2020 Mini Cooper Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Visibility and structure issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

No one can argue about the individuality that the 2020 Mini Cooper offers drivers. Even the automaker claims that this vehicle is “bending the rules in style.” However, current owners have a lot of complaints, from the troublesome visibility to the defective structure.

Click on other model year to view more problems:   2022

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Mini Cooper

Complaint CategoryNumber of Complaints
Service Brakes
1
Air Bags
1
Wheels
1
Electrical System
1
Engine
1
Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
1
Visibility/wiper
1

Problems with the Visibility

Seeing out of any vehicle is paramount to on-road safety. When the auto glass is defective, it not only poses a hazard but can lead to injury.

Here’s one NHTSA complaint about visibility. “The contact owns a 2020 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at 55 to 60 mph, the vehicle sunroof glass exploded without impact. No injuries were sustained. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was not available.”

Having glass combust without warning is not safe. While discussing safety concerns, there is a recall worth mentioning, even though it doesn’t have to do with auto glass. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V283000 states that there could be a problem with the rollover sensor, which could cause the air bags to malfunction during a roll over crash. If this sensor fails, the air bags might not deploy, leading to more injury. While Mini wants to “bend” rules, the company shouldn’t be messing with procedures and guidelines that keep people safe. Maybe the automaker has taken the rule breaking to extremes.

Problems with the Structure

While the air bags are a serious concern, there are even more problems evident with the structure of this Mini. 

Here is an Edmunds review worth reading. “The ONLY thing I wish it had more of was storage space….the center console is very small.”

It turns out that there is another recall related to the structure. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V634000 states that some vehicles have rear side trim panels that were assembled without the necessary crash pad installed. If a side impact accident were to occur, the occupants would be at a higher risk of an injury, yet again. So, Mini has basically acknowledged that passengers aren’t safe in a rollover or side swipe incident. Maybe the Mini Cooper should be wrapped in bubble wrap just in case, because it doesn’t seem that it can handle an impact from any direction.

Your Lemon Law Legal Rights

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes BMW pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

Complaint Data

CategoryService Brakes
DateJan 07, 2023
StateNY
Description
At 15,000 miles, front brake pads and rotors were badly worn and rear brake pads. Replaced brake pads front and rear.
CategoryAir Bags
DateApr 23, 2022
StateCA
Description
I was stopped at a red light. A buick suv traveling at an admitted 65mph rear ended me and pushed my car into the car in front of me. My seatbelt was on. My head hit the steering wheel resulting in a massive brain bleed. I have ruptured and herniated disks and severe whiplash as well as a fractured skull. My airbag did not deploy although my car was announcing a loud message over the speakers “we have alerted emergency services”. I can't find a lawyer to take the case because there hasn't been a recall on this year yet. It was a 2020 mini cooper s.
CategoryWheels
DateMar 18, 2021
StateNY
Description
The tires on this vehicle have blown out 3 times in the 9 months we have owned this car. Another tire (a fourth incident) had a bubble that was replaced before it blew out. All incidents were separate times. The dealer and bmw will do nothing. All blow outs were on the highway traveling about 60 mph.
CategoryElectrical System, Engine
DateJun 23, 2020
StateTX
Description
During a rain shower, drove at about 15mph into roughly 4" of water gathered on the shoulder of an access road adjacent to the highway and the engine stalled. Would not restart. Puddle of water was not high enough to breach the cabin - running boards were still above water and the curb adjacent to the street was not submerged. Car would not start and transmission locked up. Bmw roadside assistance contacted and advised not to start; tow truck had difficulty loading onto the flatbed because the electrical system had malfunctioned in the electric convertible top and was overriding the ability to put the car into neutral. *tr
CategoryVisibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
DateJun 09, 2020
StateMD
Description
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 mini cooper. The contact stated the while driving at 55 to 60 mph, the vehicle sunroof glass exploded without impact. No injuries were sustained. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was not available. The vin was not available.
CategoryVisibility/wiper
DateDec 19, 2019
StateFL
Description
When sitting in drivers seat ( I am 5ft. 1 in tall) and the convertible top is open, I can not see through the rear view mira because the convertible top folded is blocking my vision. My seat is at highest position. Just as point of reference I had a 2012 mini conv. And this was not a problem. Because of this I had to take the car back to the dealer and get another vehicle which cost me in excess of 00 as my 3 day old car was considered used with 91 miles on it. My husband who is 5'9" tall tried it and had some visibility but very limited. This is a dangerous thing and should have been corrected by mini. Either the mechanism or the fabric used has to be changed to allow the top to retract out of sight. This does not matter if you are moving or standing still, and could cause the drive to easily have an accident because they can't see what is behind them.

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Brian Jones

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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