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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.

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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

2 reports
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180,000 miles · Feb 13, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHEN PRESSING THE BREAK, THE ENGINE REVS. I TURNED ON THE CAR AND PRESSED THE BREAK. THE ENGINE REVVED. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE AGAIN IT REVVED UP TO 7000 RPM. I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. I WAS AFRAID TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A MONTH AGO THE MINI ENGIN…

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WHEN PRESSING THE BREAK, THE ENGINE REVS. I TURNED ON THE CAR AND PRESSED THE BREAK. THE ENGINE REVVED. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE AGAIN IT REVVED UP TO 7000 RPM. I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. I WAS AFRAID TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A MONTH AGO THE MINI ENGINE RPM RAISED AND THE CAR WENT FASTER EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT PRESSING THE GAS. I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT.

NHTSA ODI #11396075

83,000 miles · Oct 31, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

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 THE HOSE …

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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 THE HOSE TO REST ON A RETAINING CLIP FOR ANOTHER HOSE. THE RETAINING CLIP HAD WORN A GROOVE INTO THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE AND GASOLINE WAS SPRAYING ACROSS THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND DOWN ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482772

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.