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Electrical systemPart report

2011 MINI Cooper S Electrical system Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
52%of 31 total for the year
Median mileage
60,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 MINI Cooper S, 52% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11120962, filed 2018-08, 60,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11044039, filed 2017-11, 41,000 miles

“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

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11627182, filed 2024-11

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020120%
2019240%
2017117%
2016220%
2015211%
2013938%
20121357%
20111652%
201047%
20091311%
200885%
2007135%
20062312%
2005237%
2004198%
2003146%
2002911%

Other parts of the 2011 MINI Cooper S

Engine
16 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 MINI Cooper S

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology