [XXX]--- [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-21
- VIN: WMWSV3C51DT
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: When passenger is seated with safety belt on the seat belt light comes on along with a message that the passenger seat air bag will not deploy.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-03-23
- VIN: Wmwsu3c55dt
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The vehicle has a faulty seat sensor that causes the vehicle to default to having a non-occupied seat with warning lights. In this situation, a passenger will not have an air bag deploy even if they’re heavy enough to otherwise trigger the weight sensor. This is happening on my vehicle and, based on internet research, most other R56 models to the point of a market existing for electronic bypass modules. Mini will not repair for a reasonable cost.
Positive 2013 Mini Cooper coupe car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2013 Mini Cooper coupe problems:
I bought a 2013 Mini Cooper S, have anyone experienced any car ...
Jul 27, 2019 ... The thermostat housing and water pump have both been known issues but the updated parts don't fail the same way the previous revisions have.
2013 Mini Cooper Problems and Complaints - 3 Issues
Top 2013 Mini Cooper Problems · Clutch May Wear Prematurely. 170 people have reported this. 96 · Electric Door Locks May Malfunction. 163 people have reported ...
Thinking about a 2013 Mini Cooper S, 88k miles for first car : r/MINI
Mar 27, 2021 ... N18 is definitely more reliable, you won't have the issues that famously plagued the 2007-2010 models. That being said, these cars are not as ...
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May 6, 2022 ... Common 2nd Gen 2007 to 2013 Cooper Mini Problems ; Oil leaking from the valve cover; Oil leaking onto the exhaust; Smell of oil burning ; Engine ...
2013 Mini Cooper Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Exhaust · Engine Minor · Noises And Leaks · Steering And Suspension · Fuel System/Emissions · Climate System · Transmission Major · Body ...
Other years of Mini Cooper coupe
Are you having problems with your 2013 Mini Cooper coupe?
Lorenza Stehr 2024-08-05
It's great to hear that you find the car fun to drive and that it fits in small parking places. Additionally, it's fantastic that you're getting good mpg and that the car has great power. The manual shifter is also a great feature. Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us!
Kieran Nader 2024-07-03
Your sports car looks great and definitely turns heads!
Hans Fisher 2024-06-29
Nice car, but not suitable for families.
Franz Nienow 2024-05-24
The Mini Cooper S is an excellent handling car with a powerful turbocharged engine. I wasn't a fan of the original run flats, so after a few years, I switched to high-performance summer tires with the Mobile Mobility Kit from Rick Hendrick BMW/Mini. I absolutely adore this car! The luggage space is good with the rear seats folded down, but the rear seats are not recommended for adults. On trips, I average 38 mpg with premium fuel required. The 6-speed manual is easy to shift. However, I wasn't pleased with the optional navigation unit mounted near the steering wheel.
Mariano Howe 2024-02-05
This car is perfect for a single person or a couple! It's incredibly fast and has plenty of trunk space. The ride is a bit stiff, but that's a small price to pay for such a fun driving experience.