2011 MINI Cooper S Engine Problems

Car stalls while driving and will not start again. No codes thrown. Found relay K96 on Junction Box Electronics module to have cracked through-hole solder joints resulting in bad continuity. Relay K96 supplies power to the low pressure fuel pump in the tank, thus with bad continuity, the pump gets no power. Relay K96 P/N is NEC Philippines P/N EP2F-B3G1ST. This issue has happened to many other people with the same car that I know. I suspect heat cycles over time stressed and fatigued the solder joints, causing the joint to crack. Overall the circuit board layout needs a heat sink for the relay to alleviate the heat produced from operation. I am IPC certified and work with aircraft engine electronics regularly and have seen similar issues.

NHTSA ID

11634691

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V248000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11426543

Incident

Jul 26, 2021

I OWNED A 2011 MINI COOPER S ("MINI") VEHICLE THAT CAUSED A FIRE AND INJURIES AT OUR HOME. THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WHILE THE MINI WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THE FIRE DESTROYED OUR RESIDENCE, PERSONAL PROPERTY AND TWO VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE AFOREMENTIONED MINI. FIRE AUTHORITIES DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE MINI'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION YIELDED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE TO AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR THE CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP. THE FAILURE IGNITED NEARBY COMBUSTIBLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 12V-008, WHICH AFFECTED 88,911 BMW VEHICLES. IT IS UNKNOWN WHY OUR MINI WAS NOT RECALLED AND OR INCLUDED IN THAT CAMPAIGN. BMW MANUFACTURES MINIS, AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES, AND IT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF SEVERAL RECENT NATIONAL MEDIA REPORTS INVOLVING NUMEROUS "UNEXPLAINED" VEHICLE FIRES FOR WHICH THEY HAVE NOT ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY OR PROVIDED PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR. TO DATE, BMW HAS FAILED TO DO EITHER OF THE LATTER WITH REGARDS TO OUR FIRE. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENABLING THE NHTSA TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION OF SAVING LIVES AND PREVENTING ADDITIONAL INJURIES.

NHTSA ID

11120962

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RAY CATENA MINI OF WESTCHESTER, 9543 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11105312

Incident

Jun 26, 2018

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THE FAN KEPT RUNNING EVEN AFTER CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THE GADGE WOULD READ COLD THAT HOT. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC CLAIMED IT WAS A SAFETY MECHANISM TO KEEP CAR FROM OVER HEATING, HAD THE CAR FOR 4 WEEK AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF SHOWING THE SAME ISSUE. THE THERMOSTAT WAS NOT CORRECT ALSO. THIS WAS CITY IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, ONCE IT COOLED OFF IT WOULD START FINE, BUT THEN JUST CUT OFF, EACH TIME IT STOP I JUST HAD IT TOWED WHICH WAS 3 TIMES RATHER THAN DRIVING IT , I JUST DID NOT TRUST THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ID

11066454

Incident

Oct 23, 2017

Mileage

80,000 mi

MY MINI COOPER WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. ON AUGUST 10, 2017 I MOVED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE TO GET TO SOME THINGS IN MY GARAGE. WHEN I BACKED IT BACK IN, I HEARD A POP AND WITHIN MINUTES I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. WE HAD TO CALL 911 AND THEY TOLD US WE COULD NOT LEAVE THE CAR IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE OF THE FIRE INCIDENT. WE HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL SO THAT WE COULD MOVE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE WITHOUT STARTING THE CAR. ONCE PARKED ON THE DRIVE WAY, MY CAR PROCEEDED TO SMOLDER TWO MORE TIMES. WE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND FINALLY ALL THE SMOKING STOPPED. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE BMW MOMENTUM DEALERSHIP SINCE AUGUST 12, 2017 WITH NO RESOLUTION ON WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. ACCORDING TO MINI, THEY WERE SENDING A FIRE SPECIALIST TO SEE MY CAR WHICH THEY SAID WOULD TAKE SOME TIME. MY CAR WAS FINALLY LOOKED AT THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER AND AS OF THIS EMAIL, BMW HAS NOT INFORMED ME AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THIS INCIDENT IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. MY THREE KIDS WERE UPSTAIRS DOING HOMEWORK WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD I NOT PAID ATTENTION TO THE POP I HEARD AND CLOSED THE GARAGE DOOR, THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN ON FIRE IN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE WITH ALL OF US IN THE HOUSE. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE ABOUT 8 PM AS WE WERE WINDING DOWN FOR THE DAY. THE OUTCOME OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. I WANT RESOLUTION TO THIS WHOLE INCIDENT WHICH AS OF TODAY BMW HAS NOT GIVEN ME ANY INDICATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11044039

Incident

Aug 10, 2017

Mileage

41,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SOUTH BAY MINI IN TORRANCE, CA, 310-939-7150), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A CODE FROM THE SPARK PLUG. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER WAS PUNCTURED AND LEAKED OIL; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZED IN MINI VEHICLES AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING TENSIONER EXPLODED AND PUNCTURED THE VALVE COVER. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER (UNIVERSAL CITY MINI IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA, 8148-452-1139) AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11043650

Incident

Apr 15, 2016

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10993160

Incident

Jun 4, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S HARD TOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT THE TURBO SYSTEM DUE TO A FAILED COOLING SYSTEM. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT PRESENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID

10983238

Incident

Apr 9, 2017

Mileage

85,000 mi

KNOWN ISSUE WITH THERMOSTAT HOUSING & SENSOR - MINI HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A KNOWN DESIGN ISSUE THAT CAUSES COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE THERMOSTAT SENSOR. FULL REPLACEMENT IS RECOMMENDED WITH UPDATED DESIGN AT CUSTOMER'S COST. MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER THIS COST SINCE THIS IS AN ENGINEERING DESIGN DEFECT AND MAY LEAD TO POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRES. AFFECTED PARTS ARE THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING, THERMOSTAT, THERMOSTAT SENSOR, UPPER RADIATOR HOSE & CROSSOVER TUBE. PLEASE REFER TO MANUFACTURER'S COMMUNICATION POST: 10049421, 10046779, & 10045301.

NHTSA ID

10954576

Incident

Feb 14, 2017

Mileage

53,000 mi

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 WHICH HAD COVER MOST OF THE ENGINE AT THAT TIME.

NHTSA ID

10937963

Incident

Dec 25, 2016

Mileage

70,000 mi

LEAKING THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT. THE MINI DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME AFTER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE THAT NEARLY EVERY MINI IN THIS MODEL YEAR IS COMING IN FOR A THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT. I WAS TIPPED OFF TO THIS AFTER QUESTIONING AN ADAPTER THAT WAS INVOICED. MINI KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF DEFECTIVE THERMOSTATS BUT IS AVOIDING A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10915215

Incident

Oct 11, 2016

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID

10860685

Incident

Apr 17, 2016

Mileage

47,000 mi

TIMINIG CHAIN TENSIONER HAD A WASHER STRIPPED, OIL WAS LEAKING ALL OF THER ENGINE AND IT WAS DOWN TO LESS THAN A QUART. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MINI COOPERS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WHERE A $10 PART, IF NOT CAUGHT CAUSES MAJOR ENGINE REPAIRS, OR WORSE, ENGINE REPLACEMENT. MINI COOPER DEALER WONT FIX IT FOR FREE EVEN THOUGH IT'S TOUTED "MAINTENANCE FREE" CHAIN BELT. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 22,365 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

10819675

Incident

Jan 12, 2016

Mileage

22,365 mi

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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10716653

Incident

Mar 27, 2015

Mileage

48,000 mi

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. RECOMMENDED A NEW ENGINE. CURRENTLY FIGHTING TO HAVE COMPANY COVER ALL COSTS AND DAMAGES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10638795

Incident

Aug 13, 2014

Mileage

60,016 mi

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 ID

10559534

Incident

Dec 11, 2013

Mileage

30,000 mi