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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

119 reports
31,000 miles · Nov 9, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

MINI COOPER SENT A RECALL FOR A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN IN MY 2009 MINI COOPER. THIS IS THE 2ND TIMING CHAIN REPAIR IN 2 YEARS. WHEN I HAD IT IN FOR THE REPAIR I INFORMED THE TECH I SMELLED OIL BURNING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING DURING A HIGHWAY DRIVE. THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND INFORMED ME THE TURBO LINES WERE LEAKING WHICH POSE…

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MINI COOPER SENT A RECALL FOR A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN IN MY 2009 MINI COOPER. THIS IS THE 2ND TIMING CHAIN REPAIR IN 2 YEARS. WHEN I HAD IT IN FOR THE REPAIR I INFORMED THE TECH I SMELLED OIL BURNING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING DURING A HIGHWAY DRIVE. THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND INFORMED ME THE TURBO LINES WERE LEAKING WHICH POSE A RISK IF I LEFT IT UNREPAIRED. THE TURBO LINE REPAIR IS A $1000 REPAIR ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 35000 MILES. THE TECH INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO PUT A HEAT SHIELD ON THE VEHICLE ALSO AS PART OF A RECALL. PERHAPS THIS SHIELD SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED PRIOR AND THE LINE WOULD STILL BE INTACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551646

63,931 miles · Nov 4, 2013
Engine

TIMING CHAIN BROKE..I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD ON MY WAY HOME COMING TO A STOP SIGN SLOWING MY SPEED LUCKILY TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN I HEARD AN AWFUL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TRIED MAKING MY LEFT TURN WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND IT STARTED SPUTTERING VERY SLOWLY MOVING. I MADE IT HOME SPUTTERING..LUCKILY WAS CLOSE TO …

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TIMING CHAIN BROKE..I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD ON MY WAY HOME COMING TO A STOP SIGN SLOWING MY SPEED LUCKILY TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN I HEARD AN AWFUL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TRIED MAKING MY LEFT TURN WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND IT STARTED SPUTTERING VERY SLOWLY MOVING. I MADE IT HOME SPUTTERING..LUCKILY WAS CLOSE TO HOME OTHERWISE I WOULD HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. AFTER SOME LONG AND FRUSTRATING TROUBLESHOOTING FROM A NICE NEIGHBOR, HE FOUND OUT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN CAUSING SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS. HE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD VERY LITTLE OR NO OIL. WHICH I HAD NO INDICATION FROM THE CAR COMPUTER THAT IT WAS EVEN LOW. THIS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM BUT AGAIN I HAD NO CAR INDICATION. IT WILL COST ME AT LEAST $7000.00 FOR COST AND LABOR TO FIX SINCE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT EVEN SURE IF IT'S COVERED...THIS IS MY 3RD MINI..FIRST ONE WAS A LEASED ONE AND I UPGRADED TO A MINI S WHEN THE LEASE WAS OVER AND LEASED ANOTHER ONE. I BOUGHT THIS ONE WHEN THE SECOND LEASE WAS OVER..EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS ONE..I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. EVERYTHING IS DOCUMENTED ON HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT IN...SO VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS ONE!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550801

86,000 miles · Oct 23, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AS I WAS CROSSING A MAJOR HIGHWAY, CAR TOWED TO LOCAL BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC, SHOWS TIMING CHAIN MISFIRE, NEEDS TOTAL REPLACEMENT WITH MULTIPLE COMPONENTS NEEDING REPLACED DUE TO TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. 3300$ WORTH OF DAMAGE TO ENGINE. APPARENT PROBLEM WITH TIMING CHAIN ON THOUSANDS OF MINI COOPER AND THEY HAVE…

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TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AS I WAS CROSSING A MAJOR HIGHWAY, CAR TOWED TO LOCAL BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC, SHOWS TIMING CHAIN MISFIRE, NEEDS TOTAL REPLACEMENT WITH MULTIPLE COMPONENTS NEEDING REPLACED DUE TO TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. 3300$ WORTH OF DAMAGE TO ENGINE. APPARENT PROBLEM WITH TIMING CHAIN ON THOUSANDS OF MINI COOPER AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED A RECALL ON THE PIECE. THIS WAS ALMOST A MAJOR ACCIDENT FOR ME AND IS CAUSING ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549028

57,010 miles · Sep 25, 2013
Engine

UPON STARTUP OF THE ENGINE, THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A VERY UNHEALTHY SOUND. SOUND IS UNUSUAL FOR ANY GAS ENGINE, LET ALONE ONE WITH ONLY 57,000 MILES. *JS SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR OTHER MINI COOPERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. MANY COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET FOR EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM. MANY OW…

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UPON STARTUP OF THE ENGINE, THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A VERY UNHEALTHY SOUND. SOUND IS UNUSUAL FOR ANY GAS ENGINE, LET ALONE ONE WITH ONLY 57,000 MILES. *JS SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR OTHER MINI COOPERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. MANY COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET FOR EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM. MANY OWNERS REPORTING EARLY ENGINE FAILURE, AS EARLY AS 12,000 MILES REPORTED BY A MINI DEALER IN MAINE. MOST OWNERS ARE SEEING THE PROBLEM WITH 40-50,000+ MILES. THE LOCAL MINI DEALER SAYS THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, AND REPAIRS ARE APPROX. $2,000. TIMING CHAINS USUALLY DO NOT NEED REPLACEMENT EVEN AFTER 100,000 OF USE, SOME CARS NEVER REPLACE TIMING CHAINS UNTIL 200,000 MILES. THIS CAR SEEMS TO EAT TIMING CHAINS AROUND 40-50,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10545381

70,000 miles · Sep 10, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED IT AND ITS THE THERMOSTAT. I HAD REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT 1 YEAR AGO AND NOW AGAIN. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, TX AND THEY TOLD ME THEIR ON BACK ORDER. APPARENTLY 17,000 ON BACKORDER! ITS ALMOST BEEN A MONTH AND A HALF AND MY CAR IS STILL IN MY GARAGE WITH NO DEFINITE ANSWER FR…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED IT AND ITS THE THERMOSTAT. I HAD REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT 1 YEAR AGO AND NOW AGAIN. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, TX AND THEY TOLD ME THEIR ON BACK ORDER. APPARENTLY 17,000 ON BACKORDER! ITS ALMOST BEEN A MONTH AND A HALF AND MY CAR IS STILL IN MY GARAGE WITH NO DEFINITE ANSWER FROM MINI. THERE HAS TO BE A BIGGER ISSUE THAT IS BEING COVERED UP BY MINI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10542948

35,100 miles · Aug 15, 2013
EngineUnknown Or Other

STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ISSUE WITH THE TIME CHAIN. SO BENT OUT OF SHAPE THAT THE CHAIN ALMOST BROKE. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT ON TOP OF CHANGING MY OIL AND GETTING MY CAR SERVICED EVERYTIME IT NEED IT SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WOULD EVEN HAPPEN. WHEN RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM I SAW TH…

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STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ISSUE WITH THE TIME CHAIN. SO BENT OUT OF SHAPE THAT THE CHAIN ALMOST BROKE. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT ON TOP OF CHANGING MY OIL AND GETTING MY CAR SERVICED EVERYTIME IT NEED IT SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WOULD EVEN HAPPEN. WHEN RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM I SAW THAT ITS EXTREMELY COMMON FOR MODELS SINCE 2007+ TO EXPERIENCE THIS. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THERE'S NO REASON FOR A OWNER TO HAVE TO PAY 200-2000 DOLLARS WHEN THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING RIGHT WITH SERVICING AND OIL CHANGES ETC. IM JUST GLAD I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO ME BECAUSE HAVING YOUR ENGINE BELT BREAK IN A BUSY HIGHWAY DOESN'T SOUND SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535644

55,177 miles · Aug 2, 2013
Engine

THIRD COMPLAINT AND COUNTING..... I WENT TO START MY MINI, ONLY TO NOTICE IT WAS LEAKING OIL HEAVILY UNDER MY CAR. I BROUGHT IT TO MY REPAIR SHOP WHO TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE THE O RING. THEY REPLACED IT AND TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK A WEEK LATER. I RETURNED FRIDAY JULY 19TH TO HAVE THEM LOOK UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS OIL EVERYWHER…

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THIRD COMPLAINT AND COUNTING..... I WENT TO START MY MINI, ONLY TO NOTICE IT WAS LEAKING OIL HEAVILY UNDER MY CAR. I BROUGHT IT TO MY REPAIR SHOP WHO TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE THE O RING. THEY REPLACED IT AND TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK A WEEK LATER. I RETURNED FRIDAY JULY 19TH TO HAVE THEM LOOK UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS OIL EVERYWHERE. ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE SEAL WAS FINE! IT TURNS OUT THE VACUUM PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE TIMING CHAIN AT A LATER DATE. THE COST FOR THE PUMP AND LABOR IS $574.00. SO FAR I HAVE SPENT ALMOST $4000.00 ON REPAIRS. I DON'T HAVE AN ESTIMATE FOR THE TIMING CHAIN, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE. I ONLY BOUGHT MY MINI IN FEBRUARY AT 49K MILES AND SHE'S BEEN IN THE SHOP LONGER THAN SHE'S BEEN DRIVEN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANY MORE AND WISH THAT BMW/MINI WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ALL R56 ENGINES ARE DEFECTIVE. IF I KNOWN I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT ANOTHER BETTER RELIABLE CAR THAN A MINI AND THAT IS COMING FROM A PERSON WHO LOVES MY MINI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533173

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2013
Air Bags

YELLOW PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO INDICATE A WARNING SIGNAL AND ILLUMINATE, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NOT A PASSENGER AND THE SEAT IS COMPLETELY EMPTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524755

55,008 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Engine

THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I'VE MADE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF PURCHASE: I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WHEN THE REDUCE SPEED ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO REDUCE SPEED THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE FAST LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVED AS I MANAGED TO RESTART MY 2009 MINI COOPE…

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THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I'VE MADE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF PURCHASE: I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WHEN THE REDUCE SPEED ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO REDUCE SPEED THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE FAST LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVED AS I MANAGED TO RESTART MY 2009 MINI COOPER S AND PULL INTO THE SLOW LANE. I MANAGED TO AVOID COLLISION AND PLACED HAZARDS ON. I GOT MY MINI TO BRADY'S AUTO REPAIR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS DUE TO TURBOCHARGE FAILURE ON AN ORIGINAL MINI PART. HE SAID THAT BMW DONE A RECALL FOR THE SAME PART WHICH IS IN THE 2009 MINI COOPER S AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THEY HADN'T DONE IT FOR MINI. THE TURBOCHARGE WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED ON MY MINI AT THE EXPENSE OF $2778.47. I CONTACTED MINI WHICH STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECOURSE AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS AT ALL AS I HAD MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE MINI WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AND IT COULD HAVE LEAD TO LOSS OF LIFE IF THE DRIVER BEHIND ME HADN'T TAKEN ACTION. I HOPE THE NHTSA DOES INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER IN ALL MINI COOPERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524089

40,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

FAN IS BARELY BLOWING OUT OF THE FRONT VENTS, THE AIR IS ALL FLOWING THROUGH THE BOTTOM VENTS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. HEAT AND AIR-CONDITIONING WORKS FINE. ONLY THE AIR FLOW IS LIMITED REGARDLESS OF ADJUSTMENTS TO AIR FLOW SETTINGS OR TEMPERATURES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521949

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.