Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 MINI Cooper Convertible, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 22 | 24% |
| Air bags | 12 | 13% |
| Engine | 7 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 4% |
| Power train | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I am filing this complaint against Keeler MINI in Latham, NY, and MINI USA regarding their refusal to provide a working recall remedy or alternative transportation under federal NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-337 (Footwell Cont
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH in the rain with the windows rolled down, the driver's side and passenger's side windows failed to roll up. No warning li
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
My Mini Cooper has been showing repeated warnings stating “Start-off assistance inactive. Caution: vehicle may roll back!” for some time. This issue appears to relate to an existing recall involving potential electrical
NHTSA complaint: Power train
After receiving your notice regarding my MiniCooper (VIN [XXX] ), I contacted my local dealer, Motor City Mini (where I purchased the vehicle) to schedule the inspection, and repairs if necessary. I was informed that the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manuf
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I bought a used 2011 MINI Cooper S (R56) and it had a recall for the footwell module (FRM). I took it to the local MINI dealership and they said that MINI would not honor the recall because the FRM was replaced with a us
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
There has been a recall on my mini Cooper for sometime now. Over a year and a half at least. We have been patiently waiting for the remedy and still, do not have one. Our car, at times has become inoperable due to this r
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The passenger seat occupancy sensor has malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to believe that there is an infant car seat in the front passenger seat. This puts front passengers at risk because the air bags will not deploy
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 50 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 22 of them (24%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.