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Your vehicleHome›MINI›Cooper› 2025
MINI · Compact Hatchback

2025 MINI Cooper

Gas
Compact Cars
7 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
75 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 4
Complaintsnone reporting a crash, fire or injury 6
Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 32 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2025 MINI Cooper is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact hatchback with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The EPA did not publish a separate 2025 certification; fuel-economy figures below are carried over from the 2026 listing. The most efficient version, the Cooper C 4 Door, is EPA-rated at 32 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 6 complaints, most often about the service brakes.

2025 MINI Cooper

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Cooper C 4 DoorGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo283932$2,550
Cooper Hardtop 2 doorGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo283932$2,550
Cooper Hardtop 4 doorGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo283932$2,550
Cooper S Hardtop 2 doorGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo283932$2,550
Cooper S Hardtop 4 doorGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo283932$2,550
Cooper ConvertibleGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo273730$2,750
Cooper S ConvertibleGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo263630$2,750

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 49265, 47972, 48849, 47777, 47995, 48818, 48819. Figures carried over from the 2026 EPA listing; no separate 2025 certification was published.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Cooper Hardtop 2 door, Cooper Hardtop 4 door, Cooper S Convertible6 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Cooper Convertible, Cooper S Hardtop 2 door, Cooper S Hardtop 4 door6 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30All 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 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2 L

Engine Output

Horsepower161 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity4 seats

Transmission

TransmissionAutomated Manual Transmission (AMT)
Transmission speeds7

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Parking assist, Rear cross-traffic alert

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). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length152.8–159.1 in
Width (body, without mirrors)68.5 in
Height57.1–57.5 in
Wheelbase98.4–101.2 in
Track, front59.1 in
Track, rear58.7 in
Curb weight3,014–3,142 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear64/36

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 3 configurations: 2-door Convertible, 2-door Hatchback, 4-door Hatchback. 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.

Also on file Beside the 2025 Cooper
Head to head vs the 2025 Nissan Leaf Other years The 2027 Cooper Recalls MINI recalls
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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

428 vehicles built Mar 26, 2024 – Mar 26, 2024
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly. Risk A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. Fix The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 21, 2026. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 24V739 or 24V104 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V422000 reported Jul 1, 2026 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

1,571 vehicles 92% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X1 and X2, MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Cooper, Mini Countryman S ALL4, and 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. The torsion bar in both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production. Risk A damaged seat belt retractor may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will replace both front seat belt retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 7, 2025.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V616000 reported Sep 17, 2025 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

309 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Please refer to the recall report for the complete list of models. The welds in the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break, causing a loss of power brake assist and rear brake function. In addition, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system may not function. Risk A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V697000 reported Sep 18, 2024 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

266,716 vehicles 92% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly. Risk A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V104000 reported Feb 12, 2024 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 2025 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.

NHTSA VIN check →MINI’s own VIN lookup →

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 2025 MINI Cooper, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2025 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.

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Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
6complaints filed

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

3.2 per 10,000 built · MINI reported 18,984 Cooper built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2024: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 3
Electronic Stability Control 2
Forward Collision Avoidance 1
Vehicle Speed Control 1
Engine 1
Electrical 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.

The contact owns a 2025 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.
Electronic Stability Control Jan 28, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11639045
Two things I noticed. 1. Going from a complete stop such as when waiting at a red light or stop sign, and then pressing the accelerator intermittently causes the vehicle to not respond. I see the power gauge max out but the car does not move and worse if on a hill will roll backwards before lurching forward. 2.
Vehicle Speed Control Sep 30, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11767951
While lowering the convertible top on my Mini Cooper Convertible, the trunk partition was not fully in place. Normally, the vehicle will prevent the roof from operating or provide a notification if the partition is not correctly positioned. In this case, the safety interlock system failed to warn me or stop the roof from lowering.
Electrical System Mar 18, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11725132
I had to take my car in to get serviced. The engine was rumbling loud and shaking. When they inspected the car, they found that one of the lower motor mounts was loose. BMW/Mini Service center of Dallas informed me that the bolt mounting the mount was “not tightened to factory specifications.”
Engine May 9, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11659864
It has been almost 1 year and there is no remedy available for the important safety recall campaign no. 24V-104: Integrated Brake (IB) Module
Service Brakes Jan 14, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11635797
The contact owns a 2025 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available.
Electronic Stability Control Oct 28, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11622332

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): 2 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 11 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

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 76
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-21
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 62 service bulletins, 7 emissionss, 3 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Suspension, Unknown Or Other, Service Brakes.

  • M651226 Service bulletin
    2026-09-21 · Electrical System
  • Activation of MINI Personal Assistant is not possible via the Multifunction Steering Wheel (MFL) buttonand/or via the MINI Interaction Unit (MIU). Intelligent voice control via the wake-up word “Hey MINI” is possible.
  • M630426 Service bulletin
    2026-08-21 · Electrical System
  • After programming the vehicle viaISTA/RSU to I-level …26-03-5xx, some ofthe interior ambient lighting strips (arrows)may begin to fail sporadically after a deepsleep cycle.
  • M630326 Service bulletin
    2026-06-30 · Exterior Lighting
  • The front interior reading light(s) (arrows) willrandomly turn ON and OFF while driving. The reading lights are normally activated bytouching the small icons (circled).
  • M651126 Service bulletin
    2026-06-22 · Electrical System
  • If MINI Personal Assistant is active in the vehicle, once the customer exits the vehicle and a new key cyclestarts, the MINI Personal Assistant is deactivated and no longer available.
  • M120126 Emissions
    2026-06-19 · Electrical System
  • Due to an implementation error in various OBD diagnostics in the vehicle's control units, in very rare cases itmay happen that stored fault memory codes (DTCs) and the MIL (warning light) are not automaticallydeleted even though the underlying malfunction has already been rectified. This does not comply with the statutory OBD specifications.
  • M651026 Service bulletin
    2026-06-16 · Electrical System
  • After a factory reset of the head unit, the navigation voice input cannot be activated or deactivated.
  • M650826 Service bulletin
    2026-06-03 · Electrical System
  • The vehicle may experience various operational issues with Apple CarPlay Projected Modes such as: Dropped connections No automatic reconnection Display errors
  • M650526 Service bulletin
    2026-04-13 · Electrical System
  • Unfavorable software in Headunit 6 (HU-H6).

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 2025 MINI Cooper failed the safety inspection on 0.29% of first inspections — close to the 0.36% for every 2025 model-year vehicle inspected.

New York inspections 0.29%

failed the safety inspection

1,384 initial inspections of 1,354 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2025 CooperEvery 2025 vehicleBehind it
Failed the safety inspection0.29%0.36%1,384
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0%0.16%1,384
Miles driven a year5,6048,354odometer at inspection
Average odometer8,23112,194odometer at inspection

New York does not emissions-test model years this new, so the safety inspection is the record here. 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 2025 vehicle” is every 2025 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).

Compare the 2025 Cooper with

Any vehicle, your weights →
Head-to-headVerdict
2025 Nissan Leaf · Compact Hatchback · grade ALeaf +27.2
2025 Kia EV6 · Compact Hatchback · grade AEV6 +23.8
2025 BMW i4 · Compact Hatchback · grade Bi4 +30.6
2025 Nissan Ariya · Compact SUV · grade AAriya +38.5
2025 Nissan Kicks · Compact Hatchback · grade BToss-up

Cooper by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A* 0 0 31 mpg2026 A 1 3 32 mpg2025 this page C 4 6 32 mpg2024 C 2 2 114 mi2023 C 2 12 114 mi2022 C 2 9 114 mi2021 D 4 7 110 mi2020 D 4 12 110 mi2019 B 2 17 32 mpg2018 A 0 8 32 mpg2017 B 3 34 32 mpg2016 C 4 51 32 mpg

Common questions about the 2025 Cooper

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2025 MINI Cooper have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 4 recall campaigns for the 2025 MINI Cooper. The most serious on file is 26V422000, covering Electronic Stability Control (Esc). Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2025 MINI Cooper?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2025 MINI Cooper yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it C (75/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2025 MINI Cooper?

Across the 7 EPA-rated configurations of the 2025 MINI Cooper, the best EPA combined figure is 32 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2025 MINI Cooper?

Transport Canada measured it at 152.8–159.1 in long, 68.5 in wide (body, without mirrors), 57.1–57.5 in tall, on a 98.4–101.2 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,014–3,142 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 2025 MINI Cooper?

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 MINI Cooper, most often about service brakes, electronic stability control, forward collision avoidance. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2025 MINI Cooper?

The EPA smog rating for the 2025 MINI Cooper is 6 out of 10. 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, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2025 MINI Cooper?

The manufacturer has filed 76 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2025 MINI Cooper, most often covering electrical system, exterior lighting, suspension. The most recent is dated 2026-09-21. 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 2025 MINI Cooper do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2025 MINI Cooper failed the safety inspection on 0.29% of first inspections — close to the 0.36% for every 2025 model-year vehicle inspected. 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 2025 MINI Cooper better than the 2025 Nissan Leaf?

The Nissan Leaf wins clearly, 97.1 to 69.9, on fuel & range, safety, space & cargo. The MINI Cooper is ahead on performance. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2025 MINI Cooper against the 2025 Nissan Leaf — 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 & configurations7 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates6 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 complaints6NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratingsnoneNHTSA NCAPNHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe.
Service bulletins76NHTSA 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 NHTSA11 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.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Head to head 2025 MINI Cooper vs 2025 Nissan Leaf Scored on price, fuel, safety, space, performance and warranty — the weights are yours.Other years The 2027 Cooper The Cooper model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every MINI recall on file All campaigns filed against MINI vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Cooper by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

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.

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