2008 Mini Cooper S Problems & Complaints

Most common 2008 Mini Cooper S problems

• Engine & cooling~52,000 miles
  12169%
• Air bags~63,000 miles
  3319%
• Transmission & drivetrain~49,000 miles
  95%
• Electrical system~40,000 miles
  95%
• Fuel & propulsion system~97,000 miles
  53%
• Seats~41,000 miles
  53%
• Body & structure~45,000 miles
  42%
• Other / not specified~36,000 miles
  42%
• Seat belts~114,000 miles
  42%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~25,000 miles
  21%
• Brakes~48,000 miles
  21%
• Speed control & acceleration~112,000 miles
  21%
• Wheels & tires~32,000 miles
  11%
• Locks & latches~25,000 miles
  11%
• Lights~38,000 miles
  11%
• Suspension~64,000 miles
  11%
• Steering~115,000 miles
  11%
• Stability & traction control~73,000 miles
  11%

Share of the 175 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mini Cooper S complaints by model year

Best Cooper S years: 2017, 2016, 2021. Years to avoid: 2005, 2007, 2004, 2006, 2003. Compare all years →

2008 Mini Cooper S recalls (5)

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2008 Mini Cooper S:

What 2008 Mini Cooper S owners say

Engine & cooling all 121 →

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper s. The contact was included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V657000 (engine and engine cooling), but the repair was not completed before the contact owned the vehicle. In addition, the contact experienced a failure concerning NHTSA campaign number: 12V008000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to a repair shop who provided an oil change and cleared a DTC. The contact later experienced extreme smoke emitting on the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was coasted over to the side of the road and towed to a repair shop. The mechanic diagnosed that the water pump leaked, the engine over heated, the cylinder head was warped, and the oil filter housing gasket was leaky. The mechanic diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was uncertain if the vehicle would be repaired. …

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Mini Cooper s. While driving approximately 70 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard and the contact noticed thick, grey smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The oil warning light illuminated. The contact opened the hood and noticed flames in the engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report and a fire report were filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V008000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,777.

Air bags all 33 →

I was in a bad car accident in which my car was rear ended. I was in the very most right hand lane on the highway, at a stop in stop and go traffic. The vehicle behind me did not stop, hitting me at approximately 75 MPH. As a result, my car spun out to the right and hit the guard rail on the side of the highway head on. The car then bounced off of the guard rail, and spun about 180 degrees to the left, where the rear end of the car then hit the same guard rail and finally stopped. When the car crashed into the guard rail head on, the air bag did not deploy and I hit my head and my chest against the steering wheel. I sustained a fracture in my t2 vertebrae and bad chest bruising.

Starting around 65,000 miles passenger airbag sensor appeared on the dashboard when car would be turned on and would remain on while driving even though no one was in the passenger seat. Had it checked by local Mini workshop and they said it was due to the defective passenger airbag mat in 2001-2008 models. They looked up my car for recall using my VIN and my car was not included, though the 2008 Cooper s convertible that uses the same exact part was included. This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. This is a safety recall!! All models should be included since all models have the problem!! It is completely absurd that Mini would pick and choose which of their customer's lives they want to save. I am being quoted between $700 and $1200 to get this issue fixed. …

Transmission & drivetrain

I have owned the Mini since new. Always regularly serviced at the Mini dealer. Recently I started the engine and it sounded more like a diesel engine, very noisy and unusual. Took it to the Mini dealer and as I explained what the symptoms were, the front desk person that took my details diagnosed the problem. The preliminary diagnosis was confirmed later through an inspection by a trained technician. Like many, many Mini owners I have had a timing chain problem. That the front desk staff can diagnose a problem like this made me curious, it must be such a common problem that the dealer sees it regularly. Some research confirmed this was a widespread problem with minis. Owners have had terminal engine damage with engines that are low mileage and simply should not have any problems. …

Tl 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 unknown. The failure and current mileages were 11,000.

2008 Mini Cooper S engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.