2008 MINI Cooper S Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
89/100
#3 most-complained of 19 Cooper S years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 MINI Cooper S has 168 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 89 out of 100 — #3 highest of 19 Cooper S model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (121 complaints, 72% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash, 10 fires, and 3 injuries.
- Complaints
- 168
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 10
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24.5 city / 33 hwy
Top 2008 MINI Cooper S problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
2008 MINI Cooper S recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V337000May 11, 2023Electrical System97,933 vehicles
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, 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.
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.
- NHTSA 18V248000Apr 18, 2018Engine47,806 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
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.
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 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.
- NHTSA 12V008000Jan 11, 2012Engine90,368 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
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.
2008 MINI Cooper S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,850
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 MINI Cooper S a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 MINI Cooper S ranks #3 of 19 among Cooper S model years (Complaint Index 89/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 168 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 MINI Cooper S?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (121 complaints), airbags (30 complaints), and electrical system (9 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 53,600 miles.
- Does the 2008 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 MINI Cooper S, most recently reported 2023, covering electrical system and engine.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 MINI Cooper S?
- EPA rates the 2008 MINI Cooper S at 28 MPG combined (24.5 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,850. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.