MINI · Cooper · 2011
1
Recall
81
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2011 MINI Cooper has 1 recall and 81 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: electrical system (30 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
Remedy Status
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
My Mini Cooper has been showing repeated warnings stating “Start-off assistance inactive. Caution: vehicle may roll back!” for some time. This issue appears to relate to an existing recall involving potential electrical and starter/rollaway defects. The vehicle also has a persistent front parking light malfunction and intermittent electrical issues with the windows, which stop mid-way and roll back down automatically when the car shifts gears or moves slightly. In addition, the battery repeatedly dies, even though it was replaced with a brand-new one a few months ago. This suggests an underlying electrical drain or short, which could increase the risk of electrical fire or vehicle failure while driving. These malfunctions create significant safety concerns, as the vehicle may roll backward when stopped on an incline and could pose a fire risk due to the known recall. The car has not been safe to drive. The closest Mini dealership (Flow Mini of Raleigh - about 2 hours away) confirmed that the recall is open but refused to provide or authorize a tow, even after I explained that the vehicle could not be safely driven to their location about 2 hours away. The problem has been ongoing for several years, worsening over time. Warning messages appear intermittently but frequently, especially during start-up or when stopped on slopes. Mini USA has not inspected or repaired the vehicle, and their representatives have stated they will not assist with transport to the dealership despite the known recall risk. I called MINI USA directly, and recorded the whole ordeal. I was forwarded to 5 different departments, and the last person stated that because my car is out of warranty that there’s nothing they can do to help me - that any tow I opt for would have to be out-of-pocket. I was in the middle of explaining to her that my car has these very specific warnings and issues associated with this recall that is solely the fault of Mini, and she hung up on me.
After receiving your notice regarding my MiniCooper (VIN [XXX] ), I contacted my local dealer, Motor City Mini (where I purchased the vehicle) to schedule the inspection, and repairs if necessary. I was informed that the earliest inspection would be in September and they would need to keep the vehicle for several weeks to do the inspection. If repairs are required, they would need to keep 'the vehicle 'for additional weeks or months to complete the work. Loaner vehicles would not be available. In your letter, you state, "If your MINI dealer is unable to remedy the defect ...within a reasonable period of time, you may notify the Administrator. .." . I consider weeks to inspect and month(s) to repair unreasonable. Please advise on how I should proceed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I bought a used 2011 MINI Cooper S (R56) and it had a recall for the footwell module (FRM). I took it to the local MINI dealership and they said that MINI would not honor the recall because the FRM was replaced with a used FRM that was not properly programmed. They want to charge me over $1000 new FRM. I believe that the previous owner of the vehicle replaced the FRM before the recall. I believe that the corrosion that has lead to the recall affected the car before MINI announced the recall and the previous owner, to save money, replaced the FRM using a used part.
There has been a recall on my mini Cooper for sometime now. Over a year and a half at least. We have been patiently waiting for the remedy and still, do not have one. Our car, at times has become inoperable due to this recall. We took it to an auto shop, they ran a test and confirmed that the issues we are receiving are from the recall. I feel like this issue is taking a very long time for mini to fix and it is putting us out of money and causing lots of stress to us. I am filing this complaint in hopes this can provide a solution to us and mini.
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The passenger front seat airbag sensor is malfunctioning on a large number of these vehicles. Doing an Internet search for my fault code, 93C3 reveals a lot of discussion about the problem. there had been a recall on earlier Mini Coopers for the same problem. I suspect they have not solved the problem and there should be a recall for this R 56 model.
found fault code:2BDL4 MONITORING POWER SUPPLY 3 SENSOR CY320 CONTROL UNIT LOGGING ECCENTRIC SHAFT SENSOR VOLTAGES OUTSIDE OF THRESHOLDS FOUND ENGINE CONTROL UNIT FAULTY
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering while starting. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 15-20 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering and turning off intermittently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to pull to the side of the road each time the failure occurred. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered. The contact was able to drive to a nearby independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was overheating while starting, and that the vehicle was still running even after being turned off. The vehicle was being diagnosed but was not yet repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the footwell control module had failed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
There are no open recalls on my car. I am needing physical proof/documentation that the recall part has been replaced. The car is having issues stalling/losing power while driving. The dealership claims there is nothing wrong with the car and if they can't recreate failure then the car is deemed fine to drive. This car was purchased for my 16yr old son as a daily driver. After multiple weeks of the car being at The Mini of Tempe Dealership, they released the car back to me because there is "nothing wrong" with the car. I took it to another specialized Mini mechanic in the area for a second opinion. This mechanic states the cause of intermittent failure is from the Auxillary Coolant Pump for the Turbo. This is the same part that was a safety recall for potential fire. I have no record of this part ever being replaced. As described in the recall, the car is at risk of fire. Recall campaign #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electrical system became inoperable. The contact stated the turn signals and the lights were not functioning as intended. The contact also stated that the doors and the window power switches were inoperable. The contact stated that due to the electrical failure, the turn signals could not be used while driving which presented a safety hazard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Footwell Control Module - (FRM) was dead after battery dead. It had a safety recall repot 23V-337 on the same model and year of my vehicle BUT mine is not on the list? A extended warranty was found till 2021 and mine had problem since 2014, and I paid dealership for inspection for at least 6 times, and it was still not got replaced till it was dead completely currently.
My passenger seat airbag warning is illuminated, with associated chime. I am also getting a orange warning light indicating the passenger airbag is inop. This is intermittent with a passenger occupying the passenger seat. lights go on and off with movement of the passenger. There is a current recall for the convertible model of the R56 Mini Cooper.
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000(Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact started to lower the convertible top, and the glass shattered before the convertible glass closed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
trouble code: 93C3 ACSM/MRS: Seat-occupancy detector, passenger
Changed out the battery and now my windows and lights and locks are not working
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2011 MINI Cooper has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 81 owner-reported complaints for the 2011 MINI Cooper.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2011 MINI Cooper.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2011 MINI Cooper are electrical system (30 reports), air bags (15 reports), engine (10 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2011 MINI Cooper. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.