Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 MINI Clubman, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 7 | 18% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 13% |
| Engine | 5 | 13% |
| Power train | 3 | 8% |
| Air bags | 2 | 5% |
| Structure | 2 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I received a recall notice from MINI USA dated July 2023. The recall issue date is in May 2023. The notice states the Footwell Control Module (FRM) can become corroded and can increase the risk of fire or injury. The let
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owned a 2009 Min Cooper Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The driver's side footwell is continuously full of water for the past several years. During rain water runs inside the car, from somewhere behind the dash, into the driver's footwell. The Footwell Control Module (FRM) is
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I recently purchased a 2009 mini cooper clubman. Within three weeks of taking possession of the car, the airbag warning light activated. Upon a diagnostic test, it was determined that the passenger occupancy sensor was
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The passenger-side airbag is not recognized when a passenger is in the vehicle. Mechanic says this is a known recall for Mini's and has repaired several but my model is not covered under the recall. There has not been an
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Following approximately 12 months of slow deterioration, the passenger-side airbag deployment system in this vehicle appears to have become continuously inoperative (red airbag failure annunciator continuously illuminate
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS STOPPED WORKING DURING ALL STATES OF VEHICLE OPERATION. UPON STARTING THE CAR AND WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
LOW OIL INDICATOR DOESN'T LIGHT UP UNTIL THE OIL LEVELS ARE CRITICALLY LOW. DEALER STATES THAT THEY'VE SEEN THIS HAPPEN A LOT AND IT'S "NORMAL." COST ME OVER $4,000 TO FIX IT AT THE DEALER. 3RD DOOR (SUICIDE DOOR) LOC
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 52 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 7 of them (18%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.