2008 MINI Cooper S Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the seats of the 2008 MINI Cooper S, 1% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,000 miles.
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.
“Failure of front passenger seat occupant detection mat. The same bmw seat occupancy detection mat (oc3) that was referred to in NHTSA campaign number: 08v-384 has been failing in Mini coopers on a wide scale. This causes the airbag to be deactivated which is a safety hazard when occupants occupy the seat and are involved in a crash where the airbag's activation could play a significant role in survivability. I believe the investigation should include other bmw corporate makes and models, such as Mini, which involve the same seat sensor.”
NHTSA complaint #10621598, filed 2014-08, 41,000 miles“Warning message for seat belt tension/air bag malfunction and both lights are on. The vehicle has 40+ thousand miles on it, I am a second owner. This problem just started on may 29, 2020. No accidents for this vehicle. Cost for repair is over $2000 and so far there's only recalls for 2008 convertible which I totally don't understand. This looks to be an ongoing problem with the Mini and needs to be addressed due to the air bags being affected. I currently have no photos but can readily supply photos upon request. …”
NHTSA complaint #11327289, filed 2020-06Related service bulletins
- 10179827Aug 1, 2020OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT - LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES: Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension For the above-referenced vehicles, MINI USA, a…
- 10150309Oct 1, 2013Squeaking Noise from Front Seat. A noise may be heard from the front driver's seat back when the customer applies sideways pressure during cornering. CAUSE Surface corrosion on…
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 15 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2008 MINI Cooper S
78 complaintsEngine cooling
43 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 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 28, 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