2008 MINI Cooper Clubman Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 30%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine of the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman, 30% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car has just over 100000 miles but has been constantly overheating (have to fill tank almost every day). Cannot find out the source, but I noticed a recall on the water pump on other similar models, but VIN search said mine was okay. I feel this is an error. Please inform me of my next step. Getting very frustrated. I wouldn't consider this high mileage for this car, and I take care of it.”
NHTSA complaint #11012947, filed 2017-08, 15 miles“I took my car in for a service engine soon warning light. The engine was/is burning oil. The Mini staff told me that this was a design flaw with this engine. I need to check my oil level every week or whenever I fill up. Keep putting in more oil when the level gets low. I have spent a lot of money for their design flaw. No offer from Mini about replacing the engine. Mini told me to write to hq, which I have but nothing has come of it. I am tired of paying for their design flaw and I don't think I should have to pay for their mistake.”
NHTSA complaint #10969354, filed 2017-03, 98,218 miles“I purchased a 2008 clubman and it's the non-turbo but the engine has an issue with multiple misfire codes being sent out to the obd2 reader as well as some ecu codes that imply weak fuel pressure and when looking up and trying to find how to replace the fuel pressure pump then I realized I was not alone in this issue and wonder if anyone else has had the thought to actually file a complaint so that way something can be done since it's a very faulty thing and most of these have had issues from 30000 miles about but then for all the others that also have it after the warranty drops to…”
NHTSA complaint #11329486, filed 2020-06, 151,000 miles“While driving on a city street, I was stopped in traffic. I pulled off in first gear and the car died. Several other drivers helped me push my car to a safe lot.I then had the car checked out to find the timing chain broke and ruined the engine. I bought the car through car max with their pre owned, pre certified program. My car now has 80,000 miles as it has since march 10th 2017. I'm still making payments and full coverage insurance payments on a car I can't drive. Do I have any recourse? Are automobile manufacturers not held accountable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10992812, filed 2017-06, 80,000 miles“The timing chain assembly is failing after having the car for less than 5,000 miles after buying it used from a Mini dealership who had performed their usual inspections and resale maintenance. Apparently the timing chain is inside the engine casing and the metal chain runs along a plastic guide. The top portion of the plastic guide has, it appears, failed, causing a very loud engine noise and risking complete timing failure which, of course, could potentially present serious mechanical and safety issues if it happens at high speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10764078, filed 2015-09, 111,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10171506Jan 1, 2020CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N14 HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HDP) SERVICE BENEFIT CLASS VEHICLES: The MINI vehicle may experience a sudden engine operational failure reduced or loss of…
- 10059114Jul 1, 2015Mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature is high outside, and more obvious if the tank is only partly filled.
- 10059094Jun 1, 2015Mini: a mechanical failure and dme software error of the vanos actuators cause the engine to run rough which activates the malfunction warning light.
- 10147108Feb 1, 2015SI M11 01 12February 2015 EngineTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M11 01 12 dated March 2014. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT N16 and…
- 10148441Nov 1, 2014N16 Engine: Oil Leak from Cylinder Head Sealing Plug. An oil leak can develop at a sealing plug located in the cylinder head, just below the vacuum pump. The sealing plug was not…
- 10148391Aug 1, 2014N16 Engine: Oil Leak from Cylinder Head Sealing Plug. An oil leak can develop at a sealing plug located in the cylinder head, just below the vacuum pump. CAUSE The sealing plug…
- 10148293Apr 1, 2014N16 and N18 Engine Oil Leak. The customer states that a small engine oil leak can be seen from the underside of the engine. CAUSE The internal sealing of the oil pump volume…
- 10147958Jan 1, 2014N16: Fault 274D Mixture Adaptation Is Stored in the DME. Certain low speed, light-load driving conditions at lower outside temperatures could cause the Service Engine Soon lamp…
- 10147956Jan 1, 2014"N16 and N18 Engine Oil Leak. The customer states that a small engine oil leak can be seen from the underside of the engine. CAUSE The internal sealing of the oil pump volume…
- 10044680Jan 1, 2014Mini: on certain model vehicles, an engine oil leak may occur, due to the compromised oil pump volume control solenoid valve, from the underside of engine. No model years listed…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman
9 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology