2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible has a Complaint Index of 57 and ranks 4th worst out of 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 7 complaints, 1 fire, 1 recall, and a top problem area of Structure & Body.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 57/100
- #4 of 8 Cooper S Convertible years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 7
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 20 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body4 (57%)
- Airbags3 (43%)
- Brakes1 (14%)
- Electrical System1 (14%)
- Engine1 (14%)
- Other1 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (14%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger seat occupant detection sensor fails to register a passenger's weight, disabling the airbag even with someone seated in the car.
- One owner reported the vehicle caught fire while parked in the garage at 9,000 miles.
- Seat heaters reportedly overheat and continue heating unless manually turned off, raising burn concerns.
- Owners reported vibration in the front end at highway speeds above 65 mph despite tire rotation and balancing.
- One owner said parts needed for the airbag recall repair were unavailable, delaying the fix beyond a reasonable time.
2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V205000Apr 6, 2015Airbags91,800 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Risk: An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 23.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,375
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Cooper S Convertible years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible reliable?
- NHTSA data gives it a Complaint Index of 57 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among the 8 MINI Cooper S Convertible model years covered. It has fewer complaints (7) than the worst years, 2005 and 2006, but more than 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2012.
- What are the main problems with the 2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible?
- Structure & Body complaints make up 57% of reports, followed by Airbags at 43%. Owners also reported single complaints in Brakes, Electrical System, Engine, and Suspension categories.
- Does the 2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall, campaign 15V205000, covers a faulty front passenger seat occupant detection mat affecting the airbag system. The remedy is dealer replacement of the mat at no charge.
- How does the 2008 model compare to other MINI Cooper S Convertible years?
- 2005 and 2006 are worse, with Complaint Index scores of 100 and 86 and Avoid verdicts. 2007 and 2009 score better, with Complaint Index values of 29 and 43 and Good verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible?
- EPA rates it at 23.5 mpg combined (20 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,375.