2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved a DTC regarding the passenger seat occupant detection sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11554956

Incident

Nov 10, 2023

Mileage

85,000 mi

MY 2008 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN APPEARS TO BE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TIM ING CHAIN TENSIONER AND TIMING CHAIN. THE NOISE IS STEADILY GETTING WORSE. AFTER READING ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AROUND THE UNITED STATES I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IF THE TIMING CHAIN DESIRES TO COME APART ON THE FREEWAY THE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT BY ENGINE SEIZING UP IF THE TIMING CHAIN LET'S GO. ALSO THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WOULD COST SO MUCH IT WOULD NOT BE WORTH FIXING.LEAVING US WITH A $7500 OWED ON A VEHICLE WE CANNOT USE.

NHTSA ID

11060861

Incident

Dec 25, 2017

Mileage

88,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ID

11058459

Incident

Aug 22, 2016

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT AT 40MPH DUE TO SENSOR FAILURE. DECELERATION WAS EXTREME ENOUGH TO FRACTURE MY BACK AND CAUSE CHEST INJURIES FROM STRIKING STEERING WHEEL. MINI COOPER REARENDED A SUBURBAN TRUCK THAT WAS STOPPED AT INTERSECTION CAUSING ENGINE TO BREAK LOOSE FROM MOUNTS AND HOOD TO CRUMPLE. SENSORS FOR AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT THE SPEED AND IMPACT.

NHTSA ID

10991221

Incident

May 9, 2017

Mileage

112,000 mi

I HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD MY MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN. THE TURBO IS LOOSE, THERE IS OIL BURNING OFF OF MY ENGINE, AND IT MAKES TERRIBLE SCREECHING SOUNDS THAT COME FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE JUST LEARNED THAT IT IS COMMON FOR A MINI COOPER TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ITS TIMING CHAIN; THUS, CAUSING THIS TERRIBLE SOUND AND ALL THOSE OTHER PROBLEMS. I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN, AND NOW THEY ARE HAVING A RECALL ON MOST OF THERE MODELS THAT ARE FROM THE SAME YEAR AS MINE. MY CAR WHENEVER I BRAKE MAKES SCREECHING NOISES THAT COME FROM MY ENGINE, AND I'M WORRIED THAT THIS POOR ENGINE DESIGN WILL CAUSE ME TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT. NOW I HAVE TO POUR MONEY INTO GETTING A NEW TIMING CHAIN, EVEN THOUGH MINI COOPER IS NOW KNOW FOR HAVING TERRIBLE TIMING CHAINS.

NHTSA ID

10969964

Incident

Feb 15, 2017

Mileage

76,893 mi

TIMING CHAIN JUMPED OFF OF DEAD CENTER. HAD TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIR TO NEW UPGRADED ASSEMBLY. COST WAS AROUND $1200.00. UPSET BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO A LOT OF MINI COOPERS. SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF RECALL TO CONSUMERS. BMW KNOWS ABOUT THIS.WAS DRIVING HOME FROM OUT OF STATE.

NHTSA ID

10893396

Incident

Jun 5, 2016

Mileage

121,532 mi

THE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED AT 90,000 MILE AND AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 104,000 MILES

NHTSA ID

10860688

Incident

Apr 2, 2016

Mileage

104,000 mi

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTANTLY WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. BAD PASSENGER SEAT MATS ARE UNDER RECALL IN MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLES BUT NOT COVERED IN CLUBMAN. $1200 REPAIR IS REQUIRED AND USES SAME PART AS THE CONVERTIBLE. IS RECALL BEING EXPANDED?

NHTSA ID

10836407

Incident

Jan 15, 2006

Mileage

105,000 mi

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE TURNING ON AND WHEN IT DID COME ON A LOUD CLANKING NOISE BEGAN. THE CAR COULD BARELY GO OVER 30MPH. 3 HR. DRIVE TOOK US ALMOST 6 HOURS TO GET TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATES IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE OIL PAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.WE FOUND EXCESSIVE WATER IN THE SPARE WHEEL HUB. THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WOULD NOT GO OFF, AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED, A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE GAS TANK CONSISTED. ETC.

NHTSA ID

10731817

Incident

Jun 25, 2015

THE CAR DEVELOPED ENGINE TROUBLE AT 51,934 MILES. WE CALLED OTTO'S MINI DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. WE THEN TOOK CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO FAULTY TIMING CHAIN THAT RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD AND PISTONS. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT IT IS VERY COMMON. WE PROCEEDED WITH THE REPAIR AT THE LOCAL SHOP AND FILED WITH MINI TO REQUEST COVERAGE. COVERAGE WAS DENIED SINCE WE DID NOT HAVE CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER. THE NATURE OF THIS REPAIR AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF REPORTED ISSUES WOULD SUGGEST ONE TO EXPECT MINI TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10678763

Incident

Dec 4, 2014

Mileage

51,934 mi

THE OIL SUPPLY LINE TO THE TURBO ON THIS CAR LEAKS DUE TO A POOR DESIGN. THE PART(S) USED BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR THE APPLICATION AND FAIL, CAUSING NOT ONLY AN OIL LEAK, BUT A POTENTIAL TURBO FAILURE, AND WORSE, THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE FIRE, AS THE OIL LEAKS ONTO A HOT TURBO CHARGER AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD/DOWNPIPE. THE OIL LINE USES A COMPRESSION FITTING WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE TURBO BODY. THIS FITTING USES AN INTERNAL RUBBER O-RING/SEAL THAT IS SUBJECTED TO HIGH HEAT, AND HEAT CYCLES EVERY TIME THE CAR IS RUN. RUBBER SEALS FAIL UNDER THESE CONDITIONS! THE MANUFACTURER (MINI/BMW) IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND IS DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. (IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR) INSTEAD, THE MANUFACTURER IS PROVIDING A "BAND-AID FIX" BY SUPPLYING A "HEAT SHIELD" THAT ATTACHES TO THE FITTING. THIS WILL DO LITTLE-TO-NOTHING TO PREVENT THE RUBBER O-RING FROM FAILING, NOR DOES IT FIX A LINE THAT IS ALREADY LEAKING. THIS FAILURE OCCURS, TYPICALLY, AFTER THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT'S A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW, AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE IT CREATES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10671191

Incident

Dec 1, 2014

Mileage

64,000 mi

THE BANGO FITTING ON TOP OF THE TURBO STARTED RANDOMLY AND EXCESSIVELY LEAKING OIL WHILE IDLING IN MY DRIVEWAY. COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE OIL INTAKE LINE, OIL, AND DO A ENGINE CLEANING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE EASILY STARTED A FIRE WITH OIL POURING OVER A HOT TURBO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10669836

Incident

Dec 31, 2014

Mileage

56,000 mi

WE STARTED OUR 2008 MINI CLUBMAN S IN A PARKING LOT AND IT IMMEDIATELY INDICATED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL) FOR 'LIMP' MODE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE UPPER GUIDE RAIL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SHATTERED. THE ODBII CODES WERE P0300, RANDOM MIS-FIRE, P0301 MIS-FIRE CYLINDER 1, P0303 MIS-FIRE CYLINDER 3 AND P1492, DOWNSTREAM THROTTLE AIR LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10608012

Incident

Jun 26, 2014

Mileage

51,000 mi

I AM DEAF I DRIVE MY 2008 MINI CLUBMAN S MY MOTHER , BROTHER AND FRIEND HEARD MY ENGINE NOISE ENGINE ,I DON'T KNOW I CAN'T HEAR SO I OPEN OIL CAP I SAW BROWN PLASTIC PIECE I FOUND TIMING CHAIN GUIDE IS BAD, THAT IS SHORT LIFE THAT IS WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ID

10577750

Incident

Apr 6, 2014

Mileage

92,000 mi

IN NOVEMBER THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY OIL FEED LINES TO THE TURBO WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THE COUPLINGS THAT ATTACHES THESE LINES TO THE TURBO ARE DEFECTIVE. ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND WILL COST APPROX: $1200.00. THE DEALER ALSO SAID THE NEW COUPLINGS ARE MANUFACTURED BY A NEW COMPANY AND THE DEFECT HAS BEEN FIXED. WITH SO MANY EFFECTIVE SHOULDN'T MINI BE FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10574919

Incident

Nov 13, 2013

Mileage

40,000 mi

I WAS A VICTIM OF THE "DEATH RATTLE" FROM THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE. LUCKILY FOR ME, I RESEARCHED THE NOISE WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT FIXED BEFORE IT DESTROYED MY ENTIRE ENGINE (ALTHOUGH MINI REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS). BUT OWNERS WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF ISSUE MAY KEEP DRIVING THEIR CAR TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FATAL CRASH. IT IS A POORLY MANUFACTURED PART THAT IS CREATING THE PROBLEM WHICH CAN BE EASILY FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10568041

Incident

Dec 23, 2013

THERMOSTAT FAILURE, AS DIAGNOSED BY DEALER. CAR UNDRIVEABLE. WORLD WIDE BAC KORDER ON THE PART FOR 2007-2010 MINI COOPERS. NO KNOWN DATE OF WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE (OR IF) AND THE DEALER IN BEDFORD NH, STATED OVER 17,000 OF THESE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. A FAILED THERMOSTAT CAN LEAD TO STRANDED MOTORISTS, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS PART IS NOTORIOUS FOR PREMATURE FAILURE. SHOULD THIS NOT BE A RECALLABLE ISSUE? *JB

NHTSA ID

10542036

Incident

Aug 17, 2013

Mileage

62,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE ON A SEMI-RURAL ROAD IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA, MY CAR APPEARED TO BE UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). MY HEAD LURCHED FORWARD AND BACK AGAIN FORCEFULLY, AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MPH ON A 60 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD FOR THE NEXT MILE, UNTIL I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS CLOSE BEHIND ME, OR I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED, AND LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO MY FINAL DESTINATION. I DRIVE A 2008 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S, AUTOMATIC WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS. IT IS ABOUT $8,300 TO $9,700 TO REPAIR IT (2 DIFFERENT REPAIR QUOTES OBTAINED). *TR

NHTSA ID

10532089

Incident

Jul 23, 2013

Mileage

75,800 mi

THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING HAD A SMALL CRACK IN IT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE COOLANT LEAK. DUE TO LACK OF TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND NO WARNING LIGHT, I WAS UNABLE TO TELL THAT MY ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO A FAULTY PLASTIC THERMOSTAT HOUSING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10523674

Incident

Jun 1, 2013

Mileage

62,500 mi

ENGINE HAD A COLD START RATTLE FOR A LONG TIME. THEN WHILE DRIVING, THE RATTLE GOT WORSE AND AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DUE TO THE PLASTIC TIMING GUIDE BREAKING DUE TO NOT ENOUGH TENSION ON THE TIMING CHAIN. I HAD TO STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY AND GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY WARRANTY HAD RAN OUT SHORTLY BEFORE THE INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10523673

Incident

Feb 5, 2013

Mileage

62,000 mi

OIL LEAK FROM TOP OF TURBO OIL LINE CONNECTOR NEAR BANJO BOLT. THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY O-RING FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10523672

Incident

Jul 3, 2013

Mileage

65,000 mi

I HAVE AN OIL LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT IS COMING FROM THE TENSIONER LOCATION. THE OIL IS DRIPPING ON THE EXHAUST CAUSING STEAM TO RISE FROM THE ENGINE. I AM AFRAID THAT THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY BURN ENOUGH OIL TO CATCH ON FIRE. I WILL TOW THE CAR TO BRAMAN MINI PALM BEACH (PURCHASED CAR HERE TOO) AND SEE IF THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510590

Incident

May 1, 2013

Mileage

77,626 mi

I JUST PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2008 MINI COOPER S 2MONTHS AGO... I JUST STARTED HAVING A COLD START ISSUE SINCE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS HOT OUT AND NOW SINCE THE TEMP HAS DROPPED THE CAR HAS A CHATTER COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. I HAVE SEARCHED ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND I HAVE SEEN THERE ARE MANY COOPERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND MANY HAVE REPLACED TIMING CHAINS FOR ALMOST $2000 AND THE MANUFACTURER ISN'T BRINGING A RECALL TO ATTENTION. I WORK IN A DEALERSHIP AS A SALES PERSON AND MANY MECHANICS ARE SAYING IS A TIMING ISSUE. I FEEL LOSS OF POWER AND NOW FEEL THE CAR CAN DIE AT ANY MOMENT. PLEASE MAKE MINI OPEN AND INVESTIGATION IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10482876

Incident

Oct 29, 2012

Mileage

34,408 mi

THESE CARS COME WITH A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN. MINI COOPER WON'T DO A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I AM HAVING TO PAY 1500.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND THE I HAVE NO WARRANTY. I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY AND SEEN THE REVIEWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT HAPPENS TO VEHICLE OWNERS WITH LESS MILES. MINI NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THESE ARE PRICEY CARS BUT IF MINI HAS DONE A MALFUNCTIONS WHILE BUILDING THE CAR THEY SHOULD OWN UP TO IT AND GET IT FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10479392

Incident

Oct 6, 2012

Mileage

59,000 mi

I OWN A 08 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN WITH 48,000 MILES AND THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT ON JUNE 2812: I TOOK IT IN FOR A REPAIR IN MAY AND NO ONE AT THIS DEALER MENTIONED THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER! I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY ROAD AND THANK GOD THE SPEED LIMIT WAS ONLY 35 WHEN SUDDENLY THE BELT JUMPED AND MY CAR LOST ITS ENGINE: TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL STATION AND THEY LOOKED INSIDE AND SAID SOMETHING CAME LOOSE FROM THE INSIDE OF ENGINE AND TORE IT UP AND I NEED A NEW ENGINE: SO I CALLED DEALER AND CORP AND THEY SAY I NEED TO SPEND MONEY TO GET THEIR TECHS TO LOOK AT IT AND NOT MY MECHANIC:SO I GOT ON LINE AND INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FROM MINI WITH A DEFECTIVE TENSIONER WHICH OUT OF NO WHERE WITHOUT WARNING FLIES OFF: MINI REFUSES TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS AND EVERY MECHANIC SAYS IT IS NOT THE OWNERS PROBLEM AND A BELT SHOULD NEVER FLY OFF: FURTHER THE BELT ON LT BREAKS WHEN IT FLIES IN THE PISTONS AND BREAKS OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE: MINI WILL WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! A COMPLAINT IS SIGNED WITH OVER 850 SIGNING IT AND HOPE MANY MORE BUT I STILL THINK IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE ENOUGH WHERE YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED: MINI IS SCREWING THE PEOPLE AND REFUSE TO ADMIT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND IN MOST CASES WONT PAY FOR THE NEW ENGINE WHILE WE STILL OWE THOUSANDS ON THE CAR: PLEASE GET INVOLVED AND MAKE MINI CORP PAY FOR THE DAMAGES THAT THEY CAUSE BY REFUSING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL: NO TIMING BELT SHOULD HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED AND SURELY A TIMING BELT SHOULD LAST 80,000 MILES: THIS COMPANY IS CHEAP AND IS WAITING FOR A DISASTER!! PLEASE PLEASE HELP THE PEOPLE AND MAKE MINI TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAULTY PARTS!!![XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10469033

Incident

Jul 31, 2012

Mileage

48,000 mi