U.S. public vehicle records

2009 Mini COOPER S CLUBMAN problems and owner complaints

Name: 2009 Mini COOPER S CLUBMAN problems and owner complaints
Creator: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

51 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

49,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 45 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 51 complaints (45.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	6	11.8%
Engine operation	4	7.8%
Transmission and shifting	3	5.9%
Braking behavior	2	3.9%
Fuel system concerns	1	2.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine

Power Train

Electrical System

Air Bags

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger

Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Engine	23
Power Train	10
Electrical System	8
Air Bags	6
Engine And Engine Cooling	5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger	1
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner	1

Engine: 23; Power Train: 10; Electrical System: 8; Air Bags: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2019

2020

2023

2024

2026

2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2012: 13; 2013: 9; 2014: 5; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2023: 4; 2024: 2; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11531684 · 2023-07-11 (July 11, 2023)

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact later 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 notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was n…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11531684 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11534344 · 2023-07-25 (July 25, 2023)

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Copper S Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determi…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11534344 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10474147 · 2012-09-06 (September 6, 2012)

NOTICED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AFTER A COLD START. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MINUTE SO, IT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE SAME LOUD NOISE THAT MINIS MAKE AFTER COLD STARTS. HOWEVER, NOTICED THAT THE NOISE SEEMED LOUDER THAN NORMAL AFTER A COUPLE OF OTHER COLD STARTS AND DECIDED TO TOW THE CAR IN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (YELLLOW) CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WAS JERKY (AS THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO STALL). DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH NO INCIDENT (ABOUT 5 MILES). I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10474147 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10480652 · 2012-10-16 (October 16, 2012)

THIS ALL STARTED LATE 2009 OR EARLY 2010 WHEN I STARTED MY MINI AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL INSTEAD OF A GAS ENGINE, AFTER THE CAR RAN A FEW MINUTES THE RATTLING SOUND DISSIPATED. I CONTINUED TO HEAR THIS DAILY DURING COLD STARTS SO I CONTACTED A MINI DEALER WHO INSTRUCTED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN THE WORKS FOR FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE YET SO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT SINCE IF OTHER THINGS FAIL IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE TENSIONERS WERE REPLACED AND EVERYTHING SOUNDED NORMAL AGAIN. THEN I…

Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10480652 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10362426 · 2010-10-26 (October 26, 2010)

MY 2009 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL IF I AM COASTING. THERE IS AN INITIAL DELAY, THEN THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP BUT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE LANES OR MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE DEALER SAYS THE CAR OPERATES AS DESIGNED... *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10362426 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10382633 · 2011-02-14 (February 14, 2011)

I PARKED MY 2009 MINI CLUBMAN S ON A MODERATE HILL. AFTER 10 TO 15 MINUTES, WITH THE PARKING BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED AND THE CAR IN FIRST GEAR (STANDARD TRANSMISSION), THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARD DOWN THE HILL, STRUCK A CAR PARKED BEHIND IT, THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL INTO A BUSY 3-LANE HIGHWAY. IF I HAD NOT BEEN STANDING 100 YARDS AWAY WITH A GROUP OF RUNNING MATES (WAITING ON A LATE ARRIVER), THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS IT WAS, WE HEARD THE INITIAL COLLISION, SAW THE VEHICLE ROLLING INTO TRAFFIC, AND WERE ABLE TO…

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10382633 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10461108 · 2012-06-09 (June 9, 2012)

REPORTED BRAKE LIGHT ON TO MINI DEALER IN SACRAMENTO CA. SERVICE STATED THE BRAKES WERE OK, LIGHT JUST NEEDED TO BE RESET. LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON FIVE MORE TIMES. EACH TIME, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE CONSULTANTS RESET THE LIGHT. DECEMBER 2011 AT 37,000 MILES REPORTED BRAKE LIGHT ON AGAIN. DEALER CHECKED AND REPORTED THAT I NEEDED BRAKES, UNFORTUNATELY, NO LONGER COVERED UNDER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT I HAD REPORTED THE BRAKE PROBLEM ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, STARTING WHI…

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461108 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11291653 · 2019-12-27 (December 27, 2019)

2009 CLUBMAN MINI COOP FUEL PUMP KEEPS TRYING TO DIE WHEN DRIVING.THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. IT DIE ON ME TRYING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON L45. THEN WHEN I GET THERE THEY TELL ME IT'S OLDER THEN 10 YEARS.ITS STILL 10 YEARS OLD. NOW IT WON'T EVEN IDOL RIGHT WHEN I START IT UNLESS I MESS WITH GAS PEDAL AND GIVE IT MORE GAS. I HAVE A EXTENDED WARRANTY LETTER THAT SAY 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH MINI COOP FOR WEEKS. I'VE TALK TO ABOUT 7 DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT TELL ME SOMETHING DIFF…

Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11291653 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

51 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

88.2%Usable mileage45 / 51 records

100.0%Valid incident date51 / 51 records

100.0%Valid filing date51 / 51 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates51 / 51 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2020	2021
Engine	327.3% ODI 10492944 · 92,000 mi ENGINE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF A FAULTY PLASTIC TENSIONER PIECE BRAKING. THIS ISSUE HAS SURFACED REPEATEDLY GLOBALLY, BUT NO RECALL ISSUED. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND BECAUSE OF ONE SMALL LITTLE PLASTIC FAULTY PART COST ME CLOSE TO $5000. MINI/BMW NORTH AMERICA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE NOR WANTS TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE EXPENSES INCURRED TO KEEP DRIVING SAFELY. *TR Look up ODI 10492944 at NHTSA ↗	2345.1% ODI 10461109 · 37,620 mi CAR RATTLING AND SOUNDING LIKE A DIESEL FOR OVER A YEAR. DEALER SERVICE ADVISED TO CHECK OIL AND BE SURE OIL LEVEL WAS PROPER. NOVEMBER 2011, ALL OIL LEAKED OUT OF CAR ONTO GARAGE FLOOR. CAR TOWED TO DEALER SERVICE. THEY EXPLAINED OIL LEAKED BECAUSE A "PLUG" HAD COME LOOSE. DEALER REPLACED SEALING RING AND ADJUSTED THE CHAIN. I EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE ENGINE AND REQUESTED A DIAGNOSTIC BE DONE. SERVICE MANAGER REPLIED THE CAR WAS ALREADY PUT TOGETHER AND I WOULD NEED TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. CAR CONTINUED TO RATTLE LOUDLY. MAD… Look up ODI 10461109 at NHTSA ↗	538.5% ODI 10598272 · 55,000 mi MY 2010 COOPER CLUBMAN S RECENTLY HAD ITS TIMING CHAIN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MINI'S SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT. IN FACT, I WAS ON MY WAY TO A SCHEDULED SERVICING OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE MOTOR FAILED. IT STARTED WITH A LOUD RATTLING NOISE FROM THE MOTOR, WHICH MADE THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY SOUND LIKE EITHER A DIESEL ENGINE OR A CHAINSAW SLICING THROUGH SOMETHING. THEN AS I SLOWED DOWN IN TRAFFIC, THE RPMS ON THE CAR BEGAN TO SPASTICALLY JUMP. I WAS FORTUNATE T… Look up ODI 10598272 at NHTSA ↗	433.3% ODI 10664381 · 40,000 mi MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, AFTER DRIVING IT FOR THREE MILES IN THE RAIN. THE ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR Look up ODI 10664381 at NHTSA ↗	2100.0% ODI 11128556 · 55,005 mi THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 55,005 MILES WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. WE TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED AND WERE TOLD THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING /THERMOSTAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED. THEY MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PART DATED 8/5/2016 ON THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR, BUT OUR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOW COULD THAT BE? THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOMEONE CONTACT ME… Look up ODI 11128556 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	19.1% ODI 10458361 · 35,000 mi I CAME HOME FROM WORK AND PARKED THE CAR IN HIS NORMAL PARKING SPACE ON THE BLACK TOP. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WITH THE PARKING BRAKE AND LOCKED THE DOOR. A MINUTE LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT REPORT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A KEY LEFT IN THE IGNITION. Look up ODI 10458361 at NHTSA ↗	815.7% ODI 10430619 · 38,500 mi AFTER DRIVING TO WORK FOR 30 MINUTES, I PARKED MY CAR. I THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING AS I WALKED AWAY, SO I STOPPED AN LOOKED, BUT I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. FIVE MINUTES AFTER WALKING INTO MY BUILDING, SOMEONE TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRST WITNESS TO SEE SOMETHING (A CO-WORKER) SAID HE SAW SOMETHING ON FIRE DROP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. WHEN I RAN OUTSIDE, THE CAR WAS PUTTING OFF A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE. WE TRIED TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, TO NO END, AND WITHIN MINUTES WE WERE SEEING FLAMES. FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE FRONT OF THE … Look up ODI 10430619 at NHTSA ↗	430.8% ODI 10564011 FIRST INCIDENT: ON A HOT DAY, VEHICLE WAS PARKED, DRIVERS SEAT OCCUPIED AND RECLINED. AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES UPON RESTART OF VEHICLE. FAULT WAS RESET BY DEALER WITH NO EXPLANATION. SECOND TIME SAME SITUATION; HOT DAY, PARKED, DRIVER SEAT OCCUPIED AND RECLINED, AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES UPON RESTART. DEALER REPLACED AIR BAG DUE TO ELECTRICAL CABLE FOR DRIVERS SEAT AIRBAG BEING NEARLY CUT IN TWO BY SHARP EDGE OF SEAT FRAME. *TR Look up ODI 10564011 at NHTSA ↗	758.3% ODI 10664381 · 40,000 mi MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, AFTER DRIVING IT FOR THREE MILES IN THE RAIN. THE ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR Look up ODI 10664381 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	327.3% ODI 10520269 · 28,000 mi AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF WITH CODE 93B1 PASSENGER HEAD AIRBAG NOT PRESENT. MINI KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE AS IT HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE. THE TSB NUMBER IS SI-M-65-10-08. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR Look up ODI 10520269 at NHTSA ↗	611.8% ODI 10447911 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE YELLOW AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD SINCE THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE MANUAL STATED IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,600. UPDATED 03/14/12*LJ Look up ODI 10447911 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 10564011 FIRST INCIDENT: ON A HOT DAY, VEHICLE WAS PARKED, DRIVERS SEAT OCCUPIED AND RECLINED. AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES UPON RESTART OF VEHICLE. FAULT WAS RESET BY DEALER WITH NO EXPLANATION. SECOND TIME SAME SITUATION; HOT DAY, PARKED, DRIVER SEAT OCCUPIED AND RECLINED, AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES UPON RESTART. DEALER REPLACED AIR BAG DUE TO ELECTRICAL CABLE FOR DRIVERS SEAT AIRBAG BEING NEARLY CUT IN TWO BY SHARP EDGE OF SEAT FRAME. *TR Look up ODI 10564011 at NHTSA ↗	325.0% ODI 10895739 I'VE HAD MY 2011 MINI CLUBMAN S FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND HAD SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ALREADY. I'VE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, DSC LIGHTS, AND OTHER THINGS. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS SEEM TO COME ON ALL THE TIME AND THE MECHANICS DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE IDEA ON WHAT'S CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS. Look up ODI 10895739 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	19.1% ODI 10478895 · 53,225 mi THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR IS GOING OUT AT ONLY 53 THOUSAND MILES... EVERY TIME I GOT TO TURN OFF MY CAR THE LIGHT POPS ON SAYING THEIR IS A ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION..IT ALSO TAKES ME TURNING OFF MY CAR AND BACK ON FOR IT TO GET UN STUCK OUT OF PARK.. IM GETTING FED UP AND FEAR THAT SOMETHING WORSE WILL HAPPEN WITH MY CAR WHEN MY CHILD OR HUSBAND IS IN THE CAR WITH ME.. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR A YEAR AND ALREADY PUT $1200 INTO A WATERPUMP AND THERMOSTAT WITH HOUSING ... AND THAT WAS HARDSHIP ON ME. *TR Look up ODI 10478895 at NHTSA ↗	1019.6% ODI 10449005 · 51,000 mi 2009 MINI CLUBMAN S... TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACED AT 51000. 1000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. MINI WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS POOR ENGINEERING AND EVEN POORER LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY FROM MINI FOR A KNOWN, DOCUMENTED, AND VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10449005 at NHTSA ↗	215.4% ODI 10574970 · 57,000 mi MY FATHER PURCHASED A 2010 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S IN LATE 2009. HE HAS MAINTAINED PROPER MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR SINCE DAY ONE. IN FEBRUARY 2014 HE GAVE THE CAR TO ME. THE CAR ONLY HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT AND WE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND WE TOOK IT TO MINI OF LOUISVILLE. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR OVER 1 MONTH TO REPLACE THE VALVE BODY BECAUSE THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. WE WERE ADVISED THAT IF WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IT COULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL EVEN WHILE DRIVING. IF IT IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER, AND FO… Look up ODI 10574970 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	327.3% ODI 10310677 · 16,000 mi MY 2008 MINI CLUBMAN S WAS PARKED AT THE POST OFFICE, WHEN SOMEONE CAME IN TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I RAN OUTSIDE TO FIND SMOKE POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I RAN BACK INSIDE TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, AND CAME BACK OUT TO FIND FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, ALONG WITH THE SMOKE. I EMPTIED THE EXTINGUISHER, BUT THE FLAMES KEPT COMING. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, ONLY FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE FLAMES WERE 12 FEET HIGH, AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I HAVE FOUND REPORTS OF AT LEAST 30 OTHER S… Look up ODI 10310677 at NHTSA ↗	59.8% ODI 10346542 · 23,000 mi I PARKED MY 2009 MINI CLUBMAN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 10 MILES TO THE GROCERY STORE ROUND TRIP AND UNLOADED GROCERIES, WENT BACK OUT TO THE CAR AND IT WAS SMOKING WHITE SMOKE. FLAMES STARTED SHOOTING UP FROM THE ENGINE OVER THE WINDSHIELD AND IT PROGRESSED FROM THERE. THE SMOKE TURNED BLACK ALL WINDOWS WERE BLOWN OUT, FRONT TIRES MELTED AND BLOWN AND THE CAR WAS DECLARED AN OBVIOUS TOTAL LOSS. IT CAUGHT OUR HOME ON FIRE AND HAS CAUSED MORE THAN $50,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. PLEASE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10346542 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.0% ODI 10551000 · 35,836 mi NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10043724 THERE HAS BEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NOT A RECALL ON THE TURBO HEAT SHIELD. WITH THE LACK OF THE HEAT SHIELD THERE COULD BE ENGINE FAILURE BY A LACK OF OIL SUPPLY. I PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE ALL THE REPAIRS CAUSED BY THE LACK OF THE HEAT SHIELD TOTALING $636.37, BUT MINI WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE COSTS AS THIS IS A SERVICE BULLETIN NOT A RECALL (THOUGH MY DEALER HAD LEFT A MESSAGE STATING THAT IT WAS AN OPEN RECALL). THIS SHOULD BE AN OPEN RECALL AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDR… Look up ODI 10551000 at NHTSA ↗	215.4% ODI 10598272 · 55,000 mi MY 2010 COOPER CLUBMAN S RECENTLY HAD ITS TIMING CHAIN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MINI'S SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT. IN FACT, I WAS ON MY WAY TO A SCHEDULED SERVICING OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE MOTOR FAILED. IT STARTED WITH A LOUD RATTLING NOISE FROM THE MOTOR, WHICH MADE THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY SOUND LIKE EITHER A DIESEL ENGINE OR A CHAINSAW SLICING THROUGH SOMETHING. THEN AS I SLOWED DOWN IN TRAFFIC, THE RPMS ON THE CAR BEGAN TO SPASTICALLY JUMP. I WAS FORTUNATE T… Look up ODI 10598272 at NHTSA ↗	18.3% ODI 11104507 · 99,999 mi I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN GOING ON A 35MPH STREET AND MY CAR DID NOT TURN RIGHT WHEN I TRIED TO GO INTO A STREET AND IT WENT STRAIGHT INTO A TREE AND MY CAR WAS ALMOST OR MAY BE TOTALED BECAUSE OF THIS. I BELIEVE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FAULTY. I COULD HAVE HIT A CONCRETE WALL BUT THE TREE I RAN INTO SAVED MY LIFE. I AM NOT SURE IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER REPORTS FOR THIS LATELY BUT I WANT TO BE SAFE AND IF THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT FUNCTION RIGHT THEN I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS. Look up ODI 11104507 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Fuel/Propulsion System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.0% ODI 10724854 · 86,500 mi 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. Look up ODI 10724854 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 10886280 · 88,400 mi THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) FAILED AT 88400 MILES AND I HAD TO PAY OVER $1300 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. MINI COOPER ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SELECT 2007-2009 MODELS TO REPLACE THE HPFP AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE OF THIS HPFP PROBLEM IN SO MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE R14 ENGINE. OUR VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009. MINI COOPER IS SAYING THAT OUR VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THEIR WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS FUEL PUMP WAS ONE OF THE FAULTY UNITS THAT PROMPTED THE REQUIREMENT AND APPLICATION OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION AND THAT MINI S… Look up ODI 10886280 at NHTSA ↗	18.3% ODI 11638064 When I bought the car, John, a sales representative, promised me that he would have the car inspected by a mechanic before finalizing the paperwork, addressing issues with the tire pressure monitor, tail light sensor, and license plate light. However, the mechanic couldn't fix these issues, and Mike, the owner, directed me to his “personal mechanic” in San Bruno. After multiple reschedules from Mike, the car began to display an engine malfunction error. I informed Mike, and he advised me to mention the issue to the mechanic when I brought the c… Look up ODI 11638064 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	17.7% ODI 11256102 · 47,812 mi 6/21/2018, MY 2010 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S DEVELOPED SERIOUS DEFECTS. I DROVE MY CAR ON THE LEFTMOST LANE OF THREE-LANE BOSTON TURNPIKE. CLOSE TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I BRAKED TO DECELERATE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. BOTH BATTERY AND STARTER WORKED. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO RESTART THE ENGINE IN FAILURE. I BLOCKED TRAFFIC DURING RUSH-HOUR. SEVERAL CARS TOOK ACROSS ROAD CURB AND PASSED TO MY LEFT. IT MADE ME AND MY SON IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. UNTIL A TRUCK DRIVER CAME TO HELP ME TO PUSH MY CAR OFF … Look up ODI 11256102 at NHTSA ↗	18.3% ODI 10895739 I'VE HAD MY 2011 MINI CLUBMAN S FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND HAD SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ALREADY. I'VE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, DSC LIGHTS, AND OTHER THINGS. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS SEEM TO COME ON ALL THE TIME AND THE MECHANICS DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE IDEA ON WHAT'S CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS. Look up ODI 10895739 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine	37,620–60,000 mi	52,000 mi	21	ODI 10461109 · 37,620 mi CAR RATTLING AND SOUNDING LIKE A DIESEL FOR OVER A YEAR. DEALER SERVICE ADVISED TO CHECK OIL AND BE SURE OIL LEVEL WAS PROPER. NOVEMBER 2011, ALL OIL LEAKED OUT OF CAR ONTO GARAGE FLOOR. CAR TOWED TO DEALER SERVICE. THEY EXPLAINED OIL LEAKED BECAUSE A "PLUG" HAD COME LOOSE. DEALER REPLACED SEALING RING AND ADJUSTED THE CHAIN. I EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE ENGINE AND REQUESTED A DIAGNOSTIC BE DONE. SERVICE MANAGER REPLIED THE CAR WAS ALREADY PUT TOGETHER AND I WOULD NEED TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. CAR CONTINUED TO RATTLE LOUDLY. MAD… Look up ODI 10461109 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10474147 · 72,000 mi NOTICED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AFTER A COLD START. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MINUTE SO, IT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE SAME LOUD NOISE THAT MINIS MAKE AFTER COLD STARTS. HOWEVER, NOTICED THAT THE NOISE SEEMED LOUDER THAN NORMAL AFTER A COUPLE OF OTHER COLD STARTS AND DECIDED TO TOW THE CAR IN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (YELLLOW) CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WAS JERKY (AS THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO STALL). DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH NO INCIDENT (ABOUT 5 MILES). I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE … Look up ODI 10474147 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10480652 · 65,000 mi THIS ALL STARTED LATE 2009 OR EARLY 2010 WHEN I STARTED MY MINI AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL INSTEAD OF A GAS ENGINE, AFTER THE CAR RAN A FEW MINUTES THE RATTLING SOUND DISSIPATED. I CONTINUED TO HEAR THIS DAILY DURING COLD STARTS SO I CONTACTED A MINI DEALER WHO INSTRUCTED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN THE WORKS FOR FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE YET SO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT SINCE IF OTHER THINGS FAIL IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE TENSIONERS WERE REPLACED AND EVERYTHING SOUNDED NORMAL AGAIN. THEN I… Look up ODI 10480652 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	45,376–68,625 mi	54,500 mi	10	ODI 10449005 · 51,000 mi 2009 MINI CLUBMAN S... TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACED AT 51000. 1000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. MINI WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS POOR ENGINEERING AND EVEN POORER LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY FROM MINI FOR A KNOWN, DOCUMENTED, AND VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM. TR Look up ODI 10449005 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10456722 · 58,000 mi VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES TO BREAK AND DROP INTO THE OIL PAN. ENTIRE ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE FAILED AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A VERY BUSY STREET (7TH STREET IN PHOENIX AZ) LEAVING ME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO MOVE IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED ONTO A SIDE STREET. TR Look up ODI 10456722 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10474147 · 72,000 mi NOTICED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AFTER A COLD START. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MINUTE SO, IT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE SAME LOUD NOISE THAT MINIS MAKE AFTER COLD STARTS. HOWEVER, NOTICED THAT THE NOISE SEEMED LOUDER THAN NORMAL AFTER A COUPLE OF OTHER COLD STARTS AND DECIDED TO TOW THE CAR IN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (YELLLOW) CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WAS JERKY (AS THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO STALL). DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH NO INCIDENT (ABOUT 5 MILES). I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE … Look up ODI 10474147 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	38,500–120,000 mi	75,000 mi	5	ODI 10430619 · 38,500 mi AFTER DRIVING TO WORK FOR 30 MINUTES, I PARKED MY CAR. I THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING AS I WALKED AWAY, SO I STOPPED AN LOOKED, BUT I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. FIVE MINUTES AFTER WALKING INTO MY BUILDING, SOMEONE TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRST WITNESS TO SEE SOMETHING (A CO-WORKER) SAID HE SAW SOMETHING ON FIRE DROP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. WHEN I RAN OUTSIDE, THE CAR WAS PUTTING OFF A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE. WE TRIED TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, TO NO END, AND WITHIN MINUTES WE WERE SEEING FLAMES. FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE FRONT OF THE … Look up ODI 10430619 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10485862 · 20,268 mi RECALL CAMPAIGN NO: 12V-008 ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/DEFECTS/RESULTS.CFM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE SAYS WE ARE ALSO NOTIFIED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER FOR REPAIR. WHY CANNOT I NOT DO THIS? WE HAVE A BMW DEALER IN BOISE. OWNERS OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE NOTIFIED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER, WHO WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP TO PREVENT ANY INCIDENTS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED. THE ODI REPORTS CITED ABOVE CAN BE VI… Look up ODI 10485862 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11538906 · 144,000 mi 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 … Look up ODI 11538906 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	35,000–75,000 mi	37,000 mi	5	ODI 10448833 · 35,000 mi MULTIPLE TIMES, HOWEVER, NEVER WHEN THE DEALER LOOKS AT IT, MY "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT COMES ON WHILE A PERSON OF ADEQUATE WEIGHT IS SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. ONCE IT COMES ON IT DOES NOT COME OFF UNTIL THE SEAT IS EMPTY OR THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING IF THERE ISN'T A FAULT CODE AND CAN NOT DUPLICATE ERROR. IT'S IN FOR THE FOURTH TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR Look up ODI 10448833 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10522058 · 31,887 mi PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT HAS BEEN TRIPPING THE FAULT TO LIGHT UP THE DASHBOARD AND OVER HEAD LAMPS TELLING THE DRIVER THE AIRBAG IS DISENGAGED, WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. PREVIOUS YEAR MINI'S AS WELL AS SAME YEAR MINI'S HAVE BEEN AFFECTED CAUSING MINI TO EXTEND A WARRANTY OR EVEN A RECALL IN THE INSTANCE OF BMW. HOWEVER FOR MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR NO SUCH WARRANTY HAS BEEN ISSUED OR EXTENDED. THIS IS A MANDATORY SAFETY FEATURE UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAW, CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY 100'S IF NOT 1000'S OF DOLLARS … Look up ODI 10522058 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10930020 · 37,000 mi PASSENGER AIRBAG/SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS AND TONES ARE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN ANNOYING PROBLEM IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE PASSENGER SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL/YEAR AND RESOLUTION IS A COSTLY DEALER FIX WITH PARTS PRESENTLY BACKORDERED. Look up ODI 10930020 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	38,500–51,000 mi	50,000 mi	5	ODI 10346542 · 23,000 mi I PARKED MY 2009 MINI CLUBMAN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 10 MILES TO THE GROCERY STORE ROUND TRIP AND UNLOADED GROCERIES, WENT BACK OUT TO THE CAR AND IT WAS SMOKING WHITE SMOKE. FLAMES STARTED SHOOTING UP FROM THE ENGINE OVER THE WINDSHIELD AND IT PROGRESSED FROM THERE. THE SMOKE TURNED BLACK ALL WINDOWS WERE BLOWN OUT, FRONT TIRES MELTED AND BLOWN AND THE CAR WAS DECLARED AN OBVIOUS TOTAL LOSS. IT CAUGHT OUR HOME ON FIRE AND HAS CAUSED MORE THAN $50,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. PLEASE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. TR Look up ODI 10346542 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10430619 · 38,500 mi AFTER DRIVING TO WORK FOR 30 MINUTES, I PARKED MY CAR. I THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING AS I WALKED AWAY, SO I STOPPED AN LOOKED, BUT I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. FIVE MINUTES AFTER WALKING INTO MY BUILDING, SOMEONE TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRST WITNESS TO SEE SOMETHING (A CO-WORKER) SAID HE SAW SOMETHING ON FIRE DROP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. WHEN I RAN OUTSIDE, THE CAR WAS PUTTING OFF A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE. WE TRIED TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, TO NO END, AND WITHIN MINUTES WE WERE SEEING FLAMES. FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE FRONT OF THE … Look up ODI 10430619 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10449005 · 51,000 mi 2009 MINI CLUBMAN S... TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACED AT 51000. 1000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. MINI WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS POOR ENGINEERING AND EVEN POORER LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY FROM MINI FOR A KNOWN, DOCUMENTED, AND VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM. TR Look up ODI 10449005 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	23,203 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10367340 · 2,000 mi LOUD KNOCKING DIESEL SOUND ON COLD START. TR Look up ODI 10367340 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10371949 · 44,406 mi TENSIONER FAILURE 44,406 MILES. CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. ALMOST IN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF FAILURE. FROM DEALER LEARNED THAT AND OTHER MINI COOPER S HAD THE SAME FAILURE. MINI KNOWS OF THE TENSIONER PROBLEM AND HAS NOT FIXED IT. TR Look up ODI 10371949 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger	Too few reports for a range	20,268 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10485862 · 20,268 mi RECALL CAMPAIGN NO: 12V-008 ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/DEFECTS/RESULTS.CFM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE SAYS WE ARE ALSO NOTIFIED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER FOR REPAIR. WHY CANNOT I NOT DO THIS? WE HAVE A BMW DEALER IN BOISE. OWNERS OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE NOTIFIED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER, WHO WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP TO PREVENT ANY INCIDENTS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED. THE ODI REPORTS CITED ABOVE CAN BE VI… Look up ODI 10485862 at NHTSA ↗
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner	Too few reports for a range	38,488 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10461110 · 38,488 mi GROWLING- RUBBING NOISE AUDIBLE AT LOW SPEEDS. AIR CONDITIONING HOSE HAD COME LOOSE AND WAS "BURNING" ON OTHER ENGINE PARTS. DEALER SERVICE STATED THIS WAS A VERY UNUSUAL CASE. CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR TENSOR CHAIN REPLACEMENT FIVE DAYS EARLIER. *JS Look up ODI 10461110 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	1	None	ODI 11726242 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 … Look up ODI 11726242 at NHTSA ↗
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2020: 0 complaints · 2021: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2020	0	0	0
2021	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2020	1	0	0
2021	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine	Power Train	Electrical System	Air Bags	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger	Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
Engine	—	6 ODI 10474147 · 72,000 mi NOTICED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AFTER A COLD START. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MINUTE SO, IT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE SAME LOUD NOISE THAT MINIS MAKE AFTER COLD STARTS. HOWEVER, NOTICED THAT THE NOISE SEEMED LOUDER THAN NORMAL AFTER A COUPLE OF OTHER COLD STARTS AND DECIDED TO TOW THE CAR IN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (YELLLOW) CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WAS JERKY (AS THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO STALL). DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH NO INCIDENT (ABOUT 5 MILES). I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE … Look up ODI 10474147 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10482022 · 45,000 mi THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BACKED OUT DURING MORNING COMMUTE AND THE CAR LOST ITS OIL AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT MINI SHOULD ADDRESS WITH A RECALL! TR Look up ODI 10482022 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10500855 · 58,500 mi I LIVE WHERE THE WEATHER GETS INTO THE TEENS REGULARLY THIS TIME OF YEAR. MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I STARTED IN ONE MORNING. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT, IT HAD NO POWER. I TOOK IT IN AND HAD TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY AND NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD PUT IN FOR THE COST OF OVER $1100. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THEY HAVE ONLY HAD TO DO THIS REPAIR ON MINI'S THAT LIVE IN COLD CLIMATES AND THAT IT WAS NO FAULT OF MINE. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS DEFECT AND I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY? TR Look up ODI 10500855 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10522058 · 31,887 mi PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT HAS BEEN TRIPPING THE FAULT TO LIGHT UP THE DASHBOARD AND OVER HEAD LAMPS TELLING THE DRIVER THE AIRBAG IS DISENGAGED, WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. PREVIOUS YEAR MINI'S AS WELL AS SAME YEAR MINI'S HAVE BEEN AFFECTED CAUSING MINI TO EXTEND A WARRANTY OR EVEN A RECALL IN THE INSTANCE OF BMW. HOWEVER FOR MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR NO SUCH WARRANTY HAS BEEN ISSUED OR EXTENDED. THIS IS A MANDATORY SAFETY FEATURE UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAW, CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY 100'S IF NOT 1000'S OF DOLLARS … Look up ODI 10522058 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Power Train	6 ODI 10474147 · 72,000 mi NOTICED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AFTER A COLD START. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MINUTE SO, IT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE SAME LOUD NOISE THAT MINIS MAKE AFTER COLD STARTS. HOWEVER, NOTICED THAT THE NOISE SEEMED LOUDER THAN NORMAL AFTER A COUPLE OF OTHER COLD STARTS AND DECIDED TO TOW THE CAR IN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (YELLLOW) CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WAS JERKY (AS THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO STALL). DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH NO INCIDENT (ABOUT 5 MILES). I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE … Look up ODI 10474147 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10482022 · 45,000 mi THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BACKED OUT DURING MORNING COMMUTE AND THE CAR LOST ITS OIL AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT MINI SHOULD ADDRESS WITH A RECALL! TR Look up ODI 10482022 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10500855 · 58,500 mi I LIVE WHERE THE WEATHER GETS INTO THE TEENS REGULARLY THIS TIME OF YEAR. MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I STARTED IN ONE MORNING. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT, IT HAD NO POWER. I TOOK IT IN AND HAD TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY AND NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD PUT IN FOR THE COST OF OVER $1100. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THEY HAVE ONLY HAD TO DO THIS REPAIR ON MINI'S THAT LIVE IN COLD CLIMATES AND THAT IT WAS NO FAULT OF MINE. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS DEFECT AND I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY? TR Look up ODI 10500855 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	2 ODI 10449005 · 51,000 mi 2009 MINI CLUBMAN S... TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACED AT 51000. 1000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. MINI WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS POOR ENGINEERING AND EVEN POORER LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY FROM MINI FOR A KNOWN, DOCUMENTED, AND VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM. TR Look up ODI 10449005 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10456722 · 58,000 mi VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES TO BREAK AND DROP INTO THE OIL PAN. ENTIRE ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE FAILED AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A VERY BUSY STREET (7TH STREET IN PHOENIX AZ) LEAVING ME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO MOVE IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED ONTO A SIDE STREET. TR Look up ODI 10456722 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10430619 · 38,500 mi AFTER DRIVING TO WORK FOR 30 MINUTES, I PARKED MY CAR. I THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING AS I WALKED AWAY, SO I STOPPED AN LOOKED, BUT I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. FIVE MINUTES AFTER WALKING INTO MY BUILDING, SOMEONE TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRST WITNESS TO SEE SOMETHING (A CO-WORKER) SAID HE SAW SOMETHING ON FIRE DROP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. WHEN I RAN OUTSIDE, THE CAR WAS PUTTING OFF A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE. WE TRIED TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, TO NO END, AND WITHIN MINUTES WE WERE SEEING FLAMES. FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE FRONT OF THE … Look up ODI 10430619 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10485862 · 20,268 mi RECALL CAMPAIGN NO: 12V-008 ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/DEFECTS/RESULTS.CFM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE SAYS WE ARE ALSO NOTIFIED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER FOR REPAIR. WHY CANNOT I NOT DO THIS? WE HAVE A BMW DEALER IN BOISE. OWNERS OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE NOTIFIED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER, WHO WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP TO PREVENT ANY INCIDENTS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED. THE ODI REPORTS CITED ABOVE CAN BE VI… Look up ODI 10485862 at NHTSA ↗	0
Air Bags	1 ODI 10522058 · 31,887 mi PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT HAS BEEN TRIPPING THE FAULT TO LIGHT UP THE DASHBOARD AND OVER HEAD LAMPS TELLING THE DRIVER THE AIRBAG IS DISENGAGED, WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. PREVIOUS YEAR MINI'S AS WELL AS SAME YEAR MINI'S HAVE BEEN AFFECTED CAUSING MINI TO EXTEND A WARRANTY OR EVEN A RECALL IN THE INSTANCE OF BMW. HOWEVER FOR MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR NO SUCH WARRANTY HAS BEEN ISSUED OR EXTENDED. THIS IS A MANDATORY SAFETY FEATURE UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAW, CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY 100'S IF NOT 1000'S OF DOLLARS … Look up ODI 10522058 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	2 ODI 10449005 · 51,000 mi 2009 MINI CLUBMAN S... TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACED AT 51000. 1000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. MINI WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS POOR ENGINEERING AND EVEN POORER LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY FROM MINI FOR A KNOWN, DOCUMENTED, AND VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM. TR Look up ODI 10449005 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10456722 · 58,000 mi VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES TO BREAK AND DROP INTO THE OIL PAN. ENTIRE ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE FAILED AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A VERY BUSY STREET (7TH STREET IN PHOENIX AZ) LEAVING ME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO MOVE IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED ONTO A SIDE STREET. TR Look up ODI 10456722 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10430619 · 38,500 mi AFTER DRIVING TO WORK FOR 30 MINUTES, I PARKED MY CAR. I THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING AS I WALKED AWAY, SO I STOPPED AN LOOKED, BUT I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. FIVE MINUTES AFTER WALKING INTO MY BUILDING, SOMEONE TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRST WITNESS TO SEE SOMETHING (A CO-WORKER) SAID HE SAW SOMETHING ON FIRE DROP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. WHEN I RAN OUTSIDE, THE CAR WAS PUTTING OFF A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE. WE TRIED TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, TO NO END, AND WITHIN MINUTES WE WERE SEEING FLAMES. FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE FRONT OF THE … Look up ODI 10430619 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger	0	0	1 ODI 10485862 · 20,268 mi RECALL CAMPAIGN NO: 12V-008 ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/DEFECTS/RESULTS.CFM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE SAYS WE ARE ALSO NOTIFIED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER FOR REPAIR. WHY CANNOT I NOT DO THIS? WE HAVE A BMW DEALER IN BOISE. OWNERS OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE NOTIFIED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER, WHO WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP TO PREVENT ANY INCIDENTS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED. THE ODI REPORTS CITED ABOVE CAN BE VI… Look up ODI 10485862 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

6 mentions · 11.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 49,252 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10474147 · 72,000 mi

Look up ODI 10474147 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10488052 · 52,000 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS BIG DECLINE IN PERFORMANCE. ALSO, THE ENGINE HAS BEEN MAKING A RATTLING SOUND LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. THE CAR JUST EXCEEDED ITS 50,000K MILE WARRANTY, OF COURSE. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER. GOT A CALL TODAY SAYING THAT MY TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE TUNE OF ABOUT $2700! ALSO, THE TIMING BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A TUNE OF ABOUT $1300. I SPOKE WITH THE TECHNICIAN AND HE TELLS ME THAT HE SEES THESE PROBLEMS IN BMW/MINI A…

Look up ODI 10488052 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10521323 · 34,000 mi

ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TAKEN FOR MINI DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON 8 AUG 2012, 3 DEC 2012, AND NOW IN JUNE 2013. VEHICLE NOW HAS ABOUT 36,800 MILES AND IS NO LONER UNDER WARRANTY BY ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS. ENGINE TEMPERATURE LIGHT NOW COMES ON AND VEHICLE HAD NO OIL SHOWING ON DIP STICK. CANNOT TELL IF OIL IS BURNING OFF AND NO EVIDENCE OF LEAK. REPAIRMAN NOW STATES THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS THE ISSUE AND WILL COST UPWARDS OF $2800 TO FIX. *TR

Look up ODI 10521323 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Stalling or loss of power

4 mentions · 7.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 65,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10474147 · 72,000 mi

Look up ODI 10474147 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10480652 · 65,000 mi

Look up ODI 10480652 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11325973 · 55,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT'S SON HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO BMW OF HUDSON VALLEY (2068 SOUTH RD, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601) WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PAY 50…

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Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

3 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 45,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10474147 · 72,000 mi

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ODI 10485862 · 20,268 mi

RECALL CAMPAIGN NO: 12V-008 ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/DEFECTS/RESULTS.CFM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE SAYS WE ARE ALSO NOTIFIED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER FOR REPAIR. WHY CANNOT I NOT DO THIS? WE HAVE A BMW DEALER IN BOISE. OWNERS OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE NOTIFIED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER, WHO WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP TO PREVENT ANY INCIDENTS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED. THE ODI REPORTS CITED ABOVE CAN BE VI…

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ODI 10837005 · 45,000 mi

IN ONLY 8 MONTHS OF OWNING MY MINI: RATTLING AT A COLD START AND DURING SLOW DRIVING, THEN BEGAN MAKING A HESITATING, JERK TYPE MOVEMENT WHEN I ACCELERATED, THEN BEGAN MAKING A LOUDER NOISE. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS EVER CAME ON AND THERE WAS NEVER ANY INDICATION OF ANY TYPE OF LEAK (NO LIGHTS, NO FLUID ON THE GROUND, ALL FLUID CHECKS INDICATED PROPER LEVELS). NO MAINTENANCE WAS DUE. 41,817 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT, I PUT UNDER 4,000 MILES ON IT SINCE, ONLY DRIVE 20 MINUTES DAILY TO WORK AND BACK. TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILURE AND GUIDES, PA…

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Matching rule

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 144,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11538906 · 144,000 mi

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 …

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Matching rule