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2009 Mini Cooper S

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cooper S years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Mini Cooper S are substantially higher than the model-year median of 23.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

107 reports with mileage · 12 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

16 reports
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95,200 miles · Jun 18, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 55-60 MPH. VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START OR TURNOVER. 15 MINUTES OF REST AND CAR WAS STARTED AND RPMS WERE FLUTTERING. MINI COOPER OF GRAND RAPIDS STATED THE TIMING CHAIN WAS "MOST LIKELY" "OUT". THEY ALSO STATED NO GOODWILL ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE WINDOW, FOR A PREVIOU…

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VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 55-60 MPH. VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START OR TURNOVER. 15 MINUTES OF REST AND CAR WAS STARTED AND RPMS WERE FLUTTERING. MINI COOPER OF GRAND RAPIDS STATED THE TIMING CHAIN WAS "MOST LIKELY" "OUT". THEY ALSO STATED NO GOODWILL ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE WINDOW, FOR A PREVIOUS LAWSUIT INVOLVING THEE 2009 MINI COOPER S, WAS CLOSED AND THE DEFECTIVE TENSIONER AND GUIDE RAILS (TO INCLUDE ENGINE DESIGN) WERE STILL IN MY MINI COOPER. CAR HAS STARTED ONCE SINCE BUT WILL NOT STAY RUNNING. OTHER CASES OF FUEL PUMPS FAILING ON SAID MODEL WERE ACKNOWLEDGED BUT "NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED" SAID MINI, THUS NOT WARRANTING ANY REPAIR OR CONCERN FOR MY FAILED MINI. REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS 3,985$. AFTER MENTIONING THE PREVIOUS LAWSUIT DURING 2015, A 'RANDOM' DISCOUNT WAS ANNOUNCED OF 10-15% TO BRING SAID TOTAL TO EST. 2,900$. MY 2009 MINI COOPER S HAS HAD IDLE AND RPM ISSUES/FLUCTUATIONS FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER PREVIOUS OWNER HAD JUST REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY IN JANUARY OF 2019 WITH GENUINE MINI REPLACEMENT PARTS (FACTORY PARTS CAUSING THE SAME FACTORY DEFECT)

NHTSA ODI #11221055

67,117 miles · May 22, 2017
EnginePower Train

CAR WENT INTO LIMP GEAR MODE ON FREEWAY, HIGH RPM AT 40 MPH. VEHICLE SHIPPED TO MINI DEALER 05/09/17 SAYING THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION ERROR CODE. DEALER SAID THEY TESTED VEHICLE AND IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION IT NEEDED A WATER PUMP AND CYLINDER NEED VALVE COVER. 67,117 MILES ON ODOMETER. ALSO FRONT CV AXLE BOOT LEAKING. HAD REPAI…

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CAR WENT INTO LIMP GEAR MODE ON FREEWAY, HIGH RPM AT 40 MPH. VEHICLE SHIPPED TO MINI DEALER 05/09/17 SAYING THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION ERROR CODE. DEALER SAID THEY TESTED VEHICLE AND IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION IT NEEDED A WATER PUMP AND CYLINDER NEED VALVE COVER. 67,117 MILES ON ODOMETER. ALSO FRONT CV AXLE BOOT LEAKING. HAD REPAIRS DONE ($1692.58) AFTER DISCOUNT. AT TIME OF PICKUP, DEALER ASKED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE A FEW MORE DAYS TO DOUBLE CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. A FEW DAYS LATER THEY SAY YES THERE IS A TRANSMISSION ERROR WITH THE CAR GOING AT HIGHER HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IT WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION! COST ($9000) I DID NOT HAVE THIS DONE.THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO AND FROM SCHOOL!

NHTSA ODI #10990880

73,000 miles · May 19, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW MINI COOPER S IN 2009 W/ STANDARD 3 YEARS OF FACTORY MAINTENANCE AND I LATER ADDED ON AN EXTENDED WARRANTY A FEW YEARS LATER. 2014 I ENTERED INTO A 3 YEAR LEASE ON A BMW. ASIDE FROM MAINTENANCE, THE MINI WAS MOSTLY GARAGED EXCEPT FOR MAINTENANCE UNTIL TH AFTER A MONTH OF DRIVING IT, I HEARD A TICKING …

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I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW MINI COOPER S IN 2009 W/ STANDARD 3 YEARS OF FACTORY MAINTENANCE AND I LATER ADDED ON AN EXTENDED WARRANTY A FEW YEARS LATER. 2014 I ENTERED INTO A 3 YEAR LEASE ON A BMW. ASIDE FROM MAINTENANCE, THE MINI WAS MOSTLY GARAGED EXCEPT FOR MAINTENANCE UNTIL TH AFTER A MONTH OF DRIVING IT, I HEARD A TICKING SOUND THAT MADE ME THINK IT NEEDED OIL ADDED, DESPITE HAVING ONE ABOUT 2 MONTHS PRIOR. I ADDED THE MINI SYNTHETIC OIL TO THE CAR AND THE TICKING SOUND STOPPED FOR A WEEK OR TWO. THEN IT STARTED RATTLING AND SHAKING SEVERELY WHEN DRIVING LOW SPEEDS OR AT AN IDLE. I CHECKED THE ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO CHECK OIL LEVELS AND THE GENERAL HEALTH OF THE CAR. NO ISSUES CAME UP BUT I STOPPED DRIVING IT BECAUSE I SAW THE OIL LIGHT COME ON, AND I KNOW THAT COULDN'T BE GOOD, ESPECIALLY SINCE OIL WAS ADDED BETWEEN CHANGES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MINI MECHANIC, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THERE WERE HOLES IN THE TURBO LINE AND SOME VARIOUS OIL LEAKS. THEIR ESTIMATE WAS ROUGHLY $2500 TO MAKE THE CAR DRIVABLE AGAIN. SPOKE TO MINI CORPORATE, URGED ME TO TAKE IT TO MINI DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS SO CORPORATE TO SEE WHAT HELP THEY'D OFFER ME ON THESE ISSUES BECAUSE THEY KNEW THE TIMING CHAIN BELT WAS AN ISSUE AND THEY KNEW THE CAR BURNS THROUGH OIL 50% FASTER THAN THEIR ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND OWNERS MANUAL SAYS. THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS IN 2008 AND IT AFFECTED SEVERAL MINI COOPERS TO THE EXTENT OF BLOWING OUT THEIR ENTIRE ENGINE. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED BECAUSE MINI FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL, WARN BUYERS, OR NOTIFY CURRENT ONES. THEY EXTENDED THE TIMING CHAIN BELT COVERAGE TO 7 YEARS OR 80K AFTER THE SUIT. MY CAR HAS 73K BUT IT'S 7 YEARS GOING ON 8. THE DEALER CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS BUT MINI WON'T OFFER ANY HELP ON THE 3-4K REPAIRS. IF THIS HAPPENED 9 MONTHS AGO, THEY WOULD COVER IT.

NHTSA ODI #10990672

86,000 miles · Sep 20, 2016
Power Train

ON 8-28-16 THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED ON THE ENGINE OF MY 2009 MINI COOPER S, WHICH LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. AT THE TIME OF FAILURE I WAS DRIVING AT FULL SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS SUDDEN POWER LOSS AND I HAD TO AVERT TRAFFIC TO SAFELY PULL OVER. DURING POWER LOSS THERE WAS LOTS…

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ON 8-28-16 THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED ON THE ENGINE OF MY 2009 MINI COOPER S, WHICH LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. AT THE TIME OF FAILURE I WAS DRIVING AT FULL SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS SUDDEN POWER LOSS AND I HAD TO AVERT TRAFFIC TO SAFELY PULL OVER. DURING POWER LOSS THERE WAS LOTS OF SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE CAR. TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ARE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MINI, AND THE SUBJECT OF A RECENT LAWSUIT AGAINST MINI. SEE INFO REGARDING A SETTLEMENT DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURE: HTTP://WWW.TIMINGCHAINTENSIONERSETTLEMENT.COM/ THE LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT EXTENDS THE ENGINE WARRANTY TO 7YRS/100,000MI. MY MINI IS AT 86K MI, AND A FEW DAYS OVER 7 YEARS. MINI USA REFUSES TO ASSIST ME IN SOLVING THIS KNOWN ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10908298

29,800 miles · Aug 20, 2015
EnginePower Train

SINCE I GET MY UNTIL NOW I REPAIR TWO TIMES . THE FIRST TIME I WAS CHANGE THE PART OF THE TOP OF THE MOTOR I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAME. BUT THIS ONE THAT IS THE MOST STRAGE I WAS DRIVING AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THE MOTOR STOP INTANLY. THE MOST STRANGE IS 10 MINUTES AFTER DRIVE THE CAR ALL THIS HAPPEN SO THAT MEAN IS NO SA…

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SINCE I GET MY UNTIL NOW I REPAIR TWO TIMES . THE FIRST TIME I WAS CHANGE THE PART OF THE TOP OF THE MOTOR I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAME. BUT THIS ONE THAT IS THE MOST STRAGE I WAS DRIVING AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THE MOTOR STOP INTANLY. THE MOST STRANGE IS 10 MINUTES AFTER DRIVE THE CAR ALL THIS HAPPEN SO THAT MEAN IS NO SAFE. AND NOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO....

NHTSA ODI #10749937

27,000 miles · Feb 20, 2015
Power Train

PURCHASED A USED 2009 MINI COOPER S HARDTOP WITH 27,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN 20 DAYS THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING UPON LIGHT ACCELERATION AND CAUSED VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE CARMAX WARRANTY GIVEN UNDER THE FIRST 30 DAYS , MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 32,000 MILES AND IS STARTING TO FEEL SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS S…

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PURCHASED A USED 2009 MINI COOPER S HARDTOP WITH 27,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN 20 DAYS THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING UPON LIGHT ACCELERATION AND CAUSED VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE CARMAX WARRANTY GIVEN UNDER THE FIRST 30 DAYS , MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 32,000 MILES AND IS STARTING TO FEEL SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689676

86,000 miles · Jan 19, 2015
EnginePower Train

MY TIMING CHAIN HAS NOW STARTED TO FAIL FOR THE 4TH TIME ON THIS CAR. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS FAIL AND MINI DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676545

13,000 miles · Nov 4, 2014
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING MY MINI COOPER ON I-95 WHEN THE I NOTICED A VERY STRONG BURNING SMELL AND THE CLUTCH WAS GIVING ME DIFFICULTY CHANGING GEARS. AS I WAS GETTING OFF I-95 THE GEARS WERE NOT RESPONDING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. I GOT OFF I-95 AND JUST MADE IT TO A MAIN BLVD. WHEN THE CLUTCH GAVE OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE.…

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I WAS DRIVING MY MINI COOPER ON I-95 WHEN THE I NOTICED A VERY STRONG BURNING SMELL AND THE CLUTCH WAS GIVING ME DIFFICULTY CHANGING GEARS. AS I WAS GETTING OFF I-95 THE GEARS WERE NOT RESPONDING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. I GOT OFF I-95 AND JUST MADE IT TO A MAIN BLVD. WHEN THE CLUTCH GAVE OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I COULD SEE THE CARS IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR COMING AT FULL SPEED AND HONKING AT ME TO MOVE OUT OF THE OF THE WAY. I CALLED 911 AND ASKED FOR A PATROL TO SPOT TRAFFIC AND THEN TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR TO ASK FOR HELP BUT ALMOST GOT RAN OVER BY CARS PASSING BY. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET EITHER HIT OR KILLED. TWO MAN IN A VAN STOPPED AND PUSHED MY CAR OUT OF THE WAY UNTIL THE TRUCK STOPPED. THE POLICE CAR NEVER SHOWED UP. A WEST PALM BRAMAN MINI COOPER SERVICE MAN WAS DRIVING BY AND TOLD ME THE CLUTCH WAS COMPLETELY BURNT OUT AND TO TOW THE CAR TO HIS FACILITY. I DID AND MINI COOPER REFUSED TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND THE MANY COMPLAINTS. THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THE CLUTCH WAS WORN OUT BUT THE CAR ONLY HAS 13,000 MILES, THEY ALSO TRIED TO BLAME IT ON AGGRESSIVE DRIVING OR THAT I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A STANDARD TRANSMISSION. I TOLD THEM I DRIVE VERY SLOW AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING STANDARD TRANSMISSION MY ENTIRE LIFE. THEY JUST REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT SOMEONE LOOKS INTO THIS SO THAT NO ONE HAS TO FACE THE SAME DANGER I DID OR EVEN WORSE, BE KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652572

65,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Power Train

DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THE ENGINE LOST SOME POWER AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER FIRST REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSES. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THE DEALER REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN IMMEDIATELY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TURBOCHARGER UNIT BECAUSE THE WASTEGATE WON'T CLOSE COMPLETELY.…

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DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THE ENGINE LOST SOME POWER AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER FIRST REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSES. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THE DEALER REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN IMMEDIATELY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TURBOCHARGER UNIT BECAUSE THE WASTEGATE WON'T CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE TURBOCHARGER AND WASTEGATE SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 5 YEARS (THE CAR WAS DELIVERED IN APRIL 2009) OR 70,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615414

41,932 miles · Jun 14, 2014
EnginePower Train

ENGINE ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. TOOK IT IN TO DEALER, TIMING CHAIN GUIDES HAD BROKEN AND CHAIN WAS STRETCHED. WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A MINI CAMPAIGN ABOUT THIS BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF CHAIN HAD BROKEN. WAS INFORMED AFTER WORK WAS DONE THAT CL…

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ENGINE ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. TOOK IT IN TO DEALER, TIMING CHAIN GUIDES HAD BROKEN AND CHAIN WAS STRETCHED. WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A MINI CAMPAIGN ABOUT THIS BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF CHAIN HAD BROKEN. WAS INFORMED AFTER WORK WAS DONE THAT CLUTCH WAS BAD AS WELL. HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE THE DAY BEFORE WITHOUT ISSUE BUT AFTER ONLY 10 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FROM STOPPED SINCE CLUTCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE. EXTREMELY EARLY FOR THIS AMOUNT OF REPAIRS TO BE NEEDED, I QUESTION THE DURABILITY OF THESE PARTS AND THIS BRAND. BOTH OF THESE SUDDEN WEAR FAILURES COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF THEY HAD OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10598310

Official recalls

3

23V337000 · Electrical System

May 11, 2023

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

18V248000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Apr 18, 2018

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 Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

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 Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

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 Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

12V008000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Jan 11, 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 CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11036 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Oct 11, 2011 · Closed Jun 11, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

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 engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.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 viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine And Engine Cooling

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 engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.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 viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

Engine And Engine Cooling

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 engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.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 viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

Engine And Engine Cooling

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 engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.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 viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.