2009 MINI Cooper S Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 MINI Cooper S, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine8054.8%
- Airbags1711.6%
- Powertrain (other)1611.0%
- Electrical138.9%
- Fuel system64.1%
- Driver assistance42.7%
- Interior & seats42.7%
- Seat belts42.7%
- Body & structure10.7%
- Steering10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE IN MY CAR THAT HAS CAUSED CYLINDER HEAD ISSUES AND HEAD GASKET ISSUES. EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS A 2009, IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 53,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2019 AND IN JANUARY 2020 THE CAR OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AND THEN I NOTICED THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. I REPLACED THE HOSE AND THERMOSTAT. NOW IN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 THE CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN AND THERE WAS ALSO LEAKING FROM THE COOLANT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE NEEDS MAJOR REPAIR WORK. I RECENTLY NOTICED RECALLS ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, HOWEVER BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR, I'M THINKING THIS MAY STILL BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. ADDITIONALLY, I REVIEWED THE CARFAX REPORT FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNERS AND THERE WAS NO INFORMATION ABOUT ANY RESOLVED RECALLS. HOWEVER, I SPOKE WITH THE BMW DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAD WORK DONE AT FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND THEY SAID THE RECALLS IN 2012 (AUXILIARY COOLANT PUMP) AND 2015 (HEAT SHIELD TURBO CHARGER) WERE RESOLVED. I ALSO CONFIRMED THIS WITH ANOTHER MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP. BASED ON THE CARFAX REPORT, THESE RECALLS MAY HAVE NEVER BEEN RESOLVED.
THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FAILED AND CAUSED THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO OVERHEAT. IF THE CIRCUIT BOARD WERE TO OVERHEAT, IT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A FIRE. OTHER OBSERVATION: MISFIRE PRESENT AT SEVERAL CYLINDERS. INTAKE PORTS CARBONIZED.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that an airbag warning light would intermittently flash on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the passenger’s side airbag would remain off with or without a passenger seated in the passenger’s side seat. The dealer had been notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was also informed that there was a 10-year warranty placed on the vehicle for the airbag; however, the 10-year warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR. LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF. DEALER ADVISES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT FOR 10 YRS BUT DID NOT RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW IT'S A DEFECT. WE PURCHASED OUR 2009 MINI IN OCT 2008 SO NOT COVERED BY THEIR EXTENSION. SHOULDN'T IT BE SINCE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM?
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 55-60 MPH. VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START OR TURNOVER. 15 MINUTES OF REST AND CAR WAS STARTED AND RPMS WERE FLUTTERING. MINI COOPER OF GRAND RAPIDS STATED THE TIMING CHAIN WAS "MOST LIKELY" "OUT". THEY ALSO STATED NO GOODWILL ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE WINDOW, FOR A PREVIOUS LAWSUIT INVOLVING THEE 2009 MINI COOPER S, WAS CLOSED AND THE DEFECTIVE TENSIONER AND GUIDE RAILS (TO INCLUDE ENGINE DESIGN) WERE STILL IN MY MINI COOPER. CAR HAS STARTED ONCE SINCE BUT WILL NOT STAY RUNNING. OTHER CASES OF FUEL PUMPS FAILING ON SAID MODEL WERE ACKNOWLEDGED BUT "NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED" SAID MINI, THUS NOT WARRANTING ANY REPAIR OR CONCERN FOR MY FAILED MINI. REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS 3,985$. AFTER MENTIONING THE PREVIOUS LAWSUIT DURING 2015, A 'RANDOM' DISCOUNT WAS ANNOUNCED OF 10-15% TO BRING SAID TOTAL TO EST. 2,900$. MY 2009 MINI COOPER S HAS HAD IDLE AND RPM ISSUES/FLUCTUATIONS FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER PREVIOUS OWNER HAD JUST REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY IN JANUARY OF 2019 WITH GENUINE MINI REPLACEMENT PARTS (FACTORY PARTS CAUSING THE SAME FACTORY DEFECT)
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 HIGHER HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IT WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION! COST ($9000) I DID NOT HAVE THIS DONE.THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO AND FROM SCHOOL!
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 55-60 MPH. VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START OR TURNOVER. 15 MINUTES OF REST AND CAR WAS STARTED AND RPMS WERE FLUTTERING. MINI COOPER OF GRAND RAPIDS STATED THE TIMING CHAIN WAS "MOST LIKELY" "OUT". THEY ALSO STATED NO GOODWILL ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE WINDOW, FOR A PREVIOUS LAWSUIT INVOLVING THEE 2009 MINI COOPER S, WAS CLOSED AND THE DEFECTIVE TENSIONER AND GUIDE RAILS (TO INCLUDE ENGINE DESIGN) WERE STILL IN MY MINI COOPER. CAR HAS STARTED ONCE SINCE BUT WILL NOT STAY RUNNING. OTHER CASES OF FUEL PUMPS FAILING ON SAID MODEL WERE ACKNOWLEDGED BUT "NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED" SAID MINI, THUS NOT WARRANTING ANY REPAIR OR CONCERN FOR MY FAILED MINI. REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS 3,985$. AFTER MENTIONING THE PREVIOUS LAWSUIT DURING 2015, A 'RANDOM' DISCOUNT WAS ANNOUNCED OF 10-15% TO BRING SAID TOTAL TO EST. 2,900$. MY 2009 MINI COOPER S HAS HAD IDLE AND RPM ISSUES/FLUCTUATIONS FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER PREVIOUS OWNER HAD JUST REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY IN JANUARY OF 2019 WITH GENUINE MINI REPLACEMENT PARTS (FACTORY PARTS CAUSING THE SAME FACTORY DEFECT)
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2009 MINI COOPER S MADE RATTLE NOISE AND THE WHOLE TIMING CHAIN GOT REPLACED PLUS THE THERMOSTAT HOUSE AND WATER PUMP! THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL KEEPS ON AFTER TROUBLE-SHOOTING BY MY MECHANICS, WHICH MIGHT BE THE COMPUTER ISSUE WHICH HAS TO BE FIGURED OUT SOON! THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE SHOULD BE UNDER FULLY-COVERED BY MANUFACTURER SINCE TOO MANY MINI COOPER OWNER HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND PAID THOUSAND OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT! MY MINI IS ONLY ABOUT 55K MILES AND ALREADY HAS TIMING CHAIN ISSUE!
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 WHEN THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE WEATHER WAS 45 DEGREES AND WAS DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES ALREADY WHEN IT HAPPEND
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS PARKED AND WENT TO START IT AND NO WARNING CHIMES SEAT BELT SEAT RADIO AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REMAINS OFF DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION SYSTEM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS PARKED AND WENT TO START IT AND NO WARNING CHIMES SEAT BELT SEAT RADIO AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT SENSOR LIGHT STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY CAR IS STARTED, REGARDLESS ANYONE IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY MANUFACTURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 09 MINI S. ABOUT A YEAR OR SO AGO I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS STICKING WHEREAS I HAD TO JIGGLE IT IN ORDER TO OPEN IT. I TOOK THE DOOR PANEL OFF TO LOOK FOR ANY OBSTRUCTIONS AND FOUND NONE. I GREASED THE DOOR HINGE AND IT WORKED BETTER. I HEADED TO THE STORE ONE DAY AND UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A LITTLE DIFFERENT SOUND THAN USUAL AT LEAST I THOUGHT. AFTER COMING FROM THE STORE I ONCE AGAIN HAD TO JIGGLE THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH AND THE OUTSIDE DOOR LATCH. I GOT THE DOOR OPEN AND DECIDED TO STOP FOR GAS ON THE WAY HOME. AFTER ARRIVING AT THE GAS STATION I RELEASED MY SEAT BELT AND ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT BUDGE. AFTER NUMEROUS FAILED ATTEMPTS I COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I HEADED HOME AND IN MY DRIVEWAY I TRIED FOR SOME TIME MY USUAL TECHNIQUE ALONG WITH REPEATED ATTEMPTS WITH THE UNLOCK AND LOCK TOGGLE SWITCH, I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. THE WINDOW IS TOO SMALL TO CLIMB OUT AT LEAST FOR ME SO I EXITED THE VEHICLE BY CLIMBING OVER TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND EXITED THROUGH THAT DOOR. THIS COULD OF BEEN A BAD SITUATION AND A 911 CALL. THE 1ST RESPONDERS WOULD OF ARRIVED AND TRIED TO HELP ME GET OUT AND IF I WASN'T NIMBLE AS I AM TO CLIMB OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR THEY WOULD HAVE TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO COME AND CUT ME OUT OF MY PERFECTLY GOOD CAR AS FAR AS NOTHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND THERE ARE NO MODIFICATIONS ON THE DOORS OR ANY KNOWN ACCIDENTS. I SPOKE WITH A MECHANIC AND HE DIAGNOSED IT TO BE A FAULTY DOOR LATCH MODULE. I HAVEN'T HAD IT FIXED YET.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .