DefectRecord Public Record - Not a Government Site

Home / Mini / Cooper S / 2008

Model Year Problem Record

Mini Cooper S 2008 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2008 Mini Cooper S: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

168Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
13Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine122 complaints

122 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 08V657000, 12V008000, 18V248000.

Air Bags30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System8 complaints

8 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 23V337000.

Fuel and Propulsion System5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

08V657000Reported December 12, 2008 - 28,450 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on December 12, 2008. The campaign covers an estimated 28,450 vehicles across all affected models.

12V008000Reported January 11, 2012 - 90,368 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on January 11, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 90,368 vehicles across all affected models.

18V248000Reported April 18, 2018 - 47,806 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on April 18, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 47,806 vehicles across all affected models.

23V337000Reported May 11, 2023 - 97,933 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on May 11, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 97,933 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA08020Opened August 29, 2008 - Closed January 2, 2009

EXHAUST PIPE BURNS. Resulted in recall campaign 08V657000.

PE11036Opened October 11, 2011 - Closed June 11, 2012

Engine compartment fire. Resulted in recall campaign 12V008000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20085
20098
201012
201115
201223
201331
201419
201519
201614
20177
20184
20194
20205
20231
20241
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.