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MINI Cooper VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on an MINI Cooper VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 34 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2002–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefixWMW

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
MINI Cooper

About the MINI Cooper

MINI has sold the Cooper in the US since the 2002 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 34 vehicle recall campaigns and 4,050 owner complaints. The 2005 has the most complaints of any model year (686). EPA rates it at 22–33 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2002–2026
EPA classSubcompact Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns34
Owner complaints4,050 at NHTSA
MINI Cooper photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

MINI Cooper at a glance

One generation in the data, 2002–2026: 34 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4,050 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Cooper
2002–2026Subcompact Cars
200220052010201520202025
2002–2026

MINI Cooper

EPA classSubcompact Cars
EPA combined mpg22–33
NHTSA recalls34

Engines (EPA)

  • 1.6 L 4-cyl · 2002–2015
  • 1.6 L 4-cyl (supercharged) · 2003–2006
  • 1.6 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2007–2015
  • 1.5 L 3-cyl (turbo) · 2014–2024
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2014–2026
  • Electric · 2020–2024

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • FWD
  • CVT (2002–2006), manual (2003–2019, 2021–2024), automatic (2005–2024), automated manual/dual-clutch (2020–2026)

Known issues to check

Steering (1,514)Engine and cooling (898)Air bags (727)6 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 4,050 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · CooperWMWMF735?7T······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2007 MINI Cooper, built in Oxford, United Kingdom (Uk)
Check a Cooper VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Cooper model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 34 campaigns on file for Cooper model years 2002–2026, and the 2014 shows up in more of them than any other year (7), ahead of the 2015 (6). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2014
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What MINI Cooper owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2005 and 2003 hold 1,223 of the 4,050 complaints, or 30%. Tap any bar or generation.

4,050NHTSA complaints, 2002–2026
105mention a crash
210mention a fire
124injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearCooper: 4,050 complaints · most for the 2005 (686)

Top complaint areas · Cooper

Mentions in 4,050 complaints, 2002–2026.

Steering1,514
Engine and cooling898
Air bags727
Electrical system493
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)399
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)138
Crashes 105Fires 210Injuries 124

2002–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2005 is the outlier. On its own it has 686 of the ’s 4,050 complaints (17%), more than any other Cooper model year, and owners across the generation name steering most often (1,514 mentions), then engine and cooling (898).

What Cooper owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2007–2013 (2nd generation, R56)

The 2007 draws by far the most NHTSA complaints, and about a third describe timing chain rattle or failure, sometimes ruining the engine. Many owners of the 2008 and 2009 also report an air bag warning light from a failed passenger seat occupant sensor. CarComplaints lists a broken timing chain for the 2008 and 2009 Cooper S, early clutch wear for the 2009 Cooper S and oil in the coolant for the 2009 Cooper. Recalls cover the turbo auxiliary water pump, which may overheat, and a footwell control module that may short circuit in road salt states. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the auxiliary water pump and footwell module recalls.
  • Ask for proof that the timing chain and tensioner were replaced.
  • Start the engine cold and listen for a rattle in the first seconds.
  • Confirm the air bag light goes out, check the coolant for oil and test the clutch for slipping.
Sources (6) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2007 MINI Cooper
  2. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2008 MINI Cooper
  3. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2009 MINI Cooper
  4. CarComplaints.com, 2008 MINI Cooper S problems
  5. CarComplaints.com, 2009 MINI Cooper S problems
  6. CarComplaints.com, 2009 MINI Cooper problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 29, 2026.

Owner opinions · Reddit

What MINI Cooper owners say on Reddit

Summarized from public threads

MINI owners on Reddit split the Cooper by generation. The 2014 and newer hardtop with BMW engines is generally called decent, and several owners of 2022 and 2023 cars report nothing beyond pads and tires, though one 2023 owner had repeated warning lights fixed under warranty. The 2007 to 2013 cars draw the harshest stories, with timing chain, water pump and leak repairs. Even happy owners warn that parts, labor, premium fuel and insurance cost more than a typical Japanese compact, and many push independent shops over dealers.

Pros

  • 2014 and newer hardtops seen as reasonably reliable
  • Several recent owners report only routine wear items
  • Fun, compact and full of character to drive

Cons

  • 2007 to 2013 cars known for costly engine and leak repairs
  • Engine mounts and oil filter housing leaks common as miles add up
  • Higher costs for parts, labor, premium fuel and insurance

Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.

Owner complaints · by model year

Cooper complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Electric Cooper versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

4,050complaints, 2002–2026
105mention a crash
210mention a fire
124injuries reported
3complaints report a death
Most complaints: 2005 (686), 2003 (537), 2004 (529)
537’03529’04686’05’10’15’20’25

2005 · 686 complaints

Crashes 14 · fires 27 · injuries 4 · complaints reporting a death 1

Steering488
Air bags112
Electrical system53
Power train38
Unknown or other17

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Cooper CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 158 Cooper versions for model years 2002–2026 (gas and electric). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 271 g/mi (2014). Electric versions have none at the tailpipe. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Cooper2002–2026

22–33 mpg · 108–110 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0–404 g/mi

2025
32combined MPG
273CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,550EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: Cooper S Hardtop 4 door · Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo — 32 MPG · 273 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
0100200300400200520102015202020252002 · Gas: 3552003 · Gas: 3172004 · Gas: 3172005 · Gas: 3172006 · Gas: 3172007 · Gas: 2872008 · Gas: 2782009 · Gas: 2782010 · Gas: 2782011 · Gas: 2782012 · Gas: 2782013 · Gas: 2782014 · Gas: 2712015 · Gas: 2722016 · Gas: 2772017 · Gas: 2812018 · Gas: 2802019 · Gas: 2822020 · Gas: 2812021 · Gas: 2802022 · Gas: 2732023 · Gas: 2732024 · Gas: 2742025 · Gas: 2732026 · Gas: 2732020 · Electric: 02021 · Electric: 02022 · Electric: 02023 · Electric: 02024 · Electric: 0
GasElectric

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Cooper vs Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2002–2026. NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns for the Cooper, against 57 for the Honda Civic and 49 for the Toyota Corolla. Pick a range to compare.

MINI Cooper

Model years 2002–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
34
NHTSA owner complaints
4,050
EPA combined mpg
22–33
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.5 L · 4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed
supercharged, turbo
Drive (EPA)
FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Steering 1,514
  2. Engine and cooling 898
  3. Air bags 727

Honda Civic

Model years 2002–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
57
NHTSA owner complaints
13,079
EPA combined mpg
23–49
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.3–2.4 L
Also listed
hybrid, turbo
Drive (EPA)
FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Steering 2,589
  2. Air bags 2,025
  3. Engine and cooling 1,539

Toyota Corolla

Model years 2002–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
49
NHTSA owner complaints
10,116
EPA combined mpg
22–52
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.6 L · 4-cyl 1.8, 2.0, 2.4 L
Also listed
hybrid, turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Air bags 4,340
  2. Steering 1,103
  3. Engine and cooling 1,101

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

MINI Cooper VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Cooper

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Blue MINI Cooper (third generation) hatchback, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Cooper carries its VIN at the lower driver's side windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and on an engine block stamp.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common MINI Cooper VIN questions

Which MINI Cooper model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2005 leads with 686, ahead of the 2003 (537) and 2004 (529). Those first two alone make up 30% of the 4,050 Cooper complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the MINI Cooper had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 34 vehicle campaigns for model years 2002–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which MINI Cooper recalls are high risk?

15V-628 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 12V-008, 18V-248, 23V-337, 24V-302 and 24V-612. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the MINI Cooper get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2002–2026 Cooper at 22–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the MINI Cooper compare with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla on recalls?

For 2002–2026 models the Cooper has 34 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda Civic has 57, the Toyota Corolla 49. Complaints run 4,050, 13,079 and 10,116 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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