The most-reported Cooper run is WMWMF73567T (2007 builds) with 30 complaints, 5.4× the typical run. Steering problems make up 37% of reports; 2004 is the worst model year at 13.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for Cooper model years 2002–2010.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mini Cooper has 577 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Cooper complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMWMF73567T•••••• | 2007 | — | 3 | |
| WMWRC33483T•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| WMWMF73527T•••••• | 2007 | 2 | 3 | |
| WMWRC33454T•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| WMWRC33423T•••••• | 2003 | — | 4 | |
| WMWMF73537T•••••• | 2007 | — | 3 | |
| WMWMF73587T•••••• | 2007 | — | 1 | |
| WMWRE33473T•••••• | 2003 | 2 | — | |
| WMWRC33473T•••••• | 2003 | — | 3 | |
| WMWRC33432T•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| WMWRE33484T•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| WMWRE33494T•••••• | 2004 | 1 | 1 |
Each of the other 565 Cooper runs has 24 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 40 Cooper VINs so far, most often 2006, 2010, 2009 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mini Cooper the gap between build years is 12×: a 2004 car draws 13.2 complaints per run, a 2017 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 8 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 49 | 37 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 31 | 24 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 44 | 20 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 60 | 35 | — | |
| 2011 | 85 | 36 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 119 | 54 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 166 | 52 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 270 | 57 | 4 | |
| 2007 | 319 | 35 | 5 | |
| 2006 | 333 | 54 | 12 | |
| 2005 | 640 | 97 | 9 | |
| 2004 | 435 | 33 | 10 | |
| 2003 | 426 | 40 | 11 | |
| 2002 | 216 | 28 | 4 |
Heaviest year here is 2004 at 13.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 1.1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 37% of everything Mini Cooper owners report: Steering, 1,263 of 3,203 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 24 | 67 | |
| Air Bags | 27 | 3 | |
| Engine | 4 | 44 | |
| Electrical System | 7 | 81 | |
| Power Train | 3 | 3 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 23 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 | 18 | |
| Visibility | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 10 recall campaigns on the Mini Cooper; the 6 below cover build years 2002 to 2010. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 23V337000 | Electrical System | 2007–2010 |
| 15V660000 | Steering:electric Power Assist System | 2002–2005 |
| 08E050000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2002–2005 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2002–2005 |
| 15V205000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2005–2006 |
| 09V474000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2010 |
23V337000 was opened in 2023 on cars built from 2007: 16 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 3,203 reports on the Mini Cooper, 2.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Mini Cooper | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 3,203 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 66 (2.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 174 (5.4%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 88 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 64% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mini Cooper share of that is 3,203 complaints over 577 runs, 0.29% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mini Cooper VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 3,203 NHTSA complaints from 577 Cooper runs and 10 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Cooper production run has the most complaints?
WMWMF73567T, a 2007 build, with 30 complaints. The typical Cooper run has 5.6.
Which Cooper years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2004 is heaviest at 13.2 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 1.1.
How many Cooper complaints involve a crash?
2.1% of 3,203 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 174 involved a fire.
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