Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 MINI Cooper S problems

Owners filed 36 complaints about the 2009 MINI Cooper S with NHTSA between Apr 2009 and Apr 2024. The most-cited component is engine (19).

Complaints
36
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine19
  2. Air bags8
  3. Electrical system4
  4. Power train3
  5. Seats2
  6. Fuel/propulsion system2
  7. Exterior lighting2
  8. Seat belts2
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  10. Tires2
  11. Steering1
  12. Service brakes1
  13. Vehicle speed control1
  14. Engine and engine cooling1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20092
20100
20113
20121
20132
20142
20158
20163
20172
20182
20194
20201
20212
20222
20231
20241

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

19 reports
“While driving the car the engine stalls due to timing chain issues . These timing chain issues were part of a safety recall but this car's vin number doesn't qualify! The car will stall at full speed”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2022EngineODI 11483627

Air bags

8 reports
“I was driving my vehicle and the driver's side airbag in the seat went off unexpectedly during normal driving operation. I was the only person in the vehicle and was able to stop quickly and safely. The problem has not been checked or inspected by anyone. There was no warnings that had indicated a problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2024Air bagsODI 11584327

Electrical system

4 reports1 related recall
“1.Electronic power steering gearbox. Connections almost caught on fire. And yes it is available for inspection upon request. 2. If it would’ve caught on fire. the whole vehicle would’ve torched. I noticed there’s a lot of Mini Cooper engine fires. 3. No it has not been confirmed by dealer. 4. No it has not been inspected by the manufacturer. I didn’t feel it was safe to drive the vehicle. I did make them aware of it and ask him how much a New power steering gearbox would be. they said $2200 just for the part. Will also need the connecting wiring also.. so that will ensure more cost. 5. There was no warning lamps messages or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Not sure exactly when it first appeared. But there are several Mini Cooper‘s that have electrical fires and I just think I caught mine before it went to that level.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2022Steering, Electrical systemODI 11462900

Power train

3 reports
“MOTOR WAS FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE OIL DRAINED OUT AND THE MOTOR DIED ALL AT ONCE NO LIGHT NO ALERTS JUST WORKING FINE ONE MIN COMPLETE DESTROYED THE NEXT THEY WANT 10K TO REPLACE IT AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY DEMANDS I PAY 3400 TO HAVE THE OLD MOTOR TESTED TO PROVE IT FAILED DESPITE THE MECHANIC SAYING IT HAS AND HEARING A KNOCKING OF THE RODS ON THE LOWER HALF OF THE MOTOR MINI COOPER VEHICLES: 2007 THROUGH 2010 HARDTOP (R56), 2008 THROUGH 2010 CLUBMAN (R55), AND 2009 THROUGH 2010 CONVERTIBLE (R57) (COLLECTIVELY, THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES). THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES HAVE A DEFECT WITHIN THEIR TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS THAT COST, AT MINIMUM, HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX AND THAT CAN CAUSE EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE (THE DEFECT). UNLIKE MOST ENGINES MADE FOR THE CONSUMER MARKET, THE PRINCE ENGINE USES A METAL TIMING CHAIN RATHER THAN A BELT MADE OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS. WHEN THE PRINCE ENGINE WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 2004, DEFENDANT TOUTED THE TIMING CHAINS DURABILITY COMPARED TO A TIMING BELT, AND INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD REMAIN MAINTENANCE-FREE THROUGHOUT THE FULL RUNNING LIFE OF THE ENGINE. ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THE PRINCE ENGINE DEFENDANT HAS PROMOTED…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2015Power train, Service brakes, EngineODI 10732793

Seats

2 reports
“HAVE A ASSENGER RESTRAING MALFUNCTION, ALSO HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAULT. WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2021Seats, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11390693

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING AS I WAS DRIVING (TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED - IN A BEND IN THE ROAD--VERY SCARY). ALSO, AROUND THIS TIME, COULD NOT START UP THE CAR--CAR ENGINE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN OVER BUT WOULDN'T UNTIL ABOUT MY 6TH ATTEMPT. I NEVER HAD PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR BEFORE. I MIGHT ADD THAT RECENTLY, BEFORE I HAD THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THE FAST PICK UP THAT IT USE TO. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2012Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10473711
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.