Owners filed 119 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
05212452,124 milesMedian miles at failure
106 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,000–50,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine
58
0
1
0
Air Bags
15
1
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
13
0
1
0
Electrical System
11
0
1
0
Power Train
10
0
0
0
Seat Belts
2
1
0
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
2
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
1
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
1
0
0
0
Structure › Body
1
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Electrical System23V337000
Filed May 11, 202397,933 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger18V248000
Filed Apr 18, 201847,806 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger12V008000
Filed Jan 11, 201290,368 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jun 17, 2024AL
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.
Electrical System
Filed Jan 24, 2024OH
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.
Electrical System
Filed Jan 2, 202487,000 milesPA
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 while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the interior lights and exterior lights were turning bright and dim intermittently. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical System
Filed Dec 14, 2023CO
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 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical System
Filed Dec 1, 2023OR
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 local dealer was not contacted. 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.
Electrical System
Filed Dec 1, 2023PR
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 unavailable. 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.
Electrical System
Filed Aug 7, 202359,000 milesSC
The contact's wife owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the turn lights and power windows failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the red check vehicle warning light was flashing on the instrument panel. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
Air Bags
Filed Nov 16, 202179,000 milesCA
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.
Engine
Filed Sep 17, 202050,000 milesMD
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.
Electrical System
Filed Apr 5, 2020CA
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.
Electrical System
Filed Jan 17, 2020129,987 milesIN
MY MINI IS ONLY AT 133,XXX MILES. AROUND 130,XXX MILES IT STARTED, I GOT OFF WORK AND WAS GOING TO HEAD HOME. I TRIED STARTING IT, IT JUST CRANKED UNTIL I PRESSED THE STOP BUTTON. ABOUT 4 DIFFERENT SERVICE ICONS CAME ACROSS THE SCREEN ( RED CAR SAYING SERVICE, CAR UP ON A LIFT, STEERING WHEEL WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT, AND A GEAR COG WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT). DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR 5 MINUTES, HOOKED IT BACK UP AND IT WORKED FINE, OR SO I THOUGHT. IT NOW RUNS ROUGH, AND I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY ABOUT EVERY 5TH-6TH TIME I TRY TO GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE IT WILL JUST DO AS BEFORE AND JUST CRANK. HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS, ALL SAYING THE ECU IS BAD. I CAN TRY TO HAVE IT REPROGRAMMED FOR $500-$800, HOWEVER IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPROGRAM IT, I AM LEFT WITH THE ONLY OPTION OF SPENDING $1,000 FOR A NEE BLANK ECU FROM MINI, WHICH THEN HAS TO BE PROGRAMMED BY MINI FOR ADDITIONAL $$.
Electrical System
Filed Jan 7, 202012,500 milesCA
WAS PARKED AND WENT TO START IT AND NO WARNING CHIMES SEAT BELT SEAT RADIO AIR BAGS
Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 29, 2019120,000 milesPA
MY RADIO AND SOUND SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. SO MY SAFETY NOISES LIKE MY SEATBELT AND ANY PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE DO NOT GIVE ANY SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING FINE IN THE MORNING AND THEN IN THE AFTERNOON IT STOPPED WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. AND IT WAS OFF AND STATIONARY.
Engine
Filed Oct 16, 2019119,580 milesMN
DAILY ON COLD STARTS, THE CAR MISFIRES AND STALLS 2-20 TIMES BEFORE IT STARTS. THIS HAS JUST STARTED HAPPENING IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS.
Air Bags
Filed Aug 8, 201935,000 milesFL
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?
Engine
Filed Jun 18, 201995,200 milesMI
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)
Air Bags
Filed May 7, 201940,000 milesCA
AT 40K MILES ON A 2009 MINI COOPER S (R56); SRS AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON LCD SCREEN / SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND ROOF; LCD WARNING READS "FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER..." WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AT STARTUP AND REMAIN PERMANENTLY ON WHILE AT IDLE AND DURING DRIVE, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS AND CONDITIONS UNTIL SHUT OFF. TECHNICIAN SCANNED AND RETRIEVED FAULT CODE 93C3 ("SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR, PASSENGER") AND ESTIMATED A COST OF $1,950 TO REPLACE ENTIRE SEAT CUSHION, BY A SPECIAL ORDER FROM THE FACTORY, WHICH HAS THE OCCUPANCY DETECTOR BUILT INTO THE LINING. THE COMPONENT WAS NOT REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION ONLINE, THERE EXIST THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE FOR THIS CHASIS MODEL; IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS IS A FUALTY SAFETY COMPONENT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I URGE THE NHTSA TO PRESS EVEN HARDER ON THIS MATTER BEFORE ANY SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS OCCUR AS A RESULT OF EITHER NEGLIGENCE ON THE MANUFACTURER'S BEHALF, OR FOR A LACK OF RESPONSE BY THE NHTSA, OR WORSE: BOTH. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK, IT IS A SERIOUS LIABILITY CONCERN, AND I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS. I HOPE TO BE CONTACTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO DISCUSS FURTHER.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 19, 2018147,000 milesCA
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.
Engine
Filed Sep 10, 2018MA
AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FAILURE. SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER IDENTICAL CARS WITH A RECALL BUT THIS ONE IS NOT LISTED. RECALL NUMBER FOR THIS IS 18V248000. THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING WITH MY CAR BUT MINI SAYS IT ISN'T LISTED.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 20, 201855,000 milesCT
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!
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.