⌘K
Your vehicleHome›MINI›Cooper› 2021
MINI · Compact Hatchback

2021 MINI Cooper

Electric Gas
Subcompact Cars
13 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
D
Safety Signal
62 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 4 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls2 critical 4
Complaints1 crash · 1 fire · 2 injured reported 7
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 4★
EV rangebest configuration, EPA 110 mi
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 31 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 MINI Cooper is sold in the U.S. as an electric and gas compact hatchback with 13 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door, is EPA-rated at 110 miles with 108 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 7 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

2021 MINI Cooper

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Cooper SE Hardtop 2 doorElectricFWD135 kW DCPM115100108 MPGe110 mi31.34 h$700
Cooper ConvertibleGasFWD1.5L 3-cyl turbo283731———$2,650
Cooper Hardtop 2 doorGasFWD1.5L 3-cyl turbo283731———$2,650
Cooper Hardtop 4 doorGasFWD1.5L 3-cyl turbo283731———$2,650
Cooper ConvertibleGasFWD1.5L 3-cyl turbo263730———$2,750
Cooper Hardtop 2 doorGasFWD1.5L 3-cyl turbo263730———$2,750
Cooper Hardtop 4 doorGasFWD1.5L 3-cyl turbo263730———$2,750
Cooper S Hardtop 2 doorGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo263530———$2,750
Cooper S Hardtop 4 doorGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo263530———$2,750
Cooper S ConvertibleGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo263429———$2,850
Cooper S Hardtop 2 doorGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233327———$3,050
Cooper S Hardtop 4 doorGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233327———$3,050
Cooper S ConvertibleGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233226———$3,150

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42634, 42526, 42530, 42531, 42718, 42719, 42720, 42565, 42566, 42527.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door10 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 0 / California ZEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay Elite
Cooper Convertible, Cooper Hardtop 4 door5–7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III ULEV70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Cooper Hardtop 2 door, Cooper S Hardtop 2 door, Cooper S Hardtop 4 door7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Cooper Convertible, Cooper Hardtop 2 door, Cooper Hardtop 4 door, Cooper S Convertible5–7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III ULEV70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Cooper S Hardtop 4 door7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleHatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Doors3
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders3
Displacement1.5 L

Engine Output

Horsepower134 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelElectric

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity4 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainFWD/Front-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds1

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning

Optional: Adaptive cruise control, Parking assist

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE, JCW). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length151.2–157.9 in
Width (body, without mirrors)68.1 in
Height55.5–56.3 in
Wheelbase98.4–101.2 in
Track, front58.7–59.1 in
Track, rear58.7–59.1 in
Curb weight2,701–2,989 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear60/40 to 63/37

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 4 configurations: 3 Door Hatch FWD, 3 Door S Hatch FWD, 5 Door Hatch FWD, 5 Door S Hatch FWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Advertisement

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 MINI Cooper is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Electrical System

12,535 vehicles 94% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) vehicles. Faults may occur in the high voltage battery or high voltage system, resulting in a short circuit. Risk A short circuit increases the risk of a fire. Fix Owners are advised that if a warning message is displayed in the vehicle, to park the vehicle outside and away from structures until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will provide a software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-ASK-MINI (1-866-275-6464).
NHTSA campaign 24V612000 reported Aug 15, 2024 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

145 vehicles 83% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) vehicles. The high voltage battery housing may not have been sealed properly, allowing water to enter the battery. Risk A high voltage battery with water damage can cause a fire or a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of injury or a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect and leak test the high voltage battery, and repair the battery as necessary, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed October 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V302000 reported Apr 29, 2024 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

21,537 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper Risk During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury. 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
NHTSA campaign 21V554000 reported Jul 21, 2021 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

76 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door (Cooper and Cooper S) vehicles. 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. Risk If the safety systems do not deploy as intended in a roll over crash, it may increase the risk of injury. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
NHTSA campaign 20V283000 reported May 20, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Cooper

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. MINI publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 MINI Cooper, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Advertisement

Parts & accessories for the 2021 MINI Cooper

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Cooper →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
7complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

4.7 per 10,000 built · MINI reported 14,872 Cooper built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 2

Most-cited components

Electrical System 3
Tires 1
Air Bags 1
Steering 1
Fuel/Propulsion System 1

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Digital instrument cluster of electric Mini SE (includes speedometer and battery/range information) turns off without warning while driving and does not turn back on until car is powered down for over half an hour. This has happened more than ten times.
Electrical System Feb 11, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11571293
No incident occurred. On October 18th we received a high voltage battery recall notice for this car. Apparently there were some thermal events (fires) and BMW has released software to help protect the car from such an event. We have been trying to get in touch with MINI, and just recently found that the dealer closed.
Fuel/Propulsion System Dec 10, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11629967
The car completely lost steering in traffic. I brought it back to the Mini dealership, they informed me this is a known issue for Mini Coopers equipped with the click-and-play system, and they needed to re-wire the click-and-play to fix it. However Mini decided this should not be a recall.
Steering Apr 27, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11519216
On October 4, 2022, the Mini Cooper hardtop 4 door was hit in a head-on collision by a driver who was going at least 40 MPH, possibly more. The car that hit the Cooper was a Toyota Prius. All the Prious' airbags deployed. No airbags deployed on the Mini Cooper hardtop 4 door. None.
Air Bags Nov 10, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11493154
Tire model is: Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z 225/35R18 87Y. Failure started when vehicle turned the "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE" alert on while driving. Pressure started to drop from 32 lbs to 16 lbs in about 15 minutes. Worth to note: no pot hole or any other object was hit during the day of the incident; or even previous days.
Tires Aug 22, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11480654
After work, I started the car in a parking lot. Before leaving, a fire started under the hood behind the passenger side headlight. After using the jaws of life to take off the hood, the fire department contained the fire. No injuries. There was extensive damage to the right front. The contents were all smoke damaged.
Electrical System Dec 29, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11499386

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by MINI itself: 2 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 3 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 13 per 100,000 built. Every Cooper model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
3 HB FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 1 filing by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every BMW warranty extension (46) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 123
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-07-10
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 120 service bulletins, 2 warranty extensions, 1 service campaign

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Structure, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility, Engine.

  • M840226 Service campaign
    2026-07-10 · Electrical System
  • Once the Telematics Module (TCB2) enters sleep mode, a MINI Data Services trigger for Remote Services(remote engine start, lock/unlock/climate conditioning) will not be able to reactivate the TCB2. Due to this issue, Remote Services will not function in the vehicle when parked and locked.
  • M010324 Warranty extension
    2026-04-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System
  • EVAP PURGE (VENT) VALVE EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15 YRS/150,000 MLS
  • M310424 Service bulletin
    2024-03-04 · Suspension
  • During inspection and/or diagnosis there is noticeable dirt/grease buildup on the axles near the inner and/or outer CV boots.
  • M511616 Service bulletin
    2023-11-02 · Structure
  • Cavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch trim and grille.
  • M610607 Service bulletin
    2023-10-25 · Electrical System
  • MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. Breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system can have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. For this reason, a battery replacement will permanently eliminate the problem only in the rarest of cases. The
  • M540123 Service bulletin
    2023-08-01 · Structure — Body — Roof And Pillars
  • ?The panoramic roof sunblind does not close, or jams while closing.
  • M110323 Service bulletin
    2023-08-01 · Communication — Manufacturer Telematics
  • ?BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop: REPLACE CHARGE AIR LINE.
  • M510123 Service bulletin
    2023-05-01 · Structure — Body — Tailgate
  • Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 MINI Cooper failed the emissions check on 1.8% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.0% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%).

New York inspections 1.8%

failed emissions

579 initial inspections of 565 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2021 CooperEvery 2021 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.8%1.9%549
Failed the safety inspection1.0%1.5%579
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0%0.19%579
Miles driven a year6,39510,343odometer at inspection
Average odometer33,86554,681odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Common questions about the 2021 Cooper

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 MINI Cooper have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 4 recall campaigns for the 2021 MINI Cooper, 2 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 24V612000, covering Electrical System. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 MINI Cooper?

NHTSA gave the 2021 MINI Cooper 4 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 4-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it D (62/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 MINI Cooper?

Across the 13 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 MINI Cooper, the best EPA combined figure is 31 mpg (MPGe on the electrified versions) and the longest EPA range is 110 miles on a charge. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 MINI Cooper?

Transport Canada measured it at 151.2–157.9 in long, 68.1 in wide (body, without mirrors), 55.5–56.3 in tall, on a 98.4–101.2 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 2,701–2,989 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 MINI Cooper?

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 MINI Cooper, most often about electrical system, tires, air bags. Of those, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 MINI Cooper?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 MINI Cooper runs 5 to 10 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV70, California ZEV, Federal Tier 3 Bin 0, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 MINI Cooper?

The manufacturer has filed 123 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 MINI Cooper, most often covering equipment, electrical system, structure. The most recent is dated 2026-07-10. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 MINI Cooper do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 MINI Cooper failed the emissions check on 1.8% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.0% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

Is the 2021 MINI Cooper better than the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport?

The MINI Cooper wins clearly, 83.1 to 70.8, on fuel & range. The Nissan Rogue Sport is ahead on safety and space & cargo. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2021 MINI Cooper against the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations13 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates13 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls4NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints7NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings1 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins123NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

JSON for this page · API