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2011 Mini Cooper

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Mini Cooper do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 40.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 50 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

18 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2024
Air BagsCrash

The passenger seat occupancy sensor has malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to believe that there is an infant car seat in the front passenger seat. This puts front passengers at risk because the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash. While having body work done at Swartz's Ultimate Collison repair in Lewisburg, it wa…

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The passenger seat occupancy sensor has malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to believe that there is an infant car seat in the front passenger seat. This puts front passengers at risk because the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash. While having body work done at Swartz's Ultimate Collison repair in Lewisburg, it was noted by the technician, however Mini does not cover repair by a non dealer or accept accounting of the defect from a non dealer. I was unaware that the vehicle was nearing the end of it's warranty and waited too long to inquire again. They will not fix it.

NHTSA ODI #11596422

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2024
Air BagsSeat Belts

My passenger seat airbag warning is illuminated, with associated chime. I am also getting a orange warning light indicating the passenger airbag is inop. This is intermittent with a passenger occupying the passenger seat. lights go on and off with movement of the passenger. There is a current recall for the convertible model o…

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My passenger seat airbag warning is illuminated, with associated chime. I am also getting a orange warning light indicating the passenger airbag is inop. This is intermittent with a passenger occupying the passenger seat. lights go on and off with movement of the passenger. There is a current recall for the convertible model of the R56 Mini Cooper.

NHTSA ODI #11582702

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2024
Air Bags

The passenger front seat airbag sensor is malfunctioning on a large number of these vehicles. Doing an Internet search for my fault code, 93C3 reveals a lot of discussion about the problem. there had been a recall on earlier Mini Coopers for the same problem. I suspect they have not solved the problem and there should be a reca…

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The passenger front seat airbag sensor is malfunctioning on a large number of these vehicles. Doing an Internet search for my fault code, 93C3 reveals a lot of discussion about the problem. there had been a recall on earlier Mini Coopers for the same problem. I suspect they have not solved the problem and there should be a recall for this R 56 model.

NHTSA ODI #11581179

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF, AS WELL AS THE SEATBELT LIGHTS. IT CAN BE INSPECTED IF REQUESTED. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? IF THE AIRBAGS OR SEAT BELTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY THIS C…

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What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF, AS WELL AS THE SEATBELT LIGHTS. IT CAN BE INSPECTED IF REQUESTED. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? IF THE AIRBAGS OR SEAT BELTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURY UP TO AND INCLUDING DEATH. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? IT KEEPS HAPPENING, NOT BEEN TO A DEALER YET THOUGH. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO INPSECTION HAS BEEN DONE. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? IT APPEARS THAT THE SUNROOF HAS BEEN LEAKING DOWN THE DASH ON THE PASSENEGER SIDE. THAT LEAKS RIGHT ONTO THE FUSE BOX WHICH COULD BE CAUSING SOME OF THE ISSUES. IF THE FUSE BOX IS BEING LEAKED ONTO THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #11555327

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

trouble code: 93C3 ACSM/MRS: Seat-occupancy detector, passenger

NHTSA ODI #11544198

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2023
Air Bags

No incident yet. The airbag passenger side sensor keeps coming on constantly and I don't know if it is going to deploy or what. No one is sitting in seat but sensor constantly ringing. Started approximately 2-3 months ago intermittent and now happens daily.

NHTSA ODI #11542869

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2023
Air Bags

Starting June 2023 the Airbag indicator light would turn on when I put a bag or even something light on the passenger seat. Now it randomly goes on if I hit a bump in the road. Keep in mind I don't have an actual passenger that sits in the "Passenger seat". Which is completely baffling me! Please create a recall MINI/BMW Corpor…

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Starting June 2023 the Airbag indicator light would turn on when I put a bag or even something light on the passenger seat. Now it randomly goes on if I hit a bump in the road. Keep in mind I don't have an actual passenger that sits in the "Passenger seat". Which is completely baffling me! Please create a recall MINI/BMW Corporation, because I see that the 2011 MINI's are all having this problem!

NHTSA ODI #11532545

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2023
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS DISABLED IS ON, EVEN IF PASSENGER IS SEATED. THE WARNING WAS INTERMITTENT STARTING IN 2015 AND THE CONTINUOUS SINCE 2022. OUR MECHANIC TELLS US THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM NO LONGER RECOGNIZES THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR. THEREFORE, THE AIRBAGS ARE…

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THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS DISABLED IS ON, EVEN IF PASSENGER IS SEATED. THE WARNING WAS INTERMITTENT STARTING IN 2015 AND THE CONTINUOUS SINCE 2022. OUR MECHANIC TELLS US THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM NO LONGER RECOGNIZES THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR. THEREFORE, THE AIRBAGS ARE BEING DISABLED FOR BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER.

NHTSA ODI #11521556

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2023
Air BagsSeats

There is a known issue with the passenger seat occupancy sensor that trips the airbag/seatblet lights and, I assume, doesn't turn off the airbag in the applicable situations.

NHTSA ODI #11516087

148,000 miles · Mar 31, 2023
Air Bags

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the air bag mat sensor on the passenger’s side needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notifi…

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The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the air bag mat sensor on the passenger’s side needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

NHTSA ODI #11514824

Official recalls

1

23V337000 · Electrical System

May 11, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.