2009 MINI Cooper Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH at night, the exterior lights started flickering and started to become inoperable. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, removed the battery terminals, and performed a master reset. After the master reset, there was an abnormal clicking sound inside the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to the residence. After arriving to the residence, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was parked and turned. The vehicle was then taken to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the relays inside the junction box used to control several of the electronic features had become inoperable. The mechanic suggested that the vehicle not be driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11754946

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

Mileage

90,000 mi

The seatbelt and air bag warning light for the passenger front seat stays on.

NHTSA ID

11698274

Incident

Nov 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt warning light illuminated even though there was no passenger seated in the passenger’s seat. The contact stated that the warning light remained illuminated with the passenger’s seat occupied and the seat belt properly fastened. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ID

11684570

Incident

Sep 2, 2025

Mileage

92,000 mi

When it rains, my car seems to have a short circuit and all the electrical components start going crazy, mainly the windows, locks and indoor lights/dash. There is an active recall for the same problem and car model but mine doesn't seem to fit the recall I am not sure why.

NHTSA ID

11677585

Incident

Jul 15, 2021

My car has had an exterior lighting problem related to a bad FRM. This is causing my lights not to work. After seeking help, I saw that there was an actual recall on the FRM and I decided to take my car to International Mini dealership in Wisconsin. Once there, they proceeded to only fix the leak on sunroof. I then went back and explained that the leak had caused actual damage to the FRM and connectors and they told me to leave the car for another night. Next day I went to pick it up and they gave me the paperwork stating that they had replaced and reprogrammed the FRM but the problem persist. The connector on the FRM are also water corroded and they just refuse to do anything else to the car. I can’t drive my car due to the safety hazard of not having any exterior lights working.

NHTSA ID

11654250

Incident

Mar 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that the headlights, taillights, and the turn signal lights were inoperable. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); but the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights had remained illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11648826

Incident

Jun 15, 2023

Mileage

150,000 mi

The contact owned a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that after the vehicle was unoccupied and parked in the residential garage, she was putting her children down for a nap and 2 minutes later, the contact and her husband smelled smoke within the residence, shortly afterward it was discovered that the garage was engulfed in flames. The contact called 911 and evacuated her family of 2 dogs, and 2 minor children. The contact sustained injuries to both arms, both legs and her rear end up to her back. The husband sustained bruises right leg and back. The contact's toddler son sustained a bruise from running into the wall in the residence. No medical attention was sought. The contact mentioned that 1 of the dogs sustained abnormal breathing injuries. The police and fire departments arrived on the scene, and the firefighters extinguished the fire. The fire consumed the vehicle in the garage and resulted in damage to the residence. Police and fire department reports were filed. The contact does not have the fire report, yet, and was currently being worked by the chief of the fire department. The vehicle currently remained on the scene. The insurance company deemed the vehicle and her home totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11638081

Incident

Jan 19, 2025

Mileage

140,000 mi

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11629733

Incident

Apr 11, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11602800

Incident

Jul 16, 2024

My car started acting up when it rains and all the electrical goes crazy, all the lights turning on and off and all the locks opening and closing and it seems to have short-circuit and drained my battery, car left me stranded twice in the middle of the street. No electrical wire seems to be exposed and was informed it might be a footwell module issue, I see there is a recall happening yet my vehicle doesn't seem to be included eventhough it fits the specs and the has the same issues.

NHTSA ID

11600524

Incident

Apr 16, 2023

The passenger occupancy seat sensor is defective (as reported by many other owners of this vehicle model). The sensor is very costly to replace in terms of parts ($1,500) and labor ($1,500) and MINI does not sell the sensor separately as it is embedded in the seat foam. The defective sensor does not recognize a passenger sitting in the passenger seat and deactivates the passenger airbag which is an essential, lifesaving device fitted to a small vehicle. When involved in a major vehicle collision, without a working airbag, the risk of fatality drastically increases. The sensor is also responsible for NOT deploying the airbag if a passenger under 100lbs is sitting in the seat ie. a child. Again, this is a massive safety concern especially due to other owners resorting to a cheap aftermarket bypass module which will always deploy the airbag. This solution could seriously injure or cause fatalities for passengers under 100lbs. Other MINI models with the same electronic occupancy sensor problems have had recalls issued by the NHTSA and has not issued recalls for vehicles with the same issue consistently. It is the NHTSA's responsibility to hold the manufacturer accountable for ALL vehicle models with similar defects impacting the safe and consistent operation of life preservation devices such as airbags especially when repair costs for these defective devices are cost prohibitive for vehicle owners to replace.

NHTSA ID

11577181

Incident

Mar 13, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that several electrical features had failed to operate as needed with several warning lights flickering on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that water and salt had entered the footwell circuit causing wiring corrosion. The contact was given an estimate for the repair. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were 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 failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11575999

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper Hardtop. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the remedy to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated less than half the lights are working on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was confirmed that water and salt could enter the circuit and corrode and this service falls under the recall repair. The contact was informed the vehicle could be repaired if the contact paid out of pocket. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. 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 approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11571729

Incident

Jun 10, 2021

Mileage

110,000 mi

This has a major recall and won’t pass inspection. Engine light is on . I’ve called dealership and was told parts are on back order . Last year I was told the same thing before I received a letter in the mail.

NHTSA ID

11569949

Incident

Feb 5, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger occupant sensor light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the mat switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer that there was a recall for the mat switch however, neither the VIN nor the vehicle was included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

NHTSA ID

11569241

Incident

Apr 10, 2023

Mileage

22,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. 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 contact stated that the windows failed to roll up or down intermittently. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11564174

Incident

May 12, 2023

Mileage

102,000 mi

The car horn was going off randomly. I inspected the interior electrical panel on the passenger side of the car and it was damp. There is water getting into the passenger side of the car and infiltrating the panel causing this one issue and likely others. There is a recall for this problems in some places, but my vehicle is not included, currently.

NHTSA ID

11553589

Incident

Nov 4, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. 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 parking brake warning light and the tire pressure warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that after the front driver’s and passenger side doors were closed, the windows failed to readjust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11545250

Incident

Aug 18, 2023

Mileage

70,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11541203

Incident

Aug 28, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. 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 contact stated that the battery was replaced four times in four years. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11534409

Incident

Jul 16, 2019

Mileage

19,000 mi

MINI was totally destroyed by fire after driving for 15 minutes. It was parked in a parking lot and was in flames 5 minutes after my wife entered the store. This is comparable with problem requiring recall (with no remedy). No warnings

NHTSA ID

11533682

Incident

Sep 13, 2022

The problem was that the gas pedal began to stick. Suddenly it began to idle at 4000 rpm. I had to reach down and pull up the gas pedal while driving. I had it replaced a few weeks ago. Then I received a letter from Mini about a footwell control module. It sounds like a similar corrosion problem and it needs to be fixed as well. I had it looked at several times before it was fixed properly because a dirty throttle body can cause it to idle too fast

NHTSA ID

11532034

Incident

Jul 13, 2023

Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor fails There's a warning light for passenger airbag off , and also the airbag light on the dash panel never goes away ,even when a passenger is sitting on it. Is a common thing on minis , the dealer charges $100 to reset it within obd tool

NHTSA ID

11529179

Incident

Jun 27, 2023

Unknown. I purchased a used 2009 mini cooper in 2013. The airbag light went on for the passenger front side shortly after. I took it to be looked at and was told it would cost around 1,000 to be replaced. I couldn't afford that and felt that since it was never in an accident it must be defective. I contacted Mini cooper via email and phone calls and was told that since there wasn't any recalls, they couldn't do anything. I have always been uneasy driving with passengers, including my grandson in the car. I honestly expected Mini cooper to replace the airbag, but here we are, hoping nothing happens to the safety of my passengers... please reply with any information for me.

NHTSA ID

11520725

Incident

Jan 7, 2013

The high pressure fuel pump failed. There was a class action settlement and a warranty extension campaign for this part. Mini refused to warranty my vehicles h/p fuel pump stating it was only covered for 10 years or 120,000 miles. My vehicle only has 71,312 miles. I was informed by a local news source that manufacturers are required to honor the recall for 15 years per NHTSA, and that I should file a complaint. Please help. Thank you very much.

NHTSA ID

11512098

Incident

Dec 19, 2022