Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Mini Cooper S
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Mini Cooper S has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 168 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #23V337000 Control Module in Footwell May Short Circuit NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V248000 Electric Auxiliary Water Pump Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V008000 AUXILIARY WATER PUMP/POSSIBLE FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V657000 EXHAUST PIPE TIPS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 78 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 43 complaints
- Air Bags 30 complaints
- Power Train 9 complaints
- Electrical System 8 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$14,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Mini Cooper S has several recalls, particularly related to the engine and turbocharger issues. With 168 complaints, engine-related problems are notably reported. Electrical system concerns are also present, leading to some recalls. Given the high incidence of engine issues and recalls, reliability is deemed below-average. The data provides limited insight into some components, potentially underreporting other issues.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 50,000–80,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | very common |
| Turbocharger | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,200–$3,000 | common |
| Electrical system | Unknown | $300–$1,500 | occasional |
| Airbags | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Spark plug replacement every 30,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Coolant replacement every 4 years
- Transmission fluid check and change as needed
- Tire rotation and alignment annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine misfires or rough idling
- Coolant leaks near turbocharger
- Unusual noises during acceleration
- Electrical malfunctions or warning lights
- Airbag warning lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Mini Cooper S at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.