2008 MINI Cooper recalls & problems

The 2008 MINI Cooper has 1 safety recall and 116 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (44 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints116filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 23V337000 · May 11, 2023 · 97,933 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

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.

Crash test ratings

2008 MINI Cooper NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2008 MINI Cooper Convertible w/SAB

Overall	Not Rated
Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2008 MINI Cooper w/SAB

Overall	Not Rated
Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Cooper

32mpg combined

City / highway	28 / 37 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,550/year to fuel

Cooper

29mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Frontal	44	3	0	2	59,750 mi
Engine	44	1	2	1	63,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Exhaust system	13	0	2	5	29,335 mi
Power train Automatic transmission	12	1	0	0	50,500 mi
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel	11	0	1	0	67,000 mi
Seats	5	1	0	0	69,000 mi
Steering	4	1	0	2	89,072 mi
Unknown or other	3	0	0	0	—
Seat belts	3	0	0	0	90,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	3	0	0	0	—
Structure Body	2	1	1	2	—
Fuel/propulsion system	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Sep 28, 2026Engine
About two weeks ago while driving on a major highway the mini cooper suddenly died without warning. The power steering quit making the vehicle extremely difficult to steer. The car would not start. The only thing I could do was push it off the road which I did with the help of a person behind me.i had the car towed to my local import shop. They found that the motor had skipped time causing catastrophic engine failure. If I had been going faster my safety would be in jeopardy as well as other motorists. I have since learned that miniâs with the N14 engine regularly experience timing chain failure causing this. I have the invoice from the shop identifying the problem. I have checked for a…
Jun 27, 2024Air 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 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?
Jul 10, 2023Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that the rear headlight remained illuminated after turning off the vehicle. The contact was forced to put the key in and out of the ignition or disconnect the battery to resolve the issue. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool…
Dec 4, 2023Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Oct 10, 2023Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper Hardtop. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted and determined that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure the contacts headlight went out. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Oct 3, 2023Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
May 28, 2023 · 89,000 milesElectrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the electrical system became inoperable. The contact stated that the windows, headlights, radio, and other safety features were inoperable. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was caused by a rusted footwell control module. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Jun 1, 2023Air bags
Occupant side airbag sensor is defective my mechanic put a code reader to verify itâs 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.

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.