2009 Mini COOPER CONVERTIBLE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10419563 · 2011-08-15 (August 15, 2011)
2009 MINI S. FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH BURNED UP AT 9000 MILES. WENT TO DEALER AND HAD TO HAGGLE TO GET THIS COVERED. THEY MADE ME SIGN OUT THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE IT WAS MY FAULT. I WOULD NOT SIGN IT. THIS ISSUE IS ON MANY OF THE 2009S. WHAT I DID WAS TO HOLD STRONG THAT ANY CAR AT 9000 MILES SHOULD NEVER USE UP A FLYWHEEL/CLUTCH AND IT WAS THEIR ISSUE WITHIN THE MODEL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10419563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10549224 · 2013-10-23 (October 23, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT WOULD VIBRATE AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10549224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10713688 · 2015-04-29 (April 29, 2015)
RATTLING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. TOOK TO MINI, TIMING CHAIN WAS STRETCHED OUT. 2000K FIX CAR HAS LESS THAN 84K MILES. HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ABOUT 13 MONTHS AGO. SAID IT WAS THE TENSIONER BUT CHAIN WAS FINE. THAT WAS AT 64K MILES. IN 13MONTHS SPENT 3K ON THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 83,234 miles reported. Look up ODI 10713688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10749504 · 2015-08-18 (August 18, 2015)
PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR THAT CONTROLLS AIRBAG.THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL BY BMW FOR MINI COOPERS MADE BETWEEN 2005 AND 2008. BUT THE 2009 HAS BEEN NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND THE DEALER WILL ONLY CHECK IT OUT BY CHARGING THE ME THE OWNER. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2005-2008 - THE 2009 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THE LIFE OF ANY PASSENGER TRAVELING IN THE 2009 MINI COOPER SEAT IS JEOPARDIZED.
Owner-reported narrative. 23,965 miles reported. Look up ODI 10749504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10780893 · 2015-10-08 (October 8, 2015)
TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS AT 75,000 MILES ON BASE MODEL 2009 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. WELL KNOWN "DEATH RATTLE" WHEN ENGINE FIRST STARTS. ALSO OIL DIPSTICK WILL NOT GO FULLY BACK INTO THE TUBE (STICKS OUT ABOUT 4 INCHES). DEALER AND MINI CONTACTED. DEALER SAYS TIMING CHAIN ISSUE AND QUOTED ~$1400 REPAIR. ALSO SAID OIL PAN NEEDS REPLACING, ANOTHER ~$300. MINI NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR REPAIR. WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. 500,000 MINI'S RECALLED (S MODEL). NOT SURE WHY BASE MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. IT SHOULD BE.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10795246 · 2015-11-21 (November 21, 2015)
BLIZZAK LM-60 RFT. 195/55-16, RUN FLATS. RIGHT REAR TIRE SPLIT ON TREAD SO THAT ONE CAN SEE STEEL BELTS. SPLIT IS FROM OUTSIDE EDGE TO ABOUT 2-3 INCHES TOWARDS MIDDLE OF TREAD. JUST REPLACED IT, SO DO NOT HAVE DOT NUMBER. TIRE PURCHASED TWO YEARS AGO, DRIVEN ONLY ONE WINTER SEASON (DECEMBER 2013-MARCH 2014.) NOT DRIVEN ON LAST YEAR. NOTICED DEFECT WHEN CHANGING TIRES IN THE SPRING.
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10795246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11024865 · 2017-09-21 (September 21, 2017)
AT ABOUT 64500 MILES THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THEY STAYED ON. LOCAL MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SWITCH WAS PROBABLY THE CULPRIT. AND LOCATED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. A CALL TO KEELER MOTOR CAR CO. SAID THE BAGS WOULD WORK AS DESIGNED, BUT WOULDN'T PUT THAT IN WRITING AND FURTHERED "CLARIFIED" HER ANSWER BY ADDING "AS FAR AS I KNOW". A SECOND CALL FROM A DIFFERENT PERSON SAID IF THE LIGHTS ARE ON THEN THE BAGS WOULD PROBABLY NOT WORK. BUT …
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11024865 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V143000 · Tires
Reported: 2009-04-30 (April 30, 2009)
BMW IS RECALLING 12 MY 2009 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE DELIVERED WITH 15-INCH WHEELS INSTEAD OF 16-INCH WHEELS AS INTENDED, AND THE TIRE LABEL INDICATES 16 INCH WHEELS.
Consequence: THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE DO NOT CONFORM TO THE TIRE LABEL AS REQUIRED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE 15 INCH WHEELS WITH 16-INCH WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-646-4772.
NHTSA campaign record ↗