What year MINI Cooper S Clubman should I avoid?

Avoid the 2009 and 2011 model years. The 2009 has the highest complaint index (100) among all Clubman years, driven mainly by engine problems, and the 2011 has an index of 83 with electrical system issues and reported crashes.

Is there a best year for the MINI Cooper S Clubman?

No year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year has at least one recall campaign. The 2008 and 2010 model years have the lowest complaint indexes (67 and 50) among the non-avoid years and are the lowest-risk picks.

What is the most common problem on the MINI Cooper S Clubman?

Across all model years, the Engine is the top problem area with 48 complaints, 53 percent of the total 90 complaints filed with NHTSA.

Does the 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman have engine fire complaints?

Yes. NHTSA sample complaints for 2009 describe engine fires, including one where smoke and flames appeared after a short grocery-store trip, at a median engine-failure mileage of 49,000.

How many recalls does the MINI Cooper S Clubman have overall?

NHTSA lists 5 total recall campaigns across the 2008-2021 Cooper S Clubman model years covered in this data.

MINI Cooper S Clubman Best and Worst Years (2008–2021)

Avoid the 2009 and 2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman: 2009 has a complaint index of 100 (the worst of 7 model years, 51 complaints) driven by engine failures, and 2011 has an index of 83 with electrical system and fire reports. No year reaches Good or Best status because every model year carries recall campaigns; 2008 and 2010 are the lowest-risk choices.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2009 Avoid 2011Lowest-risk years:Caution 2008 Caution 2010

Model years: 7; 2008–2021
NHTSA complaints: 90
Recall campaigns: 5
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 7
Top problem area: Engine

Cooper S Clubman Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

MINI Cooper S Clubman problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2008	Caution	67	11	0	3	2	Engine	—	—
2009	Avoid	100	51	0	2	2	Engine	—	—
2010	Caution	50	13	0	0	2	Electrical System	—	—
2011	Avoid	83	12	2	2	3	Electrical System	29	—
2012	No verdict	33	2	0	0	1	Engine	29	—
2020	No verdict	17	1	0	0	1	Structure & Body	27.5	—
2021	No verdict	0	0	0	0	1	—	26	—

Cooper S Clubman years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman Index 100 · 51 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2009 Cooper S Clubman has the highest complaint index (100) of any year in this model, with 51 total complaints. Engine problems dominate, making up 61 percent of complaints for the year, including reports of engine fires, some starting shortly after short drives and producing heavy smoke. Owners also reported transmission hesitation when accelerating from a coast, and a case of the parking brake failing to hold the car on a hill. Median mileage at failure for engine issues was 49,000. NHTSA lists two recall campaigns for the year covering engine water pump replacement.

2009 engine problems →

2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman Index 83 · 12 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2011 Cooper S Clubman ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 83 across 12 complaints, and it is the only avoid year with reported crashes (2) and an injury. Electrical system problems lead at 58 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 50,000. Owners also reported engine fires occurring after the car had been parked, airbags failing to deploy in a rear-end crash, and a steering-related loss of control. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for this year, including one specific to Clubman electrical wiring.

Most common MINI Cooper S Clubman problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine48 (53%)
Electrical System22 (24%)
Transmission & Powertrain14 (16%)
Airbags13 (14%)
Other6 (7%)
Structure & Body6 (7%)
Brakes4 (4%)
Fuel System3 (3%)
Seat Belts1 (1%)
Steering1 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year MINI Cooper S Clubman should I avoid?: Avoid the 2009 and 2011 model years. The 2009 has the highest complaint index (100) among all Clubman years, driven mainly by engine problems, and the 2011 has an index of 83 with electrical system issues and reported crashes.
Is there a best year for the MINI Cooper S Clubman?: No year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year has at least one recall campaign. The 2008 and 2010 model years have the lowest complaint indexes (67 and 50) among the non-avoid years and are the lowest-risk picks.
What is the most common problem on the MINI Cooper S Clubman?: Across all model years, the Engine is the top problem area with 48 complaints, 53 percent of the total 90 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Does the 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman have engine fire complaints?: Yes. NHTSA sample complaints for 2009 describe engine fires, including one where smoke and flames appeared after a short grocery-store trip, at a median engine-failure mileage of 49,000.
How many recalls does the MINI Cooper S Clubman have overall?: NHTSA lists 5 total recall campaigns across the 2008-2021 Cooper S Clubman model years covered in this data.