Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Mini Cooper owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
MINI was totally destroyed by fire after driving for 15 minutes. It was parked in a parking lot and was in flames 5 minutes after my wife entered the store. This is comparable with problem requiring recall (with no remedy). No warnings
This has a major recall and won't pass inspection. Engine light is on . I've called dealership and was told parts are on back order . Last year I was told the same thing before I received a letter in the mail.
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
Hello, yesterday afternoon I started my 2009 Mini Cooper and noted that my gauges suddenly failed. The tach dropped to zero. Suddenly I received a tire pressure warning light. I decided I would move the car to a more favorable location to look under the hood. As I placed the car in reverse I noted that my power steering had failed. I stopped the car immediately and popped the hood. I immediately noticed the smell of burning electrical equipment. I ran down to the basement to grab a wrench to disconnect the battery. When I returned I could hear pops and cracks and noted char on the hood interior. Though the keys were out I continued to hear pops and cracks and felt heat accumulating . I finally got the battery disconnected and the popping stopped. After some investigation I found that the wiring near the power steering module was completely burnt out. The car drove fine the day prior. …
Turbo oil line leaks and drips on turbo manifold causing burning oil smell and smoke. The engine caught a small fire, lucky I was parked on side of a highway road up in the mountains. (no fire stations or very little traffic) I smelt something burning under to hood when it happened and caught the flames in time to extinguish the fire. 2 seattle area Mini dealers state that this is a problem with all the turbo engines in this class. They want you to pay for this repair it's a $1300 fix. I believe that Mini/BMW needs to take responsibility and repair/recall the turbo oil line because it poses a safety issue the car could catch fire and potentially injure someone cause an accident, or worse death.
My vehicle experienced sudden loss of power without warning while on the interstate at full speed and was unable to be restarted. Luckily traffic was very light and I was able to guide my vehicle safely to the shoulder but the vehicle would not start. The temperature outside was around 15 degrees fahrenheit. It took over 2 hours for a two truck to arrive and my wife and I were lucky enough to have an emergency kit in the vehicle and were able to use the included space blanket to survive the freezing temperatures. Based on what happened I am certain that my vehicles timing chain had broken resulting in the loss of power and inability to start. This particular vehicle model has a known issue with this. My vehicle has had this issue before and was serviced by the dealer since it was recognized before any dangerous situations arose but this time I was not so lucky. …
I noted that at idle the engine of my 2009 Mini Cooper was not running smooth and instead beginning to pulsate/vibrate. Within in 3 days I had my Mini at the service center. On the way to the appointment the engine cut off at idle at a stop light but was able to restart. No sensor light. I was informed that there was a timing chain failure. As a result there was extensive damage to the engine. The damage also caused an oil leak so that the engine was running without oil, though I'd recently received an oil change. Additionally, the vacuum pump was also leaking. At no time did any sensor lights come on as a warning, including a check engine, low oil, or low coolant . I was informed that repairs would be upwards of $3500.00, over half of the value of the vehicle. Despite the class action lawsuit settlement that I inquired about, Mini failed to acknowledge knowledge of the problem. …
The engine was rattling heavily when the car ignition was on around 5 pm at the workplace parking lot . In the meantime, the check engine light was flashing. The car failed to deliver the power to the transmission. A few days late, my car was towed to a local dealership and diagnosed with leak oil from one of timing belt tensioners and a broken tensioner. The dealership had to replace the broken one with a new timing belt kit together with tensioners as a goodwill from the Mini Cooper USA (85% warranty deductible). Even though, I felt the quality of this important engine parts was unacceptable with such a low mileage on the car. The timing belt of this model was a metal chain located inside the engine box and supposed to last life-long without worry. I was lucky that this incident happened just in the parking lot. …
I took my Mini Cooper to passport Mini in montgomery county maryland for the hpfp failing where they changed it and then told me that the turbo oil feed line is leaking and that the timing chain had stretched and was going to fail. After I told them that I know that they have had problems and complained some they said that they would cover 30% of the chain replacement and a complete detail of my car and that they were being "generous". I explained to them that I wanted my defective chain fixed not a car wash. After reading this website I am hoping to get the oil feed line replaced too. It to is very well documented. If it goes up in flames while my wife and daughter are in the car which one of the executives at Mini or BMW will write me to apologize for this? This totally unacceptable behavior for a company. Lawyers wont help Mini wont help BMW wont help. …
My Mini has under 50,000 miles and is a 2009, and two months after purchasing it, one week after a new oil change a rattling started in the timing chain region under the hood. There are several ongoing and recent lawsuits involving the faulty timing components, however BMW has refused to do a recall. I have no other option where I live than to take it to a Mini dealership, which is taking advantage of this situation, quoting a ridiculous amount of $2000-$4000 for a complete diagnostics/repair. I can't believe how common the problem is and the fact that a company that is known for being reputable, BMW, is being so unprofessional in admitting the fault. Also, I had to tow my Mini to prevent the chain from spontaneously braking on my way to the dealership as well, just another fee, to prevent incurring an even pricier damage to the turbo engine, just unbelievable.
Engine complaints in other Cooper years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Mini Cooper?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Mini Cooper, 34% of the model year's 169 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Mini Cooper engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 Mini Cooper, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Mini Cooper engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 6 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.