CarBrief

NHTSA has no owner complaints[1] and no recalls[2] on file for the 2009 MINI Cooper. EPA combined ratings range from 26 to 32 MPG depending on the version[3][4].

0owner complaints[1]
26–32MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Reported problems

NHTSA has 0 owner complaints on file for the 2009 MINI Cooper[1]. That includes 0 that mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths[1].

This is a short answer, and it needs a careful reading. An empty file does not mean the car has no problems. It means NHTSA has no complaint record for this model year that we can describe. An inspection and the car's service history would add information this data does not have.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2009 MINI Cooper[2]. A recall check on the specific car you are considering is still a sensible step.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 2009 Cooper in several versions. All use premium fuel and front-wheel drive. The 1.6L 4-cylinder in the Cooper S is turbocharged[3]. The table shows city, highway and combined MPG, plus EPA's estimated annual fuel cost.

Version City / Hwy / Combined Annual fuel cost
Cooper, Manual 6-spd[4] 28 / 37 / 32 $2,550
Cooper, Automatic (S6)[5] 25 / 34 / 29 $2,850
Cooper Convertible, Manual 6-spd[6] 28 / 36 / 32 $2,550
Cooper Convertible, Automatic (S6)[7] 25 / 34 / 29 $2,850
Cooper S, Manual 6-spd[8] 26 / 34 / 29 $2,850
Cooper S, Automatic (S6)[3] 23 / 32 / 26 $3,150
Cooper S Convertible, Manual 6-spd[9] 26 / 34 / 29 $2,850
Cooper S Convertible, Automatic (S6)[10] 23 / 32 / 27 $3,050

In every pairing, the manual gets better combined MPG than the automatic. The best combined rating is 32 MPG, for the Cooper and the Cooper Convertible with the manual[4][6]. The lowest is 26 MPG, for the Cooper S with the automatic[3]. EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from 2009.

Size

These are Canadian-market specifications, so they can differ slightly from US cars. Lengths, widths, heights and wheelbases are in inches, and curb weight is in pounds.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Cooper 2-door hatch[11] 146 in 66 in 56 in 97 in 2,546 lb
Cooper 2-door convertible[12] 146 in 66 in 56 in 97 in 2,546 lb
Cooper S 2-door hatch[13] 146 in 66 in 56 in 97 in 2,668 lb
Cooper S 2-door convertible[14] 146 in 66 in 56 in 97 in 2,668 lb
Cooper Clubman 4-door hatch[15] 155 in 66 in 56 in 100 in 2,723 lb
Cooper Clubman S 4-door hatch[16] 156 in 66 in 56 in 100 in 2,855 lb

The Clubman versions are longer and heavier than the two-door cars. The S versions weigh more than the matching Cooper versions.

How 2009 compares with other years

2002: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20022003: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20032004: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20052006: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20062007: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20072008: 0 complaints, 0 recalls20082009: 0 complaints, 0 recalls020092026: 3 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cooper model year. The 2009 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200200
200300
200400
200500
200600
200700
200800
200900
202631

NHTSA shows 0 complaints and 0 recalls for every MINI Cooper model year from 2002 through 2025, and for 2027[2]. Only 2026 has any, with 3 complaints and 1 recall[2]. So 2009 sits level with the other years on file, and this count gives no reason to pick it over a neighbor.

Should you buy a used 2009 Cooper?

NHTSA has no complaints[1] and no recalls[2] on file, so our government data gives no warning about this model year. That is thin evidence and does not prove the car is trouble free. If fuel cost matters to you, the manual versions cost less to fuel than the matching automatics[4][5]. The Cooper S with the automatic has the highest estimated annual fuel cost at $3,150[3]. Have the specific car inspected and check it for recalls.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2009 MINI Cooper?
NHTSA has 0 owner complaints on file for the 2009 MINI Cooper[1]. That means we cannot name common problems from this data.
Are there any recalls on the 2009 MINI Cooper?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2009 model year[2]. Checking the specific car you are considering is still a sensible step.
What MPG does the 2009 MINI Cooper get?
EPA combined ratings range from 26 MPG for the Cooper S with the automatic[3] to 32 MPG for the Cooper with the manual[4].
Is the 2009 MINI Cooper reliable?
NHTSA shows no complaints[1] and no recalls[2], but that is not a full reliability record. An inspection and the car's service history would add information this data does not have.
Which MINI Cooper model year is best?
NHTSA shows 0 complaints and 0 recalls for every year from 2002 to 2025 and for 2027, so 2009 is level with them[2]. Only 2026 has 3 complaints and 1 recall[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 0 owner complaints on file for the 2009 MINI Cooper (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every MINI Cooper model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Cooper S, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. EPA rating for Cooper, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. EPA rating for Cooper, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. EPA rating for Cooper Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 36 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. EPA rating for Cooper Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. EPA rating for Cooper S, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. EPA rating for Cooper S Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. EPA rating for Cooper S Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  11. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER CLASSIC/COOPER 2DR HATCH FWD: length 146 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 97 in, curb weight 2,546 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  12. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER 2DR CONVERTIBLE FWD: length 146 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 97 in, curb weight 2,546 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  13. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER S 2DR HATCH FWD: length 146 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 97 in, curb weight 2,668 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  14. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER S 2DR CONVERTIBLE FWD: length 146 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 97 in, curb weight 2,668 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER CLUBMAN 4DR HATCH FWD: length 155 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,723 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COOPER CLUBMAN S 4DR HATCH FWD: length 156 in, width 66 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,855 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.