2009 MINI Cooper S Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 MINI Cooper S most often describe engine problems, with a timing chain and tensioner noise that is widely called a cold-start rattle standing out across the sample. Reports also cover oil leaks around the turbo and vacuum pump, coolant loss from the thermostat, water pump and turbo-related plumbing, and an intermittent airbag warning tied to the passenger seat sensor. Many of these appear between roughly 30,000 and 80,000 miles, and some complaints describe the noise developing gradually before a sudden loss of power.

1. 1
   Engine

   Timing chain rattle and tensioner failure

   Mentioned in 29 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a loud rattle or knocking from the engine on cold start that fades as the engine warms, sometimes followed by oil loss, a stalled engine or sudden power loss while driving. Complaints say dealers replaced the tensioner, the chain and guide rails, and in some cases reported the chain had broken and damaged the engine, with quotes for head or engine replacement. Several owners say the tensioner was replaced once and the noise returned later. Most reports fall between about 30,000 and 87,000 miles, with many noted on cold starts and in colder weather.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a rattle at cold start and ask for records of any timing chain, tensioner or guide rail work. A service bulletin describes a warranty extension for the N14 timing chain and tensioner, so ask whether it was applied and whether any repair was done under it.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Timing chain broke well before 10 year or 100000 miles. This timing chain breakage caused my engine to fail due to piston damage or cylinder damage. My engine now needs to be replaced. My vehicle was moving when the sound occurred. When I researched this sound, I learned it may be the timing chain and took it to the garage to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10811345, filed 2015-12, 72,000 miles

   “Started to hear a knocking noise coming from the engine compartment. Issue with the time chain. So bent out of shape that the chain almost broke. I have always kept on top of changing my oil and getting my car serviced everytime it need it so I don't understand why this would even happen. When researching my problem I saw that its extremely common for models since 2007+ to experience this. This needs to be recalled. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10535644, filed 2013-08, 35,100 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss from thermostat, water pump and turbo plumbing

   • 34 complaints (29%)
   • median 55,092 mi at 5.3 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,250 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2020

   Complaints describe coolant leaking steadily or profusely, the temperature warning coming on and the reservoir running nearly empty, in some cases with smoke from the engine bay. Owners report the thermostat, water pump and related hoses being replaced, sometimes repeatedly, and a few say overheating led to head gasket or cylinder head damage. Another group describes leaks and smoke from the turbo oil feed line, with the dealer quoting repairs the owner felt should be covered. Reports range from about 31,000 to 87,000 miles, and a few owners mention repeat thermostat replacements within months.

   Recall 12V008000Recall 18V2480004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue around the thermostat housing, water pump and hoses, and ask whether the auxiliary water pump recall work was done. A service bulletin describes a warranty extension for the mechanical coolant pump, so ask if it applies to this car.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A few weeks after I bought the vehicle, I noticed that there was a noise when starting the engine cold. This rattling noise would continue until the engine heated up & go away. I took the car in they changed the oil & told me that the coolant was low. He asked if the car was overheating which it was not. He told me to keep a close eye to see if the car overheats. I made an appointment to take the car to a local mechanic just to be safe. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10695201, filed 2015-03, 85,000 miles

   “My car has been leaking oil and the dealership determined it was due to the timing chain tensioner. They are charging $357.98 to have it fixed. My car was purchased brand new and has only 50,000 miles on it. As soon as my 4-year warranty expired, my car has been in the shop multiple times due to engine issues. Services that have been performed at 50,000 miles: 1. Thermostat is leaking coolant- $ 671.99 2. Water-pump also leaking coolant- $661.20 3. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10558305, filed 2014-01, 51,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Loss of power or stalling with engine management faults

   • 17 complaints (14%)
   • median 55,177 mi at 5.5 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out or dropping power at speed, sometimes with the reduced-power message or check engine light, and the car needing a tow. Owners report dealers replacing vacuum hoses, the vacuum pump, the turbocharger because the wastegate would not close, and in some cases the high-pressure fuel pump or an injector, with several saying the fault returned after a repair. Most reports fall between about 29,000 and 147,000 miles, with several occurring during highway driving.

   Recall 18V2480005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service history on the turbocharger, vacuum pump and high-pressure fuel pump, and have any stored fault codes read before buying. A service bulletin describes a settlement benefit for the high-pressure fuel pump on these engines, so ask whether it was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is the second complaint I've made within six months of purchase: I was driving along the highway at 70mph when the reduce speed engine light came on. Before I had a chance to reduce speed the car came to a complete stop on the fast lane of the highway. The car behind me swerved as I managed to restart my 2009 Mini Cooper S and pull into the slow lane. I managed to avoid collision and placed hazards on. I got my Mini to brady's auto repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10524089, filed 2013-07, 55,008 miles

   “Driving on 405 fwy in southern california turning out of freeway off ramp in the pouring rain. The car dead stopped. Very dangerous, cars coming off freeway behind me was a 911 situation. After someone pushed me off to the side of the road had car towed. No engine light warning to indicate problem of tensioner (timing chain breakage). Entire engine was replaced/rebuilt because of extensive damage to engine. Bmw apparently is aware of the timing chain defect and has not issued service bulletin or recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10566596, filed 2014-03, 48,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and passenger seat sensor

   • 18 complaints (15%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2021

   Owners report a red airbag or restraint-system warning that comes on while driving and sometimes stays on, with the passenger airbag showing as off whether or not someone is seated there. Complaints say dealers retrieved a passenger seat occupancy sensor fault and quoted repair costs, and several were told the car was outside a recall or that a 10-year warranty extension had expired. Mostly reported between about 39,000 and 79,000 miles, and often described as intermittent at first.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the key and confirm the airbag light goes out after the self-check, and check whether the passenger airbag indicator changes when someone sits in that seat. A service bulletin describes a warranty extension on the seat occupancy mat, so ask whether it was ever replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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?”

   NHTSA complaint #11242477, filed 2019-08, 35,000 miles

   “I have been getting the air bag warning light (in red) coming on while driving the car started in february, 2015. I've told that Mini/bmw is aware of this issue, but is not making any movement on establishing a safety recall on affected cars. Warning light comes on regardless of how many passengers are in the vehicle. Sometimes the light comes on and stays on, other times it cycles through on-off, with the audible warning, several times a minute.”

   NHTSA complaint #10693596, filed 2015-03, 64,500 miles

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.