KnownCarProblems2007 Mini Cooper S Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 249 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Mini Cooper S, most often about the engine (70% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Cooper S model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2007 Mini Cooper S problems
Engine
173 complaints · 70%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that there was an extremely abnormal odor that entered the cabin of the vehicle, similar to eggs. The vehicle was maneuvered off the roadway and upon further inspection, he found a small fire had erupted under the hood. The fire department was not called. The…
07/Mini/cooper hardtop/2dr cpe s/ 51,810 miles. Timing chain tensioner collapsed and caused timing chain to stretch and damage guide rails. Replaced timing chain assembly and reprogrammed vehicle.
Air bags
28 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
At any given speed or condition the passenger side airbag warning light illuminates, meaning that the airbag may not deploy in a crash . In some instances the lights will disappear, but at other times the lights are illuminated continuously. It is of great concern that this part has been recalled as a defective part…
The passenger seat air bag light is illuminated and cannot be reset due to a faulty occupation sensor. According to the service technician this will cause the air bag to malfunction if an accident were to occur. This is a common problem with these cars and costs over $1000 to repair and is not covered by the…
Transmission
26 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, automatic transmission.
I almost had a timing chain/tensioner failure. Took my '07 mcs into the Mini dealer for its 4 year service. They found that the 'timing chain tensioner is weak and needs to be replaced' or 'tensioner worn and causing excessive chain slack and chain noise'. I bought my Mini new, it now has 35464 miles and this should…
I bought this 2007 Mini Cooper S pre owned about 1 month ago. This car had approx. 32000 miles on it when I purchased it. After driving the car for a few days I noticed a burning smell like rubber or plastic. I complained to the man who sold this car to me and he had the turbo water pump replaced through the recall…
Fuel system
15 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles.
The vehicle is constantly sputtering and loosing power. It hesitates on taking off and the performance is down significantly from when it was originally purchased. I have brought the car to the dealers several times and the stated that this was due to the fact that I was using poor quality gas. Since then I have…
Eight months after Mini of concord replaced my high pressure fuel pump for the gasoline leak and strong gas smell within the cabin, again the gas smell started up in the cabin (for all trips). I took it back to Mini of concord (this is 22 months after buying car), and they again found a leak in the high pressure fuel…
Electrical
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles.
I have had previous issues with the panoramic sunroof, I had to get it replaced. Then I had issues with the chain and chain tensioner and had to get that replaced too. Now the steering has failed on me, I can't start the car or even move the steering wheel. My steering is locked now; I had the car running, everything…
The contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper S. When the ignition switch was turned to the run position, the passenger side air bag did not illuminate when the seat was occupied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles.
My car started to act funny. Almost sounding like it was suffocating. It would die about ten to fifteen times every morning before I would finally get the car started. It would shut off when I stopped at intersections. The only time it ran decent was when I was driving highways speeds for 20 minutes or more. I changed…
Passenger door seal failed resulting in flooding of the entire passenger side. Moisture caused the starting sensor to fail and the vehicle not to start. There was also rapid growth of mold in the vehicle from this moisture. The only resolution was to remove the entire interior, shampoo the carpet, and dry everything…
Steering
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist.
Power steering failure, unable to steer the vehicle, single occurrence. Brought the car in for repair at the local dealer, waiting for diagnosis of problem.
Mini cooper electronic steering lock system critical malfunction - car with only 57,000 miles receives critical message on navigation screen telliing driver "to drive to a safe location and turn off ignition and be aware that car is unlikely to be able to be restarted." driver is left to cope with this critical…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
While driving I noticed that my right foot was getting hot. I moved my hand down to the gas pedal area and felt a lot heat which I later determined to be coming from the plastic panel to the right of the gas pedal. It was so hot that it was difficult to touch with my bare hands.
Was driving car downtown at a speed on average of 15 MPH. Trip only lasted 15 minutes when I parked and noticed smoke coming from my hood. Smoke quickly escalated into a fire. Called 911 to have fire trucks out. Grabbed a fire extinguisher from a nearby business to try to put out the flames, but was unable to even…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2007 Mini Cooper S recalls
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning june 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact bmw customer service at bmw 1-800-525-7417, mini at 1-866-825-1525, or rolls-royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: bmw recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2011-2012 bmw 550i, 550i xdrive, 550i gran turismo, 550i gran turismo xdrive, 750i, 750li, 750i xdrive, 750li xdrive, 760li, x5 xdrive50i, x5 m, x6 xdrive50i, x6 m, activehybrid7, mini cooper s convertible, john cooper works (jcw) convertible, cooper s countryman, cooper s countryman all4, cooper s, jcw, cooper s clubman, jcw clubman, cooper s roadster, jcw roadster, cooper s coupe, jcw coupe and rolls-royce ghost, 2011 bmw x6 hybrid and 2012 bmw 650i coupe, 650i xdrive coupe, 650i convertible and 650i xdrive convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: The circuit board may smolder which could result in a vehicle fire.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump free of charge. The safety recall beganduring february 2012. Owners may contact bmw at 1-866-275-6464.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 mini cooper s, 2008-2011 mini cooper s clubman, 2009-2011 mini cooper s convertible, 2009-2011 mini cooper jcw, 2009-2011 mini cooper jcw clubman, 2009-2011 cooper jcw convertible, and 2011 cooper s countryman passenger cars manufactured from november 14, 2006, through january 18, 2011. The electric auxiliary water pump that cools the turbocharger has an electronic circuit board that can malfunction and overheat.
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: If the tailpipe extension is hot during inadvertent contact, a burn could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the tailpipe with a new shorter tailpipe free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during january 2009. Owners may contact bmw at 1-866-275-6464.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling 28,450 my 2007-2008 mini cooper s vehicles. The centrally located tailpipe extension protrudes slightly beyond the rear bumper. It is possible for inadvertent contact to occur with a person's leg.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In a january 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, bmw of north america, llc. (bmw) submitted a defect information report (dir) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (my) 2007-2011 mini cooper vehicles manufactured from november 14, 2006 through january 18, 2011 (recall 12v-008).according to bmw, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.the pump supplier, pierburg pump technology gmbh, redesigned the pump t
Exhaust pipe burns
Summary
Bmw will conduct a safety recall (08v-657) on 28,450 mini cooper s vehicles manufactured from november 18, 2006 through july 8, 2008.dealers will install modified exhaust pipe tips that do not extend beyond the rear bumper.the two exhaust pipe tips of the subject vehicles exit the underside of the vehicle at the center of the vehicle and extend beyond the rear bumper.the complainants reported being burned on their legs when they inadvertently touched the exposed hot exhaust pipe tips while removing items of cargo from the rear of their vehicle via the hatch back door.some complainants reported being burned on more than one occasion or that other family members were also burned.the 50 injurie
Exhaust pipe burns
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on three consumer reports.the complainants reported being burned on their legs by the hot exhaust pipe tip while they were removing cargo items from the rear hatch area of their vehicles.the mini cooper s model has dual exhaust pipe tips that are located at the center line of the vehicleunder the rear bumper.the exhaust pipe tips extend beyond the edge of the bumper.odi is upgrading this investigation to engineering analysis ea08-020 based on information provided by bmw in response to odi's pe08-031 information request letter.
Questions about the 2007 Mini Cooper S
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Mini Cooper S?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (173 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); air bags (28 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); transmission (26 complaints, typically around 35,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2007 Mini Cooper S have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 11, 2023 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2007 a bad year for the Mini Cooper S?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Cooper S model year since 2000, with 249 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.