The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mini Cooper · 2008
2008 Mini Cooper. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,900 and 37,136 miles. Median 23,000, from 56 complaints with a mileage.
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 62% |
| Airbags | 11% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 8% |
| Electrical | 8% |
| Tires | 3% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 4
23V337000 May 2023 Electrical System
Defect. 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
Risk. 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.
18V248000 Apr 2018 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine / Gasoline / Turbo/Supercharger
Defect. 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 elect
Risk. If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
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
12V008000 Jan 2012 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine / Gasoline / Turbo/Supercharger
Defect. 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.
Risk. THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
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.
08V657000 Dec 2008 Engine And Engine Cooling / Exhaust System / Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Defect. 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.
Risk. IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Engine compartment fire | 2011 | 2012 |
| Closed | Exhaust pipe burns | 2008 | 2009 |
Manufacturer communications 123
Mini filed 123 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Mini- r5 & r56 (cooper; cooper s) with getrag 6 speed manual transmission: complaint of an…
- Turbocharger failure; oil supply line blockage
- Service engine soon or check gas cap warning is illuminated: tank leakage
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Optional | No | No |
Engines and drivetrains 8
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 28 / 37 / 32 | Premium | $2,400 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 26 / 34 / 29 | Premium | $2,650 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | 23 / 32 / 26 | Premium | $3,000 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | Auto (variable gear ratios) | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 | Premium | $3,100 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl supercharged | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 | Premium | $3,200 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl supercharged | Auto (S6) | FWD | 19 / 29 / 23 | Premium | $3,350 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 26 / 34 / 29 | Premium | $2,650 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | FWD | 23 / 32 / 27 | Premium | $2,850 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
YouTube repair topics
199 videos about the 2007–2013 Mini Cooper, 33.6M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Timing chain & engine | 7 | 1.1M |
| Infotainment, battery & electrical | 7 | 1.0M |
| Intake, EGR & engine sensors | 7 | 950K |
| Oil leaks & gaskets | 4 | 760K |
| Cooling system | 4 | 646K |
| Fuel pump, filter & tank | 3 | 639K |
| Windows, doors & mirrors | 2 | 434K |
| Oil changes & service | 2 | 413K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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