2008 Mini Cooper Clubman: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2024
“Passenger seat sensor failure. This seems like a very common problem on these cars. Of course, there is a recall on previous years”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2019
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2017
“I was driving down the highway, and there was no acceleration of my car, the valves were clattering and had no power. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2017
“Airbag warning light on because of faulty passenger side seat mat sensor. Airbags are disabled without repair/replacement.”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2016
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2016
“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.”Owner report · Seats · Nov 2015
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2015
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2015
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cooper Clubman by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning electrical system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.