2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman Problems & Complaints

Avoid3.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cooper S Clubman at the same age

Owners have filed 51 complaints about the 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 3.8× as many as a typical Cooper S Clubman model year at the same age, which makes the 2009 one of the Cooper S Clubman years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (31 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles). 2 recalls cover this model year.

51complaints
2recalls
0crashes
2fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman problems

  • Engine & cooling~49,000 miles
    3161%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~51,000 miles
    1122%
  • Electrical system~75,000 miles
    816%
  • Air bags~37,000 miles
    612%
  • Brakes~32,000 miles
    24%
  • A/C & heater~38,000 miles
    12%
  • Other / not specified~36,000 miles
    12%
  • Body & structure~95,000 miles
    12%
  • Lights~40,000 miles
    12%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~87,000 miles
    12%
  • Seat belts~37,000 miles
    12%

Share of the 51 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mini Cooper S Clubman complaints by model year

200820092010201111511313
Owner complaints per model year, Mini Cooper S Clubman. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Cooper S Clubman years: 2011. Years to avoid: 2009. Compare all years →

2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman recalls (2)

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 18V-248 · Apr 18, 2018 · 47,806 vehicles

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…

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.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger

NHTSA recall 12V-008 · Jan 11, 2012 · 90,368 vehicles

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,…

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman:

Engine compartment fire

NHTSA investigation PE11036 · opened Oct 11, 2011 · closed Jun 11, 2012 · led to recall 12V-008

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged…

What 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman owners say

Engine & cooling all 31 →

I am writing to formally request reimbursement for a timing chain replacement performed on my vehicle, which was the subject of a specific safety recall issued by BMW. The timing chain defect in this vehicle represents a severe safety hazard, as a failure can cause an immediate and total engine stall while the vehicle is in motion. This loss of power in traffic creates an 100% avoidable risk of collision. Despite BMW recognizing this defect through a prior reimbursement program, they are refusing to compensate for a safety-critical repair on a low-mileage vehicle (58,[redacted] miles) simply based on the car's age. At the time of repair, the vehicle had approximately 58,[redacted] miles. Although the vehicle is older, it was in storage for several years because the previous owner was unaware of the recall and lacked the financial means to address it. …

Jun 2015

Took in for oil change, burning smell, and rattling sound when engine cold. I was given a list after they had a few days of: material failure of oil pan gasket, oil filter housing leak, turbo oil feed line leak, material failure of thermostat housing, material failure of water pump, and material failure of timing chain, timing chain guides, tensioner. I ended with a total repair cost of $4,666.30. Two weeks later I again have a burning smell and the trim covering the turbo charger cracks. I am told this is normal and it is just out of the 5 year warranty on this even though I have an extended cosmetic warranty. In December the check engine light comes on but goes off after I call dealer. I am told if it is off, May just be emmisions error. On 2/20/2015, my oil pressure light goes on, dealer has no openings until 2/23/15. …

47,000 miles · Oct 2014

Transmission & drivetrain

Took in for oil change, burning smell, and rattling sound when engine cold. I was given a list after they had a few days of: material failure of oil pan gasket, oil filter housing leak, turbo oil feed line leak, material failure of thermostat housing, material failure of water pump, and material failure of timing chain, timing chain guides, tensioner. I ended with a total repair cost of $4,666.30. Two weeks later I again have a burning smell and the trim covering the turbo charger cracks. I am told this is normal and it is just out of the 5 year warranty on this even though I have an extended cosmetic warranty. In December the check engine light comes on but goes off after I call dealer. I am told if it is off, May just be emmisions error. On 2/20/2015, my oil pressure light goes on, dealer has no openings until 2/23/15. …

47,000 miles · Oct 2014

Driving on the interstate approximately 70mph, suddenly vehicle began rumbling. Immediately check engine light flashed and the car immediately stopped accelerating. The motor kept running but with a continuous rumbling and accelerator was completely inactive. Car will start but no power output, pressing on the gas is futile.

87,000 miles · Jun 2015

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contacted became aware of a failure with the electrical system. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed to display as needed, and the turn signals failed to function properly. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to turn off, causing the battery to become drained. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

75,000 miles · May 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the contact stated that there was a leak on the passenger's side which caused a short circuit of the fuse box located in the passenger side foot well. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who determined that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer should cover the cost for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

144,000 miles · Aug 2023

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman a good car?

Based on 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Cooper S Clubman rates avoid: 3.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cooper S Clubman at the same age. It is one of the Cooper S Clubman years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman?

The engine & cooling — 31 complaints, 61% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (11) and electrical system (8).

How many recalls does the 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman have?

There are 2 recalls for the 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman, the most recent from April 18, 2018 (engine). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mini Cooper S Clubman?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009. See the full Mini Cooper S Clubman years comparison.

At what mileage do 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 51% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.