2011 Mini Cooper S

Routine

Owners filed 31 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System15
022
Engine10
020
Air Bags2
000
Structure › Body1
010
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
000
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System23V337000
Filed May 11, 202397,933 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger18V248000
Filed Apr 18, 201847,806 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger12V008000
Filed Jan 11, 201290,368 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jul 24, 2025WA

Failure of the Footwell Module failed due to corrosion by water intrusion as diagnosed by Mini Dealership. Windows, Turn signals and lights were inoperable as a result of failure. This matched the situation outlined in your recall notice Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-337. Car matched the model/years affected/listed in recall. However, Mini Dealer informed me my VIN was not listed in their recall. Subsequent research indicated that NHTSA/Mini limited the recall to cars purchased cars sold or registered in specific states (not part of the Safety recall report). Ref NEF-107DM dated 5/19/2023. I drove car in those states but did not buy or register the vehicle in them. I encourage you to have Mini extend it's recall/warranty to all vehicles which exhibit the safety failure.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 20, 2025CA

My mini after the shop installed a new battery, the power windows don't work( can not roll up or down) as well as the lightning. I saw there is a recall for the footwell module for model 2007-2014 but when I call Mini, the agent told me that my car is not covered. This is a very expensive and important part to replace so please help me the best that you can. Thanks

Electrical System
Filed Mar 20, 202577,800 milesCA

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S. The contact recently replaced the 12-Volt battery; however, while attempting to roll down the windows, the windows failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the running lights and fog lights were inoperable. The contact stated that the battery was replaced at a tire and battery shop. The contact drove the vehicle back to the shop and was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired. The contact had researched online and related the vehicle failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,800.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 7, 2025CT

Car stalls while driving and will not start again. No codes thrown. Found relay K96 on Junction Box Electronics module to have cracked through-hole solder joints resulting in bad continuity. Relay K96 supplies power to the low pressure fuel pump in the tank, thus with bad continuity, the pump gets no power. Relay K96 P/N is NEC Philippines P/N EP2F-B3G1ST. This issue has happened to many other people with the same car that I know. I suspect heat cycles over time stressed and fatigued the solder joints, causing the joint to crack. Overall the circuit board layout needs a heat sink for the relay to alleviate the heat produced from operation. I am IPC certified and work with aircraft engine electronics regularly and have seen similar issues.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 25, 2024IN

The car was on BMW-MINI recall list and after I made a complaint of non-compliance with the recall, BMW removed my particular vehicle from the recall list without remedying the problem.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 22, 202496,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that several warning lights were illuminated erroneously. Additionally, the door locks were locking and unlocking independently. The contact also stated that the sunroof was opening or closing without driver and passenger input. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 4, 2024FL

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contacts daughter called the dealer but could not identify which dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 31, 2023VA

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electric System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 30, 2023ME

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 31, 2023135,000 milesMI

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was informed that the left turn signal light was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where the left turn signal light bulb was replaced twice; however, the failure recurred 30 minutes later each time. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake lights were inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 30, 2023FL

All air bags lights are on. Indicates airbags are deactivated.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 26, 2021TX

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V248000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Electrical System
Filed May 14, 2021100,472 milesCA

ON 05/06/2021, I PURCHASED A USED 2011 MINI COOPER S TURBO. TWO DAYS LATER, I WENT TO START THE CAR, AND IMMEDIATELY SMELLED SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. WHEN I LIFTED UP HOOD, I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY UNHOOKED THE TWO BATTERY CABLES. I CALLED THE CAR LOT THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT YEAR MINI HAD ISSUES WITH A COMPUTER BOARD OVERHEATING PAND SOMETIMES EVEN STARTING FIRES EVEN WHEN THE CAR ISN'T RUNNING. I HAVE A MEHANIC SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY TO REPAIR THE CAR.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger
Filed Dec 6, 201980,000 milesNJ

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.

Electrical SystemFire1 injured
Filed Aug 19, 201860,000 milesFL

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 FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE MINI'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION YIELDED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE TO AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR THE CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP. THE FAILURE IGNITED NEARBY COMBUSTIBLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 12V-008, WHICH AFFECTED 88,911 BMW VEHICLES. IT IS UNKNOWN WHY OUR MINI WAS NOT RECALLED AND OR INCLUDED IN THAT CAMPAIGN. BMW MANUFACTURES MINIS, AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES, AND IT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF SEVERAL RECENT NATIONAL MEDIA REPORTS INVOLVING NUMEROUS "UNEXPLAINED" VEHICLE FIRES FOR WHICH THEY HAVE NOT ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY OR PROVIDED PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR. TO DATE, BMW HAS FAILED TO DO EITHER OF THE LATTER WITH REGARDS TO OUR FIRE. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENABLING THE NHTSA TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION OF SAVING LIVES AND PREVENTING ADDITIONAL INJURIES.

Engine
Filed Jul 3, 201885,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RAY CATENA MINI OF WESTCHESTER, 9543 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 1, 201880,000 milesNC

THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THE FAN KEPT RUNNING EVEN AFTER CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THE GADGE WOULD READ COLD THAT HOT. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC CLAIMED IT WAS A SAFETY MECHANISM TO KEEP CAR FROM OVER HEATING, HAD THE CAR FOR 4 WEEK AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF SHOWING THE SAME ISSUE. THE THERMOSTAT WAS NOT CORRECT ALSO. THIS WAS CITY IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, ONCE IT COOLED OFF IT WOULD START FINE, BUT THEN JUST CUT OFF, EACH TIME IT STOP I JUST HAD IT TOWED WHICH WAS 3 TIMES RATHER THAN DRIVING IT , I JUST DID NOT TRUST THE VEHICLE

Electrical SystemFire1 injured
Filed Nov 7, 201741,000 milesTX

MY MINI COOPER WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. ON AUGUST 10, 2017 I MOVED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE TO GET TO SOME THINGS IN MY GARAGE. WHEN I BACKED IT BACK IN, I HEARD A POP AND WITHIN MINUTES I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. WE HAD TO CALL 911 AND THEY TOLD US WE COULD NOT LEAVE THE CAR IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE OF THE FIRE INCIDENT. WE HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL SO THAT WE COULD MOVE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE WITHOUT STARTING THE CAR. ONCE PARKED ON THE DRIVE WAY, MY CAR PROCEEDED TO SMOLDER TWO MORE TIMES. WE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND FINALLY ALL THE SMOKING STOPPED. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE BMW MOMENTUM DEALERSHIP SINCE AUGUST 12, 2017 WITH NO RESOLUTION ON WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. ACCORDING TO MINI, THEY WERE SENDING A FIRE SPECIALIST TO SEE MY CAR WHICH THEY SAID WOULD TAKE SOME TIME. MY CAR WAS FINALLY LOOKED AT THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER AND AS OF THIS EMAIL, BMW HAS NOT INFORMED ME AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THIS INCIDENT IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. MY THREE KIDS WERE UPSTAIRS DOING HOMEWORK WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD I NOT PAID ATTENTION TO THE POP I HEARD AND CLOSED THE GARAGE DOOR, THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN ON FIRE IN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE WITH ALL OF US IN THE HOUSE. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE ABOUT 8 PM AS WE WERE WINDING DOWN FOR THE DAY. THE OUTCOME OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. I WANT RESOLUTION TO THIS WHOLE INCIDENT WHICH AS OF TODAY BMW HAS NOT GIVEN ME AN

Engine
Filed Nov 6, 2017130,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SOUTH BAY MINI IN TORRANCE, CA, 310-939-7150), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A CODE FROM THE SPARK PLUG. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER WAS PUNCTURED AND LEAKED OIL; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZED IN MINI VEHICLES AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING TENSIONER EXPLODED AND PUNCTURED THE VALVE COVER. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER (UNIVERSAL CITY MINI IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA, 8148-452-1139) AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

EngineFire
Filed Jun 5, 2017100,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

20 of 31 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20253300Routine
20241000Routine
20221000Routine
20210200Routine
20205200Routine
20195100Routine
20175300Routine
20169320Routine
201518420Routine
201413400Routine
201324100Routine
201223220Routine
2011 — this page31350Routine
201059450Routine
2009119340Routine
20081684100Routine
20072494140Above average
2006186190Routine
20053142171Fatalities reported
2004247250Above average
20032172211Fatalities reported
200283150Routine

Compare every Cooper S year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.