Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman problems

Owners filed 13 complaints about the 2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman with NHTSA between Jan 2012 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (8).

Complaints
13
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system8
  2. Engine4
  3. Air bags3
  4. Seats2
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1
  6. Steering1
  7. Wheels1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  10. Structure1
  11. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20121
20130
20141
20150
20161
20172
20182
20190
20200
20211
20220
20231
20242
20251
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

8 reports1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that after washing the vehicle, the battery became drained. The battery was recharged; however, the interior lights and power windows became inoperable. The contact stated that the front headlights and taillights became stuck in the "ON" position. The contact stated the check engine warning light was occasionally illuminated. The contact disconnected the battery to prevent the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the contact received conflicting information each time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several multiple occasions; however, the dealer stated that the contact needed to pay for a diagnostic fee before the recall repair could be performed. The dealer stated that the power window failure was not associated with the recall. The failure mileage was 152,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Electrical systemODI 11769315

Engine

4 reports1 fire
“When I bought the car, John, a sales representative, promised me that he would have the car inspected by a mechanic before finalizing the paperwork, addressing issues with the tire pressure monitor, tail light sensor, and license plate light. However, the mechanic couldn't fix these issues, and Mike, the owner, directed me to his “personal mechanic” in San Bruno. After multiple reschedules from Mike, the car began to display an engine malfunction error. I informed Mike, and he advised me to mention the issue to the mechanic when I brought the car in. When I finally took the car to his mechanic, I was told that there were no errors, but the error lights needed to be reset at a different shop, as the mechanic didn’t have the required equipment. Despite this, the engine malfunction light remained on, and the car started to shake noticeably while driving. A few weeks later, while driving, the car began emitting white smoke from the hood. I texted Mike, asking why the issues weren’t fixed, and I had to tow the car to my house. He did not respond, so I called him days later. He told me to call back after New Year's to have the car fixed, even offering to tow it to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2025Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11638064

Air bags

3 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2021Electrical system, Air bags, SeatsODI 11395359

Seats

2 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2017Air bags, SeatsCrash reportedODI 10986254

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report

Steering

1 report1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2018Steering, Wheels, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11104507
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.