CSR

MINI · NHTSA safety record

2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

12

Complaints

2

Crashes

2

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman have filed 12 safety complaints with NHTSA between January 2012 and January 2025. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 7 of them (58%). The typical failure was reported at 54,000 miles, the median across the 7 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

18V248000 · April 18, 2018

The 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 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.
The risk
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 47,806 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

12V008000 · January 11, 2012

The 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.
The risk
THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The 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.

BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC · up to 90,368 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

11V299000 · May 25, 2011

The defect
BMW Is recalling certain model year 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman vehicles manufactured from February 8, 2011, through May 11, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard No. 101, "Controls and Displays." These vehicles are equipped with a European specification tachometer that uses brake-system telltales/symbols that do not meet U.S. requirements.
The risk
In the event of an ABS system problem, only the the outer circle of the symbol illuminates, not the ABS letters. As such, the driver may be unaware that there is a problem with the ABS, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
All affected vehicles have been repaired at dealerships. Therefore, an owner notification letter will not be issued for this campaign. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC · up to 75 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Engine compartment fire

PE11036

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened October 11, 2011 · closed June 11, 2012 · led to recall 12V008000

the engine and its cooling

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 12.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 58%
ENGINE 4 33%
AIR BAGS 3 25%
SEATS 2 17%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 8%
STEERING 1 8%
STRUCTURE 1 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 8%
WHEELS 1 8%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 2.

2012 2017 2025
2012 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 59,000 miles

MY MINI COOPER WAS REAR ENDED, AND I WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE VIOLENTLY. NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, MY SEAT FULLY RECLINED DURING THE IMPACT, AND MY HEAD REST BROKE OUT OF ITS BASE. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT, AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint 10986254. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

fire

I PARKED MY MINI CLUBMAN S AND WENT INSIDE A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FOR ONLY 10 MINUTES, WHEN I RETURNED TO MY MINI, I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I RELEASED THE HOOD LATCH AND TRIED WITHOUT SUCCESS TO OPEN THE HOOD. A NEARBY WITNESS CALLED OUT TO ME AS HE RAN TO ASSIST WITH AN EXTINGUISHER REALIZING MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND STOOD HELPLESSLY WATCHING AS MY 4-MONTH OLD CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS WARNINGS DISPLAYED...IF MY DOG, WHO TRAVELS WITH ME QUITE OFTEN HAD BEEN IN THE CAR AS I WENT INSIDE, I CANNOT IMAGINE HOW I WOULD BE FEELING RIGHT NOW...LOSING THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT, AND NOW, I REALIZE HOW

NHTSA complaint 10443236, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · 40,000 miles

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, AFTER DRIVING IT FOR THREE MILES IN THE RAIN. THE ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10664381. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

crash · towed · 99,999 miles

I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN GOING ON A 35MPH STREET AND MY CAR DID NOT TURN RIGHT WHEN I TRIED TO GO INTO A STREET AND IT WENT STRAIGHT INTO A TREE AND MY CAR WAS ALMOST OR MAY BE TOTALED BECAUSE OF THIS. I BELIEVE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FAULTY. I COULD HAVE HIT A CONCRETE WALL BUT THE TREE I RAN INTO SAVED MY LIFE. I AM NOT SURE IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER REPORTS FOR THIS LATELY BUT I WANT TO BE SAFE AND IF THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT FUNCTION RIGHT THEN I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS.

NHTSA complaint 11104507. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MINI/BMW ISSUED RECALL INFORMATION MAY OF 2023 FOR THE FRM ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT, AS OF 12/30/2024 THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, TOYOTA WEBSITE SAYS THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON A RESOLUTION. DEALERS OFFER NO SOLUTION TO PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE RECALL WAS ISSUED. NHTSA Recall Number - 23V337

NHTSA complaint 11633027. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Clubman. 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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint 11580147. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

50,000 miles

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact stated that water was entering the motherboard and fuse box. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA complaint 11534408. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

54,000 miles

THE PASSENGERS SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND IT WON'T ALLOW ANY AIRBAG TO ACTIVATE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED.

NHTSA complaint 11395359. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

77,200 miles

ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 6 MONTHS. ON THE WAY TO THE MINI OF SAN DIEGO DEALERSHIP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE, THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AS I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS STILL IN MOTION AND ON THE STREET. I WAS COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY. I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THERE WERE OVERHEATING LIGHTS AND SMOKE A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE SO DISCONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL MY APPOINTMENT WITH MINI OF SAN DIEGO. THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, THERE WAS NO INDICATION LIGHT OF OVERHEATING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ONLY 15 MINS AWAY FROM MY HOME. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE MODEL OF MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME REASONS THAT MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR CURRENTLY. MINI OF SAN

NHTSA complaint 11061437, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the MINI Cooper S Clubman

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2010 13 2

Other 2011 MINI models

Every MINI on this site — 29 vehicles, 45 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst