Skip to content
MINI Cooper SModel year report

2011 MINI Cooper S Problems

Compared with other MINI Cooper S years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.3× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,008miles, 22 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
30 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 35 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 MINI Cooper S (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2011 MINI Cooper S. The part named most often is electrical system, with 16 complaints (52% of the total), followed by engine (16) and air bags (3). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 32% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,008 miles. Of all complaints, 5 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 152 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 41 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 36 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 3 MINI Cooper S model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11416640, filed 2021-05, 100,472 miles

Engine: “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 the engine at that time.”

NHTSA complaint #10937963, filed 2016-12, 70,000 miles

Air bags: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11287524, filed 2019-12, 80,000 miles

Other or unknown: “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”

NHTSA complaint #11649399, filed 2025-03

Mileage when problems were reported

32% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 47,000 and 85,000 miles.

5%0–105%10–2523%25–5023%50–7527%75–10018%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (22 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,008 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2013201520175201920232025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 MINI Cooper S. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Cooper S Hardtop · hatchback FWDnot rated———5 · 10.1% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 MINI Cooper S version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cooper S FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual273530$2,750
Cooper S FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 MINI Cooper S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 152 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 152 bulletins →

Other model years of the MINI Cooper S

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202054,7142—30—Not enough data
2019540,8301—27—Not enough data
2017617,2003—27—Not enough data
20161042,0003428—Not enough data
20151833,8104428—Rising
20141325,0004—29—Not enough data
20132449,4001—29—Rising
20122386,0002—30—Rising
20113165,0083—300 · FewerRising
20105962,6354—2947 · TypicalFalling
200911952,0623—2953 · TypicalRising
200816853,6004—2972 · MoreFalling
200724952,0004—28Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200618655,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200531466,0002—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200424774,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200321770,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20028375,4151——Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All MINI Cooper S model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 MINI Cooper S have?

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2011 MINI Cooper S as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 MINI Cooper S is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 16 complaints (52% of the total), followed by engine with 16.

Has the 2011 MINI Cooper S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 MINI Cooper S get?

The EPA rates the 2011 MINI Cooper S (Cooper S, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 MINI Cooper S reported?

Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,008 miles and the middle half falls between 47,000 and 85,000 miles; 32% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.