Mini COOPER CLUBMAN S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
62,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 to 2008 model years. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 34 complaints (61.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 11.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 21 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Engine: 21; Air Bags: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 5; 2013: 6; 2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10299608 · 2010-01-13 (January 13, 2010)
THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE ON THE MINI COOPER IS UNDERNEATH THE PARKING BRAKE AND DRINK HOLDERS. LIQUID SPILLED FROM THE DRINK HOLDER HAS RENDERED THE MODULE UNUSABLE AND CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE. MINI IS BLAMING THE CUSTOMER FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10299608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10731817 · 2015-07-02 (July 2, 2015)
VEHICLE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE TURNING ON AND WHEN IT DID COME ON A LOUD CLANKING NOISE BEGAN. THE CAR COULD BARELY GO OVER 30MPH. 3 HR. DRIVE TOOK US ALMOST 6 HOURS TO GET TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATES IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE OIL PAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.WE FOUND EXCESSIVE WATER IN THE SPARE WHEEL HUB. THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WOULD NOT GO OFF, AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED, A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE GAS TANK CONSISTED. ETC.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10731817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10991221 · 2017-05-23 (May 23, 2017)
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT AT 40MPH DUE TO SENSOR FAILURE. DECELERATION WAS EXTREME ENOUGH TO FRACTURE MY BACK AND CAUSE CHEST INJURIES FROM STRIKING STEERING WHEEL. MINI COOPER REARENDED A SUBURBAN TRUCK THAT WAS STOPPED AT INTERSECTION CAUSING ENGINE TO BREAK LOOSE FROM MOUNTS AND HOOD TO CRUMPLE. SENSORS FOR AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT THE SPEED AND IMPACT.
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10991221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11060861 · 2018-01-06 (January 6, 2018)
MY 2008 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN APPEARS TO BE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TIM ING CHAIN TENSIONER AND TIMING CHAIN. THE NOISE IS STEADILY GETTING WORSE. AFTER READING ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AROUND THE UNITED STATES I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IF THE TIMING CHAIN DESIRES TO COME APART ON THE FREEWAY THE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT BY ENGINE SEIZING UP IF THE TIMING CHAIN LET'S GO. ALSO THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WOULD COST SO MUCH IT WOULD NOT BE WORTH FIXING.LEAVING US WITH A $7500 OWED ON A VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11060861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10532089 · 2013-07-26 (July 26, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE ON A SEMI-RURAL ROAD IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA, MY CAR APPEARED TO BE UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). MY HEAD LURCHED FORWARD AND BACK AGAIN FORCEFULLY, AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MPH ON A 60 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD FOR THE NEXT MILE, UNTIL I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS CLOSE BEHIND ME, OR I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED, AND LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO MY FINAL DESTINATION. I DRIVE A 2008 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S, AUTOMATIC WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS. IT IS ABOUT $8,300 TO $9,700 TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10482876 · 2012-11-01 (November 1, 2012)
I JUST PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2008 MINI COOPER S 2MONTHS AGO... I JUST STARTED HAVING A COLD START ISSUE SINCE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS HOT OUT AND NOW SINCE THE TEMP HAS DROPPED THE CAR HAS A CHATTER COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. I HAVE SEARCHED ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND I HAVE SEEN THERE ARE MANY COOPERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND MANY HAVE REPLACED TIMING CHAINS FOR ALMOST $2000 AND THE MANUFACTURER ISN'T BRINGING A RECALL TO ATTENTION. I WORK IN A DEALERSHIP AS A SALES PERSON AND MANY MECHANICS ARE SAYING IS A TIMING ISSUE. I FEEL LOSS OF …
Owner-reported narrative. 34,408 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482876 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 |
2008: 0
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 34 | 0 | Not available |