Skip to content
MINI Cooper ConvertibleModel year report

2008 MINI Cooper Convertible Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
55,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 32 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by seats (2) and steering (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 20 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10712176, filed 2015-04, 65,000 miles

Seats: “Passenger upper seat heater burned hole through seat and childs jacket while driving. The heating element is now visible and daughter received a minor burn to finger, do to melted hole in jacket from seat heater.”

NHTSA complaint #11257322, filed 2019-09, 60,000 miles

Steering: “Moving my Mini into the garage a fire caught under the hood and the steering went out, after inspection it was found to be the power steering pump. Insurance will not cover the cost as it is a mechanical failure. I have read about the previous models being recalled for this same problem as well as class action law suits. I believe my Mini may have had the same problem and that bmw should be paying for these repairs.”

NHTSA complaint #10855576, filed 2016-04, 85,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 46,000 and 65,000 miles.

13%0–100%10–2525%25–5050%50–7513%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 55,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200920132201420152201622019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cooper Convertible FWD1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manual233226$3,150
Cooper Convertible FWD1.6L 4-cylCVT223025$3,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 20 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 20 bulletins →

Other model years of the MINI Cooper Convertible

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2016136,0003—30—Not enough data
20091847,3561—32—Falling
2008955,0001—26—Not enough data
2007772,0002—26—Not enough data
20062771,5001—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20059669,9981—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All MINI Cooper Convertible model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by seats with 2.

Has the 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible get?

The EPA rates the 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible (Cooper Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,000 miles and the middle half falls between 46,000 and 65,000 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.