← New search

2008 Mini Cooper

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cooper years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Mini Cooper are substantially higher than the model-year median of 40.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

86 reports with mileage · 29 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 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

41 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2024
Air Bags

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 , this recall was not for my vehicle. according to the numbers and years but, it was manufactured at the same time in 2007 . SAME AS CONVERTABLE BY THE SAME COMPANY... plus they have not fixed FRM.i boutght this car possibly 3rd hand but i regisdtered with Mini. so my codes are up and the wanring…

Read full complaint

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 , this recall was not for my vehicle. according to the numbers and years but, it was manufactured at the same time in 2007 . SAME AS CONVERTABLE BY THE SAME COMPANY... plus they have not fixed FRM.i boutght this car possibly 3rd hand but i regisdtered with Mini. so my codes are up and the wanring lights are there and i was wanting the information as to what the part number or serial number is for the recalled part, would that not be a way to confirm if it is part of a problem?

NHTSA ODI #11601311

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2023
Air Bags

Occupant side airbag sensor is defective my mechanic put a code reader to verify it’s a 2008 hatchback and I see they have recalled all the convertibles but not the sedans I would think the same airbag sensor is in my car are there any updates to my car because the replacement is very very expensive and the airbag failure light …

Read full complaint

Occupant side airbag sensor is defective my mechanic put a code reader to verify it’s a 2008 hatchback and I see they have recalled all the convertibles but not the sedans I would think the same airbag sensor is in my car are there any updates to my car because the replacement is very very expensive and the airbag failure light is a pain to have displaying That contact added that the vehicle only had about 36,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11528729

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2022
Air Bags

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Airbag Warning Light has come on indicating a malfunction with this safety system and consequently that the airbag safety system may not deploy in the event of an accident. This problem is not unique to my specific vehicle and appears to be a very common issue amongst BMW Mini vehicles as evi…

Read full complaint

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Airbag Warning Light has come on indicating a malfunction with this safety system and consequently that the airbag safety system may not deploy in the event of an accident. This problem is not unique to my specific vehicle and appears to be a very common issue amongst BMW Mini vehicles as evidenced by much discussion on forums across the internet.

NHTSA ODI #11496394

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2022
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

This vehicle just went over 66,000 miles and the airbag warning light started appearing. An independent mechanic and dealership both diagnosed and said it's a defective front passenger seat occupant detection mat and I'd need to replace the entire system/seat. Several other vehicles with the same part have recalls however my spe…

Read full complaint

This vehicle just went over 66,000 miles and the airbag warning light started appearing. An independent mechanic and dealership both diagnosed and said it's a defective front passenger seat occupant detection mat and I'd need to replace the entire system/seat. Several other vehicles with the same part have recalls however my specific 2008 model is not included in this recall. I believe it should be included in the recall as this is clearly a known issue and an obvious safety system/design flaw. No sort of crash or collision occurred and now the vehicle will not pass safety inspection and is unusable because of this until I spent roughly $2000 on the repair.

NHTSA ODI #11486102

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2022
Air Bags

Hello, An airbag sensor recall was issued in 2015 and Mini Cooper refuses to fix this safety issue. They are saying this recall is expired, but it has not been 10 years and the car only has 54,000 miles. This is a known defect. Car is currently broken. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15355121/bmw-recalls-91800-mini-coopers-f…

Read full complaint

Hello, An airbag sensor recall was issued in 2015 and Mini Cooper refuses to fix this safety issue. They are saying this recall is expired, but it has not been 10 years and the car only has 54,000 miles. This is a known defect. Car is currently broken. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15355121/bmw-recalls-91800-mini-coopers-for-airbag-sensors/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bmw-recalls-91-000-mini-coopers-over-air-bag-sensor-n344226 https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/minicooper-recall-81033/ https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2005-08-mini-cooper-recalled-for-airbag-problem.html This should be covered by the manufacturer. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11471794

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2021
Air BagsSeats

MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THE MACHANIC SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PASSENGER SEAT TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSOR. A NEW SEAT WILL COST $1500 AND LABOR WILL COST $500. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11404715

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2021
Air Bags

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG OCCUPANT SENSOR/MAT FAILED CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT TO BE ON AND FOR AIRBAGS NOT TO DEPLOY INCASE OF A ACCIDENT . MINI DID NOT RECALL THIS ISSUES BUT PUT A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 10YEARS FOR THIS DEFECT THEY ARE AWARE ABOUT. THIS HAS EXPIRED FOR MANY VEHICLES INCLUDING MINE . THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE THAT'S A POTE…

Read full complaint

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG OCCUPANT SENSOR/MAT FAILED CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT TO BE ON AND FOR AIRBAGS NOT TO DEPLOY INCASE OF A ACCIDENT . MINI DID NOT RECALL THIS ISSUES BUT PUT A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 10YEARS FOR THIS DEFECT THEY ARE AWARE ABOUT. THIS HAS EXPIRED FOR MANY VEHICLES INCLUDING MINE . THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE THAT'S A POTENTIAL RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH INCASE OF A ACCIDENT AND THE FACT THAT MINI COOPER DOES NOT RECALL THIS MATTER IS INHUMAN . PLEASE HELP WITH THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #11398828

72,000 miles · Jan 26, 2021
Air Bags

AIRBAG SENSOR FAILS TO PASS THE VEHICLE'S INTERNAL SAFETY CHECK AND A WARNING LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. THIS LIGHT INDICATES THAT THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE AIRBAG, AND IT WILL NOT DEPLOY IF INVOLVED IN A WRECK WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ON. FOR THE PAST 9 MONTHS, THIS SENSOR HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, AND NOW IT STAYS ON CON…

Read full complaint

AIRBAG SENSOR FAILS TO PASS THE VEHICLE'S INTERNAL SAFETY CHECK AND A WARNING LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. THIS LIGHT INDICATES THAT THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE AIRBAG, AND IT WILL NOT DEPLOY IF INVOLVED IN A WRECK WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ON. FOR THE PAST 9 MONTHS, THIS SENSOR HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, AND NOW IT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS/YEARS OF THE MINI COOPER, BUT WHEN I LOOK UP MY VIN IT SHOWS NO RECALL. IN ONLINE SEARCHES, I SEE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME MAKE/MODEL OF MINI COOPER WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, ONE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER, NOT AN EXPENSE I SHOULD HAVE TO INCUR.

NHTSA ODI #11389937

120,000 miles · Jul 28, 2020
Air BagsSeat Belts

RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2008 MINI COOPER. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND ALWAYS STAYS ON. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT MINI HAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY/RECALL. I TOOK VEHICLE TO BMW/MINI DEALER IN BIRMINGHAM, AL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR RECALL EXPIRED IN 2018, OR WITH VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 12…

Read full complaint

RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2008 MINI COOPER. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND ALWAYS STAYS ON. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT MINI HAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY/RECALL. I TOOK VEHICLE TO BMW/MINI DEALER IN BIRMINGHAM, AL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR RECALL EXPIRED IN 2018, OR WITH VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 120,000 MILES. MINE HAS 123,000 MI. ALSO CALLED MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RECEIVED THE SAME INFORMATION. MANY VIDEOS EXIST ON INTERNET/YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT AND HOW TO BYPASS PROBLEM BY INSTALLING A PART THAT BYPASSES THE SENSOR OR BY USING A SCAN TOOL TO ERASE THE CODE TO REMOVE THE WARNING LIGHT. NEITHER OF THESE SOLUTIONS SEEM SAFE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR'S PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD FAIL TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. HERE IS A VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS THE PROBLEM AND A POSSIBLE UNSAFE FIX: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GDLMTYGUIPM&T=615S

NHTSA ODI #11341850

92,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF BEDFORD (LOCATED AT 209 S RIVER RD, BEDFORD, NH 03110, (833) 785-4497) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF BEDFORD (LOCATED AT 209 S RIVER RD, BEDFORD, NH 03110, (833) 785-4497) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IF THEY REMOVED IT TO REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #11232449

Official recalls

1

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.