2012 Mini Cooper problems
Mini Cooper may refer to:
- Performance Cars of the original Mini series with uprated drive train and brakes, called the "Mini Cooper", made by the British Motor Corporation and its successors 1961–1971, and 1990–2000
- Cars of the Mini (marque), including a number of different models produced by BMW since 2000 with the "Mini Cooper" title: MINI Hatch, introduced in early 2000, second generation from 2006, third from 2014
See also
- Cooper Car Company
Social links
Common 2012 Mini Cooper problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Mini Cooper 2012, several common problems have been identified:
- Timing Chain Assembly Wear: The timing chain and assembly in the Mini Cooper 2012 can develop slack as they wear, leading to potential damage if not addressed promptly. This issue emphasizes the importance of preventative maintenance to avoid additional expenses and more severe damage.
- Power Steering Pump Failure: The power steering pump used in the Mini Cooper 2012 is susceptible to failure, often attributed to low fluid levels or a faulty coolant fan. Regular inspections by an import car service are recommended to detect weak performance or leaks early on and prevent potential failures.
- Oil-related Timing System Damage: The Mini Cooper 2012's timing system requires an adequate amount of oil to function correctly. Insufficient oil levels can increase friction, potentially leading to damage. Regular oil checks and changes as part of routine maintenance are crucial to prevent this type of damage.
- Water Pump and Thermostat Housing Leaks: The water pump and thermostat housing in the Mini Cooper 2012 are prone to leaking and should be replaced every 50,000 miles to prevent damage. It is advisable to have these parts replaced by a qualified import car repair shop before any significant issues arise.
- Clutch Failure: Clutch failure in the Mini Cooper 2012, often attributed to extreme wear and tear or hard use, is a serious issue that can result in substantial repair costs. Driving sensibly and being mindful of limitations can help prevent clutch failure in this vehicle.
- Transmission Issues: The Mini Cooper 2012 has been known to experience transmission problems. While the manufacturer advises against changing the transmission fluid, many owners and mechanics recommend regular fluid changes to prevent potential transmission issues.
These common problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to issues in the Mini Cooper 2012 to ensure the longevity and performance of the vehicle.
Are 2012 Mini Coopers reliable?
While the 2012 Cooper S has the N18 motor and is more reliable than previous years it still isn't great. The car is fun to drive without a doubt, but as you start climbing the mileage stuff starts really breaking. The only people who work on it are specialty shops or Mini themselves which will cost you a fortune.
What is the common problem of Mini Cooper?
The 1st generation (R50/R53) Mini Cooper is known for premature clutch wear and failure. This typically occurs between 40,000-60,000 miles on vehicles built from 2001-2006. The root cause is due to an under-designed single-mass flywheel and weak factory clutch that cannot handle the torque of the supercharged engines.
How many miles can a 2012 Mini Cooper 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 2012 Mini Coopers safe?
We estimate that the 2012 MINI Cooper has a vehicle lifetime fatality chance of 0.0584% and a vehicle lifetime injury chance of 6.6668%, meaning the average driver has a 0.0584% chance of dying in an accident if they drive the car under regular conditions for fifteen years, and a 6.6668% chance of being injured.
2012 Mini Cooper complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Mini Cooper.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2012 Mini Cooper recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2012 Mini Cooper.
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
- Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Negative 2012 Mini Cooper car reviews
Positive 2012 Mini Cooper car reviews
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I've owned a few lower-end sports cars in my time, including a Fiat 124 and X-19, a 1972 Mini, and a Matra-Simca Bagherra. But I have to say, this car has been the most fun to drive by far! I'm usually pretty strict about following traffic laws, but there's a lot of room for play between zero and whatever. Even on highways with higher speed limits, the turbo-charged engine has plenty of zip to give you an adrenaline rush and make your passengers reach for the panic handle. I will say, though, that the potential cost of replacing the high pressure fuel pump (MINI has extended the warranty for this to 100,000 miles) or the turbo charger is a bit scary. When it was time to replace the tires, I got rid of the run-flats and added a spare to the already small trunk. It made a huge difference in handling and ride comfort, and saved me a lot of money too. Overall, I'd rate this car as AWESOME!
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Hi there! I've been driving my MINI Cooper Hatchback for around 8 months and 7500 miles now, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. It's the perfect car for city driving - small and easy to park, with excellent gas mileage. Plus, it's an absolute blast to drive, especially with the 6-speed manual transmission. Despite having only 121hp, it still moves out smartly. I highly recommend the 6M for the base Cooper without the turbo. Whether you're running errands or heading to work, the grocery store, the movies, or the mall, this car is hard to beat. It's incredibly efficient in every way compared to a minivan or a pickup, unless you need the extra space. With the seats folded down, you can actually fit a lot in the back! Thanks for reading.
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I bought my car about a year ago, the Bayswater package. It's everything I ever wanted in a car! It's fun to drive, easy to park (I work on a college campus and I can always squeeze it in somewhere), has style and good gas mileage too. I've only had a couple of issues. Firstly, the service engine light came on after a few months and the dealer said I must have put regular gas in it, not the premium. Secondly, the door is hard to open sometimes. I'm taking it in for a year service next week so I hope to get that fixed. My favorite feature is the button door locking. I also drive on gravel every day and it handles great.
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I just purchased a 2012 mini hardtop bayswater package. I absolutely love the vehicle's looks both inside and out. It's surprisingly roomy for a small car, although the back seat is quite small. I usually keep the seat folded down and use the back for transporting goods for the store or my dogs.
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I love my Mustang GT, but my wife had her heart set on this car. We already have a Mini in the garage, so I wasn't sure about adding another small car. However, once I got used to the size, I really started to appreciate it. It's like a more comfortable version of a Can-Am Spider. Even if you drive it hard, the mileage is great. The small size isn't a problem because you can see everything. When I'm stuck in traffic, I just put the top down and enjoy the ride. It's really fun to drive and turns heads wherever I go. While it may not be the fastest off the line, it definitely holds its own on the highway. I drive it like I used to ride my motorcycles.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2012 Mini Cooper problems:
I'm thinking about buying a used 2012 Mini Cooper hatchback type ...
Nov 30, 2022 ... FYI: that generation did tend to have some problems, ie turbo line timing cassette etc. so if you do buy a higher mileage gen 2 make sure you ...
2012 Mini Cooper Problems and Complaints - 5 Issues
Top 2012 Mini Cooper Problems · Clutch May Wear Prematurely. 170 people have reported this · Electric Door Locks May Malfunction. 163 people have reported this.
Mini Mk2 (R56) common problems (2006-2013) | Haynes Publishing
This has a known issue with the timing chain tensioner. Another engine issue with the Mini concerns the turbocharger wastegate vacuum valve, which can fail and ...
2012 Mini - Reliable, or ticking time bomb? - Page 1 - New MINIs ...
Oct 15, 2018 ... I had a 2012 Cooper (non-S), which I think is the model you are referring to? It was utterly reliable in 18 months from 2016-18 and a really ...
N18 Engine Important Maintenance Items and Common Issues ...
Mar 20, 2018 ... But there are a couple of common problems: 1) Thermostat leaks and sensor: Mostly on 2011 - 2012 model years, common to see thermostat and ...
Other years of Mini Cooper
Are you having problems with your 2012 Mini Cooper?
Nicholaus Spencer 2025-09-16
The clutch failed without warning at 46,000 miles, but I was able to get it repaired for $2,800 at an independent repair shop, which is significantly less than the $3,500 - $4,000 that the dealer was asking for. Other reviews have also mentioned similar problems, including potential failure of the timing chain tensioner, which can be costly to repair. Prior to this, I had to replace the water inlet/thermostat at the dealer for $600, which was necessary to pass the emission test. Although it was great fun to drive, I have decided to sell the car as soon as I get it back from the shop. Overall, while the repair costs were high, I am confident that I made the right decision in getting it fixed. It's unfortunate that BMW couldn't replicate their impressive engineering results in the Mini.
Adolphus Gulgowski 2025-07-15
I bought the car brand new and owned it for almost two years. Fortunately, I never had any issues with it. However, there were some cons that led me to sell it. For instance, when it rained, it was impossible to enter the car without getting wet, which was a poor design. The AC was below average and made a lot of noise. Additionally, the Bluetooth was terrible, and the other party could hear everything. Despite these cons, there were some pros to the car. For example, I was getting 38 mpg mixed driving, and it was a manual. It was fun to drive and very easy to park. Throughout the two years of ownership, I never had one issue with it. Overall, it was a fun car, but the cons were too much for me to handle.
Craig Schinner 2025-07-11
I purchased my 2011 manual base Cooper with 35,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, I have experienced a couple of coil failures since then. After doing some research, I found out that this is a common issue with Minis, as many forums have pointed out. Symptoms include sputtering on acceleration, slow start in the morning, and so on. However, the problem can be fixed by an independent mechanic for around $650. Another issue that I have encountered is dirty injectors, which is also common at this mileage. Additionally, the car requires full synthetic oil, which can be a bit pricey. The brakes are also wearing out, despite mostly highway driving. One thing to note is that there is no spare tire, which can be inconvenient in case of a flat. Nonetheless, the car has great gas mileage, averaging around 33 mpg even with mostly highway driving.
Hermann Balistreri 2025-06-14
I purchased a 2011 Mini Cooper for my son to learn to drive on because it was like a go-kart. Although I knew it was a German car made in England and had a reputation for unreliability, I took a chance. Unfortunately, after only 5 months, the timing chain broke at a red light, destroying the engine. Despite this being a known defect, BMW refused to take responsibility, leaving me with a $6000 engine replacement and unknown future expenses. In my experience, Japanese cars like Toyota and Scion are much more reliable and affordable. I want to bring attention to the fact that the engine replacement also had its timing chain fail, which is a serious safety hazard. BMW should issue a recall to address this issue. Thank you for listening.
Brenden McCullough 2025-06-06
Have you considered other car options besides a MINI? I have a 2011 MINI S with 63k miles and unfortunately, it has required frequent repairs. I've had to replace the ignition coils and spark plugs three times each, as well as hoses, a water pump, drive wheel, flywheel, water pump pulley, and the AC compressor. Recently, the radio stopped working and the replacement cost is $1,000.00 installed. It has been a frustrating and expensive experience, and I would not purchase another MINI. Although the customer relations team has been friendly and understanding, they have not been able to provide a satisfactory solution. I hope that MINI will take responsibility for the quality of their cars and provide better support for their customers. In the meantime, I would recommend exploring other car options to avoid similar issues.