← 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

Power Train complaints

12 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2008
Power Train

HERE IN OREGON THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE SEVERELY RESTRICTED TO 20 MILES PER HOUR AND ONE CAN NOT GET A LICENSE TO DRIVE THEM ON THE STREETS. IN LIGHT OF GLOBAL WARMING THIS IS A DISGRACE. PEOPLE WILL NOT BUY VEHICLES THAT ARE SO SEVERELY RESTRICTED YET THE GOVERNMENT IS BRAGGING ABOUT HOW MUCH IT IS DOING FOR THE COUNTRY. I INT…

Read full complaint

HERE IN OREGON THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE SEVERELY RESTRICTED TO 20 MILES PER HOUR AND ONE CAN NOT GET A LICENSE TO DRIVE THEM ON THE STREETS. IN LIGHT OF GLOBAL WARMING THIS IS A DISGRACE. PEOPLE WILL NOT BUY VEHICLES THAT ARE SO SEVERELY RESTRICTED YET THE GOVERNMENT IS BRAGGING ABOUT HOW MUCH IT IS DOING FOR THE COUNTRY. I INTEND TO KEEP LOOKING FOR PROPER AGENCIES TO RESPOND TO THIS SERIOUS BREACH OF TRUST TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS NATION. I REQUEST A RESPONSE IN REGARDS TO WHAT STEPS YOU CAN TAKE AND WHAT HELP YOU MIGHT NEED FROM ME. THANK YOU, BRUCE BURNS PS: I HAD TO CHOOSE A VEHICLE AND ZAP CAR WAS NOT ON THE LIST SO PLEASE SUBSTITUTE ZAP CAR FOR COOPER (MINI). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243780

539 miles · May 30, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION MONITOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE MONITOR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION MONITOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE MONITOR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED THE SAME REPAIR. THREE DAYS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS BECAUSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE CANNOT BE DETERMINED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 539.

NHTSA ODI #10229299

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.