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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

What owners actually said

83 reports
88,462 miles · Dec 30, 2020
Interior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL DOWN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR AND THE CLIP FRACTURED CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN MOTORCARS (2801 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409) HOWEVER, THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL DOWN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR AND THE CLIP FRACTURED CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN MOTORCARS (2801 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,462.

NHTSA ODI #11385605

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2019
Air Bags

THE LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IN ON. (RED) EVERY TIME. 94,166 MLS

NHTSA ODI #11291691

84,000 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Engine

EXHAUST VANOS SOLENOID FAILURE 06/12/2019. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE TO MINI'S AND BMW'S THAT OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS WHICH INTERRUPTS THE POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM. BMW WHO MANUFACTURES THE PART HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART ON BMW'S TO 10 YEARS BUT HAS NOT YET ADDRESSED ALL THE ISSUES THAT MINI OWNERS HAVE HAD WITH …

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EXHAUST VANOS SOLENOID FAILURE 06/12/2019. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE TO MINI'S AND BMW'S THAT OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS WHICH INTERRUPTS THE POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM. BMW WHO MANUFACTURES THE PART HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART ON BMW'S TO 10 YEARS BUT HAS NOT YET ADDRESSED ALL THE ISSUES THAT MINI OWNERS HAVE HAD WITH THE PARTICULAR PART. THERE ARE TWO IN THE ENGINE AND THEY ARE IDENTICAL (INTAKE/EXHAUST) COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $500. WHY DOES BMW GET A REPLACEMENT AND MINI OWNERS HAVE TO PAY. THE CAR GOES INTO A LIMP MODE WHEN FAILURE OCCURS, SO STILL DRIVABLE BUT AT REDUCED POWER. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND PREVALENT IN BOTH MINI FORUMS AND BMW FORUMS. THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOR MINI OWNERS PART # 11-36-8-610-388. IT IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ODI #11234357

60,000 miles · Jul 13, 2019
Engine

THERMOSTAT & HOUSING PLUS WATER PUMP HAVE BEEN REPLACED. CAR STILL RUNS TEMPS IN EXCESS OF 230 BEFORE FAN WILL COME ON. I AM FEARFUL THE ENGINE MAY GET ON FIRE DUE TO HEAT AND THEREFORE, I AM NOT DRIVING IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REMOVED 2 RELAYS, ONE OF WHICH CONTROLLED THE ENGINE FAN. I REPLACED THE RELAY.

NHTSA ODI #11231627

74,000 miles · Apr 17, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY MINI COOPER FAILED EXTERIOR LIGHTS INCLUDING TURN SIGNALS, MARKER LIGHTS, AND HAZARD LAMPS. MINI COOPER FOOTWELL MODULE OEM R56 GEN2 FAILED LIGHTING ON EXTERIOR LIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #11196984

85,000 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING, A BURNING ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING, A BURNING ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RAY CATENA MINI OF WESTCHESTER (LOCATED AT 543 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607, (914) 347-6464) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE BOOT AND ALL THE CONNECTORS FOR THE TURBO HOSES MELTED. IN ADDITION, A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE OIL HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 11105312. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #11151193

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2018
Engine

2011 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI #11120330

56,000 miles · Apr 5, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11083492

75,000 miles · Sep 26, 2017
Power Train

I DO NOT OWN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE, BUT I AM IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. I HAVE ATTACHED 3 PHOTOGRAPHS OF A CLUTCH RELEASE FORK FOR THIS VEHICLE. NOTE THE RED ARROWS ON THE PHOTOS. PLEASE NOT THE PHOTO OF THE NEW CLUTCH RELEASE FORK AND THE STAMPING FLAW THE ARROWS ARE POINTING TO. NOW LOOK AT THE OTHER BROKEN CLUTCH FORKS AND WH…

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I DO NOT OWN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE, BUT I AM IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. I HAVE ATTACHED 3 PHOTOGRAPHS OF A CLUTCH RELEASE FORK FOR THIS VEHICLE. NOTE THE RED ARROWS ON THE PHOTOS. PLEASE NOT THE PHOTO OF THE NEW CLUTCH RELEASE FORK AND THE STAMPING FLAW THE ARROWS ARE POINTING TO. NOW LOOK AT THE OTHER BROKEN CLUTCH FORKS AND WHERE THE BREAK OCCURRED. THE BREAK OCCURRED AT THE SAME POSITION ON THE FORK. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS A SAFETY CONCERN. IF THE FORK BREAKS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE AND/OR THE CLUTCH WOULD STAY ENGAGED WHILE TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI #11030007

60,000 miles · May 17, 2017
EnginePower Train

HALF ENGINE LIGHT COME ON DURING DRIVING WHILE CHANGE LANE ON THE FREEWAY, AND GOING UP HELL. NOT LOSING POWER TURBO WORKING FINE. DEALER REPLACE VACUUM PUMP BUT NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. HALF ENGINE LIGHT COME OFF WHEN YOU DRIVE FROM PARK WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL INCREASING RPM TO 15OO, ON THE FREEWAY OR UP ON THE HELL THE HAL…

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HALF ENGINE LIGHT COME ON DURING DRIVING WHILE CHANGE LANE ON THE FREEWAY, AND GOING UP HELL. NOT LOSING POWER TURBO WORKING FINE. DEALER REPLACE VACUUM PUMP BUT NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. HALF ENGINE LIGHT COME OFF WHEN YOU DRIVE FROM PARK WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL INCREASING RPM TO 15OO, ON THE FREEWAY OR UP ON THE HELL THE HALF LIGHT COME BACK ON. DEALER CAN NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10986139

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.