2009 Mini Cooper S problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (52) · Power Train (16) · Engine And Engine Cooling (12)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mini Cooper S model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
106 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System 2023-05-11 · campaign 23V337000 · 97,933 vehicles
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, Uta
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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/Supercharger 2018-04-18 · campaign 18V248000 · 47,806 vehicles
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
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 recommen
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2012-01-11 · campaign 12V008000 · 90,368 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (115)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2023-10-25 · M610607 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. as a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system can have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. for this rea
Wheels 2021-12-01 · M360119 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
new rdc wheel electronics will be introduced with future generation mini models. the new wheel electronics are identified as huf generation 5. these new wheel electronics will need to be programmed using the new tool when replaced or when depressurized (0 psi) for more than 2 minutes.
Seats 2020-08-01 · M011116 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
oc3 seat occupancy mat - limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles: component-specific limited warranty extension for the above-referenced vehicles, mini usa, a division of bmw of north america, llc (mini usa) is extending the limited warranty for the front passenger's oc3 seat occupancy
Fuel System, Gasoline 2020-01-01 · M010419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
class action settlement: n14 high-pressure fuel pump (hdp) service benefit class vehicles: the mini vehicle may experience a sudden engine operational failure reduced or loss of power while driving and the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) may be illuminated along with high-pressure fuel pumprelated
Equipment:electrical 2019-07-12 · M640108 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
air conditioning system leak testing. the customer complains of poor or no air conditioning cooling. after further diagnosis, the system is found to be low or empty of a refrigerant charge, but when using an electronic leak detector, no leak can be found. cause: in most cases, an electronic leak d
Structure:body:door 2019-07-12 · M510912 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service action: checking or replacing the door sill trim strips. the door sill trim strips are deformed and/or peeling up at the corners. cause: insufficient surface preparation of the door sill.
Showing the 6 most recent of 115 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-06-17 · Electrical System“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 c…”
2024-01-24 · Electrical System“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…”
2024-01-02 · Electrical System · 87,000 mi“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 intermitt…”
2023-12-14 · Electrical System“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 confirme…”
2023-12-01 · Electrical System“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 con…”
2023-12-01 · Electrical System“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 manufacture…”
2023-08-07 · Electrical System · 59,000 mi“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 …”
2021-11-16 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger · 79,000 mi“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 …”
2020-09-17 · Engine · 50,000 mi“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 thermost…”
2020-04-05 · Engine“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.