The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved a DTC regarding the passenger seat occupant detection sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
The worst 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine26
- Airbags8
- Transmission2
- Fuel system1
- Visibility1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine26
- Airbags8
- Transmission2
- Fuel system1
- Visibility1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Engine compartment fire
In a January 10, 2012 letter to the federal safety agency, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V‑008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V‑008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to the federal safety agency, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V‑521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V‑522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to the federal safety agency, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V‑521, 11V‑522 and 12V‑008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V‑008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V‑521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V‑161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V‑522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V‑166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.
PE11036
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S 19
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years
- Mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature...
- Mini: a mechanical failure and dme software error of the vanos actuators cause the engine to run rough...
- Mini: camshaft timing control intake, camshaft jamming, signal implausible, position not reached,...
- Mini: some vehicles have turbocharger noise and a lack or loss of performance, due to restriction of...
- Mini: when resealing engine oil pan, engine oil pan gasket replacement should no longer be used due to...
- Mini: there is a software error causing the service engine soon light to be illuminated that is related to...
- Mini: information provided regarding procedure of replacing fuel level sensor due to failure on the right...
- Bmw service campaign: there may be a problem with a vapor recovery pump which will cause the service...
- Bmw: the airbag warning light is on with a fault stored
What 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2008 mini cooper s clubman appears to be having a problem with the tim ing chain tensioner and timing chain. The noise is steadily getting worse. After reading about the class action lawsuits around the united states I am now afraid to drive the car. If the timing chain desires to come apart on the freeway the sudden loss of steering and brakes could cause a major accident by engine seizing up if the timing chain let's go. Also the damage to the engine would cost so much it would not be worth fixing.leaving us with a $7500 owed on a vehicle we cannot use.
Air bag light on.
Airbags did not deploy in accident at 40mph due to sensor failure. Deceleration was extreme enough to fracture my back and cause chest injuries from striking steering wheel. Mini cooper rearended a suburban truck that was stopped at intersection causing engine to break loose from mounts and hood to crumple. Sensors for airbags should have deployed at the speed and impact.
I have had major problems with my engine ever since I have had my mini cooper s clubman. The turbo is loose, there is oil burning off of my engine, and it makes terrible screeching sounds that come from the engine. I have just learned that it is common for a mini cooper to have problems with its timing chain; thus, causing this terrible sound and all those other problems. I did not know it was the timing chain, and now they are having a recall on most of there models that are from the same year as mine. My car whenever I brake makes screeching noises that come from my engine, and I'm worried that this poor engine design will cause me to get in an accident. Now I have to pour money into getting a new timing chain, even though mini cooper is now know for having terrible timing chains.
Timing chain jumped off of dead center. Had to replace timing chair to new upgraded assembly. Cost was around $1200.00. Upset because this has been happening to a lot of mini coopers. Should have some kind of recall to consumers. Bmw knows about this.was driving home from out of state.
The timing chain was replaced at 90,000 mile and and now need to be replaced at 104,000 miles
Airbag warning light would come on intermittantly with a passenger in the seat. Now stays on all the time with or without a passenger. Bad passenger seat mats are under recall in mini cooper convertibles but not covered in clubman. $1200 repair is required and uses same part as the convertible. Is recall being expanded?
Vehicle started having trouble turning on and when it did come on a loud clanking noise began. The car could barely go over 30mph. 3 hr. Drive took us almost 6 hours to get to dealership. Dealership states it is the timing chain and the oil pan needs to be replaced.we found excessive water in the spare wheel hub. The brake light sensor would not go off, airbag light appeared, a knocking noise in the gas tank consisted. Etc.
The car developed engine trouble at 51,934 miles. We called otto's mini dealership and were told that the car was no longer under warranty. We then took car to a local repair shop and were told that the engine needed replacing due to faulty timing chain that resulted in extensive damage to the cylinder head and pistons. Upon researching this problem it appears that it is very common. We proceeded with the repair at the local shop and filed with mini to request coverage. Coverage was denied since we did not have car serviced at the dealer. The nature of this repair and the large number of reported issues would suggest one to expect mini to stand behind their product.
Compare the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S
Other model years
2008
Questions about the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S
Is the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S reliable?
Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S, close to a typical Cooper Clubman S model year.
What is the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S year score?
The 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the MINI Cooper Clubman S: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S?
Engine and cooling, with 26 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles. Next is airbags (8).
How many recalls does the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S have?
No recalls on record.
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