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Engine coolingPart report

2008 MINI Cooper S Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
43about this part
Share
26%of 168 total for the year
Median mileage
36,068miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 43 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 MINI Cooper S, 26% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,068 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Driving my 2008 Mini Cooper S at 70mph on the highway, the vehicle lost power and died. The timing chain tensioner failed causing the motor to blow up and the timing chain popping through the valve cover, the timing chain tensioner is under a factory inspection notice, I never received a notice to inform me of the part failure. Now the engine needs replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10558403, filed 2014-01, 65,000 miles

“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

“I had a loud noise under the hood of my 2008 Mini Cooper S, followed by the timing belt breaking. I had it fixed to the tune of $2000+. It was not covered under warranty. I was told it broke due to being down 1 qt of oil. I have heard this is a common complaint.”

NHTSA complaint #10379315, filed 2011-01, 18,000 miles

“Vehicle makes a loud noise from the engine compartment at cold start, dealer informed me it's the timing chain and tensioner, total cost about $1950.00. Dealer informed me it's a common problem but there is no recall from Mini USA.”

NHTSA complaint #10452671, filed 2012-03, 59,302 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

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201113%
2010610%
20091513%
20084326%
20077932%
2006158%
200583%
200431%
2003105%
200256%

Other parts of the 2008 MINI Cooper S

Engine
78 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 MINI Cooper S

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology