2011 Mini Cooper s clubman problems
The Mini Clubman is a subcompact executive car engineered and manufactured by German automaker BMW and sold under the Mini marque. The first-generation Clubman was introduced in 2007, as a variant of the Mini Hatch (Hardtop in the US). A commercial version called Clubvan was added to the range in 2012. The current second-generation model has been in production since 2015 and available with front- and all-wheel drive.
History
The use of the name "Clubman" is a departure from Mini tradition. "Clubman" was originally the name given to the 1970s facelift of the classic Mini, which mostly resulted in a squared-off front end, whereas the classic Mini estates had traditionally been named "Traveller" or "Countryman". However, BMW did not initially purchase the rights to use those names, and so decided to call its larger-variant "Clubman", a name which it did own rights to.
Sketches of a new estate version of the Mini were shown at the 2000 Paris Motor Show, and a rendering of the estate concept (internally named EXT), wore the Clubman name on the licence plate. The Clubman started out in development based on the first generation Mini Hatch (R50) before changing to the second gen Hatch (R56).
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Common 2011 Mini Cooper s clubman problems
The 2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman is a compact station wagon with a turbocharged engine that provides excellent performance and fuel efficiency. However, like any car, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported.
One of the most common problems with the 2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman is the excessive use of hard plastics in the interior, which can start to creak and rattle after the break-in period. This issue can affect the overall driving experience and the car's perceived quality.
Another common problem is the harsh ride quality, which can be uncomfortable for both the driver and passengers. The suspension system is stiff, and the car can feel jittery on rough roads, which can be a significant drawback for those looking for a comfortable ride.
The 2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman also has some mechanical issues that owners have reported. One of the most common problems is oil starvation in the 1.6-liter diesel engine, which can destroy the turbocharger due to excessive carbon build-up. The fix requires a new oil pump, pick-up pipe, and, of course, turbocharger. Cars from 2008 onwards used modified parts that avoid this issue.
Another mechanical issue is the timing chain rattle on Cooper S models with the turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol engine. This problem is due to a weak timing chain tensioner that fails to maintain tension over time, leading to the rattle. It could be a case of just performing a service and replacing the tensioner or replacing the entire chain and chain guides.
Clutch wear is also a common problem with the 2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman. Some owners have reported that the clutch can wear out quite quickly, so it's essential to check the clutch before buying the car. Make sure it doesn't slip when you put your foot down in a high gear. Also, try pulling away in a high gear from rest; if it stalls, the clutch is probably fine.
The stop-start system has also been known to malfunction and stall the car at junctions, and dealers often struggle to diagnose the fault. The system has also been reported to stop working altogether, leaving an error message on the dashboard, which can only be fixed by a dealer.
The interior and dashboard have also suffered from rattles and creaks. Some owners have insisted on having new dashboards fitted, but this doesn't always solve the problem. The speakers can also rattle and distort, and in some cases, they can fail completely, so will need replacing.
The Clubman's windscreen is very susceptible to chips and cracks because of its upright position. Check carefully for big chips, because these could develop into a crack that will require you to replace the screen, and if they’re in the immediate area in front of the driver, they can cause an MOT test failure.
Air conditioning problems have also been reported, so it's essential to test the system by first setting it to maximum heat then switching it to cold and note how quickly the temperature drops. If the system is working correctly, it should go from hot to cold in only seconds.
In summary, the 2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman is a fun and practical car with excellent performance and fuel efficiency. However, it has some common problems that owners have reported, including interior creaks and rattles, harsh ride quality, mechanical issues like oil starvation, timing chain rattle, clutch wear, and start-stop malfunction. It's essential to check these issues before buying the car to ensure a trouble-free ownership experience.
What is the problem with the MINI Clubman?
The 1.5-litre petrol engine has been subject to a recall to deal with excessive crankshaft bearing wear; this problem is serious and could lead to considerable engine damage if not remedied. It's therefore worth checking with your local dealership whether the car you've got your eye on is affected.
How reliable are Mini Cooper Clubman?
The recent 2022 and 2023 MINI Cooper Clubmans are well-reviewed and highly reliable, so these are great to get in new condition. If you're ready to start shopping for a used car and reliability is a priority for you, take a look at our list of the top 10 most reliable used sedans on the market today.
Is the 2011 Mini a good car?
Fun to drive, very responsive.
Handles very well, is good on gas, pick up is zippy and very responsive and stylish. Based on this car, I would definitely buy another Mini. Rating breakdown (out of 5): Comfort 5.0.
What is the most common problem with mini coopers?
Issue #1: Engine Overheating in Mini Cooper S (2007-2010)
Oil cooler leaks have also been reported on some vehicles. These problems cause the engine to gradually overheat, leading to coolant loss and severe damage if left unchecked. Head gasket failure is a common result of the engine overheating in the R56 Cooper S.
2011 Mini Cooper s clubman car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mini Cooper s clubman problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Engine problems
- Seats problems
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2011 Mini Cooper s clubman vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2011 Mini Cooper s clubman complaints
The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2011 Mini Cooper s clubman.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-29
- VIN: WMWZG3C54BT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-03-01
- VIN: WMWZG3C50BT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-07-31
- VIN: WMWZG3C5XBT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: 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.
STEERING,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-06-27
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WMWZG3C56BT
- Components: STEERING,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-01-08
- VIN: WMWZG3C50BT
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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 DIEGO IS TELLING ME THERE'S NO RECALL ON MY CAR BASED OFF THE VIN NUMBER. BUT BASED OFF THE YEARS AND MODEL, MY CAR FITS INTO THE RECALL.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-03
- VIN: WMWZG3C59BT
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: 4 FAULTY IGNITION COILS WITHIN 3 MONTHS: CYLINDERS #1 & # 2 HAD TO BE REPLACED ON 4/7/17 CYLINDERS #3 & #4 ON 7/4/17. FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND RESULTED IN COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE CHANGING LANES, AGAIN COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND NEARLY CAUSED ME TO BE HIT BY A SEMI-TRUCK. I NARROWLY ESCAPED AN ACCIDENT IN FIRST INCIDENT AS WELL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR ANY LONGER. EACH TIME THE PARTS AND LABOR COST MORE THAN $300, NOT TO MENTION THE AGGRAVATION OF BEING WITHOUT A CAR FOR WORK AND FAMILY TRANSPORTATION FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED FROM A QUALITY AUTOMOBILE MADE BY BMW. DOCUMENTATION/INVOICES CAN BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST.
AIR BAGS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-05-15
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WMWZG3C5XBT
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-07-24
- VIN: WMWZG3C5XBT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: I'VE HAD MY 2011 MINI CLUBMAN S FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND HAD SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ALREADY. I'VE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, DSC LIGHTS, AND OTHER THINGS. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS SEEM TO COME ON ALL THE TIME AND THE MECHANICS DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE IDEA ON WHAT'S CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-12-12
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WMWZB3C52EW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: 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
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-01-07
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WMWZG3C59BT
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: 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 FORTUNATE I WAS NOT TO LOSE MORE, CONSIDERING THE FACT I PARKED THE MINI IN MY GARAGE EVERY NIGHT AS I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK. THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION, SO I CANNOT NAME THE FAILED COMPONENTS AS REQUESTED ABOVE, BUT I WILL UPDATE THIS INFORMATION ONCE THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE. *TR
2011 Mini Cooper s clubman recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2011 Mini Cooper s clubman.
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- 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.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2011 Mini Cooper s clubman problems:
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