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2008 Mini Cooper S

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cooper S years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Mini Cooper S are substantially higher than the model-year median of 23.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Cooper S years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

153 reports with mileage · 15 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports10 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

168 reports
55,000 miles · Jun 9, 2013
Engine

MY MINI COOPER S WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, AND HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, ONCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED I TOOK THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC WHO HAS PERFORMED WORK FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY FOR TWELVE YEARS. AFTER READING THIS WEBSITE, AND IT'S COMPLAINTS THE SAME PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED TO ME. THE OIL L…

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MY MINI COOPER S WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, AND HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, ONCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED I TOOK THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC WHO HAS PERFORMED WORK FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY FOR TWELVE YEARS. AFTER READING THIS WEBSITE, AND IT'S COMPLAINTS THE SAME PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED TO ME. THE OIL LINES BEGAN TO LEAK BECAUSE THERE WAS A CLOG, AND IT CAUSED THE TURBO TO BURN OUT. PARTS AND LABOR FOR A USED TURBO CAME OUT TO BE AROUND $1,800. A NEW TURBO ALONE WOULD HAVE COST ROUGHLY 2,000. NOW SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES LATER, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK NOTICED UNDER THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS TIME, TO SEE WHAT THE EXACT PROBLEM WAS AND AN ESTIMATE BEFORE TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC. THEY FOUND "SEVERAL LEAKS" OF WHICH THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, THE WATER PUMP GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKET, AND FINALLY THE OIL FILTER GASKET. AFTER THE $1,800 BILL FOR THAT WAS PAID, A CALL WAS RECEIVED DECLARING THAT THE CRANK CASE NOW HAS A LEAK IN IT AS WELL AND NEEDS TO BE RESEALED. WITH THE OIL LEAKING FROM THAT, THE CLUTCH COULD ALSO BE BURNING OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED COSTING AN ADDITIONAL $5,400. THE REPAIR BILL ON THIS ALONE WOULD BE ENOUGH TO BRING NORMAL HARD WORKING PEOPLE TO TEARS. ALSO, THE COLD START RATTLE IDENTIFYING THE TIMING BELT ISSUES HAS BEGUN ON MY CAR. THERE ARE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. GLAD TO KNOW BMW TAKES CARE OF IT'S CUSTOMERS AND IGNORES THE COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515850

55,450 miles · May 30, 2013
Engine

I HAD BEEN SERVICING MY 2008 MINI COOPER S AT THE DREYER & REINBOLD BMW MINI DEALERSHIP FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. I JUST HAD IT IN THE SHOP AROUND 50K MILES AND WAS NOT TOLD THAT I SHOULD CONSIDER CHANGING MY TIMING BELT. ONE DAY I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. I TOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND TH…

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I HAD BEEN SERVICING MY 2008 MINI COOPER S AT THE DREYER & REINBOLD BMW MINI DEALERSHIP FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. I JUST HAD IT IN THE SHOP AROUND 50K MILES AND WAS NOT TOLD THAT I SHOULD CONSIDER CHANGING MY TIMING BELT. ONE DAY I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. I TOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME MY TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN AND DAMAGED MY ENGINE. I AM NO FACED WITH REPLACING MY ENGINE AND A BILL OF $6600+. THIS DEFECT THAT WAS NOT BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION HAS RUINED MY ENGINE AND AFTER THOROUGH RESEARCH OF FELLOW MINI DRIVERS, I AM HESITANT ABOUT WHAT OTHER DEFECTS MAY COME ABOUT IN THE FUTURE FOR THIS CAR. THIS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE MANUFACTURER AND THERE SHOULD BE A LAWSUIT OR RECALL IN PLACE TO COMPENSATE MINI OWNERS FOR THIS FAULTY PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514293

89,151 miles · Apr 25, 2013
Engine

I CURRENTLY HAVE AN OIL LEAK DEVELOPING FROM THE TURBO OIL LINE THAT HAS RESULTED FROM A FAILED O-RING WITHIN THE LINE ITSELF. DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, THE HEAT FROM THE TURBO WEARS AWAY THE O-RING, WHICH RESULTS IN OIL LEAKING FROM WHERE THE LINE IS BOLTED TO THE TURBO VIA A BANJO BOLT. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IF THE LIN…

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I CURRENTLY HAVE AN OIL LEAK DEVELOPING FROM THE TURBO OIL LINE THAT HAS RESULTED FROM A FAILED O-RING WITHIN THE LINE ITSELF. DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, THE HEAT FROM THE TURBO WEARS AWAY THE O-RING, WHICH RESULTS IN OIL LEAKING FROM WHERE THE LINE IS BOLTED TO THE TURBO VIA A BANJO BOLT. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IF THE LINE FAILS, THE TURBO BECOMES STARVED OF OIL AND BURNS UP, WHICH ULTIMATELY CAUSES THE WHOLE TURBO UNIT TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE OIL LEAKING ONTO THE TURBO HAS A POTENTIAL TO CATCH FIRE, SINCE THE TURBO BECOMES VERY HOT DURING NORMAL DRIVING. ALSO IF ANY OIL LEAKS DOWN TO THE EXHAUST PIPING UNDERNEATH THE TURBO, THOSE PLACES ALSO POSE A FIRE HAZARD. MINI RECOGNIZES THIS TO BE AN ISSUE, BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN ADD A HEAT SHIELD AROUND THE CONNECTION TO THE TURBO. THE LINE STILL HAS A RUBBER O-RING IN IT THAT WILL FAIL OVER REPEATED HEAT CYCLES, AND THE LINE NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509613

36,500 miles · Apr 16, 2013
Engine

THE CAR HAS BEEN SMELLING LIKE BURNT OIL FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP ON SATURDAY. TODAY, TUESDAY, WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO PICK IT UP, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE ARE "LEAKS": 1) WATER PUMP 2) TIMING CHAIN 3) VALVE COVER 4) OIL FEED AND RETURN LINE THE CAR HAS AROUND 36,…

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THE CAR HAS BEEN SMELLING LIKE BURNT OIL FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP ON SATURDAY. TODAY, TUESDAY, WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO PICK IT UP, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE ARE "LEAKS": 1) WATER PUMP 2) TIMING CHAIN 3) VALVE COVER 4) OIL FEED AND RETURN LINE THE CAR HAS AROUND 36,500 MILES ON IT AND WE ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT 8,000.00 WORTH OF REPAIRS! WHAT??? I PAID ALMOST 30,000.00 FOR THIS CAR AND NOW HAVE TO SPEND ADDITIONAL MONEY TO KEEP IT RUNNING? THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WILL COVER THE FIRST THREE ITEMS ON THE LIST. THE OIL FEED AND RETURN LINE IS NOT CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH AFTER A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH, I FIND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE INVESTIGATED, AS MINI MUST CERTAINLY BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE CUSTOMERS ARE GETTING STUCK PAYING FOR A DESIGN FLAW AND THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AT 36,000 MILES. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR FROM MY DEALER IS 1400.00!! PLEASE DO AN INVESTIGATION AND MAKE THEM REPAIR THIS DEFECT!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508490

73,000 miles · Apr 8, 2013
Engine

THERE IS A LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY LINE LEADING INTO TO THE TURBO HOUSING. THIS IS A MAJOR OIL LEAK AND SAFETY HAZARD. OIL LEAKING ONTO THE HOT TURBO CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. ASIDE FROM THE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, THE LEAK, HAD IT GONE UNNOTICED, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP SAID THE REPL…

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THERE IS A LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY LINE LEADING INTO TO THE TURBO HOUSING. THIS IS A MAJOR OIL LEAK AND SAFETY HAZARD. OIL LEAKING ONTO THE HOT TURBO CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. ASIDE FROM THE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, THE LEAK, HAD IT GONE UNNOTICED, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP SAID THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST AROUND $1,000 WITH OEM PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507494

96,400 miles · Apr 5, 2013
Engine

A SIGNIFICANT ENGINE OIL LEAK WAS DETECTED BY OIL SPOTS UNDER PARKED CAR. THE DIP STICK REGISTERED 1 QUART LOW. A QUART WAS ADDED AND THE CAR DRIVEN ABOUT 100 MILES THE NEXT DAY. UPON RETURN, THE OIL WAS A QUART LOW AGAIN. DURING THE PRECEDING TWO WEEKS THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES OF A BURNING OIL SMELL AND ON TWO OCCAS…

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A SIGNIFICANT ENGINE OIL LEAK WAS DETECTED BY OIL SPOTS UNDER PARKED CAR. THE DIP STICK REGISTERED 1 QUART LOW. A QUART WAS ADDED AND THE CAR DRIVEN ABOUT 100 MILES THE NEXT DAY. UPON RETURN, THE OIL WAS A QUART LOW AGAIN. DURING THE PRECEDING TWO WEEKS THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES OF A BURNING OIL SMELL AND ON TWO OCCASIONS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS WAS DURING A RAINY PERIOD AND THE SMOKE WAS INITIALLY THOUGHT TO BE STEAM FROM GETTING WATER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM PUDDLES ON THE ROADS. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE OIL LINE TO THE TURBO WAS LEAKING AS WELL AS THE OIL FILTER HOUSING SEAL. BOTH OF THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN NOTED IN THE DATABASE PREVIOUSLY. THE COST TO REPAIR WAS APPROXIMATELY $1000 USD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507212

49,200 miles · Apr 1, 2013
EnginePower Train

I HAVE OWNED THE MINI SINCE NEW. ALWAYS REGULARLY SERVICED AT THE MINI DEALER. RECENTLY I STARTED THE ENGINE AND IT SOUNDED MORE LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE, VERY NOISY AND UNUSUAL. TOOK IT TO THE MINI DEALER AND AS I EXPLAINED WHAT THE SYMPTOMS WERE, THE FRONT DESK PERSON THAT TOOK MY DETAILS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THE PRELIMINARY…

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I HAVE OWNED THE MINI SINCE NEW. ALWAYS REGULARLY SERVICED AT THE MINI DEALER. RECENTLY I STARTED THE ENGINE AND IT SOUNDED MORE LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE, VERY NOISY AND UNUSUAL. TOOK IT TO THE MINI DEALER AND AS I EXPLAINED WHAT THE SYMPTOMS WERE, THE FRONT DESK PERSON THAT TOOK MY DETAILS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THE PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS WAS CONFIRMED LATER THROUGH AN INSPECTION BY A TRAINED TECHNICIAN. LIKE MANY, MANY MINI OWNERS I HAVE HAD A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. THAT THE FRONT DESK STAFF CAN DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS MADE ME CURIOUS, IT MUST BE SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER SEES IT REGULARLY. SOME RESEARCH CONFIRMED THIS WAS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH MINIS. OWNERS HAVE HAD TERMINAL ENGINE DAMAGE WITH ENGINES THAT ARE LOW MILEAGE AND SIMPLY SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. THIS ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE IS SERIOUS AND CAN LEAD TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS. ALTHOUGH I WAS LUCKY, AND DO NOT HAVE A HUGE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE AS I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE, I STILL BELIEVE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY MATTER THAT BMW/MINI APPEAR TO BE IGNORING. IT SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A VEHICLE SAFETY RECALL. IT IS POOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN ON THEIR PART, THAT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505287

35,900 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Engine

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR IN LATE SEPT./EARLY OCT. 2012 WITH 29K MILES ON THE CAR. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR, AND WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, AS SHE WAS ENTERING THE OFF RAMP IN FOREST LAKE, MN HER CAR STARTED TO JERK/RUN LIKE CRAP (LATE JANUARY 2013). SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, I TRIED TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE, BUT EVE…

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WE PURCHASED THIS CAR IN LATE SEPT./EARLY OCT. 2012 WITH 29K MILES ON THE CAR. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR, AND WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, AS SHE WAS ENTERING THE OFF RAMP IN FOREST LAKE, MN HER CAR STARTED TO JERK/RUN LIKE CRAP (LATE JANUARY 2013). SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, I TRIED TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE, BUT EVERYTHING I CHECKED TEST GOOD, SO I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL IMPORT TECH, AND HE DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, ALLOWING THE TIMING TO JUMP. HE SAYS HE STARTED UP THE MOTOR TO TEST FURTHER, IT IDLED FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE BEFORE THE MOTOR DIED AND NOW WILL NOT START. I NOW, AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR 3-4 MONTHS, HAVE A MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE. I DO NOT CARE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT HIGH SPEEDS.... THANKX *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504536

30,000 miles · Mar 15, 2013
Engine

THE TIMING CHAIN HAS LOCKED UP. I NOTICE THAT THIS IS A COMMOM COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503224

33,000 miles · Mar 7, 2013
Engine

STRANGE KNOCKING/RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 2007+ MINI COOPER. FROM THE MINI DEALER REPAIR DETAILS IT APPEARS TO BE A ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT WITHOUT BEING FIXED THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AND POSSIBLE MOTOR DESTRUCTION. …

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STRANGE KNOCKING/RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 2007+ MINI COOPER. FROM THE MINI DEALER REPAIR DETAILS IT APPEARS TO BE A ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT WITHOUT BEING FIXED THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AND POSSIBLE MOTOR DESTRUCTION. THIS COULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AND I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH. MINI WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT WITHOUT THE VEHICLE STILL BEING UNDER WARRANTY. I CALL FOR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502028

Official recalls

4

23V337000 · Electrical System

May 11, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

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.

18V248000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Apr 18, 2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

12V008000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Jan 11, 2012

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

08V657000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Dec 12, 2008

BMW IS RECALLING 28,450 MY 2007-2008 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES. THE CENTRALLY LOCATED TAILPIPE EXTENSION PROTRUDES SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAILPIPE WITH A NEW SHORTER TAILPIPE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE11036 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Oct 11, 2011 · Closed Jun 11, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, 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 NHTSA, 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 NHTSA, 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.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine And Engine Cooling

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, 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 NHTSA, 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 NHTSA, 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.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

Engine And Engine Cooling

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, 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 NHTSA, 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 NHTSA, 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.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

Engine And Engine Cooling

In a January 10, 2012 letter to NHTSA, 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 NHTSA, 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 NHTSA, 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.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.

EA08020 · Exhaust Pipe Burns

Opened Aug 29, 2008 · Closed Jan 2, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

BMW WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (08V-657) ON 28,450 MINI COOPER S VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 2006 THROUGH JULY 8, 2008.DEALERS WILL INSTALL MODIFIED EXHAUST PIPE TIPS THAT DO NOT EXTEND BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER.THE TWO EXHAUST PIPE TIPS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE AND EXTEND BEYOND THE REAR BUMPER.THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED BEING BURNED ON THEIR LEGS WHEN THEY INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED THE EXPOSED HOT EXHAUST PIPE TIPS WHILE REMOVING ITEMS OF CARGO FROM THE REAR OF THEIR VEHICLE VIA THE HATCH BACK DOOR.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED BEING BURNED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION OR THAT OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WERE ALSO BURNED.THE 50 INJURIES REPORTED IN THIS INVESTIGATION INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT SECOND DEGREE BURNS CAUSING BLISTERED AND SCARED SKIN AND ONE INCIDENT RESULTED IN A THIRD DEGREE BURN.THIS INVESTIGATION ALSO RESULTED IN AN INITIAL DECISION OF A DEFECT.FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE INITIAL DECISION AND DETAILS OF THE INVESTIGATION SEE DOCUMENTS, INRM-EA08020-31646.PDF (INITIAL DECISION LETTER) AND INIR-EA08020-31648.PDF (INITIAL DECISION REPORT), IN THE INVESTIGATION FILE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.