10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,028 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Mini Cooper electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Mini Cooper Owner Comments

problem #15

Sep 172022

Cooper

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had several repairs recently that I found that were part of a recall after the fact. This includes the Electric Auxilillary Water Pump and Timing Chair replacement and repair of damaged parts. They refused to reimburse me for the water pump repair that should have been covered. Secondly, when the timing chain fails as it did in my case can cause $2000- $5000+ in damages. My shop is stating this would be a very expensive repair. There is information that the timing chain warranty was extended because of a class action lawsuit and is now covered up to 100,000 miles. I am well within that range. My goal is to get compensation for the recall work and coverage for the timing chain.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #14

Nov 112021

Cooper

  • miles
The lighting and small system computer or FRM module. This module controls any features including safety features on the car. Also known as the footwell module. After having AAA install a new battery within days the widows would not go down my turn signals, hazard lights, dash lights, courtesy lights, tail lights, horn, high beam headlights and possibly airbags don-€™t work. Mini will fix the problem if the car is ten years old or less, but any car that is older doesn-€™t qualify. Mini goes by Manufacturing date of the car. My but It was not sold into service until 2011. They refuse to fix it and the repair cost was $1828.24. I have had other problems as well. Mini needs to acknowledge this problem issue a recall and refund those of us that have been victimized by not making this a recall issue. Mini must be confronted by NHTSA put on notice, considering these are major safety issues that could result in injury or death. Part number= FP 61-35-6-827-072

- Mira Loma, CA, USA

problem #13

Oct 302020

Cooper

  • miles
The lighting and small system computer or FRM module. This module controls any features including safety features on the car. My turn signals, hazard lights, dash lights, courtesy lights, tail lights, windows, horn, high beam headlights and possibly airbags don-€™t work. Mini will fix the problem if the car is ten years old or less, but any car that is older doesn-€™t qualify. My car is a 2011 but I bought it new in 2012. They refuse to fix it and the repair cost is around $2000. I have had so many other problems with my car that have cost me several thousands of dollars and I feel like Mini should fix this problem considering these are safety features that could result in injury or death.

- Seabrook , TX, USA

problem #12

May 112021

Cooper

  • 100,472 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 05/06/2021, I purchased a used 2011 MINICooper 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 MINIhad 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.

- Redding, CA, USA

problem #11

Mar 152019

Cooper

  • 74,000 miles
My MINICooper failed exterior lights including turn signals, marker lights, and hazard lamps. MINICooper footwell module oem R56 gen2 failed lighting on exterior lights.

- North Attleboro, MA, USA

problem #10

May 092018

Cooper

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 MINICooper. 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 MINIof 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.

- New Rochelle, NY, USA

problem #9

May 012016

Cooper

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I owned a 2011 MINICooper S ("MINIvehicle that caused a fire and injuries at our home. The fire was discovered while the MINIwas parked in our garage with the ignition off. The fire destroyed our residence, personal property and two vehicles, including the aforementioned MINIFire authorities determined that the fire originated in the MINIs 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 MINIwas 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.

- Weston, FL, USA

problem #8

Aug 102017

Cooper

  • 41,000 miles
My MINIcooper 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 MINIthey 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 any indication as to what caused the fire.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #7

Feb 142017

Cooper

  • 53,000 miles
Known issue with thermostat housing & sensor - MINIhas acknowledged a known design issue that causes coolant to leak onto the thermostat sensor. Full replacement is recommended with updated design at customer's cost. Manufacturer should cover this cost since this is an engineering design defect and may lead to potential electrical fires. Affected parts are the thermostat housing, thermostat, thermostat sensor, upper radiator hose & crossover tube. Please refer to manufacturer's communication post: 10049421, 10046779, & 10045301.

- Ballston Spa, NY, USA

problem #6

Aug 192016

Cooper

  • 130,000 miles
Car malfunctioned to include, high beams, blinkers and window mechanisms. MINIservice department acknowledged that this is a known issue.

- Barstow, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 282016

Cooper

  • 51,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 MINICooper convertible. While driving at an unknown speed, the lights on the instrument panel illuminated without warning. The passenger seat sensor malfunctioned and needed to be replaced in order not to affect the air bag functionality. Upon shifting the weight on the seat, the lights near the odometer illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 51,000.

- North Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #4

Jun 082014

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
MINICooper 2011 overheated and blew off radiator hoses while driving on fwy- engine damage and head replacement.. dealer is saying bottom radiator hose must have come off and leaked coolant. Just had it serviced.

- Martinez, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 012013

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 29,898 miles
Airbag seat sensors are faulty. They are turning off the airbags even thought the driver and passenger are seated.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 262013

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 15,543 miles
This is the 2nd time this has happened. I filed a complaint the first time in 2012. Here is the complaint than and it is a repeat of the same problem. I have checked the web and others have experienced this same design problem I have spent $1,100 already and now an required to pay another $1,400 for the same problem. I went on-line and others have had this problem. I wrote the dealer and MINICooper/BMW about this and received a rude denial. Here is the issue (#2): "TL* the contact owns a 2011 MINICooper. The contact stated that the gear link became stuck as the contact was attempting to reverse from a driveway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised that coffee had leaked into the gear shifter and caused the failure. The dealer stated advised that because the cup holder was above the gear shifter, the design would allow any spilled liquid to easily enter the shifter. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and the current mileage was 5,000. Updated 03/23/12 the consumer stated the coffee holder sits right over the area where the dealer sated coffee ruined the transmission component. It is not sealed and the placement of a liquid holder over a vulnerable expensive piece of electrical equipment without adequate protection is a negligent design. Updated evoq 04/18/12" [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #1

Apr 042012

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 6,500 miles
As I was accelerating while merging onto a highway, at approximately 55-60 mph, it felt as if the car lost all power from the drive train. The power reengaged about a second later, and over the next 5-10 seconds the car lost power/reengaged two more times. No warning lights were triggered on the dash. I've taken the car into dealership and referenced service bulletin number sim12-02-11/NHTSA item number 10040855. Dealer reports that because it cannot replicate the issue and there are no reported fault codes, it appears that there is nothing wrong with my car, therefore it cannot confirm if I'm on most recent software or perform software update to fix error referenced in the service bulletin.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

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