2021 MINI Cooper: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 MINI Cooper: 2 recalls, 7 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #20V283000 · 2020 · 76 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a problem with the rollover sensor within the air bag control unit, in the event of a rollover crash, the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners and other safety systems, May not activate.
Why it matters: If the safety systems do not deploy as intended in a roll over crash, it May increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2020.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #21V554000 · 2021 · 21,537 vehicles
What's wrong: The passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (alr) May deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (3): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Tires (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Steering (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2021 MINI Cooper has 7 owner complaints, ranking #20 of 26 Cooper model years for complaints (well below the 86 average). Complaints peaked in 2022 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old. Neighboring years: 2020 (7 complaints, 2 recalls), 2022 (6 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 31 | Premium |
| 1.5 L 3-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 37 | 30 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 MINI Cooper.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 MINI Cooper have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2021 MINI Cooper. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 MINI Cooper problems?
Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (3), tires (1), airbags (1).
What gas mileage does the 2021 MINI Cooper get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (1.5 L, Automatic (AM-S7)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 MINI Cooper repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.