2008 MINI Cooper S Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the windows would roll down independently and the sunroof would fail to close completely. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the braking system; however, the contact stated that new brake hardware had been installed on the vehicle. The contact related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11575724

Incident

Mar 3, 2024

Mileage

111,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11555606

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT ACTIVATE IN A CRASH WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. RECALLS ACTIVE FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR THE SAME MAKE IN OTHER YEARS AND MODELS ARE CURRENTLY RECALLED HOWEVER OTHERS ARE EXCLUDED.

NHTSA ID

11366861

Incident

Oct 23, 2020

Mileage

81,253 mi

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS OFF LINE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS THAT IT IS NOT TURNING ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE TACHOMETER WHEN I START THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID

11361883

Incident

Jun 20, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

TIMING CHAIN JUMPED OUT OF TIMING AND CAUSED BENT VALVES.

NHTSA ID

11355604

Incident

Sep 17, 2020

Mileage

70,000 mi

WARNING MESSAGE FOR SEAT BELT TENSION/AIR BAG MALFUNCTION AND BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON. THE VEHICLE HAS 40+ THOUSAND MILES ON IT, I AM A SECOND OWNER. THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED ON MAY 29, 2020. NO ACCIDENTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. COST FOR REPAIR IS OVER $2000 AND SO FAR THERE'S ONLY RECALLS FOR 2008 CONVERTIBLE WHICH I TOTALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND. THIS LOOKS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE MINI AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS BEING AFFECTED. I CURRENTLY HAVE NO PHOTOS BUT CAN READILY SUPPLY PHOTOS UPON REQUEST. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT/AIR BAG EMBLEM SHOWS ON THE DASH SCREEN WHEN ENTERING THE KEY WHILE STATIONARY, NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND DOES NOT GO AWAY WHEN OCCUPIED. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327289

Incident

May 29, 2020

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO CEL OR ERRORS ON THE DASH DISPLAY. CAR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. I NOTICED SOME SMOKE. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING NORMALLY. I SHUT OFF THE MOTOR AND GOT OUT. BYSTANDERS EMPTIED AN EXTINGUISHER THROUGH THE FRONT GRILLE BUT WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED. CAR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND CONSUMED THE INTERIOR.

NHTSA ID

11298643

Incident

Dec 17, 2019

Mileage

144,000 mi

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAT MAT IS DEFECTIVE. JUST STOPPED WORKING. COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $2000. SO, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSOR REMAINS ON.

NHTSA ID

11286523

Incident

Nov 15, 2019

Mileage

96,000 mi

AT 32000 MILES AN OIL LEAK WAS NOTED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE FOREIGN CAR REPAIR SHOP TROUBLESHOT THE LEAK. FINAL OUTCOME: REPLACE SUPERCHARGER ASSEMBLY, VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. TOTAL COST $3,014.78 FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS A TRADE-IN VALUE OF LESS THAN $5,000. THE FOREIGN CAR EXPERT WAS AMAZED THAT THE TURBO HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE.

NHTSA ID

11193140

Incident

Mar 18, 2019

Mileage

32,094 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON I-71 N & N. BROADWAY EXIT IN COLUMBUS, OHIO ON MARCH 1, 2019 THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND BENT ALL VALVES AND CYLINDER HEAD AND VALVES RESULTING IN $8821.97 IN DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IS DUE TO THE PRINCE/PSA ENGINE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT ADMITTED TO IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT KNOW AS JOSHUA SKEEN AND LAURIE FREEMAN V. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, L.LC. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY CIV. NO. 2:13-CV-1531-WHW-CLW. BMW DECLINED TO REPLACE MY ENGINE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AGREED TO IN THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT OF THE ABOVE CITED ACTION. ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND MY ENGINE FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED LOSS OF LIFE. MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE CLASS VEHICLES, R56 N14 ENGINE PRODUCED BETWEEN 2006 THRU 2010. THIS IS A PRODUCT LIABILITY SAFETY CLAIM THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY STATUTORY/WARRANTY TIME LIMITATION. ALL CLASS VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE LOSS OF LIFE AND SAFETY RISKS. DO NOT WAIT FOR LOSS OF LIFE TO ENFORCE THE LIABILITY OF BMW FOR THEIR FAILURE TO SELF REPORT THE DESIGN DEFECT AND FAILURE TO VOLUNTARILY RECALL ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

11192292

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

70,674 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED, CAUSING A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. ALL THE VALVES AND CYLINDER HEADS WERE BENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MIDWESTERN AUTO GROUP, 6335 PERIMETER LOOP RD, DUBLIN, OH 43017, (614) 889-2571 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $8,000. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED A CLAIM NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST WITH THE WARRANTY OR RECALL,S BUT OFFERED TO PAY $2,000 TOWARDS THE REPAIR COST. THE OFFER WAS GOOD FOR SIX MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,674.

NHTSA ID

11192254

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

70,674 mi

MY MINI COOPER HAS A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM IT RATTLES UPON STARTING AND I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT .....I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL

NHTSA ID

11122106

Incident

Aug 24, 2018

Mileage

105,000 mi

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND A MINI DEALERSHIP HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE VALVES (POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE TIMING BEING OFF). MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS WITH MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAIN IN THIS VEHICLE. DESPITE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH NECESSARY REPAIRS TO THIS DEFECTIVE PART (AND OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DEFECT). THESE TIMING CHAIN ISSUES ARE NOT ONLY AN UNDUE BURDEN ON THE CONSUMER, THEY CAN BE POTENTIALLY FATAL IF A TIMING CHAIN FAILS AT AN UNFORTUNATE MOMENT. MINI NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11113824

Incident

Mar 9, 2018

Mileage

136,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-10 IN TALLAHASSEE, FL AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. BEING I THE CENTER LANE OF EIGHT (FOUR EACH DIRECTION) IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. SEVERAL VEHICLES MADE ABRUPT MANEUVERS TO AVOID A CRASH. ALSO AS I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY OTHER CARS. I LATER FOUND OUT THIS WAS DUE TO A FAILED TIMING CHAIN WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND NO RECALL. THERE WAS ALSO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AND STILL NO RECALL. THIS COULD HAVE WELL BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11067188

Incident

Jan 29, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

AS SOON AS CAR BEGINS TO MOVE THE DSC ERROR APPEARS AND THE DSC NO LONGER WORKS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SZL MODULE THAT CONTROLS THIS HAS FAILED AND APPARENTLY DOES THIS WITH OTHER MINI'S AS WELL.

NHTSA ID

11061450

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

73,000 mi

CAR TAKES A WHILE TO "WARM UP" HOWEVER AFTER A VERY SHORT DRIVE THE HOOD IS HOT TO THE TOUCH. IT ALSO SMELLS HOT. I LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND THERE IS ACTUALLY AN AFTER MARKET 'DEFLECTOR' TO CHANNEL HEAT FROM THE HOOD. I HAVE NOTICED THE PLASTIC HOOD SCOOP IS DEFORMED FROM HEAT. I FEEL IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A FIRE OR OTHER REACTION, E.G., HEAT CAUSES ANOTHER PART TO FAIL AND CAR WONT STOP, ACCELERATE OR OTHER CAUSING A CRASH. I ALSO NOTICED THE HEADLIGHT WIRING TO BE FRAYED AS IF IT HAS BEEN HOT.

NHTSA ID

11057397

Incident

Nov 10, 2017

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SPECIFICALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED AND CAUSED STEERING CONTROL TO BECOME DIFFICULT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD OVERHEAT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO PARK THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT COOLED IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT CALLED MINI OF KENNESAW (2275 BARRETT LAKES BLVD, KENNESAW, GA 30144; 678-496-9565) WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OR A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11034139

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Mileage

115,000 mi

SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING CAR. CALLED LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" FOR SEAT MAT SENSOR.

NHTSA ID

11023761

Incident

Sep 1, 2017

Mileage

113,500 mi

MY CAR HAS 114,000 MILE ON IT. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED PER RECALL. THE ENGINE HAS FAILED WITH BAD INJECTORS, CYLINDERS AND RINGS. MECHANIC SAID THIS FAILURE IS PERVASIVE IN 2002 TO 2008 MODELS DO TO POOR DESIGN. THE COST TO REPAIR IS TOO HIGH.

NHTSA ID

11006136

Incident

May 31, 2017

Mileage

114,000 mi

I WAS IN A BAD CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH MY CAR WAS REAR ENDED. I WAS IN THE VERY MOST RIGHT HAND LANE ON THE HIGHWAY, AT A STOP IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME DID NOT STOP, HITTING ME AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. AS A RESULT, MY CAR SPUN OUT TO THE RIGHT AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY HEAD ON. THE CAR THEN BOUNCED OFF OF THE GUARD RAIL, AND SPUN ABOUT 180 DEGREES TO THE LEFT, WHERE THE REAR END OF THE CAR THEN HIT THE SAME GUARD RAIL AND FINALLY STOPPED. WHEN THE CAR CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT MY HEAD AND MY CHEST AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. I SUSTAINED A FRACTURE IN MY T2 VERTEBRAE AND BAD CHEST BRUISING.

NHTSA ID

10981563

Incident

Feb 7, 2017

Mileage

80,000 mi

AIRBAG PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT ON W ONLY 25000 MILES ON IT, MECHANIC TOLD ME IT'S A SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED BY SUNROOF SLICING INTO IT. SAID HE COULD FIX IT BUT HEADLINER HAS TO COME DOWN AND HE DOESN'T DO THAT KIND OF WORK. CONTACTED MINI USA AND WAS TOLD IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY AND DEALER PROB WON'T FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGE. WHEN SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR MAMED, MAYBE THEY'LL RECALL. COST TO REPAIR ABOUT $5K...

NHTSA ID

10969359

Incident

Sep 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V657000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COMPLETED BEFORE THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE CONCERNING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO PROVIDED AN OIL CHANGE AND CLEARED A DTC. THE CONTACT LATER EXPERIENCED EXTREME SMOKE EMITTING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP LEAKED, THE ENGINE OVER HEATED, THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS WARPED, AND THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET WAS LEAKY. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ID

10957776

Incident

Feb 1, 2017

Mileage

76,000 mi

THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE IS INHERENTLY FLAWED AND PREMATURELY FAILS BECAUSE OF A BAD DESIGN. THIS FAILURE CAUSES HOT OIL TO LEAK ALL OVER A HOT TURBO. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE MY ENGINE CATCH FIRE WITH THE FAILED O-RING ON MINE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN LARGE CLOUDS OF SMOKE BEGIN TO FLOW FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER AND GET TOWED HOME. I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT STILL VERY LOW MILEAGE (48K) WHEN MINE FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10934179

Incident

Nov 26, 2016

Mileage

48,000 mi

PRISTINE CONDITION, LOW MILEAGE, DEALER SERVICED MINI COOPER S (OWNED SINCE NEW) BEGAN EXHIBITING A RATTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE AT 34K MILES. DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A TIMING CHAIN DEFECT AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER DEFECT. THIS IS A KNOWN ENGINE DEFECT. REFERENCE CLASS ACTION SUIT AND SETTLEMENT 338403. THIS SETTLEMENT BY BMW/MINI USA COVERS THIS FLAW AND BMW/MINI KNOWS THAT VEHICLES PRODUCED WITHIN THE 2007-2010 TIMEFRAME HAVE THIS FLAW. THIS FLAW CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. IN MY CASE, IT WAS NOISY UNDER ACCELERATION, AND WAS INTO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE WITHIN DAYS OF FIRST ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN FLAW. HOWEVER, BMW/MINI SETTLED THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND SET ASIDE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR CLAIMS....BUT THOSE CLAIMS MUST BE FILED BY 7/1/16. I DID NOT HAVE THE ISSUE BEFORE THAT DATE, I HAD IT HAPPEN IN SEPTEMBER 2016 - TWO MONTHS LATER. I HAVE REQUESTED SOME ACCOMMODATION FROM BMW/MINI, HOWEVER THEY ARE REFUSING TO PARTICIPATE AT ANY LEVEL, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THIS WAS A FLAWED PART AND COULD HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. I AM NOT EXPECTING FULL REIMBURSEMENT, BUT IF THEY KNOW THE CAR HAS A MAJOR FLAW, THEY SHOULD HAVE SOME COVERAGE IN PLACE FOR ANY OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE FLAW. THUS FAR THE REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER AND MINI USA HAVE INDICATED BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AFTER 7/1/16 THEY WILL NOT ACCOMMODATE.

NHTSA ID

10914301

Incident

Sep 21, 2016

Mileage

34,400 mi

FUEL SMELL STARTED TO GET STRONGER IN THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS ON THE FLOOR TILL TODAY. I ALSO NOTICE THE GREEN TEMPERATURE NOTIFICATION COME ON TODAY. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AT THE BMW/MINI DEALER IN ONTARIO LAST MONTH.

NHTSA ID

10905148

Incident

Sep 9, 2016

Mileage

97,000 mi