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2008 Mini Cooper S

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cooper S years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Mini Cooper S are substantially higher than the model-year median of 23.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

153 reports with mileage · 15 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports10 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

43 reports
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59,000 miles · Nov 18, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND, ALMOST LIKE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE GRINDING. ON NOVEMBER 11, 2010, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND ENGINE DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE AS MUCH POWER AS IT SHOULD. TOOK TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE THE TURBO WAS DAMAGED. APPARENTLY THE OIL S…

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NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND, ALMOST LIKE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE GRINDING. ON NOVEMBER 11, 2010, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND ENGINE DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE AS MUCH POWER AS IT SHOULD. TOOK TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE THE TURBO WAS DAMAGED. APPARENTLY THE OIL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE TURBO WAS EITHER BLOCKED OR CUT, AND WAS NOT PROVIDING OIL TO THE TURBO. AS A RESULT OF THE LACK OF OIL, THE BEARINGS IN THE TURBO WERE RUINED. HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TURBO. AFTER THE TURBO WAS REPLACED WE WERE TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN WAS GOING BAD. WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONERS, AND GUIDES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I'VE READ WHERE THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPERS, AND THAT, IF FIXED, IT WILL GO BAD AGAIN AND COULD CAUSE A SEVERE ENGINE PROBLEM, RESULTING IN FAILURE. I ALSO WONDER IF THE TIMING CHAIN IS ALREADY DAMAGED ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE OIL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE TURBO TO BE DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI #10367450

35,000 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WHENEVER HE STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE KNOCKING NOISE WAS NOT PRESENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TIMING BELT AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED AT THE HIS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT CALL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WHENEVER HE STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE KNOCKING NOISE WAS NOT PRESENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TIMING BELT AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED AT THE HIS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10361149

24,552 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

2008 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287 IN NJ WITH ABSOLUTELY NO NOTICE THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER. EVERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO, NO POWER WHATSOEVER FROM THE ENGINE, NO WAY TO OPEN WINDOWS OR DOOR LOCKS …

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2008 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287 IN NJ WITH ABSOLUTELY NO NOTICE THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER. EVERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO, NO POWER WHATSOEVER FROM THE ENGINE, NO WAY TO OPEN WINDOWS OR DOOR LOCKS AS THEIR WAS A COMPLETE AND TOTAL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THIS VEHICLE - THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO NOTICE. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND THE NEXT I HAD COMPLETE AND TOTAL MECHANICAL, ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE RENDERING THE CAR DISABLED AND WITHOUT POWER IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF INTERSTATE 287 SOUTH IN MORRISTOWN NJ. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO MINI DEALER; VEHICLE THERE FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS-SUPPOSEDLY "FIXED". THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED A SECOND TIME WITHIN 100 MILES OF THAT FIRST SERVICE. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO MINI DEALER AGAIN. HAPPENED A THIRD TIME FOR THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHILE HE DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM PRINCETON TO PA. VEHICLE WAS AT MINI FOR ANOTHER 2 AND ONE HALF WEEKS. NOW THEY SAY IT IS FIXED AND I DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT THEY ARE CORRECT. THIS PROBLEM IS WITHOUT WARNING AND LEAVES THE VEHICLE PERMANENTLY DISABLED IN A TOTAL AND COMPLETE WAY THAT CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH FOR THE OCCUPANTS. MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS ABHORRENT. THEY WOULD NOT RETURN CALLS AND STALLED TIME AND AGAIN WHEN ASKED TO REPURCHASE THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS CLEARLY UNSAFE. THEY WILL DO NOTHING. THE NHTSA MUST INVESTIGATE. THE ONLY PART THEY TELL ME IS WRONG IS THE FOOTWELL MODULE BUT WILL BE NO MORE SPECIFIC. MINI MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT AND FAILURE; THIS IS OF VERY SERIOUS NATURE. AGAIN, THE CAR COMPLETELY FAILS-EVERYTHING-ENGINE, ELECTRICAL, ALL POWER YOU CAN NOT OPEN DOOR LOCKS, WINDOWS OR THE REAR HATCH. THE ENGINE LOSSES ALL POWER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350222

28,268 miles · Jul 10, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

LEAVING FROM WORK AROUND 5:00 PM (CAR HAD BEEN IN THE PARKING LOT SINCE 7:20 AM), I DROVE FOR A MILE OR LESS WHEN AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR BY MY SIDE TOLD ME ABOUT SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. I DROVE TO THE CLOSET PARKING LOT, OPENED THE HOOD (THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE) AND I COULD SEE 2 WIRES RED HOT. I WENT TO TRY TO …

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LEAVING FROM WORK AROUND 5:00 PM (CAR HAD BEEN IN THE PARKING LOT SINCE 7:20 AM), I DROVE FOR A MILE OR LESS WHEN AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR BY MY SIDE TOLD ME ABOUT SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. I DROVE TO THE CLOSET PARKING LOT, OPENED THE HOOD (THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE) AND I COULD SEE 2 WIRES RED HOT. I WENT TO TRY TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND LUCKILY AND AMBULANCE ON DUTY (COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE HE HAD A PATIENT) GAVE ME A SMALL BOTTLE OF WATER. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR WITH THE WATER THERE WERE FLAMES ABOUT 10" TALL ON A SMALL AREA, ALREADY TOUCHING THE PIPES THE COME OUT OF THE TURBO (PIPES THAT BRING AIR INTO TURBO AND OUT TO THE INTERCOOLER) AND WITH THE 500ML BOTTLE OF WATER I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OFF. DALER (MINI OF STERLING) REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE (CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY). DEALER FOUND THAT THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP SHORTED, AND THIS MUST HAVE CAUSE THE WIRES TO OVERHEAT. DEALER REPLACED AUXILIARY WATER PUMP AND WIRES AND PARTS THAT BURNED. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEN WITH MINI USA, BOTH REFUSED TO CHANGE ENGINEERING TO PREVENT A FUTURE FIRE IN CASE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP HAS A SHORT-CIRCUIT AGAIN. *TR UPDATED 1/27/2012 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342365

25,000 miles · Apr 18, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2008 MINI COOPER S, WHEN COLD, OFTEN STARTS UP WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE. SO MUCH SO THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL (BUT ITS NOT A DIESEL MOTOR). NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS PROBLEM, INCLUDING SOME COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURES. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX AND I WOULD LIKE MINI TO…

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MY 2008 MINI COOPER S, WHEN COLD, OFTEN STARTS UP WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE. SO MUCH SO THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL (BUT ITS NOT A DIESEL MOTOR). NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS PROBLEM, INCLUDING SOME COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURES. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX AND I WOULD LIKE MINI TO ISSUE A RECALL TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM AND TO HAVE AN UNLIMITED WARRANTY ON THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" THIS SOUND AND THEREFORE REFUSES TO PROVIDE THE FIX FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326195

600 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2008 MINI COOPER S, WHEN COLD, OFTEN STARTS UP WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE. SO MUCH SO THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL (BUT ITS NOT A DIESEL MOTOR). NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS PROBLEM, INCLUDING SOME COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURES. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX AND I WOULD LIKE MINI TO…

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MY 2008 MINI COOPER S, WHEN COLD, OFTEN STARTS UP WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE. SO MUCH SO THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL (BUT ITS NOT A DIESEL MOTOR). NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS PROBLEM, INCLUDING SOME COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURES. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX AND I WOULD LIKE MINI TO ISSUE A RECALL TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM AND TO HAVE AN UNLIMITED WARRANTY ON THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318231

8,500 miles · Dec 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

NOISE IN ENGINE AFTER COLD START. ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY MINI OF PEABODY MA AFTER A INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS A 2008 COOPER S JCW AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN NOISY SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. NOISE GOES AWAY AFTER IT WARMS UP. DEALER TELLS ME NOTHING IS WRONG. ORIGINAL ENGINE FAILED AT 8,000 MILES AND SO DID THE TRANSMISSION AND H…

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NOISE IN ENGINE AFTER COLD START. ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY MINI OF PEABODY MA AFTER A INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS A 2008 COOPER S JCW AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN NOISY SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. NOISE GOES AWAY AFTER IT WARMS UP. DEALER TELLS ME NOTHING IS WRONG. ORIGINAL ENGINE FAILED AT 8,000 MILES AND SO DID THE TRANSMISSION AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. NOW AT 17,000 MILES TRANSMISSION OK BUT ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS KNOCKING AT START UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295697

38,000 miles · Oct 7, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

2008 MINI COOPER S SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FIRE 10/02. I HAD JUST RETURNED HOME FROM WORK AND I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 45MINS AND THEN 10MINS AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR DOWN A FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286663

100 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 - RESTA…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10266241

1,600 miles · Nov 5, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

VERY NOISY DRIVE TRAIN UPON INITIAL START-UP; MORE SIGNIFICANT WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. NOISE ABATES AS ENGINE WARMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247715

Official recalls

4

23V337000 · Electrical System

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 & remedy

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.

18V248000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Apr 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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

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.

12V008000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

08V657000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Dec 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE11036 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Oct 11, 2011 · Closed Jun 11, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine And Engine Cooling

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

Engine And Engine Cooling

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

Engine And Engine Cooling

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V-008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V-008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V-521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V-522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to NHTSA, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V-521, 11V-522 and 12V-008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V-008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V-521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V-522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V-166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

EA08020 · Exhaust Pipe Burns

Opened Aug 29, 2008 · Closed Jan 2, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

BMW WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (08V-657) ON 28,450 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 2006 THROUGH JULY 8, 2008.DEALERS WILL INSTALL MODIFIED EXHAUST PIPE TIPS THAT DO NOT EXTEND BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER.THE TWO EXHAUST PIPE TIPS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE AND EXTEND BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER.THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED BEING BURNED ON THEIR LEGS WHEN THEY INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED THE EXPOSED HOT EXHAUST PIPE TIPS WHILE REMOVING ITEMS OF CARGO FROM THE REAR OF THEIR VEHICLE VIA THE HATCH BACK DOOR.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED BEING BURNED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION OR THAT OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WERE ALSO BURNED.THE 50 INJURIES REPORTED IN THIS INVESTIGATION INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT SECOND DEGREE BURNS CAUSING BLISTERED AND SCARED SKIN AND ONE INCIDENT RESULTED IN A THIRD DEGREE BURN.THIS INVESTIGATION ALSO RESULTED IN AN INITIAL DECISION OF A DEFECT.FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE INITIAL DECISION AND DETAILS OF THE INVESTIGATION SEE DOCUMENTS, INRM-EA08020-31646.PDF (INITIAL DECISION LETTER) AND INIR-EA08020-31648.PDF (INITIAL DECISION REPORT), IN THE INVESTIGATION FILE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.