NHTSA vehicle safety data
2008 Mini Cooper S Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2008 Mini Cooper S has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 168 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mini dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Mini Cooper S, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2008 Mini Cooper S owner complaints
Owners have filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mini Cooper S, describing incidents dated August 24, 2008 to March 3, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Engine 120 complaints
- Air Bags 30 complaints
- Power Train 9 complaints
- Electrical System 8 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 5 complaints
- Seat Belts 4 complaints
Of the 168 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 10 a fire; across all 168 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11575724 · Filed
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the windows would roll down independently and the sunroof would fail to close completely. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed that the failure was…
ODI #11555606 · Filed
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. 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…
ODI #11366861 · Filed
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT ACTIVATE IN A CRASH WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. RECALLS ACTIVE FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR THE SAME MAKE IN OTHER YEARS AND MODELS ARE CURRENTLY RECALLED HOWEVER OTHERS ARE EXCLUDED.
Owner-reported
2008 Mini Cooper S mileage at failure
153 of the 168 complaints on file for the 2008 Mini Cooper S give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Median 50,000 miles | Middle half 35,000–65,000 miles | Based on 113 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Mini Cooper S in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Preliminary Evaluation PE11-036: Engine compartment fire
Closed June 11, 2012
- Engineering Analysis EA08-020: EXHAUST PIPE BURNS
Closed January 2, 2009
Control Module in Footwell May Short Circuit
NHTSA #23V337000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported May 11, 2023 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 97,933 vehicles
Repair completion: 18.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified May 13, 2024
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Electric Auxiliary Water Pump Failure
NHTSA #18V248000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger · NHTSA notice
Reported April 18, 2018 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 47,806 vehicles
Repair completion: 67.07% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified June 15, 2018 · Vehicles built June 28, 2007 – September 23, 2011 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Safety consequence
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
AUXILIARY WATER PUMP/POSSIBLE FIRE
NHTSA #12V008000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger · NHTSA notice
Reported January 11, 2012 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Potentially affected: 90,368 vehicles
Owners notified February 29, 2012 · Vehicles built November 14, 2006 – October 27, 2010 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.
Safety consequence
THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.
Notes
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
EXHAUST PIPE TIPS
NHTSA #08V657000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · NHTSA notice
Reported December 12, 2008 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Potentially affected: 28,450 vehicles
Owners notified January 15, 2009 · Vehicles built November 18, 2006 – July 8, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
BMW IS RECALLING 28,450 MY 2007-2008 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES. THE CENTRALLY LOCATED TAILPIPE EXTENSION PROTRUDES SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.
Safety consequence
IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAILPIPE WITH A NEW SHORTER TAILPIPE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.
Notes
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Other Mini Cooper S model years
Check your 2008 Mini Cooper S VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mini Cooper S at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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