MYRModel Year Report

2008 Mini Cooper

● Typical for this model
2008 Mini Cooper
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:42:48.208Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mini Cooper Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2001: 6 complaints 2001 2002: 187 complaints 2003: 320 complaints 2004: 282 complaints 2005: 372 complaints 2005 2006: 200 complaints 2007: 117 complaints 2008: 115 complaints 2008 2009: 151 complaints 2009 2010: 92 complaints 2011: 83 complaints 2012: 66 complaints 2013: 47 complaints 2013 2014: 34 complaints 2015: 56 complaints 2016: 28 complaints 2017: 28 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 7 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 6 complaints 2023: 7 complaints 2024: 1 complaints 2025: 1 complaints 2025 2026: 2 complaints 2026
2008: 115 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20016
2002187
2003320
2004282
2005372
2006200
2007117
2008115
2009151
201092
201183
201266
201347
201434
201556
201628
201728
20188
201912
20207
20217
20226
20237
20241
20251
20262

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 38%

38% of complaints: air bags — 44 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing inflator module and front passenger.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 37%

37% of complaints: engine — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER INADVERTENTLY BUMPED INTO THE EXHAUST PIPE LOCATED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190724

MY WIFE AND I LIVE IN MUNICH, GERMANY, WHERE SHE WORKS FOR THE US GOVERNMENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120726

Also filed under STRUCTURE

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE. I HAD TO REPLACE CHAIN, TENSIONERS AND CRANK GEAR ON MY 2008 MINI WITH 81,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171111

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and exhaust system.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

LTR FROM CONGRESSMAN MAURICE D. HINCHEY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, WHO SUFFERED A LEG BURN FROM THE TAILPIPE OF HER 2008 MINI COOPER. *NJ

NHTSA ODI report, 20080926

ON 9/3/08 I LEANED INTO THE REAR OF MY 2008 MINI COOPER TO RETRIEVE GROCERY BAGS AND MY BARE LEG (RIGHT LEG) CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE TAIL PIPE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080908

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER SPORT. WHILE REMOVING GROCERIES FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BURNED HER LEG ON THE EXHAUST PIPE, WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080627

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231010

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231003

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230928

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20240513 — electrical system

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,...

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.

Campaign 23V337000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Mini Cooper — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (43 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 23V337000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2014 ▲ 2013 ▲ 2015

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2003 ■ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Mini Cooper reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Mini Cooper is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mini Cooper?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Mini Cooper have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.