VehicleVerdict

2009 Mini Jcw problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2009 Mini Jcw — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Jcw years?

Jcw NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted11 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 11 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 3 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 1 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 1 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints
Jcw NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Jcw years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Mini Jcw problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine436%
Airbags327%
Brakes19%
Latches & Locks19%
Other19%
Body & Structure19%

Does the 2009 Mini Jcw have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V337000Electrical SystemMay 11, 2023 · 97,933 units

Defect

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

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.

18V248000EngineApril 18, 2018 · 47,806 units

Defect

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.

12V008000EngineJanuary 11, 2012 · 90,368 units

Defect

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

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.

08V507000BrakesOctober 2, 2008 · 560 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING 560 MY 2009 JCW (JOHN COOPER WORKS) AND JCW CLUBMAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16 INCH DIAMETER FRONT BRAKE DISCS RATHER THAN 17 INCH DISCS. UNDER CONDITIONS OF INTENSE BRAKE USAGE, BRAKING PERFORMANCE WOULD BE REDUCED.

Consequence

DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS A DRIVER'S REACTIONS, REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND PADS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW/MINI AT 1-866-275-6464 OR BY E-MAIL AT MINI.ASSISTANCE@ASKMINIUSA.COM..

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI JCW. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE GARAGE IN HIS HOME WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND REPORTED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FLAMES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 12, 2012 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI JCW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 8, 2015

“DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF TWO DEFLECTORS (UNDER THE VEHICLE'S FRONT BUMPER ' ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE CAR) APPARENTLY DESIGNED TO FLEX WHEN, AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE'S LOW GROUND CLEARANCE, SUCH DEFLECTORS CONTACT THE GROUND DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE (E.G., ON DRIVEWAY APRONS, SPEED BUMPS,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 15, 2008

“DURING HEAVY RAIN, THE FRONT WINDOWS OPEN COMPLETELY UNCOMMANDED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONE TIME. EVERYTHING IN THE CAR, EXCEPT THE HEADLINER, WAS WET. WATER WAS STANDING MORE THAN ONE INCH DEEP ON THE FLOOR. THE FRONT AND REAR SEATS HAD STANDING WATER. THE DASH BOARD WAS WET. THE DOOR STORAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · December 23, 2008

“DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF TWO DEFLECTORS (UNDER THE VEHICLE'S FRONT BUMPER ' ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE CAR) APPARENTLY DESIGNED TO FLEX WHEN, AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE'S LOW GROUND CLEARANCE, SUCH DEFLECTORS CONTACT THE GROUND DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE (E.G., ON DRIVEWAY APRONS, SPEED BUMPS,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 15, 2008

2009 Mini Jcw — common questions

Is the 2009 Mini Jcw reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2009 Jcw problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (4 complaints), airbags (3 complaints), latches & locks (1 complaints).

Does the 2009 Mini Jcw have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Mini Jcw. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Mini Jcw under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.