2008 MINI Cooper
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 177 of 299 complaints (59%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 381 in 2007 to 299 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Minicompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,750–3,500 | 2,500–3,350 | 2,400–3,350 | 2,400–3,000 | 2,400–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–28 | 23–31 | 23–32 | 26–32 | 27–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–24 / 27–33 | 20–27 / 28–36 | 19–28 / 29–37 | 23–28 / 32–37 | 24–28 / 32–37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–404 | 287–386 | 278–386 | 278–342 | 278–329 | |
| Complaints filed | 449 | 381 | 299 | 297 | 161 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 19 | 26 | 16 | 15 | 13 | |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 12 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 MINI Cooper have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 MINI Cooper?
Engine: 177 of 299 NHTSA complaints (59%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 MINI Cooper get?
EPA rates it 23–32 MPG combined across 8 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 MINI Cooper?
EPA estimates $2,400–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 22 mpg | 30 mpg | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 355 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 23 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg | $3,000 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 21 mpg | 29 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | $3,250 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 278 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,650 | 306 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,650 | 306 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 23 mpg | 32 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,850 | 329 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 177 | 1 | 14 | 8 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 20 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 77 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 19 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · Campaign 23V337000 · May 11, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · Campaign 18V248000 · Apr 20, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 15V205000 · Apr 6, 2015
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · Campaign 12V008000 · Jan 12, 2012
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE · Campaign 08V657000 · Dec 12, 2008
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING 28,450 MY 2007-2008 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES. THE CENTRALLY LOCATED TAILPIPE EXTENSION PROTRUDES SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.
Consequence: IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAILPIPE WITH A NEW SHORTER TAILPIPE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.