2008 MINI Cooper S Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report two main patterns: a rattling noise from the engine on cold starts that is often traced to the timing chain and tensioner, and oil leaks around the turbocharger oil supply line that sometimes produce smoke or fire in the engine bay. Airbag system warnings, mostly related to the passenger seat occupancy mat, are also reported frequently, and a smaller group of complaints covers coolant loss and overheating.

1. 1
   Engine

   Cold-start rattle / timing chain and tensioner wear

   • 73 complaints (43%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (69 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $2,169 (median of 18 quotes)
   • filed 2009–2020

   Owners describe a loud rattle or diesel-like clatter from the engine when starting from cold, which usually fades after a couple of minutes of driving. Many report the dealer replaced the timing chain, tensioner or guides; some say they were told early on that the noise was normal. Several complaints describe the chain jumping or breaking and causing bent valves or engine replacement, and owners often mention independent shops diagnosing the tensioner as the source. Reported from very low mileage up to about 110,000 miles, with many cases between 30,000 and 60,000 miles; most often noted on cold starts.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen to a cold start with the hood open for a rattle that lingers, and ask for service records showing whether the timing chain, tensioner or guides have been replaced. A pre-purchase inspection by a shop familiar with these engines is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Tensioner allowed timing chain to slap the chain guard, such that pieces of the chain guard eventually got caught in the timing chain and the car was off time and off camber. Pieces of the chain guard were spread throughout the valve housing. Replaced tensioner and whole timing chain assembly. 2nd tensioner lasted only 3 weeks. Am on my 3rd tensioner and holding my breath.”

   NHTSA complaint #10449710, filed 2012-02, 58,000 miles

   “My 2008 Mini Cooper S, when cold, often starts up with a tremendous amount of rattling from the engine. So much so that it sounds like a diesel (but its not a diesel motor). Numerous online forums have documented this problem, including some complete engine failures. It is a very expensive problem to fix and I would like Mini to issue a recall to permanently fix the problem and to have an unlimited warranty on this specific problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10318231, filed 2010-03, 600 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Oil leak at the turbo oil supply line

   • 28 complaints (17%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Complaints describe oil leaking from the line that feeds the turbocharger, leaving spots on the driveway and sometimes a burning oil smell. Some owners report smoke from under the hood or flames in the engine bay, and others say the leak led to turbocharger replacement. Dealers and independent shops quoted repairs ranging from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars, and one owner said a dealer inspection found no blockage shortly before the line failed. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 75,000 miles, sometimes shortly after a service visit.

   Recall 12V008000Recall 08V6570002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check under the car and around the turbo area for oil residue or a burning smell after a drive, and ask whether the turbo oil supply line or auxiliary water pump has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Turbocharger oil feed line leaking. The part is poorly designed and according to the research I've done prone to failure. The dealer wants $1200 to replace it. When I questioned the service person about the heat shield recall from just last year to prevent this issue from occurring, he reassured me that the heat shield recall was because of the number of paint jobs they had to do on hoods from the heat off the turbo damaging the hood paint. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10683258, filed 2015-02, 66,000 miles

   “My Mini Cooper S was purchased brand new, and had all regular maintenance done at the dealership. However, once the warranty expired I took the car to my regular mechanic who has performed work for myself and family for twelve years. After reading this website, and it's complaints the same problems have occurred to me. The oil lines began to leak because there was a clog, and it caused the turbo to burn out. Parts and labor for a used turbo came out to be around $1,800. A new turbo alone would have cost roughly 2,000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10515850, filed 2013-06, 55,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Passenger airbag warning and seat occupancy mat

   • 25 complaints (15%)
   • median 59,200 mi at 7.7 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2020

   Owners report the passenger airbag indicator showing the system off or a warning light staying on even with someone seated, and some say the warning appears intermittently or when hitting a bump. Several complaints say a shop diagnosed the seat occupancy mat as the cause, with repair estimates around $1,000 or more. Some owners say the dealer found nothing wrong, while others note that a related coverage extension existed for other model years. Commonly reported between about 50,000 and 115,000 miles, with a few cases at much lower mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the ignition on, confirm the passenger airbag status light reads correctly with and without someone in the seat, and ask whether the seat occupancy mat has been replaced or covered under any warranty extension.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #11361883, filed 2020-09, 90,000 miles

   “(sorry for my english) the car turn on the passenger air bag sensor every time. I dont have passengers any time but this problem appeared. There is a Mini recall for this problems but they told me that my car is not in the recall list.”

   NHTSA complaint #10734032, filed 2015-07, 65,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss, overheating and smoke

   • 39 complaints (23%)
   • median 57,446 mi at 5.5 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,100 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2020

   Complaints describe the car overheating after only a few miles, the coolant overflow tank boiling over, and white smoke or steam from the engine bay. Some owners report the engine seized after losing oil or coolant, and others mention the dealer could not reproduce the problem on the first visit. One owner said the vehicle had been serviced for a cooling fan campaign. Reported across a wide range, from under 10,000 miles to over 100,000 miles, often after sustained driving or when stopped.

   Recall 12V0080004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue around the water pump and expansion tank, and ask whether the water pump and thermostat have been replaced under the extended coverage described in service bulletins.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Leaving from work around 5:00 pm (car had been in the parking lot since 7:20 am), I drove for a mile or less when at a red light the car by my side told me about smoke coming from the under the hood. I drove to the closet parking lot, opened the hood (there was a lot of smoke) and I could see 2 wires red hot. I went to try to get a fire extinguisher and luckily and ambulance on duty (could not help me because he had a patient) gave me a small bottle of water. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10342365, filed 2010-07, 28,268 miles

   “2008 Mini Cooper S spontaneous engine fire 10/02. I had just returned home from work and I had driven the car for about 45mins and then 10mins after shutting the car down a fire had started in the engine compartment.”

   NHTSA complaint #10286663, filed 2009-10, 38,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Engine fires reported in the engine bay

   • 21 complaints (13%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2020

   A number of complaints describe smoke or flames from the engine compartment, in some cases shortly after the car was parked and shut off, and in others while driving. Owners report total loss in a few cases and say no warning light appeared beforehand. Some mention oil from the turbo area as a suspected contributor; none state a confirmed cause. Reported from roughly 11,000 to 144,000 miles, at varied ages and conditions.

   Recall 12V008000Recall 23V3370001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has had the auxiliary water pump and any open recall work completed, and have a shop check for oil leaks and wiring damage in the engine bay before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle was driven approximately 1 mile, then stopped at a gas station to add air to a low tire. While the car was idling, white smoke came from the engine, followed by dark smoke. When the hood was opened, we saw a small flame coming from inside the front of the engine. We ran to get a fire extinguisher from the gas station attendant; by the time we returned, flames were visibly shooting up out of the engine. We were able to extinguish the fire with a hand-held fire extinguisher. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10433383, filed 2011-10, 37,136 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11298643, filed 2020-01, 144,000 miles

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.