Makes›MINI›Cooper›2015

2015 MINI Cooper

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Class
Two Seaters
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl, 1.5L 3-cyl turbo, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
32 combined · 29 city / 38 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 54% better than the average 2015 two seaters (20.8 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 MINI Cooper is a two seaters offered with 4 engines (1.6L 4-cyl, 1.5L 3-cyl turbo, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 38 highway), 54% better than the 2015 two seaters average of 20.8 MPG, for an estimated $2,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Cooper — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Cooper →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cooper Coupe1.6L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive29 / 36 / 32+54%$2,550280
Cooper (3-doors)1.5L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive29 / 38 / 32+35%$2,550272
Cooper (5-doors)1.5L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive28 / 38 / 32+35%$2,550275
Cooper (3-doors)1.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 31+31%$2,650287
Cooper (5-doors)1.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 31+31%$2,650287
Cooper Coupe1.6L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 35 / 30+44%$2,750292
Cooper Convertible1.6L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 33 / 29+26%$2,850304
Cooper S Convertible1.6L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29+26%$2,850306
Cooper S Coupe1.6L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29+39%$2,850306
Cooper Convertible1.6L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive27 / 33 / 29+26%$2,850302
Cooper S Coupe1.6L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28+35%$2,950316
Cooper S Convertible1.6L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28+21%$2,950316
Cooper S (3-doors)2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28+18%$2,950315
Cooper S (5-doors)2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28+18%$2,950315
Cooper S (3-doors)2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 33 / 27+14%$3,050328
Cooper S (5-doors)2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 33 / 27+14%$3,050328
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.8 MPG2015 Two Seaters average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 MINI Cooper.

Similar 2015 two seaterss

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 MINI Cooper (this car)32 MPGNot rated6
2015 Mazda MX-524 MPGNot rated0
2015 smart fortwo36 MPGNot rated1
2015 Nissan 370z21 MPGNot rated0
2015 Honda CR-Z36 MPGNot rated2
2015 MINI John Cooper Works29 MPGNot rated2
2015 MINI Roadster29 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (6)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Nov 9, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V739000 · 38 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured February 25, 2014, to May 16, 2015, 2014-2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to May 9, 2015, 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured October 17, 2014, to June 2, 2015, and 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to June 11, 2015. During a service appointment, the affected vehicles received replacement front passenger seat cushions (which contain integral Capacitive Interior Sensing (CIS) functions). The CIS functions may have been incorrectly calibrated, and if so, would cause impaired occupant classification and thus inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation.
Risk
Inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation can increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
Fix
MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 .
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 7, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V628000 · 6,073 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
Fix
MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Structure › Body · Jul 17, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V450000 · 30,456 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles and 2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop 2 Door vehicles. The affected vehicles do not meet the side impact performance requirements for the rear seat passengers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Risk
If the side impact performance requirements are not met, rear seat passengers may be at a higher risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
MINI will notify owners, and dealers will install additional energy absorption material between the rear interior side panels and the exterior vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525. Note: this recall supersedes 14V-815.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Jan 26, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V034000 · 13,130 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop two door vehicles manufactured December 1, 2013, to December 14, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect maximum capacity weight stated on the Tire Information Placard. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."
Risk
The maximum weight listed on the label is incorrect (too low) and therefore does not comply with Federal Regulations.
Fix
MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect labels with corrected labels, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notification on March 18, 2015. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) · Dec 15, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V789000 · 1,928 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door, and Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles manufactured January 6, 2014, to October 17, 2014. During service appointments, dealers may have inadvertently reprogrammed the transmission control unit with software that may allow drivers to exit the vehicle when the transmission is not in Park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being in Park, the vehicle could roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix
MINI will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module with the correct software, free of charge. The recall February 4, 2015. Owners can contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Seats · Nov 10, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V721000 · 846 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door vehicles manufactured August 12, 2014, to September 2, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seatback adjustment mechanism may not be fully engaged.
Risk
If the seatback adjustment mechanism is not fully engaged, the seatback may fold during a rear impact collision, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Fix
MINI will notify owners, and dealers will re-align and re-tighten the seatback adjustment mechanisms, free of charge. The recall began December 29, 2014. Owners can contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 MINI Cooper is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

74Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
25,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine17
Fuel/Propulsion System13
Power Train11
Electrical System11
Service Brakes9
Unknown Or Other7
Suspension3
Structure › Body3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/02: 121/04: 121/06: 121/07: 321/12: 122/01: 122/02: 322/08: 322/09: 222/10: 123/03: 123/04: 123/09: 223/10: 424/02: 124/06: 124/08: 125/01: 225/02: 125/07: 125/10: 226/01: 126/07: 126/08: 121/0221/0722/0222/1023/0924/0625/0226/01max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 MINI Cooper buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 17 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System — 13 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  4. Power Train — 11 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 25,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 MINI Cooper. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Cooper years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Cooper31–Not rated00
2026 Cooper32152.8 inNot rated13
2025 Cooper32152.8 inNot rated46
2024 Cooper32–Not rated22
2023 Cooper32–Not rated212
2022 Cooper32–Not rated29
2021 Cooper31–Not rated47
2020 Cooper31–Not rated413
2019 Cooper32–Not rated217
2018 Cooper32–Not rated08
2017 Cooper32–Not rated334
2016 Cooper32–Not rated451

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or MINI. How we calculate this →