2009 Mini COOPER CONVERTIBLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
47,357 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 18 complaints (44.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 1 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
Engine: 8; Air Bags: 6; Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 1; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11246389 · 2019-08-26 (August 26, 2019)
ELECTRICAL FAILURE SINCE DAY ONE BOUGHT CAR AS A PRE-OWN. PRIOR OWNER HISTORY SAME ISSUES AS ME. MY CAR ALMOST WENT ON FIRE, POOR PERFORMANCE , LEAKS AND LEAKS WITH NO RELOAD FROM $6,000+ REPAIRS. STILL LEAKING. SUSPECTED WATER DAMAGE CAUSING ELECTRICAL OR JUST FAULTY ELECTRICAL. BULBS GO OUT WHEN CAR NOT EVEN DRIVEN, CANOPY BROKE AT SERVICE DEPT AND THEY WON'T REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. BATTERY DID NOT WORK AND ISSUES WITH KEY FOB RECOGNITION.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11246389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11253486 · 2019-09-05 (September 5, 2019)
MY CAR I BOUGHT AS A PRE-OWN AND THE OWNER BEFORE E HAD LEAKS AS WELL. THESE LEAKS CAUSED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE ON THE CIRCUIT BOARDS THAT MADE THE CIRCUIT BOARD SHOULDER AND HEAT UP SO HOT IT ALMOST WENT ON FIRE. ALSO THE TIRES WERE THE WRONG SIZE AND SALES PERSON WOULD NOT ADMIT FAULT SO I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THEM ALL. I WAS DRIVING WHEN I FELT THE CAR LOSE CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY AND STREETS, THEN I WAS DRIVING WHEN CAR OVERHEATED. I PAID TO FIX LEAKS MORE THAN $7000 AND STILL LEAKING. NOW ANOTHER LIGHT BULB IS OUT MY BACK BREAK LIGHT SO I CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11253486 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11163915 · 2018-12-29 (December 29, 2018)
ISSUES WITH OIL SYSTEM HAVE LEAD TO ENGINE HEAD FAILURE WHERE OIL IN MIXING WITH COOLANT. THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS FULL OF OIL. I AM EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING AND STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 78,464 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11483627 · 2022-09-09 (September 9, 2022)
While driving the car the engine stalls due to timing chain issues . These timing chain issues were part of a safety recall but this car's vin number doesn't qualify! The car will stall at full speed
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11483627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11462900 · 2022-05-01 (May 1, 2022)
1.Electronic power steering gearbox. Connections almost caught on fire. And yes it is available for inspection upon request. 2. If it would’ve caught on fire. the whole vehicle would’ve torched. I noticed there’s a lot of Mini Cooper engine fires. 3. No it has not been confirmed by dealer. 4. No it has not been inspected by the manufacturer. I didn’t feel it was safe to drive the vehicle. I did make them aware of it and ask him how much a New power steering gearbox would be. they said $2200 just for the part. Will also need the connecting wiri…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11462900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11390693 · 2021-01-29 (January 29, 2021)
HAVE A ASSENGER RESTRAING MALFUNCTION, ALSO HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAULT. WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 11390693 at NHTSA ↗