KnownCarProblems2008 Mini Cooper Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mini Cooper, most often about the engine (49% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is 8th of 26 Cooper model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2008 Mini Cooper problems
Engine
57 complaints · 49%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The critical timing chain failure can lead to premature engine failure. This is a safety issue because the failing timing chain can also cause the motor to fail. This in turn leads to a lack of power/acceleration/movement endangering the driver and other drivers. Currently bmw/Mini has acknowledged this issue however…
At 55000 miles started to hear engine rattle and rough running at idle. Took to dealer for service and they said the engine has multiple oil leaks, a faulty camshaft adjustment solenoid and faulty timing belt. The timing belt has caused the oil leaks and faulty solenoid. This will cause catastrophic engine failure.…
Air bags
41 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, sensor.
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not available.
Passenger airbag sensor malfunctioning with airbag light on and not certain what will happen if airbag needs to deploy. This seems to be a widespread problem based on internet search. Mini recalled first generation models for this issue but did not include the second generation vehicles (mine).
Transmission
12 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The critical timing chain failure can lead to premature engine failure. This is a safety issue because the failing timing chain can also cause the motor to fail. This in turn leads to a lack of power/acceleration/movement endangering the driver and other drivers. Currently bmw/Mini has acknowledged this issue however…
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. When shifting into first gear, the vehicle easily switched into the reverse position. The contact was involved in a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made…
Electrical
11 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
Airbag sensor mat does not recognize whether a person is sitting on the passenger side thereby not activating the airbag; this has been happening on & off for months; passenger airbag light comes on immediately despite occupancy while parked and during driving (all conditions-highway, city street, turning; etc.…
My car only has 47,000 miles on it and has the same passenger side airbag issue. It started off at times having the problem, now is on all the time. Mini wants $125 to diagnose the problem, which seems evident. Also paid $425 to fix electrical wiring that corroded and $1,700 2 months earlier this year when wheel…
Seats
5 complaints · 4%The weight sensor in the front passenger seat that determines whether to deactivate the airbag when a child is seated, or if the seat is unoccupied, is broken. This has caused the frontal airbag to become permanently deactivated at all times. There has been a recall of other cars for this issue, but bmw refuses to…
My 2008 Mini Cooper was in accident in jan 2016. The (passenger) light came on and it was immediately take to autobody shop. The passenger airbag warning light was evaluated and added to repairs. The seat map sensor is the chief problem. The car is undrivable. The dealership in sterling indicated that it would take…
Steering
4 complaints · 3%The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH the steering wheel suddenly locked. The vehicle was shut off, and upon restart the failure continued. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be…
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to south bay Mini (18900 hawthorne blvd, torrance, ca 90504) where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be…
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 3%Sunroof spontaneously shattered. No impact or other incident. Simply driving on highway 85 in santa clara, california. Loud explosion sound, covered in glass with hanging sunroof. Reported incident to 911 then to chp. No assignable cause.
Fuel system
3 complaints · 3%I was driving around and I began loosing power to my car, so I stopped and then I couldn't get it started again. I was in the process of calling a tow company when I popped the hood and when I lifted it up I could smell gasoline and noticed a cloud of fumes so I backed up and it caught fire so I called 911 and now my…
While driving I noticed the smell of gasoline that became increasingly stronger. After I arrived home I began looking for the source of the gasoline smell. What I found was the high pressure fuel line that supplies fuel to the injector rail was leaking. The way the hose was routed on the back of the engine, allowed…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Mini Cooper recalls
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2008 Mini Cooper
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mini Cooper?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (57 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); air bags (41 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); transmission (12 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Mini Cooper have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 11, 2023 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Mini Cooper?
- It is 8th of 26 Cooper model years by number of complaints, with 116 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.