2017 Mini COOPER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Mini COOPER has 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. 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.

7 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

LIGHTING

6 complaints

14%

• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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

ENGINE

6 complaints

14%

• 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,
• THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED IT LUNGED FORWARD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ANOTHER TIME IN DRIVEWAY VEH WAS BOUGHT TO A STOP IN OUR DRIVEWAY TO TURN AROUND. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE CAR LUNGED INTO A WALL AND THE TIRES CONTINUED TO SPIN UNTIL BRAKES WERE HEAVILY APPLI
• 1. (Lighting) The front lights of the car kept turning off and on. We would always go to the repair shop every time the lights began to malfunction. (Engine) the oil was sticky which was not normal and the water entered inside. (Brakes) When you turned on the car, noises came from the brakes which w

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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,”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

6 complaints

14%

• 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
• THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED IT LUNGED FORWARD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ANOTHER TIME IN DRIVEWAY VEH WAS BOUGHT TO A STOP IN OUR DRIVEWAY TO TURN AROUND. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE CAR LUNGED INTO A WALL AND THE TIRES CONTINUED TO SPIN UNTIL BRAKES WERE HEAVILY APPLI
• Transmission: secure vehicle against rolling. Warning is showing up. The battery died, and I put the car into neutral to roll it. Now this warning is showing up every time I put the car in park and turn it off.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

5 complaints

12%

• 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
• 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
• Rear tail light malfunction due to defective ground, melting connectors to rear break lights and indicators. Lack of break lights and indicators is a risk to motorist safety as a whole.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

4 complaints

10%

• WHAT IS THE PREFERRED MANDATORY PLACEMENT OF A SEAT BELT HOLDER/ADJUSTOR FOR THE VEHICLE THAT IS WITHIN THE REGULATORY SAFETY STANDARDS? THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A HOLDER AND CURRENTLY THE BELT LAYS ACROSS THE CONSUMERS NECK, WHICH IS NOT SAFE.
• WHAT IS THE PREFERRED MANDATORY PLACEMENT OF A SEAT BELT HOLDER/ADJUSTOR FOR THE VEHICLE THAT IS WITHIN THE REGULATORY SAFETY STANDARDS? THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A HOLDER AND CURRENTLY THE BELT LAYS ACROSS THE CONSUMERS NECK, WHICH IS NOT SAFE.
• DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM JAMS, PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM FASTENING THE SEAT BELT AND OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHAT IS THE PREFERRED MANDATORY PLACEMENT OF A SEAT BELT HOLDER/ADJUSTOR FOR THE VEHICLE THAT IS WITHIN THE REGULATORY SAFETY STANDARDS? THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A HOLDER AND CURRENTLY THE BELT LAYS ACROSS THE CONSUMERS NECK, WHICH IS NOT SAFE.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)