Owners have filed 38 complaints
about the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman with NHTSA between 2010 and 2024.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 45
Against the median year of the Mini Cooper Clubman. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 54
10.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 30
18% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2008 compares with every other Mini Cooper Clubman
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
12.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
514.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
38.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
617.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1338.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
411.8%
150,000+ miles
25.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2010peak 4Aug 2024
Recalls on the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
23V337000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 75,000 milesWalla Walla, WAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11133350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,950 milesCovina, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PLAYING GOLF, CAR IS IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE CATCHES FIRE, DESTROYED FRONT HALF OF CAR, ENGINE FELL ON PAVEMENT .
NHTSA complaint #10534785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,950 milesCovina, CAFire
ENGINE
PLAYING GOLF, CAR IS IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE CATCHES FIRE, DESTROYED FRONT HALF OF CAR, ENGINE FELL ON PAVEMENT .
NHTSA complaint #10534785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,950 milesCovina, CAFire
SERVICE BRAKES
PLAYING GOLF, CAR IS IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE CATCHES FIRE, DESTROYED FRONT HALF OF CAR, ENGINE FELL ON PAVEMENT .
NHTSA complaint #10534785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Northborough, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11609324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesCarthage, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with an electrical burning odor. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with footwell module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11588482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesCouncil Bluffs, IA
ENGINE
I PURCHASED A 2008 CLUBMAN AND IT'S THE NON-TURBO BUT THE ENGINE HAS AN ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE MISFIRE CODES BEING SENT OUT TO THE OBD2 READER AS WELL AS SOME ECU CODES THAT IMPLY WEAK FUEL PRESSURE AND WHEN LOOKING UP AND TRYING TO FIND HOW TO REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE PUMP THEN I REALIZED I WAS NOT ALONE IN THIS ISSUE AND WONDER IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THE THOUGHT TO ACTUALLY FILE A COMPLAINT SO THAT WAY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE SINCE IT'S A VERY FAULTY THING AND MOST OF THESE HAVE HAD ISSUES FROM 30000 MILES ABOUT BUT THEN FOR ALL THE OTHERS THAT ALSO HAVE IT AFTER THE WARRANTY DROPS TO INTENTIONALLY PUT IN A FAULTY PART I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S ILLEGAL OR NOT BUT IT SHOULD BE. I DO NO THAT IF THEY PUT IN ENOUGH FAULTY PARTS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL MADE IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THEY ARE AT FAULT AND NOT THE PEOPLE BUYING THEM OR MISTREATING OR NOT MAINTAINING ETC ETC... I STRONGLY URGE ANYONE ELSE THAT'S HAD THIS ISSUE TO ALSO MAKE YOUR OWN COMPLAINT IF IT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAD TO BUY A NEW CAR BECAUSE OF IT.
NHTSA complaint #11329486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesCouncil Bluffs, IA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A 2008 CLUBMAN AND IT'S THE NON-TURBO BUT THE ENGINE HAS AN ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE MISFIRE CODES BEING SENT OUT TO THE OBD2 READER AS WELL AS SOME ECU CODES THAT IMPLY WEAK FUEL PRESSURE AND WHEN LOOKING UP AND TRYING TO FIND HOW TO REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE PUMP THEN I REALIZED I WAS NOT ALONE IN THIS ISSUE AND WONDER IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THE THOUGHT TO ACTUALLY FILE A COMPLAINT SO THAT WAY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE SINCE IT'S A VERY FAULTY THING AND MOST OF THESE HAVE HAD ISSUES FROM 30000 MILES ABOUT BUT THEN FOR ALL THE OTHERS THAT ALSO HAVE IT AFTER THE WARRANTY DROPS TO INTENTIONALLY PUT IN A FAULTY PART I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S ILLEGAL OR NOT BUT IT SHOULD BE. I DO NO THAT IF THEY PUT IN ENOUGH FAULTY PARTS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL MADE IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THEY ARE AT FAULT AND NOT THE PEOPLE BUYING THEM OR MISTREATING OR NOT MAINTAINING ETC ETC... I STRONGLY URGE ANYONE ELSE THAT'S HAD THIS ISSUE TO ALSO MAKE YOUR OWN COMPLAINT IF IT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAD TO BUY A NEW CAR BECAUSE OF IT.
NHTSA complaint #11329486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesMarlborough, MA
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAILURE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. OF COURSE, THERE IS A RECALL ON PREVIOUS YEARS
NHTSA complaint #11290028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesMarlborough, MA
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAILURE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. OF COURSE, THERE IS A RECALL ON PREVIOUS YEARS
NHTSA complaint #11290028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesWalla Walla, WAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11133350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesBerkeley Springs, WV
ENGINE
CAR HAS JUST OVER 100000 MILES BUT HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING (HAVE TO FILL TANK ALMOST EVERY DAY). CANNOT FIND OUT THE SOURCE, BUT I NOTICED A RECALL ON THE WATER PUMP ON OTHER SIMILAR MODELS, BUT VIN SEARCH SAID MINE WAS OKAY. I FEEL THIS IS AN ERROR. PLEASE INFORM ME OF MY NEXT STEP. GETTING VERY FRUSTRATED. I WOULDN'T CONSIDER THIS HIGH MILEAGE FOR THIS CAR, AND I TAKE CARE OF IT.
NHTSA complaint #11012947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesKnoxville, TN
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. I PULLED OFF IN FIRST GEAR AND THE CAR DIED. SEVERAL OTHER DRIVERS HELPED ME PUSH MY CAR TO A SAFE LOT.I THEN HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT TO FIND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND RUINED THE ENGINE. I BOUGHT THE CAR THROUGH CAR MAX WITH THEIR PRE OWNED, PRE CERTIFIED PROGRAM. MY CAR NOW HAS 80,000 MILES AS IT HAS SINCE MARCH 10TH 2017. I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS AND FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE PAYMENTS ON A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? ARE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE. UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, I COULD HAVE DIED OR BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED THAT DAY. THIS IS WIDESPREAD. THERE ARE LITERALLY 100S OF THOUSANDS OF MINI OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE TIMING TENSIONER BREAKS CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO GIVE WAY. GOD FORBID THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ENGLAND HAS RECALLED ALL THEIR MINI COOPERS A REPAIRED THEM. WHAT ABOUT AMERICA! SINCERELY,[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10992812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,218 milesLorton, VA
ENGINE
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT. THE ENGINE WAS/IS BURNING OIL. THE MINI STAFF TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS ENGINE. I NEED TO CHECK MY OIL LEVEL EVERY WEEK OR WHENEVER I FILL UP. KEEP PUTTING IN MORE OIL WHEN THE LEVEL GETS LOW. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW. NO OFFER FROM MINI ABOUT REPLACING THE ENGINE. MINI TOLD ME TO WRITE TO HQ, WHICH I HAVE BUT NOTHING HAS COME OF IT. I AM TIRED OF PAYING FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10969354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesRedlands, CA
STEERING
MY POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. I HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I TURN THE CAR BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK. WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT, IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH.
NHTSA complaint #10956358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesRedlands, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. I HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I TURN THE CAR BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK. WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT, IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH.
NHTSA complaint #10956358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,226 milesPanama City Beach, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION OF MY CAR, THE VALVES WERE CLATTERING AND HAD NO POWER.
NHTSA complaint #10946175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,226 milesPanama City Beach, FL
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION OF MY CAR, THE VALVES WERE CLATTERING AND HAD NO POWER.
NHTSA complaint #10946175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesSarasota, FL
SEATS
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON BECAUSE OF FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR. AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED WITHOUT REPAIR/REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10925055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesSarasota, FL
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON BECAUSE OF FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR. AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED WITHOUT REPAIR/REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10925055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,807 milesWinter Springs, FL
SEATS
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR IS NOT WORKING. AIR BAG INDICATOR DISPLAYS AIR BAG IS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. MULTIPLE WARNINGS INDICATE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10885308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,807 milesWinter Springs, FL
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR IS NOT WORKING. AIR BAG INDICATOR DISPLAYS AIR BAG IS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. MULTIPLE WARNINGS INDICATE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10885308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,352 milesMidlothia, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING CHAIN GUIDE IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC. IT BROKE APART AND FELL IN PIECES INTO THE OIL PAN. IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10859741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesWest Reading PA, PA
ENGINE
LEAKING TURBO OIL FEED LINE. OIL FEED LINE LEAKS OIL CAUSING SMOKE AND STRONG SMELL.
NHTSA complaint #10839583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,200 milesLouisville, KY
ENGINE
THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY IS FAILING AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 5,000 MILES AFTER BUYING IT USED FROM A MINI DEALERSHIP WHO HAD PERFORMED THEIR USUAL INSPECTIONS AND RESALE MAINTENANCE. APPARENTLY THE TIMING CHAIN IS INSIDE THE ENGINE CASING AND THE METAL CHAIN RUNS ALONG A PLASTIC GUIDE. THE TOP PORTION OF THE PLASTIC GUIDE HAS, IT APPEARS, FAILED, CAUSING A VERY LOUD ENGINE NOISE AND RISKING COMPLETE TIMING FAILURE WHICH, OF COURSE, COULD POTENTIALLY PRESENT SERIOUS MECHANICAL AND SAFETY ISSUES IF IT HAPPENS AT HIGH SPEED. I HAVE FOUND WIDE REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING SIMILARLY IN OTHER CARS, HOWEVER AFTER A QUICK SEARCH, I DON'T SEE THIS ISSUE LISTED ON THIS NHTSA SITE, SO I THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE ADDED. SEE THESE LINKS FOR REFERENCE: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/NEWS/CONSUMERS-COMPLAIN-OF-MINI-COOPER-TIMING-BELT-FAILURES-080113.HTML AND HTTP://BLOG.AUTOWORKSTX.COM/2014/10/MINI-COOPER-TIMING-CHAIN-ISSUES/
NHTSA complaint #10764078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesST. Cloud, FL
SEAT BELTS
THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR IS LIT UP WHILE THERE IS NO ONE PRESENT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG IS OFF INDICATOR LIGHT IS SOMETIMES ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATOR IS INTERMITTENT AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR IS INTERMITTENT. THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES THAT ARE PULLING FROM THE STANDARD OBD PORT. THERE IS A LONG HISTORY OF KNOWN ISSUES RELATED TO THE PASSENGER MAT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS AND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AS A WHOLE.
NHTSA complaint #10722461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesST. Cloud, FL
AIR BAGS
THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR IS LIT UP WHILE THERE IS NO ONE PRESENT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG IS OFF INDICATOR LIGHT IS SOMETIMES ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATOR IS INTERMITTENT AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR IS INTERMITTENT. THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES THAT ARE PULLING FROM THE STANDARD OBD PORT. THERE IS A LONG HISTORY OF KNOWN ISSUES RELATED TO THE PASSENGER MAT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS AND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AS A WHOLE.
NHTSA complaint #10722461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,563 milesGilbert, AZ
AIR BAGS
I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED MINI COOPER DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS RUN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. MINI COOPER HAS BEEN FORCED TO RECALL 2008 CONVERTIBLES FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO FIX THE SAME YEAR COUNTRYMAN MODELS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT REQUIRED ME TO PAY TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED. THIS REPAIR COST ME $ 1,800, AND MINI COOPER REFUSES TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10717720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
AIR BAGS
DRIVING WITH AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE "PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS OFF" LIGHT TURNED ON. AFTER SHIFTING IN THE SEAT THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG MAT AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MINIS. HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS PROBLEM WITH A 2005 MINI COOPER. READING ONLINE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. KEEP WAITING FOR A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10649123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.