Mini has always been an iconic brand and considering its long existence in the market, they clearly know how to make their cars sturdy and appeal to the masses. The Mini Cooper is a subcompact convertible car that people majorly prefer for its design and build quality. The 2012 Mini Cooper is slightly expensive at $24,350 for its size and space but it still managed to sell almost 49,000 units, proving it to pack some reliability as well as upscale quality. What really is surprising is the fact that this car has only 45 complaints registered with no recalls so far. This really does mean the vehicle is dependable and other cars that try offering a similar layout are the Fiat 500 C, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, and the Volkswagen Beetle.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Ignition – The user tried starting the car and found out that the car would respond or fire the engine up. The car was taken to the dealers where the mechanics identified it to be circuit damage that was caused by water leaking through the beverage holder as it was said that the computer was located right below the holder. Dealers replaced the circuit and also advised to not use the beverage holder as Mini has not installed any moisture barrier in this area.
- Footwell relay module – Users found functions like the emergency flashers, turn signals, door locks, and windows to stop functioning. Users found it strange that most of the instrument panel features quit working at the same time. The car was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed it to be a faulty FRM that enables the communication between the instrument panel and the engine control components.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine – While driving at around 40mph, the contact noticed an engine warning light flashing and also noticed some liquid underneath the car. The car was taken to the dealers where it was diagnosed and found to be caused by a leak in the water pump. The mechanics stated that the water pump failure was a common issue among users and the defective part had to be replaced. While diagnosing this issues, the mechanics also found a leak on the oil control valve. As a result, the vale was replaced and the leak was fixed.
- Turbocharger – Users noticed the hood becomes very hot after driving the car for a while and the car was taken to an individual mechanic who stated that the turbocharger was not properly shielded and the lack of insulation on the hood led it to overheat. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and the mechanics provided additional heat shields which didn’t make much difference.
- Fuel system – The car was said to hesitate while trying to accelerate and the engine ultimately stalled. The driver was able to merge onto the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealers who ran a diagnostics to find out that the fuel pump had failed. Dealers had to replace the fuel pump and the repair was performed immediately.
- Powertrain – The user was driving when they noticed a strange smell after being stuck in the rain and the clutch later completely gave out, leaving the user stranded. The car was towed to the dealers where it was found that the cluck was inoperable and would need a clutch disc, flywheel, and a pressure plate replacement which was done under warranty.
Safety Problems
- Airbags – The front passenger airbag sensor always stayed on and this made it difficult to rear stats off the speedometer. Manufacturers have not yet released a recall to solve this issue.
Exterior Problems
- Headlights – The contact found the headlights to not work and drove to the dealers to get it fixed. The technicians stated that the bulb could not be removed from inside the vehicle and hence the entire assembly had to be removed. It was found that the connectors to the bulb were melted due to the excessive heat. Dealers had to change the entire assembly to solve this issue.
2012 Mini Cooper recalls
The 2012 Mini Cooper does not have any recalls so far.
Should you buy the 2012 Mini Cooper?
From the analysis, it is pretty evident that the 2012 Mini Cooper is a reliable option to pick. Even though the Mini is priced in the higher range, it’s easy to identify the quality difference when compared to its rivals. The Mini Cooper was said to have a few issues regarding a water pump leak and they never recalled the vehicle as only a very limited number of users faced this issue. Users also had troubles with the ignition and to stay on the safer side, Mini advised to not use a cup holder as it was located close to an internal computer. Apart from that, the Mini Cooper is a well-built and stylish vehicle that offers class-leading build quality, making this car very reliable.
