Model year record

2009 MINI Cooper Convertible recalls & problems

The 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible has 1 safety recall and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (8 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints18filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

TiresApr 30, 2009

Tires

Recall 09V14300012 vehicles

Problem: BMW IS RECALLING 12 MY 2009 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE DELIVERED WITH 15-INCH WHEELS INSTEAD OF 16-INCH WHEELS AS INTENDED, AND THE TIRE LABEL INDICATES 16 INCH WHEELS.
Risk: THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE DO NOT CONFORM TO THE TIRE LABEL AS REQUIRED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE 15 INCH WHEELS WITH 16-INCH WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-646-4772.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Cooper Convertible

32mpg combined

City / highway	28 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,550/year to fuel

Cooper Convertible

29mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine	8	0	65,000 mi
Air bagsSensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger; Sensor › Occupant classification	8	1	29,000 mi
Electrical system	3	0	—
Exterior lighting	2	0	—
Power trainManual transmission	1	0	—
Tires	1	0	—
Seat belts	1	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0	—
Seats	1	0	—
Steering	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags1 injury
I was driving my vehicle and the driver's side airbag in the seat went off unexpectedly during normal driving operation. I was the only person in the vehicle and was able to stop quickly and safely. The problem has not been checked or inspected by anyone. There was no warnings that had indicated a problem.
Apr 20, 2024
Engine
Timing chain guides are broke into alot of pieces into the engine.
Nov 15, 2022
Engine
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
Sep 8, 2022
Steering
1.Electronic power steering gearbox. Connections almost caught on fire. And yes it is available for inspection upon request. 2. If it wouldâve caught on fire. the whole vehicle wouldâve torched. I noticed thereâs a lot of Mini Cooper engine fires. 3. No it has not been confirmed by dealer. 4. No it has not been inspected by the manufacturer. I didnât feel it was safe to drive the vehicle. I did make them aware of it and ask him how much a New power steering gearbox would be. they said $2200 just for the part. Will also need the connecting wiring also.. so that will ensure more cost. 5. There was no warning lamps messages or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Not sure…
Apr 10, 2022
Air bags
RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND WHITE WARNING TOO" PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" WARNING ALWAYS ON WHEN IGNITION IS ON.
May 1, 2021 · 39,713 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
HAVE A ASSENGER RESTRAING MALFUNCTION, ALSO HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAULT. WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY.
Jan 25, 2021 · 1 miles
Air bags
A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN SAYING THERE IS AN ERROR WITH THE AIRBAG. I HAD JUST TURNED ON THE CAR, WASN'T MOVING WHEN IT BEEPED AND TURNED ON. I HAVE DRIVEN WITH IT, AND IT IS STILL ON.
Feb 25, 2020 · 98,500 miles
Electrical system
MY CAR I BOUGHT AS A PRE-OWN AND THE OWNER BEFORE E HAD LEAKS AS WELL. THESE LEAKS CAUSED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE ON THE CIRCUIT BOARDS THAT MADE THE CIRCUIT BOARD SHOULDER AND HEAT UP SO HOT IT ALMOST WENT ON FIRE. ALSO THE TIRES WERE THE WRONG SIZE AND SALES PERSON WOULD NOT ADMIT FAULT SO I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THEM ALL. I WAS DRIVING WHEN I FELT THE CAR LOSE CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY AND STREETS, THEN I WAS DRIVING WHEN CAR OVERHEATED. I PAID TO FIX LEAKS MORE THAN $7000 AND STILL LEAKING. NOW ANOTHER LIGHT BULB IS OUT MY BACK BREAK LIGHT SO I CANNOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE THAT IS UNSAFE TO OTHERS DRIVING BEHIND ME.
Jul 15, 2019 · 55,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.