VehicleVerdict

2008 Mini Cooper S engine problems

The 2008 Mini Cooper S has 122 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 62% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

122

Engine complaints

62%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

18V248000EngineApril 18, 2018 · 47,806 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence

If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

12V008000EngineJanuary 11, 2012 · 90,368 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.

Consequence

THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

08V657000EngineDecember 12, 2008 · 28,450 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING 28,450 MY 2007-2008 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES. THE CENTRALLY LOCATED TAILPIPE EXTENSION PROTRUDES SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.

Consequence

IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAILPIPE WITH A NEW SHORTER TAILPIPE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

What owners report

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. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 2, 2009 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2008 Mini Cooper S have?

NHTSA has 122 complaints about the 2008 Mini Cooper S engine — 62% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2008 Mini Cooper S engine?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 08V657000, 12V008000, 18V248000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.