2011 Mini Cooper S Convertible problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (2) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1) · Air Bags (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mini Cooper S Convertible model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2018-04-18 · campaign 18V248000 · 47,806 vehicles
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
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 recommen
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2012-01-11 · campaign 12V008000 · 90,368 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (137)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-05-06 · M010616 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2026-04-30 · M610226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a 12-volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programming procedure- the mini footwell module (frm) may become unresponsive. as a result, one or more of the following vehicle electric system-related issues may occur: headlights including the high bea
Electrical System 2025-03-18 · M010616 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Structure:body 2025-02-21 · M010616 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2023-10-25 · M610607 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. as a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system can have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. for this rea
Wheels 2021-12-01 · M360119 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
new rdc wheel electronics will be introduced with future generation mini models. the new wheel electronics are identified as huf generation 5. these new wheel electronics will need to be programmed using the new tool when replaced or when depressurized (0 psi) for more than 2 minutes.
Showing the 6 most recent of 137 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-06-27 · Electrical System · 66,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 mini cooper convertible. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the electronics operated erratically and had limited functionality. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the electronic control module inside the footwell had shorted ou…”
2019-04-28 · Air Bags“airbag light indicating faulty device. the indications started to appears randomly and most for the passenger seat however today is on all time.…”
2016-10-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 38,000 mi · 🔥 fire“i drove 20 feet out of my garage and smelt a surfer smell. i put my convertible top down, put the car in park walked around to see if it was smoking or if the smell was coming from the engine or mufflers. when i could not detect where the smell was coming from, i put the top back up, closing it and turned the car off. i locked the car and went into…”
2012-03-23 · Electrical System · 19,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 mini cooper convertible. the contact stated that the front driver side door would not unlock when using the key fob. in order to enter the vehicle, the contact had to use the front passenger door. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that no failure was present. the manufacturer was…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.