2009 Mini COOPER S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
119 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
52,124 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 107 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 65 of 119 complaints (54.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 8.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 1.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.7% |
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 | 65 |
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Power Train | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
Engine: 65; Air Bags: 17; Power Train: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling: 14; Electrical System: 13; Seat Belts: 4; Seats: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 38 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 32 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 38; 50,000 to 74,999: 32; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (38). 12 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 28 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
2010: 3; 2011: 7; 2012: 8; 2013: 28; 2014: 10; 2015: 21; 2016: 12; 2017: 9; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 4; 2021: 1; 2023: 4; 2024: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 10335450 · 2010-06-09 (June 9, 2010)
2009 MINI COOPER S. DROVE CAR 20KM TO LOCAL MALL. CAME OUT TO RETRIEVE WALLET FROM GLOVE BOX AFTER BEING IN MALL FOR APPROXIMATELY 20MIN. CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT MOST LIKELY STARTED IN THE DASHBOARD SOMEWHERE. NO WARNING SIGNS OF IMMINENT DANGER ON MY DRIVE TO THE MALL. CAR ONLY SERVICED AT AUTHORIZED BMW/MINI DEALERSHIP. 30K KMS ON CAR. CAR IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10335450 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10821516 · 2016-01-21 (January 21, 2016)
THE CAR'S ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED (APPARENTLY SHORTED OUT), AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO EVALUATE THE ISSUE THE UNIT WILL SPARK AND EVEN CATCH FIRE. IT HAS MELTED SEVERAL OF THE WIRING COMPONENTS IN MY CAR, AND HAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED AT LEAST MY ABS SYSTEM AND MY TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR. MINI COOPER OF ESCONDIDO INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AND DEEMED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE EPS UNIT AND THE STEERING RACK, BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COSTS OF REPLACEMENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10821516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10369213 · 2010-12-04 (December 4, 2010)
FAILURE OF TIMING BELT TENSIONER IN 2009 MINI COOPER S LEADING TO MASSIVE OIL LEAK LOSS OF POWER TO ENGINE AND NEAR LETHAL ACCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10369213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10549028 · 2013-10-23 (October 23, 2013)
TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AS I WAS CROSSING A MAJOR HIGHWAY, CAR TOWED TO LOCAL BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC, SHOWS TIMING CHAIN MISFIRE, NEEDS TOTAL REPLACEMENT WITH MULTIPLE COMPONENTS NEEDING REPLACED DUE TO TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. 3300$ WORTH OF DAMAGE TO ENGINE. APPARENT PROBLEM WITH TIMING CHAIN ON THOUSANDS OF MINI COOPER AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED A RECALL ON THE PIECE. THIS WAS ALMOST A MAJOR ACCIDENT FOR ME AND IS CAUSING ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10549028 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10340585 · 2010-06-29 (June 29, 2010)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,010 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10652572 · 2014-11-04 (November 4, 2014)
I WAS DRIVING MY MINI COOPER ON I-95 WHEN THE I NOTICED A VERY STRONG BURNING SMELL AND THE CLUTCH WAS GIVING ME DIFFICULTY CHANGING GEARS. AS I WAS GETTING OFF I-95 THE GEARS WERE NOT RESPONDING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. I GOT OFF I-95 AND JUST MADE IT TO A MAIN BLVD. WHEN THE CLUTCH GAVE OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I COULD SEE THE CARS IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR COMING AT FULL SPEED AND HONKING AT ME TO MOVE OUT OF THE OF THE WAY. I CALLED 911 AND ASKED FOR A PATROL TO SPOT TRAFFIC AND THEN TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR TO ASK FOR HE…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10652572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10990880 · 2017-05-22 (May 22, 2017)
CAR WENT INTO LIMP GEAR MODE ON FREEWAY, HIGH RPM AT 40 MPH. VEHICLE SHIPPED TO MINI DEALER 05/09/17 SAYING THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION ERROR CODE. DEALER SAID THEY TESTED VEHICLE AND IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION IT NEEDED A WATER PUMP AND CYLINDER NEED VALVE COVER. 67,117 MILES ON ODOMETER. ALSO FRONT CV AXLE BOOT LEAKING. HAD REPAIRS DONE ($1692.58) AFTER DISCOUNT. AT TIME OF PICKUP, DEALER ASKED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE A FEW MORE DAYS TO DOUBLE CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. A FEW DAYS LATER THEY SAY YES THERE IS A TRANSMISSION ERROR WITH THE CAR GOING AT H…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,117 miles reported. Look up ODI 10990880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11045943 · 2017-11-14 (November 14, 2017)
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPEND THE CAR STARTED TO ACELERATE BY ITS SELF WHEN STOPPED AND THE BRAKES COULDN'T HOLD THE CAR BACK, I THEN PUT THE CAR INTO NEWTRAL, THEN INTO PARK TAPPED THE GAS AND THE CAR ACTED NORMAL. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN AND JUST STARTED TO GO WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL . THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPEND WAS A YEAR AGO .I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE BUT NOW IT HAPPEND AGAIN, I AM A VERY GOOD DRIVER BUT AFTER THIS HAPPEND AGAIN I THINK I MIGHT JUST GET RID IF THIS CAR ...IT REMINDED ME OF THE MOVIE CHRITINE WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 181,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11045943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10552320 · 2013-11-15 (November 15, 2013)
FUEL LEAK A/P MINI SERVICE; NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY; AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ADVISED SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPORTED DESIGN FLAW IN CRIMP DEVICE HOLDING OIL LINE CONNECTING TO TURBO. ADVISED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TURBO UNIT DEFECTIVE, NEEDS REPLACEMENT. MINI OF FAIRFIELD RETURNED VEHICLE IN AN UNSAFE MANNER WITH STRIPPED BOLTS AND IMPROPER PLACEMENT OF OIL PAN. AFTER CALLING BMW OF NORTH AMERICA MINI OF FAIRFIELD DECIDED TO CHANGE OIL LINES WITHOUT CHANGING TURBO UNIT. ON DRIVING VEHICLE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD; VEH…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11162452 · 2018-12-19 (December 19, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING A 2009 MINI COOPER S AT OVER 35 MILES PER HOUR THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE AND MINI REFUSED TO ACT IN GOOD FAITH AND REPLACE THE PRODUCT DESPITE ISSUING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THAT SPECIFIC COMPONENT IN A SAFETY BULLETIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 147,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11162452 at NHTSA ↗