MYRModel Year Report

2011 Mini Cooper S

▲ Better than typical
2011 Mini Cooper S
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:48:50.771Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mini Cooper S Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 2002: 83 complaints 2002 2003: 217 complaints 2004: 247 complaints 2005: 314 complaints 2005 2006: 186 complaints 2007: 249 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 119 complaints 2010: 59 complaints 2011: 31 complaints 2011 2012: 23 complaints 2013: 24 complaints 2014: 13 complaints 2014 2015: 18 complaints 2016: 9 complaints 2017: 5 complaints 2017 2019: 5 complaints 2020: 5 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaints 2024: 1 complaints 2025: 3 complaints 2025
2011: 31 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
200283
2003217
2004247
2005314
2006186
2007249
2008168
2009119
201059
201131
201223
201324
201413
201518
20169
20175
20195
20205
20210
20221
20241
20253

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 52%

52% of complaints: engine — 16 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171107

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20161228

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 52%

52% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180819

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171107

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240822

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 3 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3%

3% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 1 distinct report on file.

STRUCTURE 3%

3% of complaints: structure — 1 distinct report on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20161228

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20111011 — PE (closed 20120611)

Engine compartment fire

R 20120229 — engine and engine cooling

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, 2009-20

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.

Campaign 12V008000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180615 — engine and engine cooling

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...

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.

Campaign 18V248000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240513 — electrical system

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,...

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.

Campaign 23V337000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Mini Cooper S — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12V008000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V248000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V337000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2002 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

◆ 2005 ◆ 2007 ◆ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 Mini Cooper S reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Mini Cooper S is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mini Cooper S?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Mini Cooper S have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.