Is the 2011 Mini COOPER S reliable?

The 2011 Mini COOPER S has 46 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Mini COOPER S?

Top problems: ENGINE (17 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (16 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Mini COOPER S?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Contact any Mini dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Mini COOPER S?

The 2011 Mini COOPER S gets 29 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1655. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Mini COOPER S?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Mini COOPER S is approximately $1,366/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Mini COOPER S

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Mini COOPER S has 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.7x the segment average of 17. The most common issue is engine problems (37% of all complaints), specifically: premature high pressure fuel pump failure may lead to loss in power, furthering the potential for a wreck. engine enters "limp home" mode, which reduces power considerably and makes acceleration much slower than normal. check engine light comes on, several obd-ii diagnostics codes appear. *tr. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 9 fire reports filed.

9 fire reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

17 complaints

37%

• PREMATURE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE MAY LEAD TO LOSS IN POWER, FURTHERING THE POTENTIAL FOR A WRECK. ENGINE ENTERS "LIMP HOME" MODE, WHICH REDUCES POWER CONSIDERABLY AND MAKES ACCELERATION MUCH SLOWER THAN NORMAL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, SEVERAL OBD-II DIAGNOSTICS CODES APPEAR. *TR
• CAR SEVERELY OVERHEATED. MELTED COOLANT SYSTEM MANIFOLD AND HOSING PIPE. REPAIR COST $1,100+. DAYS LATER CRACK IN WATER PUMP GREW. IMMEDIATE CAR MALFUNCTION OCCURRED RESULTING IN TOWING THE CAR TO MT LAUREL MINI. THEIR ASSESSMENT WAS THAT COOLANT WAS FOUND ON THE DIPSTICK OF THE ENGINE OIL. RECOMMEN
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK, OVERHEATED, AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE M

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 5 fire reports

“PREMATURE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE MAY LEAD TO LOSS IN POWER, FURTHERING THE POTENTIAL FOR A WRECK. ENGINE ENTERS "LIMP HOME" MODE, WHICH REDUCES POWER CONSIDERABLY AND MAKES ACCELERATION MUCH SLOWER THAN NORMAL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, SEVERAL OBD-II DIAGNOSTICS CODES APPEAR. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Mini COOPER S

Based on 33 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER18/04/2018

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.

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 recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Mini COOPER S

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,656

Per month

$138

Per mile

13.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,372/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Mini COOPER S

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,366

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Mini New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Mini. If you're buying a used 2011 COOPER S, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mini dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 46 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: PREMATURE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE MAY LEAD TO LOSS IN POWER, FURTHERING THE POTENTIAL FOR A WRECK. ENGINE ENTERS "LIMP HOME" MODE, WHICH REDUCES POWER CONSIDERABLY AND MAKES ACCELERATION MUCH SLOWER THAN NORMAL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, SEVERAL OBD-II DIAGNOSTICS CODES APPEAR. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: AS I WAS ACCELERATING WHILE MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH, IT FELT AS IF THE CAR LOST ALL POWER FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE POWER REENGAGED ABOUT A SECOND LATER, AND OVER THE NEXT 5-10 SECONDS THE CAR LOST POWER/REENGAGED TWO MORE TIMES. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE TRIGGERED ON THE D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: AIRBAG SEAT SENSORS ARE FAULTY. THEY ARE TURNING OFF THE AIRBAGS EVEN THOUGHT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE SEATED. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: AFTER COMING HOME FROM A ROUTINE DRIVE. I PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVE WAY. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED MY HOOD OF MY CAR SMOKING. I IMMEDIATELY RAN OUTSIDE AND STARTED HOUSING OF THE BUBBLING HOOD WITH A GARDEN HOSE. I MANAGED TO POP THE HOOD AND PUT OUT THE FIRE WHIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Mini dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)