YearToAvoid

2009 MINI Cooper S Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2009 MINI Cooper S ranks 4th worst out of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 83 and 119 NHTSA complaints, most tied to the engine. It carries an Avoid verdict, with engine problems making up 68% of complaints and three recalls on file.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
83/100
#4 of 19 Cooper S years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
119
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
4
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
27.5
24.5 city / 33 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2009 MINI Cooper S problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine81 (68%)
  2. Airbags17 (14%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain16 (13%)
  4. Electrical System13 (11%)
  5. Fuel System6 (5%)
  6. Structure & Body5 (4%)
  7. Seat Belts4 (3%)
  8. Other3 (3%)
  9. Brakes1 (1%)
  10. Steering1 (1%)

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, sometimes starting within a mile of driving or while the car sat parked shortly after a short trip.
  • Several complaints describe a leaking oil feed line to the turbo caused by a poorly insulated gasket, which owners say created a fire risk.
  • Owners report loud noise at cold startup traced to a failing timing belt tensioner, in some cases recurring even after dealer repair.
  • One complaint describes a timing chain tensioner issue causing a large oil leak, oil warning light, and the engine failing to restart.
  • Owners report the check engine light coming on with a loud noise due to a clogged fuel line that a dealer diagnosed but did not repair.
  • One report describes the electric power steering module shorting out, sparking, and catching fire, which also affected the ABS and tire pressure sensor.
2009 MINI Cooper S complaints: complaints filed per quarter102010 Q22012 Q22013 Q42015 Q22016 Q42019 Q22021 Q4
119 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q2 to 2024 Q2; peak 2013 Q4 (10).

2009 MINI Cooper S recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V337000May 11, 2023Electrical System97,933 vehicles

    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, 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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 MINI Cooper S fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24.5 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
27.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,900
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2009 compared with other Cooper S years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’19’20’21’22’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Avoid100249427
2008Avoid89168428
2009Avoid83119327.5
2010Caution7259428
2011Caution6731328

All MINI Cooper S years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 MINI Cooper S reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Cooper S ranks 4th worst of 19 model years with a complaint index of 83, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
What is the main problem with the 2009 MINI Cooper S?
Engine issues dominate, accounting for 81 of 119 complaints (68%), including reports of oil leaks, timing belt tensioner failures, and engine fires. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 53,000.
Does the 2009 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2009 Cooper S covering the electrical system and engine, including a water pump replacement recall and an electrical system inspection recall.
How does the 2009 Cooper S compare to other Cooper S years?
Its complaint index of 83 is worse than most later years like 2014 (33, Good) and 2019 (17, Best), but slightly better than 2005 (94) and 2007 (100).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.