Model year record
2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S recalls & problems
The 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 34 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine (21 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 21 | 62,500 mi |
| Air bagsFrontal; Sensor › Occupant classification | 9 | 85,000 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingExhaust system | 5 | 35,000 mi |
| Power trainManual transmission | 2 | — |
| VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly | 1 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Air bags
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved a DTC regarding the passenger seat occupant detection sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
- Engine
MY 2008 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN APPEARS TO BE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TIM ING CHAIN TENSIONER AND TIMING CHAIN. THE NOISE IS STEADILY GETTING WORSE. AFTER READING ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AROUND THE UNITED STATES I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IF THE TIMING CHAIN DESIRES TO COME APART ON THE FREEWAY THE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT BY ENGINE SEIZING UP IF THE TIMING CHAIN LET'S GO. ALSO THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WOULD COST SO MUCH IT WOULD NOT BE WORTH FIXING.LEAVING US WITH A $7500 OWED ON A VEHICLE WE CANNOT USE.
- Air bags
AIR BAG LIGHT ON.
- Air bagsCrash1 injury
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT AT 40MPH DUE TO SENSOR FAILURE. DECELERATION WAS EXTREME ENOUGH TO FRACTURE MY BACK AND CAUSE CHEST INJURIES FROM STRIKING STEERING WHEEL. MINI COOPER REARENDED A SUBURBAN TRUCK THAT WAS STOPPED AT INTERSECTION CAUSING ENGINE TO BREAK LOOSE FROM MOUNTS AND HOOD TO CRUMPLE. SENSORS FOR AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT THE SPEED AND IMPACT.
- Engine
I HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD MY MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN. THE TURBO IS LOOSE, THERE IS OIL BURNING OFF OF MY ENGINE, AND IT MAKES TERRIBLE SCREECHING SOUNDS THAT COME FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE JUST LEARNED THAT IT IS COMMON FOR A MINI COOPER TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ITS TIMING CHAIN; THUS, CAUSING THIS TERRIBLE SOUND AND ALL THOSE OTHER PROBLEMS. I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN, AND NOW THEY ARE HAVING A RECALL ON MOST OF THERE MODELS THAT ARE FROM THE SAME YEAR AS MINE. MY CAR WHENEVER I BRAKE MAKES SCREECHING NOISES THAT COME FROM MY ENGINE, AND I'M WORRIED THAT THIS POOR ENGINE DESIGN WILL CAUSE ME TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT. NOW I HAVE TO POUR MONEY INTO…
- Engine
TIMING CHAIN JUMPED OFF OF DEAD CENTER. HAD TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIR TO NEW UPGRADED ASSEMBLY. COST WAS AROUND $1200.00. UPSET BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO A LOT OF MINI COOPERS. SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF RECALL TO CONSUMERS. BMW KNOWS ABOUT THIS.WAS DRIVING HOME FROM OUT OF STATE.
- Engine
THE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED AT 90,000 MILE AND AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 104,000 MILES
- Air bags
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTANTLY WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. BAD PASSENGER SEAT MATS ARE UNDER RECALL IN MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLES BUT NOT COVERED IN CLUBMAN. $1200 REPAIR IS REQUIRED AND USES SAME PART AS THE CONVERTIBLE. IS RECALL BEING EXPANDED?
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine compartment fireClosedLed to recall 12V008000
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…