One problem related to engine exhaust system has been reported for the 2009 Mini Cooper. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The vacuum pump (attached to exhaust cam shaft) on my 2009 Mini Cooper jcw seized on the highway in moving traffic (luckily in the right hand lane) - vacuum pump seizer led to exhaust cam shaft failure, which led to multiple engine part failure / engine puncture (destroyed engine and timing chain): destroyed engine = no power in moving traffic = serious hazard.