2008 MINI Cooper vs 2008 MINI Cooper S
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2008 MINI Cooper | 2008 MINI Cooper S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 115 | 168 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 97 | 111 |
| Investigations | 0 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 3 | 1 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 10 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 27–32 | 27–29 |
| Median reported mileage | 60,000 mi | 54,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | MINI Cooper | MINI Cooper S |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 43 | 78 |
| Air Bags | 41 | 30 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 43 |
| Power Train | 12 | 9 |
| Electrical System | 11 | 8 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 4 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 16 | 6 |
| Stalling | 9 | 11 |
| Clunking / rattling | 8 | 37 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 5 |
| Overheating | 0 | 7 |
2008 MINI Cooper
2008 MINI Cooper S
Compare all MINI Cooper vs MINI Cooper S years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.