Total Complaints
151 filings
MINI COOPER S · model year
151 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009MINICOOPER S carries 151 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 COOPER S is engine with 65 filings, followed by air bags (17) and power train (16). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2009 COOPER S. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
151 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 65 |
| AIR BAGS | 17 |
| POWER TRAIN | 16 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 14 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 13 |
| SEAT BELTS | 4 |
| SEATS | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION | 1 |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
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, Coo
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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,
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
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
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.
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.
Mileage: 87,000
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mileage: 59,000
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 passengerâs side airbag would remain off with or without a passenger seated in the passengerâs 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.
Mileage: 79,000
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 passengerâs side airbag would remain off with or without a passenger seated in the passengerâs 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.
Mileage: 79,000
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 C
Mileage: 50,000
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.
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.
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 $$.
Mileage: 129,987
WAS PARKED AND WENT TO START IT AND NO WARNING CHIMES SEAT BELT SEAT RADIO AIR BAGS
Mileage: 12,500
WAS PARKED AND WENT TO START IT AND NO WARNING CHIMES SEAT BELT SEAT RADIO AIR BAGS
Mileage: 12,500
WAS PARKED AND WENT TO START IT AND NO WARNING CHIMES SEAT BELT SEAT RADIO AIR BAGS
Mileage: 12,500
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.
Mileage: 120,000
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.
Mileage: 119,580
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?
Mileage: 35,000
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 T
Mileage: 95,200
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.