2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman ranks worst of 7 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 51 complaints, mostly engine-related. Owners reported fires, timing chain and water pump failures, and two recalls address engine water pump issues, making this the year to avoid most.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 7 Cooper S Clubman years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 51
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine31 (61%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (22%)
- Electrical System9 (18%)
- Airbags6 (12%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
- Other2 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
- Structure & Body1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engine compartment fires occurring shortly after short trips, sometimes with white smoke turning black and total vehicle loss.
- Timing chain tensioner failures reported around the median mileage of 49,000 miles, with some owners saying dealers were aware of the issue but had not issued a fix.
- Drivers describe a delay in acceleration when trying to speed up from coasting, with the transmission failing to engage promptly, creating near-miss situations in traffic.
- The parking brake reportedly failed to hold the car on an incline, causing it to roll backward into another vehicle and toward a highway.
- The airbag warning light reportedly stays on with a properly seated passenger, and dealers say they cannot diagnose or repair it without a stored fault code.
- Owners report the brake warning light repeatedly triggering falsely before actual brake wear was confirmed at higher mileage.
2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V248000Apr 18, 2018Engine47,806 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
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.
- NHTSA 12V008000Jan 11, 2012Engine90,368 vehicles
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, 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.
2009 compared with other Cooper S Clubman years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 model has the highest complaint index (100) of the 7 model years tracked, with 51 complaints centered on the engine, giving it an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman?
- Engine issues make up 61% of complaints, including reported fires and timing chain tensioner failures, followed by transmission and powertrain problems at 22% and electrical system issues at 18%.
- Does the 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for this year, both related to the engine, including a 2012 campaign to replace the water pump on 2007-2011 MINI Cooper S and Clubman models.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 49,000 miles for engine complaints, with transmission complaints reported around 51,000 miles.
- How does 2009 compare to other Cooper S Clubman years?
- The 2009 model ranks worst of 7 years with a complaint index of 100, compared to 83 for 2011, 67 for 2008, and 50 for 2010, which are rated Caution.