2009 Mini COOPER S: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

2009 MINI COOPER S LOUD NOISE AT COLD STARTUP IMMEDIATELY AFTER CAR WAS RECEIVED IN NOVEMBER 2008 MINIUSA HAS DISCOVERED IT'S AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING BELT AND ITS TENSIONER I READ OF THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND ASKED MINI DEALER TO REPAIR IT: THEY REPLACED TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER BUT SOME MINI OWNERS REPORT A RECURRENCE OF THE ISSUE AND MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S ENGINE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10379253 at NHTSA ↗

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 ENGINE FAILURE. OVER MY COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE DEALER, MINI OF STERLING IN STERLING, VA, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE, AT LEAST ONE A WEEK, AND IS A RECOGNIZED PROBLEM WITH A KNOWN WORK-AROUND. THEY INFORMED ME …

Owner-reported narrative. 52,124 miles reported. Look up ODI 10381953 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2009 MINI COOPER S WITH 27,000 MILES. TWICE THE ENGINE VALVES HAS BEEN CLEANED BECAUSE OF EXCESS CARBON BUILD UP. JUST LOOK AT THE DISCUSSIONS ON THE WEB. SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH CAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10420848 at NHTSA ↗

ENGINE OIL SPRAYING FROM CAMSHAFT CHAIN TENSION-ER SEAL. OIL WAS SPRAYING OUT UNDER PRESSURE. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS TO BE A FIRE HAZARD, AS HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS ARE NEARBY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 31,621 miles reported. Look up ODI 10427018 at NHTSA ↗

I DROVE THE CAR FOR LESS THAN A MILE AT CITY SPEEDS AND PROCEEDED TO PARK TO RUN ERRANDS. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR, UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I REALIZED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO THE SCENE (ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER) THE FIRE HAD SPREAD THROUGH THE VEHICLE. THE CAR SHOWED NO WARNING SIGNS BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED AND ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS TO BE DETERMINED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10430391 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2012-01-11 (January 11, 2012)

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.

Reported: 2018-04-18 (April 18, 2018)

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.

Reported: 2023-05-11 (May 11, 2023)

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.

Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.