KnownCarProblems2011 Mini Cooper S Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Mini Cooper S, most often about the engine (55% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 10th of 21 Cooper S model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2011 Mini Cooper S problems
Engine
17 complaints · 55%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
I owned a 2011 Mini Cooper S ("Mini") vehicle that caused a fire and injuries at our home. The fire was discovered while the Mini was parked in our garage with the ignition off. The fire destroyed our residence, personal property and two vehicles, including the aforementioned Mini. Fire authorities determined that the…
Car severely overheated. Melted coolant system manifold and hosing pipe. Repair cost $1,100+. Days later crack in water pump grew. Immediate car malfunction occurred resulting in towing the car to mt laurel Mini. Their assessment was that coolant was found on the dipstick of the engine oil. Recommended a new engine.…
Electrical
16 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
I owned a 2011 Mini Cooper S ("Mini") vehicle that caused a fire and injuries at our home. The fire was discovered while the Mini was parked in our garage with the ignition off. The fire destroyed our residence, personal property and two vehicles, including the aforementioned Mini. Fire authorities determined that the…
Known issue with thermostat housing & sensor - Mini has acknowledged a known design issue that causes coolant to leak onto the thermostat sensor. Full replacement is recommended with updated design at customer's cost. Manufacturer should cover this cost since this is an engineering design defect and may lead to…
Air bags
3 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: sensor.
The passenger airbag warning light indicating the passenger side airbag is disabled even if passenger is seated. Our mechanic tells US the on-board computer system no longer recognizes the passenger front airbag sensor. Consequentially, the airbags are being disabled on both passenger and driver side of the car.
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 10%After coming home from a routine drive. I parked my car in the drive way. About 30 minutes later I smelt something burning and noticed my hood of my car smoking. I immediately ran outside and started housing of the bubbling hood with a garden hose. I managed to pop the hood and put out the fire which had cover most of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Mini Cooper S recalls
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and frm and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed may 13, 2024. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2014 mini clubman cooper, clubman cooper s, clubman john cooper works, and 2007-2013 mini hardtop 2-door cooper, cooper s, and john cooper works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, virginia, west virginia, washington d.c., and wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning june 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact bmw customer service at bmw 1-800-525-7417, mini at 1-866-825-1525, or rolls-royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: bmw recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2011-2012 bmw 550i, 550i xdrive, 550i gran turismo, 550i gran turismo xdrive, 750i, 750li, 750i xdrive, 750li xdrive, 760li, x5 xdrive50i, x5 m, x6 xdrive50i, x6 m, activehybrid7, mini cooper s convertible, john cooper works (jcw) convertible, cooper s countryman, cooper s countryman all4, cooper s, jcw, cooper s clubman, jcw clubman, cooper s roadster, jcw roadster, cooper s coupe, jcw coupe and rolls-royce ghost, 2011 bmw x6 hybrid and 2012 bmw 650i coupe, 650i xdrive coupe, 650i convertible and 650i xdrive convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: The circuit board may smolder which could result in a vehicle fire.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump free of charge. The safety recall beganduring february 2012. Owners may contact bmw at 1-866-275-6464.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 mini cooper s, 2008-2011 mini cooper s clubman, 2009-2011 mini cooper s convertible, 2009-2011 mini cooper jcw, 2009-2011 mini cooper jcw clubman, 2009-2011 cooper jcw convertible, and 2011 cooper s countryman passenger cars manufactured from november 14, 2006, through january 18, 2011. The electric auxiliary water pump that cools the turbocharger has an electronic circuit board that can malfunction and overheat.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In a january 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, bmw of north america, llc. (bmw) submitted a defect information report (dir) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (my) 2007-2011 mini cooper vehicles manufactured from november 14, 2006 through january 18, 2011 (recall 12v-008).according to bmw, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.the pump supplier, pierburg pump technology gmbh, redesigned the pump t
Questions about the 2011 Mini Cooper S
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mini Cooper S?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (17 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); electrical (16 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); air bags (3 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Mini Cooper S have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 11, 2023 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Mini Cooper S?
- It is 10th of 21 Cooper S model years by number of complaints, with 31 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.