2009 Mini JCW: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
35,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 9 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 22.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 11.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
Air Bags: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Engine: 1; Equipment: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Structure:Body: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10250135 · 2008-11-29 (November 29, 2008)
I HAVE A 2009 MINI COOPER S. THE OVERHEAD PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT SIZED PASSENGER RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND I HAVE WITNESSED IT ABOUT EIGHT TIMES BETWEEN 10/2/08 AND 11/26/08. WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, IT STAYS ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR A TOTAL OF 21 DAYS IN THE SHOP AND THEIR DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER CANNOT IDENTIFY AN ERROR SO THE PROBLEM REMAINS UNRESOLVED. THIS IS A DEFECT…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253337 · 2008-12-31 (December 31, 2008)
DURING HEAVY RAIN, THE FRONT WINDOWS OPEN COMPLETELY UNCOMMANDED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONE TIME. EVERYTHING IN THE CAR, EXCEPT THE HEADLINER, WAS WET. WATER WAS STANDING MORE THAN ONE INCH DEEP ON THE FLOOR. THE FRONT AND REAR SEATS HAD STANDING WATER. THE DASH BOARD WAS WET. THE DOOR STORAGE AREAS HAD STANDING WATER. THE DASH BOARD VENTS HAD WATER STANDING IN THEM. THE A AND B PILLARS WERE DRIPPING WATER. WATER WAS STANDING IN THE TRAY UNDERNEATH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SWITCHES ON IT WERE SOAKED. THE DEALER DRIED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10265639 · 2009-04-16 (April 16, 2009)
2009 MINI COOPER S, ONLY 3600 MILES, SUFFERS FROM WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS COLD START RATTLE/KNOCK. UPON STARTING DEAD COLD ENGINE, A LOUD AND VIOLENT SYNCOPATED KNOCK (SIMILAR TO A METAL HAMMER HITTING METAL) EMANATES FROM THE ENGINE ON THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT SIDE, AND LASTS FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN 3600 MILES, BOTH TIMES CAR PARKED WITH NOSE TILTING DOWN. AMBIENT TEMPS AROUND 30-40 DEGREES F. NOTIFIED DEALER BOTH TIMES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10265639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10313585 · 2010-02-24 (February 24, 2010)
DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF TWO DEFLECTORS (UNDER THE VEHICLE'S FRONT BUMPER ' ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE CAR) APPARENTLY DESIGNED TO FLEX WHEN, AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE'S LOW GROUND CLEARANCE, SUCH DEFLECTORS CONTACT THE GROUND DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE (E.G., ON DRIVEWAY APRONS, SPEED BUMPS, ETC.). INSTEAD OF FLEXING, THE DEFLECTORS REPEATEDLY FAIL AS A RESULT OF THEIR DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THE DEFLECTORS ARE OBVIOUSLY DESIGNED TO BE FLEXIBLE BY FUSING HARD RUBBER TO HARD PLASTIC. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF FLEXING, THE DEFLECTORS FAIL AT THE SEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10313585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10443940 · 2012-01-16 (January 16, 2012)
TURBOCHARGER OIL LINE CRIMP FITTING FAILED DUE TO O RING BECOMING HARD FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM TURBOCHARGER RESULTING IN SPRAY OF ENGINE OIL ON HOT TURBOCHARGER. DEALER REPLACED INLET AND OUTLET OIL LINES WITH NEWER DESIGN AND THE ADDITION OF AN OIL LINE HEAT SHIELD NOW BEING USED IN PRODUCTION OF 2011 AND 2012 MODELS. OIL SPRAY COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND THE DESIGN CHANGE FROM MINI INDICATES TO ME THAT A PROBLEM WITH OLD DESIGN EXISTS AND HEAT ISSUE IS PRESENT FROM THEIR ADDITION OF A HEAT SHIELD. MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER REIMBURSEMENT OR POLIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10443940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448836 · 2012-02-21 (February 21, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI JCW. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE GARAGE IN HIS HOME WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND REPORTED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FLAMES CAUSED DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS ALSO PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY OVERHEATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFER…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472854 · 2012-08-28 (August 28, 2012)
THE OIL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINE CONNECTIONS AT THE TURBO HAVE FAILED AND SPRAYED OIL ONTO A VERY HOT TURBO CAUSING A HIGH RISK OF FIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10809500 · 2015-12-10 (December 10, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI JCW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10809500 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V507000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
Reported: 2008-10-02 (October 2, 2008)
BMW IS RECALLING 560 MY 2009 JCW (JOHN COOPER WORKS) AND JCW CLUBMAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16 INCH DIAMETER FRONT BRAKE DISCS RATHER THAN 17 INCH DISCS. UNDER CONDITIONS OF INTENSE BRAKE USAGE, BRAKING PERFORMANCE WOULD BE REDUCED.
Consequence: DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS A DRIVER'S REACTIONS, REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND PADS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW/MINI AT 1-866-275-6464 OR BY E-MAIL AT MINI.ASSISTANCE@ASKMINIUSA.COM..
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V008000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V248000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V337000 · Electrical System
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗