2011 MINI Cooper S Electrical System Problems
The Electrical System accounts for 16 of 31 complaints (52%) filed against the 2011 MINI Cooper S, with a median failure mileage of 60,000. NHTSA recall 23V337000 covers sunroof drain and interior water intrusion issues tied to electrical faults, though several owners report parts delays.
- Electrical System complaints
- 16
- 52% of 31 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 31
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 60,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report engine-compartment fires and smoke, including one fire that started while the car was parked with the ignition off.
- Some drivers experienced sudden, repeated loss of drive power for several seconds while accelerating onto highways, with no warning lights.
- Multiple owners describe a coolant leak onto the thermostat housing sensor that MINI acknowledged as a design issue with potential to cause electrical fires.
- Several complaints describe turn signal bulbs failing repeatedly even after replacement.
- A cluster of owners reported being notified of recall 23V337000 but told replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period.
- One owner traced a stalling issue with no start to cracked solder joints on a relay controlling the low-pressure fuel pump.
When 2011 MINI Cooper S electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 11, 2012, latest Jul 24, 2025.
Electrical System recalls for the 2011 MINI Cooper S
- NHTSA 23V337000May 11, 2023Electrical System97,933 vehicles
Electrical system
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.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System complaints by Cooper S model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Are electrical problems common on the 2011 MINI Cooper S?
- Yes. Electrical System complaints make up 52% of all complaints filed for this model year, 16 out of 31 total, the highest share of any problem area for the 2011 model.
- Is there a recall for the 2011 MINI Cooper S electrical system?
- Yes, recall 23V337000 covers 2011 MINI Cooper S vehicles for sunroof drain and interior footwell water intrusion that can affect the FRM electrical module. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- At what mileage do electrical problems usually show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 60,000 miles at the time electrical failures were reported.
- Have the electrical issues caused fires or injuries?
- NHTSA records show 2 fires and 2 injuries linked to Electrical System complaints on the 2011 MINI Cooper S, out of 0 crashes.
- Have owners had trouble getting the recall fixed?
- Several 2023 and 2024 complaints describe owners being notified of recall 23V337000 but told replacement parts were not yet available, with one owner reporting their vehicle was removed from the recall list without repair.