2009 MINI Cooper S Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 65about this part
- Share
- 55%of 119 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,092miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 65 complaints about the engine of the 2009 MINI Cooper S, 55% of the 119 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,092 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Since I get my until now I repair two times . The first time I was change the part of the top of the motor I don't remember the name. But this one that is the most strage I was driving and in the middle of the road the motor stop intanly. The most strange is 10 minutes after drive the car all this happen so that mean is no safe. And now what I have to do....”
NHTSA complaint #10749937, filed 2015-08, 29,800 miles“My 2009 Mini Cooper S made rattle noise and the whole timing chain got replaced plus the thermostat house and water pump! The engine light still keeps on after trouble-shooting by my mechanics, which might be the computer issue which has to be figured out soon! The timing chain issue should be under fully-covered by manufacturer since too many Mini cooper owner have the same problem and paid thousand of dollars to fix it! My Mini is only about 55k miles and already has timing chain issue!”
NHTSA complaint #11112588, filed 2018-07, 55,000 miles“Mini released a service bulletin (campaign: sim 11 02 12) regarding faulty timing chain tensioner. At appx. 40k miles, my Cooper S was taken in for service and it was reported there was a rattle in the front of the engine. The dealership replaced the tensioner under warranty. Now the same issue has occurred. I am being told the entire timing chain assembly needs replacement at an approximate cost of $3k. Mini has offered to pay 1/2 the cost. …”
NHTSA complaint #10503456, filed 2013-03, 77,000 miles“I was driving down the highway and my car gave me a warning that my engine temp was way to high. I was lucky enough to have a good place to stop and check out whay was gong on. I open the hood, the engine is smoking and the coolant reservoir is neat empty. I look and see a pool of antifreeze coming from the thermostat. This is the third thermostat I have installed on this car and the second faulty one I have had in 3 months. This is also the second time I have had to stop on the highway due to a badly leaking thermostat.”
NHTSA complaint #11055075, filed 2017-12, 77,000 miles“Total loss of power as I was crossing a major highway, car towed to local bmw certified mechanic, shows timing chain misfire, needs total replacement with multiple components needing replaced due to timing chain problem. 3300$ worth of damage to engine. Apparent problem with timing chain on thousands of Mini cooper and they have not called a recall on the piece. This was almost a major accident for me and is causing me thousands of dollars to replace and major inconvenience.”
NHTSA complaint #10549028, filed 2013-10, 86,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10171506Jan 1, 2020CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N14 HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HDP) SERVICE BENEFIT CLASS VEHICLES: The MINI vehicle may experience a sudden engine operational failure reduced or loss of…
- 10162441Jul 12, 2019"Cooper S with N14: Diagnosis for Misfire Faults. The Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is illuminated and/or the customer complains that the engine runs rough (engine cold or warm)…
- 10147906Dec 1, 2015Surface Cracks on the Water Pump Drive Pulley. During a repair, service or inspection, the drive pulley on the water pump shows signs of cracking. No part replacement is…
- 10059112Jul 1, 2015Mini: because of the dme software, and a damaged clutch, the drivetrain malfunction check message appear.
- 10059098Jul 1, 2015Mini: different faults activates engine malfunction and oil warning.
- 10059113Jun 1, 2015Mini: faulty software causes the check control and engine power reduced light to appear.
- 10059111Jun 1, 2015Mini: due to faulty dme software, the service engine lights comes on, including the check control message for motor force decrease.
- 10059094Jun 1, 2015Mini: a mechanical failure and dme software error of the vanos actuators cause the engine to run rough which activates the malfunction warning light.
- 10147700Mar 1, 2015"Engine Cranks, No Start and/or Engine Coolant Temperature Faults. 1 The engine either exhibits a crank, no start or a hard start (long crank), usually on a cold engine. No…
- 10147108Feb 1, 2015SI M11 01 12February 2015 EngineTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M11 01 12 dated March 2014. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT N16 and…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 40% |
| 2019 | 1 | 20% |
| 2017 | 2 | 33% |
| 2016 | 4 | 40% |
| 2015 | 3 | 17% |
| 2014 | 3 | 23% |
| 2013 | 7 | 29% |
| 2012 | 4 | 17% |
| 2011 | 16 | 52% |
| 2010 | 37 | 63% |
| 2009 | 65 | 55% |
| 2008 | 78 | 46% |
| 2007 | 94 | 38% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 MINI Cooper S
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 MINI Cooper S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology