2008 Mini Cooper Convertible problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (2) · Seats (2) · Power Train (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mini Cooper Convertible model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal 2015-04-06 · campaign 15V205000 · 91,800 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Risk: An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
Fix: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Service bulletins (20)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2023-10-25 · M610607 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. as a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system can have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. for this rea
Power Train 2018-02-01 · M240118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
aisin automatic transmisison: right side output shaft seal replacement
Steering 2016-03-01 · M320214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin supersedes si 32 02 14 dated august 2014. subject installation of right-hand drive steering spindle in left-hand drive vehicle is no longer required. left-hand drive steering spindles are currently available.
Engine 2015-07-01 · 12 09 15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature is high outside, and more obvious if the tank is only partly filled. *ma
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/Supercharger 2014-12-01 · SIM-11-10-14 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini: some vehicles have turbocharger noise and a lack or loss of performance, due to restriction of turbocharger oil supply, resulting in oil starvation and seizing of turbocharger assembly. model all. *pe
Power Train 2014-10-01 · M010514 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini cvt replacement parts warranty extension: additional 12 months with up to 50,000 accumulated miles. a mini vehicle's cvt assembly or component that was previously repaired and/or replaced by an authorized mini dealer or bmw center may experience a subsequent failure.
Showing the 6 most recent of 20 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-09-23 · Seats · 60,000 mi“passenger upper seat heater burned hole through seat and childs jacket while driving. the heating element is now visible and daughter received a minor burn to finger, do to melted hole in jacket from seat heater.…”
2016-04-14 · Steering · 85,000 mi · 🔥 fire“moving my mini into the garage a fire caught under the hood and the steering went out, after inspection it was found to be the power steering pump. insurance will not cover the cost as it is a mechanical failure. i have read about the previous models being recalled for this same problem as well as class action law suits. i believe my mini may have …”
2016-01-28 · Steering · 50,000 mi“power steering failed and was unable to steer car. power steering fluid was full. inspected at garage and mechanic said there was no clear reason as to why the steering had failed. did get some steering ability back but am worried it will happen again. vehicle had been stationary for a couple of days and steering was gone when turned car on for fir…”
2015-10-06 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2008 mini cooper convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v205000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. the dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. the manufacturer could not pr…”
2015-04-22 · Air Bags · 65,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 mini cooper convertible. the contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the approximate …”
2014-06-24 · Seats · 41,000 mi“it appears that the passenger seat occupied sensor is not working. *tr…”
2013-10-10 · Power Train · 69,000 mi“transmission failed (cvt). vehicle has low miles and cost to repair is over $8,000. *tr…”
2013-08-20 · Power Train · 46,000 mi“transmission is going on a 2008 car with only 47000 miles on it. doesn't shift when needed therefore doesn't accelerate safely. *tr…”
2009-06-24 · Suspension · 2,500 mi“my 2008 mini convertible has a bad vibration that starts at 70mph. the car has been in for several service visits where the tires have been rebalanced twice, tires replaced twice, four wheel alignment, and inspection of the suspension. none of these actions has corrected the problem. bmw / mini acknowledge the problem and claim the car is behavi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.