2017 Mini COOPER
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2017 Mini COOPER has 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 43. The most common issue is lighting problems (14% of all complaints), specifically: i have only two weeks with my new car, and absolutely love it! however, there appears to be a safety issue with the brake lights. on two occasions, trucks have rode up on my tail and had to almost slam their brakes before winding up inside the trunk/boot. at the time, i just thought these were in. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.
42
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
LIGHTING
6 complaints- • I HAVE ONLY TWO WEEKS WITH MY NEW CAR, AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! HOWEVER, THERE APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. ON TWO OCCASIONS, TRUCKS HAVE RODE UP ON MY TAIL AND HAD TO ALMOST SLAM THEIR BRAKES BEFORE WINDING UP INSIDE THE TRUNK/BOOT. AT THE TIME, I JUST THOUGHT THESE WERE IN
- • I RECENTLY TEST DROVE A MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S. I DID NOT LIKE THE VEHICLE, AND ONE OF THE REASONS IS THE WAY THE LIGHTING (FRONT AND REAR) IS DESIGNED. THE REAR OF THE CAR HAS VERY LARGE LIGHTS THAT GO ACROSS THE 'BARN DOORS' THAT APPEAR TO BE BRAKE LIGHTS. WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP I NOTICED ANO
- • I OWN A 2017 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN THAT WAS RECALLED FOR AN UNSAFE BRAKE LIGHT CONDITION. THERE WERE 4 FUNCTIONAL BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE REAR BUMPER. AFTER MY CAR WAS "FIXED", I ONLY HAVE 2 FUNCTIONAL BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE REAR BUMPER. I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS APPROVED "FIX" MADE MY CAR SAFER. THR
“I HAVE ONLY TWO WEEKS WITH MY NEW CAR, AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! HOWEVER, THERE APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. ON TWO OCCASIONS, TRUCKS HAVE RODE UP ON MY TAIL AND HAD TO ALMOST SLAM THEIR BRAKES BEFORE WINDING UP INSIDE THE TRUNK/BOOT. AT THE TIME, I JUST THOUGHT THESE WERE IN”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2017 Mini COOPER
Based on 19 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 5K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (3)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, MINI Hardtop 4 Door Cooper, Mini Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S, MINI Cooper Clubman, and Cooper S Clubman, 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost, and 2016 528i vehicles. The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) for the driver's seat may not lock as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk: In the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) may activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Mini COOPER
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Mini COOPER
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Mini New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Corrosion unlimited miles for 12 years
These are the terms for a new Mini. If you're buying a used 2017 COOPER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mini dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 42 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐LIGHTING: I HAVE ONLY TWO WEEKS WITH MY NEW CAR, AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! HOWEVER, THERE APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. ON TWO OCCASIONS, TRUCKS HAVE RODE UP ON MY TAIL AND HAD TO ALMOST SLAM THEIR BRAKES BEFORE WINDING UP INSIDE THE TRUNK/BOOT. AT THE TIME, I JUST THOUGHT THESE WERE IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE 8-DAY-OLD COUNTRYMAN S ON A PARKWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED, A PEBBLE WAS APPARENTLY KICKED BACK FROM A VEHICLE AHEAD, CAUSING A PIERCING OF THE RADIATOR AND A VIRTUAL IMMEDIATE INABILITY TO DRIVE. THIS CREATED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THE ISSUE IS NOT THE PEBBLE ITSELF,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW 2017 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN S AWD FROM DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2017, DAY AFTER PURCHASE ON THE WAY FROM TEXAS TO OKLAHOMA VEHICLE STALLED ON HIGHWAY IN A SPEED ZONE OF 75, THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND PERFORMANCE WAS REDUCED AND STARTED SHAKING AND VEHICLE WENT F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I RECENTLY TEST DROVE A MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S. I DID NOT LIKE THE VEHICLE, AND ONE OF THE REASONS IS THE WAY THE LIGHTING (FRONT AND REAR) IS DESIGNED. THE REAR OF THE CAR HAS VERY LARGE LIGHTS THAT GO ACROSS THE 'BARN DOORS' THAT APPEAR TO BE BRAKE LIGHTS. WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP I NOTICED ANO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Mini dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mini COOPER — Year Comparison
How does 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 42
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 7
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 43
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2017 Mini COOPER