2008 Mini COOPER S: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
168 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
53,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 153 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 78 of 168 complaints (46.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 3.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 1.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
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 | 78 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 36 |
| Air Bags | 30 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
Engine: 78; Engine And Engine Cooling: 36; Air Bags: 30; Electrical System: 8; Power Train: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Seat Belts: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 49 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 51 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 49; 50,000 to 74,999: 51; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (51). 15 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2008: 5; 2009: 8; 2010: 12; 2011: 15; 2012: 23; 2013: 31; 2014: 19; 2015: 19; 2016: 14; 2017: 7; 2018: 4; 2019: 4; 2020: 5; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10241256 · 2008-09-07 (September 7, 2008)
I BORROWED MY FRIEND'S MINI COOPER S FOR THE WEEK TO TEST DRIVE IT. AS I WAS UNLOADING CARGO FROM THE TRUNK, MY LEG WAS BURNED WHEN IT TOUCHED THE EXHAUST TIP. YESTERDAY, I READ ABOUT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAME PROBLEM ON EDMUNDS.COM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 19,342 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241704 · 2008-09-10 (September 10, 2008)
WE PURCHASED A 2008 MINI COOPER FOR MY DAUGHTER. LAST NIGHT WHILE SHE WAS PUTTING THINGS IN THE TRUNK, HER LEG GLANCED THE TAILPIPE AND SHE RECEIVED A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT BURN. ON LOOKING AT CARS IN A PARKING LOT, I SEE THAT THE MINI COOPER'S TAIL PIPES ARE VERY EXPOSED AND NOT EVEN SLANTED BACK...I SEE THIS AS A HUGE DANGER. *TR PIC RECEIVED 10/0708 *BF ADD PICTURE *121108 CW UPDATED 12/11/08
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10241704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10242487 · 2008-09-16 (September 16, 2008)
"PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY. I BRING TO DEALER FOR REPAIR THREE TIMES, BUT DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AND MY PROBLEM CONTINUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242487 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10246017 · 2008-10-19 (October 19, 2008)
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF 08 MINI COOPER S GETS SO HOT IT HAS MELT THE HOOD SCOOP. MY HOOD SCOOPING IS BOWING DOWN AND THE CAR HAS 2700 MILES ON IT. I SUGGEST A RECALL AND A HEAT SHIELD TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE FORUMS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10246017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10247715 · 2008-11-05 (November 5, 2008)
VERY NOISY DRIVE TRAIN UPON INITIAL START-UP; MORE SIGNIFICANT WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. NOISE ABATES AS ENGINE WARMS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253532 · 2009-01-02 (January 2, 2009)
THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS BEEN DISABLED WHEN A FULL SIZED ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10253532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10264856 · 2009-04-09 (April 9, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CLUTCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE CENTER OF AN INTERSECTION. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ABUSIVE OPERATION OF THE CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT IS NOT COVERED IN THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNK…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10266241 · 2009-04-21 (April 21, 2009)
MY 2008 MINI COOPER S HAS A TERRIBLE RATTLING NOISE OCCASIONALLY DURING STARTUP. THE PROBLEM CAN BE REPRODUCED 100% OF THE TIME UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: - START CAR FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (BACK OUT OF GARAGE / WASH CAR) - RESTART CAR FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (MOVE INTO GARAGE) - LEAVE CAR FOR 8 OR MORE HOURS - RESTART AND DRIVE AWAY. FOR THE FIRST 2 MINUTES THERE'S A TERRIBLE RATTLING SOUND. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266241 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V657000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Reported: 2008-12-12 (December 12, 2008)
BMW IS RECALLING 28,450 MY 2007-2008 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES. THE CENTRALLY LOCATED TAILPIPE EXTENSION PROTRUDES SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.
Consequence: IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAILPIPE WITH A NEW SHORTER TAILPIPE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V008000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
Reported: 2012-01-11 (January 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V248000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2018-04-18 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V337000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2023-05-11 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗