The Lemon Index
200820102nd generation (R56)
36 owner complaints, first 3 years 26–32 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Honda Fit 1112009 Toyota Yaris 662009 Nissan Versa 101
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Mini Cooper
- Timing chain70 complaintsmostly at 42,000–71,000 miles (67,000–114,000 km)
- Airbag light / sensor26 complaintsmostly at 43,000–79,000 miles (69,000–127,000 km)
- Turbocharger25 complaintsmostly at 47,000–73,000 miles (76,000–117,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 297 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Mini Cooper (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 52,000 miles (26,000–84,000 km) (the middle half of the 31 complaints, of all 36 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V337000 (electrical), 18V248000 (engine) and 12V008000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Mini sent dealers 134 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Teileclearing for n14/n18 engine drivability and fuel system”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mini's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 36 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 52K miles (26K to 84K km) on the car (31 of all 36 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I was traveling on nj turnpike and my vehicle blew up. Catastrophic engine failure. Water pump also broke.
2009 Mini Cooper owner · NHTSA complaint 10480806
More owner reports
Failure of timing belt tensioner in 2009 Mini Cooper s leading to massive oil leak loss of power to engine and near lethal accident.
NHTSA complaint 10369213
Engine oil spraying from camshaft chain tension-er seal. Oil was spraying out under pressure. I would consider this to be a fire hazard, as hot exhaust components are nearby.
NHTSA complaint 10427018
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 33.6M views · 2007–2013 Mini Cooper
Most-watched topics
- Timing chain & engine1.1M views
MINI R56 Timing Chain Replacement DIY (2007-2010 MINI Cooper S and 2009-2012 JCW's) N14 & N12 EngineFCP Euro · 514K views · 7 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical1.0M views
2007-2013 Mini Cooper S (R56) Battery ReplacementEricTheCarGuy · 299K views · 7 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors950K views
Mini Cooper R56 1.6 petrol Camshaft sensor common fault 2968 2993 2982 P0343Mustang Motors · 251K views · 7 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets760K views
Mini Cooper Oil Leak Repairs (R56/N14)EricTheCarGuy · 468K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system646K views
How to check the coolant temperature - R56 Mini Cooper hidden menuProject Mini · 420K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank639K views
Mini Cooper S R56 High Pressure Fuel Pump Issuewelshweeks · 333K views · 3 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors434K views
2011 mini cooper door panel removalmemotlaza · 233K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service413K views
MINI Cooper (R56, R55, R57) 2007-2011 - Tire pressure monitor reset - DIY RepairBentleyPublishers · 330K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Mini Cooper Hatchback 2007-2013 2nd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 1.0M views
R56 Mini Cooper S - 5 ways to make it more reliableBimmer Dude (AJ) · 424K views
Mini Cooper R56 Problems to ExpectSimpleCarGuy · 168K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2009 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mini told dealers about
Mini sent dealers 134 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Teileclearing for n14/n18 engine drivability and fuel system
- On certain model vehicles, an engine oil leak may occur, due to the compromised oil pump…
- There is a procedural error in the removing and installing or replacing high pressure pump…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Electrical · recall issued 2023
An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Engine · recall issued 2018
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- Engine · recall issued 2012
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 CONVER…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2011–2012
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,350–$2,900 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
Every Mini Cooper year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (2002–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 19 Mini Cooper years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mini-cooper/?y=2009" title="Mini Cooper reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="583" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mini-cooper/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Mini Cooper reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Mini Cooper reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 99; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mini Cooper year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2013.
What are the most common 2009 Mini Cooper problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (36%), engine (22%) and transmission & drivetrain (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Mini Cooper have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Mini Cooper get?
26 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Mini Cooper problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 52,000 miles (26,000–84,000 km) (the middle half of the 31 complaints, of all 36 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2009 Mini Cooper have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Mini Cooper cost in fuel a year?
About $2,350 to $2,900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Mini Cooper have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Mini Cooper year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2012 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2013 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works