2008 MINI COOPER Recalls, Complaints & Safety

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 , this recall was not for my vehicle. according to the numbers and years but, it was manufactured at the same time in 2007 . SAME AS CONVERTABLE BY THE SAME COMPANY... plus they have not fixed FRM.i boutght this car possibly 3rd hand but i regisdtered with Mini. so my codes are up and the wanring lights are there and i was wanting the information as to what the part number or serial number is for the recalled part, would that not be a way to confirm if it is part of a problem?

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that the rear headlight remained illuminated after turning off the vehicle. The contact was forced to put the key in and out of the ignition or disconnect the battery to resolve the issue. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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.

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper Hardtop. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted and determined that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure the contacts headlight went out. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the electrical system became inoperable. The contact stated that the windows, headlights, radio, and other safety features were inoperable. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was caused by a rusted footwell control module. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Occupant side airbag sensor is defective my mechanic put a code reader to verify it’s a 2008 hatchback and I see they have recalled all the convertibles but not the sedans I would think the same airbag sensor is in my car are there any updates to my car because the replacement is very very expensive and the airbag failure light is a pain to have displaying That contact added that the vehicle only had about 36,000 miles on it.

While driving the car at aproximately 25mph, the engine and the car stopped running. All dashboard warning lamps were off prior to the engine failure The car rolled to the side of the road to get out of the way of other traffic. The service engine warning lamp was on after the engine shut off and stopped running. The car was towed to a service station, and they too could not get the car to start. The mechanic's troubleshooting ultimately found the engine's internal timing chain had broken, causing multiple of other internal engine components to become damaged. The engine required detailed repair to replace the damaged engine parts to get it to start operating again. The costs for the repairs were over $5000.00.

Timing Chain and tensioner rattle. Known recall issue but not showing recall

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Airbag Warning Light has come on indicating a malfunction with this safety system and consequently that the airbag safety system may not deploy in the event of an accident. This problem is not unique to my specific vehicle and appears to be a very common issue amongst BMW Mini vehicles as evidenced by much discussion on forums across the internet.

This vehicle just went over 66,000 miles and the airbag warning light started appearing. An independent mechanic and dealership both diagnosed and said it's a defective front passenger seat occupant detection mat and I'd need to replace the entire system/seat. Several other vehicles with the same part have recalls however my specific 2008 model is not included in this recall. I believe it should be included in the recall as this is clearly a known issue and an obvious safety system/design flaw. No sort of crash or collision occurred and now the vehicle will not pass safety inspection and is unusable because of this until I spent roughly $2000 on the repair.

Hello, An airbag sensor recall was issued in 2015 and Mini Cooper refuses to fix this safety issue. They are saying this recall is expired, but it has not been 10 years and the car only has 54,000 miles. This is a known defect. Car is currently broken. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15355121/bmw-recalls-91800-mini-coopers-for-airbag-sensors/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bmw-recalls-91-000-mini-coopers-over-air-bag-sensor-n344226 https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/minicooper-recall-81033/ https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2005-08-mini-cooper-recalled-for-airbag-problem.html This should be covered by the manufacturer. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the headlights and taillights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact was able to drive safely to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with footwell (FRM) module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THE MACHANIC SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PASSENGER SEAT TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSOR. A NEW SEAT WILL COST $1500 AND LABOR WILL COST $500. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT.

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG OCCUPANT SENSOR/MAT FAILED CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT TO BE ON AND FOR AIRBAGS NOT TO DEPLOY INCASE OF A ACCIDENT . MINI DID NOT RECALL THIS ISSUES BUT PUT A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 10YEARS FOR THIS DEFECT THEY ARE AWARE ABOUT. THIS HAS EXPIRED FOR MANY VEHICLES INCLUDING MINE . THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE THAT'S A POTENTIAL RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH INCASE OF A ACCIDENT AND THE FACT THAT MINI COOPER DOES NOT RECALL THIS MATTER IS INHUMAN . PLEASE HELP WITH THIS MATTER.

WHEN PRESSING THE BREAK, THE ENGINE REVS. I TURNED ON THE CAR AND PRESSED THE BREAK. THE ENGINE REVVED. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE AGAIN IT REVVED UP TO 7000 RPM. I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. I WAS AFRAID TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A MONTH AGO THE MINI ENGINE RPM RAISED AND THE CAR WENT FASTER EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT PRESSING THE GAS. I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT.

AIRBAG SENSOR FAILS TO PASS THE VEHICLE'S INTERNAL SAFETY CHECK AND A WARNING LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. THIS LIGHT INDICATES THAT THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE AIRBAG, AND IT WILL NOT DEPLOY IF INVOLVED IN A WRECK WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ON. FOR THE PAST 9 MONTHS, THIS SENSOR HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, AND NOW IT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS/YEARS OF THE MINI COOPER, BUT WHEN I LOOK UP MY VIN IT SHOWS NO RECALL. IN ONLINE SEARCHES, I SEE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME MAKE/MODEL OF MINI COOPER WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, ONE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER, NOT AN EXPENSE I SHOULD HAVE TO INCUR.

RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2008 MINI COOPER. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND ALWAYS STAYS ON. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT MINI HAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY/RECALL. I TOOK VEHICLE TO BMW/MINI DEALER IN BIRMINGHAM, AL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR RECALL EXPIRED IN 2018, OR WITH VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 120,000 MILES. MINE HAS 123,000 MI. ALSO CALLED MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RECEIVED THE SAME INFORMATION. MANY VIDEOS EXIST ON INTERNET/YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT AND HOW TO BYPASS PROBLEM BY INSTALLING A PART THAT BYPASSES THE SENSOR OR BY USING A SCAN TOOL TO ERASE THE CODE TO REMOVE THE WARNING LIGHT. NEITHER OF THESE SOLUTIONS SEEM SAFE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR'S PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD FAIL TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. HERE IS A VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS THE PROBLEM AND A POSSIBLE UNSAFE FIX: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GDLMTYGUIPM&T=615S

TIMING CHAIN DEFECTIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A LEFT TURN LANE AS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MINI OF THE WOODLANDS (16675 I-45, CONROE, TX 77385, (936) 344-1258) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DME (ENGINE COMPUTER) FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER INADVERTENTLY BUMPED INTO THE EXHAUST PIPE LOCATED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, SHE SUSTAINED A SECOND DEGREE BURN TO THE RIGHT LEG WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED REGARDING THE INCIDENT AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF BEDFORD (LOCATED AT 209 S RIVER RD, BEDFORD, NH 03110, (833) 785-4497) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IF THEY REMOVED IT TO REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

ENGINE HAS DEVELOPED THE "DEATH RATTLE" AT LOW REV AND LOW TEMPERATURE , INDICATING A FAILING, DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONE

PURCHASED FROM CARMAX (11/18/17), NEVER INFORMED OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING THE TIMING CHAIN WITH THIS VEHICLE. AFTER ONLY 4 MONTHS AND ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES, THE PROBLEMS BEGAN. FIRST TRIP TO MECHANIC, THE ENGINE VALVE COVER WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. REPLACED FOR JUST OVER $700. LESS THAN 10 MONTHS LATER AND WELL UNDER 2000 MILES, I WAS IN TRANSIT TO WORK, ON THE HIGHWAY OFF RAMP AND THE MINI SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, WOULD NOT START BACK UP. HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. TOWED BACK TO AUTO MECHANIC AND ANOTHER $200 TO FIND THE GUIDE TO TIMING CHAIN BROKE OFF, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. MINI WAS TOWED BACK TO CARMAX TO FIND THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED, BUT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME TYPE OF ENGINE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. SENIOR TEAM AT CARMAX IS CURRENTLY EVALUATING MY CASE. POSSIBLE BUY BACK OF VEHICLE, STILL AWAITING A VERDICT.

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, WHEN A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATES THE AIR BAG IS NOT ON.

ENGINE MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN COLD AND GETS LAUGHTER

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON SPEEDOMETER IS ON. I HAVE HAD IT RESET AND IT COMES BACK ON. THE FAILURE CODE IS "93B1 HEAD AIRBAG, FRONT PASSENGER." WHAT HAS FAILED HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET. THE VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 112,000 MILES. THIS WARNING CAME ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, PARKED.WHEN THE CODE IS RESET, IT WILL STAY OFF FOR AWHILE AND THEN RETURN.

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE (WHICH LED TO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT) CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. OWNERS THAT WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS LAWSUIT OR DID NOT VEHICLE AT THE TIME STILL AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECTIVE PART PUTTING DRIVERS IN DANGER YET COMPANY HAS NEVER ISSUED RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH BAY MINI (18900 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE, CA 90504) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,072. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE. I HAD TO REPLACE CHAIN, TENSIONERS AND CRANK GEAR ON MY 2008 MINI WITH 81,000 MILES.

CVT TRANSMISSION BELT BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR CAME TO A. STOP . I COULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED BY A BIG TRUCK THAT WAS BEHIND LUCKILY HE WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND ME

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND NOT CERTAIN WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF AIRBAG NEEDS TO DEPLOY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM BASED ON INTERNET SEARCH. MINI RECALLED FIRST GENERATION MODELS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE SECOND GENERATION VEHICLES (MINE).

CVT TRANSMISSION STUCK IN FIRST GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 30MPH AND CARS HAD TO SWERVE FROM BEHIND ME IN ORDER TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR $8,000.00 WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON HIGHWAY ALONG WITH MY DAUGHTER..

CVT TRANSMISSION STICKING IN 2ND GEAR.

TIMING CHAIN & TENSIONER MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 85,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD TO SPEND $3500.00 TO CHANGE THE TIMING CHAIN THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MAINTENANCE FREE, AND LAST TEN YEARS AS PER THE OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE MANUAL. CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS NOT RIGHT THAT I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 85,000 MILES, AND WAS SERVICED REGULARLY. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT SOMETHING WAS LOOSE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

IN SEPTEMBER, 2013, MY 2008 MINI COOPER HARDTOP, WITH THE N12 ENGINE, HAD THE TIMING CHAIN FAIL UNDER OPERATION. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AFFECTING STEERING, BRAKING AND ALL ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. TWO VEHICLES BARELY AVOIDED MY DISABLED VEHICLE. I CONTACTED MINI USA AND THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACTORY DEFECT IN THE TIMING-CHAIN TENSIONER THAT CAUSES THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL. I PAID OVER $8000 FOR A REPLACEMENT N12 ENGINE. WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE, IN JULY, 2016, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS CROSSING A BRIDGE AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO TRY TO PULL OFF. THE SITUATION WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND LEFT MY FAMILY VULNERABLE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I CONTACTED MINI USA AGAIN, AND ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE ADMITTED TO THE TIMING CHAIN DEFECT ON THEIR N14 ENGINE, IN THE S SERIES VEHICLE, THEY STILL REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE N12 ENGINES IN WHICH THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ARE MORE NUMEROUS. THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE AT SPEED WHICH IS UNSAFE IN THE EXTREME. MINI USA NEEDS TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL FOR EVERY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE N12 ENGINES.

"TAMARA RECALL" TIMING CHAIN.

TAKATA RECALL?? THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS - 3 WARNING LIGHTS - ALWAYS ON. TOOK MINI INTO DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 9/17/15. THEY DIAGNOSED: J# 1 511MZOTHERDIAG GENERAL DIAGNOSIS VEHICLE NEEDS RIGHT SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR REPLACED. PART NEEDS TO BE ORDERED - $1493.47 PART COST - CUSTOMER ADVISED. NEITHER BMW/MINI CORPORATE OR THE DEALERSHIP CAN SAY WHEN THE REPLACEMENT PART WILL BE AVAILABLE - NOR CAN THEY GUARANTEE OCCUPANT SAFETY - AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. THE MILEAGE ON THE MINI IS 26,959. WHEN IS THIS VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? AND WHEN WILL THE PARTS BE AVAILABLE TO FIX IT?