2009 Mini JCW: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 9 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling; the 2010 and 2011 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2015
“The oil supply and return line connections at the turbo have failed and sprayed oil onto a very hot turbo causing a high risk of fire. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2012
“Turbocharger oil line crimp fitting failed due to o ring becoming hard from excessive heat from turbocharger resulting in spray of engine oil on hot turbocharger. Dealer replaced inlet and outlet oil lines with newer design and the addition of an oil line heat shield now being used in production of 2011 and 2012 models. Oil spray could cause a fire and the design change from mini indicates to me that a problem with old design exists and heat issue is present from their addition of a heat shield. Manufacturer did not offer reimbursement or policy repair when a request was made. This appears to be a safety related issue due to vehicle fire exposure. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2011
Show 3 more owner reports
“2009 mini cooper s, only 3600 miles, suffers from what is commonly known as cold start rattle/knock. Upon starting dead cold engine, a loud and violent syncopated knock (similar to a metal hammer hitting metal) emanates from the engine on the glove compartment side, and lasts for about 30 seconds. Has happened twice in 3600 miles, both times car parked with nose tilting down. Ambient temps around 30-40 degrees f. Notified dealer both times. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2009
“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 areas had standing water. The dash board vents had water standing in them. The a and b pillars were dripping water. Water was standing in the tray underneath the emergency brake. The steering wheel and the switches on it were soaked. The dealer dried the car and replaced a sensor in the driver side exterior door handle. The dealer said that a redesigned part from mini was installed. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 2008
“I have a 2009 mini cooper s. The overhead passenger airbag disable warning light comes on when there is an adult sized passenger riding in the vehicle. This problem occurs intermittently and I have witnessed it about eight times between 10/2/08 and 11/26/08. When the warning light comes on, it stays on for the duration of the trip. I have taken my vehicle to mini service department on three occasions for a total of 21 days in the shop and their diagnostic computer cannot identify an error so the problem remains unresolved. This is a defect in the vehicle's safety system and may cause death or serious bodily injury if not addressed. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2008
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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..
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact JCW by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Mini JCW reliable?
NHTSA has 9 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Mini JCW. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 2009 Mini JCW have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.