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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.

About this comparison →
115Owner complaints

Model-year median: 40.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
372
2005200
2006117
2007115
2008151
200992
201083
2011
Compare all Cooper years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine
43Air Bags
41Engine And Engine Cooling
13Power Train
12Electrical System
11
All reported categories
Seats
5Steering
4Seat Belts
3Unknown Or Other
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Equipment Adaptive/mobility
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Service Brakes
2Structure
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Tires
1

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

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 System, Gasoline complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
10,000 miles · Oct 6, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

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 CARS VIRTUA…

Read full complaint

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 CARS VIRTUALLY GONE. I COME ACROSS SOME MINI COOPER OWNERS CLUB FORUM AND ITS APPARENTLY HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND ALSO ON YOUTUBE. OR IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS THE SAME THING SINCE THEY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE FIRST TOO. I CALLED MINI AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE ME TOW IT THERE SO THEY CAN DIAGNOSE IT TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429003

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.