KnownCarProblems2009 Mini Cooper S Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 119 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mini Cooper S, most often about the engine (67% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles). It is 7th of 21 Cooper S model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2009 Mini Cooper S problems
Engine
80 complaints · 67%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system.
My vehicle had been parked for a couple of days in our garage. When I pulled it out on the 2nd I noticed a large pool of oil on the floor. I immediately drove it to the local dealership and was informed that the timing chain tensioner system had failed and that if not immediately remedied this would cause catastrophic…
The timing tensioner on my Mini Cooper S backed out, resulting in a massive oil loss while at highway speeds. This is apparently a known issue by Mini, but no known recall has been issued at this point.
Air bags
17 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
My airbag light/seat sensor warning light came on both center console and driver's console for no apparent reason. Both lights stay illuminated. Proper operation of seat sensor in passenger seat mat which activates passenger side airbag is now in question.
Car was taken in to dealer just after report of Mini airbag recall of earlier models [including 2006]. Since car wasn't listed on recall list but I had experienced several months of passenger airbag light problems [ for no apparent reason]; I was concerned and asked for repair. The piece removed and replaced looked…
Transmission
16 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles.
The timing tensioner on my Mini Cooper S backed out, resulting in a massive oil loss while at highway speeds. This is apparently a known issue by Mini, but no known recall has been issued at this point.
Vehicle was taken to dealership in feb 2012 for a rattling noise. Service center at braman miami said that they could not duplicate the noise, so it was assumed they found nothing wrong with the vehicle. Prior to this, the vehicle had been in the shop 2-3 times due engine malfunction light, rough idle at cold start…
Electrical
13 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
My 2009 Mini Cooper S made rattle noise and the whole timing chain got replaced plus the thermostat house and water pump! The engine light still keeps on after trouble-shooting by my mechanics, which might be the computer issue which has to be figured out soon! The timing chain issue should be under fully-covered by…
The contact's wife owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the turn lights and power windows failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the red check vehicle warning light was flashing on the instrument panel. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 23v337000 (electrical system) which he…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles.
While idling at a red light, vehicle rpms varied dramatically and the engine shut off. Vehicle was able to be restarted and moved with the check engine light illuminated. Upon further investigation the valve cover was found to have a vacuum leak, which has become a common issue with Mini Cooper S models.
Fire did not occur, but there is a risk. Many Mini cooper models with turbochargers are experiencing a leaky oil feed line to the turbo after approximately 25,000 miles. Due to a poorly insulated rubber gasket. It is a manufacturing flaw, but Mini has failed to acknowledge the issue. This is a fire risk. The oil is…
Seat belts
4 complaints · 3%I was involved in a multiple car accident. None of the air bags deployed and the seat belt did not hold me appropriately resulting in hitting the steering wheel with my face. I had head concussion and multiple face bruises, including a deep cut in my lip. Mini (bmw) is investigating.
I have been getting the air bag warning light (in red) coming on while driving the car started in february, 2015. I've told that Mini/bmw is aware of this issue, but is not making any movement on establishing a safety recall on affected cars. Warning light comes on regardless of how many passengers are in the vehicle.…
Seats
4 complaints · 3%My airbag light/seat sensor warning light came on both center console and driver's console for no apparent reason. Both lights stay illuminated. Proper operation of seat sensor in passenger seat mat which activates passenger side airbag is now in question.
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 3%Started to hear a knocking noise coming from the engine compartment. Issue with the time chain. So bent out of shape that the chain almost broke. I have always kept on top of changing my oil and getting my car serviced everytime it need it so I don't understand why this would even happen. When researching my problem I…
I own a 09 Mini s. About a year or so ago I noticed that the driver's side door was sticking whereas I had to jiggle it in order to open it. I took the door panel off to look for any obstructions and found none. I greased the door hinge and it worked better. I headed to the store one day and upon exiting the vehicle I…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Mini Cooper S recalls
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and frm and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed may 13, 2024. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2014 mini clubman cooper, clubman cooper s, clubman john cooper works, and 2007-2013 mini hardtop 2-door cooper, cooper s, and john cooper works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, virginia, west virginia, washington d.c., and wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
Engine: turbo/supercharger
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.
Full defect 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.
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: The circuit board may smolder which could result in a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In a january 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, bmw of north america, llc. (bmw) submitted a defect information report (dir) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (my) 2007-2011 mini cooper vehicles manufactured from november 14, 2006 through january 18, 2011 (recall 12v-008).according to bmw, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.the pump supplier, pierburg pump technology gmbh, redesigned the pump t
Questions about the 2009 Mini Cooper S
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mini Cooper S?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (80 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); air bags (17 complaints, typically around 48,500 miles); transmission (16 complaints, typically around 54,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Mini Cooper S have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 11, 2023 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Mini Cooper S?
- It is 7th of 21 Cooper S model years by number of complaints, with 119 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.