2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible has a complaint index of 14, ranking 7th of 8 model years for reported problems, with 4 complaints logged to NHTSA and 2 recalls. Electrical System issues make up 75% of its complaints, though overall volume is low.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 14/100
- #7 of 8 Cooper S Convertible years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 4
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System3 (75%)
- Airbags1 (25%)
- Brakes1 (25%)
- Fuel System1 (25%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Door lock actuators fail to respond to the key fob, forcing owners to use the passenger door instead.
- Electronics behave erratically on startup, with the check engine light on and reduced functionality tied to a water leak that shorted the footwell control module.
- A brake-related smell was reported shortly after driving the car, with smoke or fire noted at 38,000 miles median mileage.
- The airbag warning light illuminates intermittently, most often flagged for the passenger seat.
2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V248000Apr 18, 2018Engine47,806 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
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 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
- NHTSA 12V008000Jan 11, 2012Engine90,368 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
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.
Remedy: 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.
2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,750
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Cooper S Convertible years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 4 complaints for the 2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible, giving it a complaint index of 14, but it still ranks 7th out of 8 model years for reported problems.
- What is the most common problem on the 2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible?
- Electrical System complaints make up 75% of all reports for this year, including door lock and control module failures.
- Does the 2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible have any recalls?
- Yes, it has 2 recalls, both related to the engine, including a water pump replacement campaign covering 2009-2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible models.
- How does the 2011 model compare to other MINI Cooper S Convertible years?
- The 2011 model's complaint index of 14 ranks 7th of 8 years, better than the 2005 and 2006 model years, which scored 100 and 86 respectively.