2016 Mini Cooper Convertible: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern exterior lighting.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Rear brake lights..it comes with 3 small brake lights ...two on bumper & one on top scoop, all relatively small. The main two are much bigger but are only used for driving lights & turn signal. 'it makes no sense '. This needs to be corrected, right ?”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2018
“Brake pedal at same level as gas pedal at times ( they are close together) my shoe on the brake also hits the gas to excellerate pressing jarred in a panic will stop the car and I will put it in neutral city street or hi-way in motion”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2017
“Drivetrain malfunction light flashes for a few seconds and then goes away. Driving on I-85 s june 5, 2017 warning appeared for a few seconds then disappeared.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Base model blue tooth telephone interface without on-board voice control disables phone hands free function (e.g "siri" on iphone) inviting distraction to use phone functions. Common also on similarly equipped bmw models. This was not the case with earlier year models with similar equipment.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2017
“We purchased this all-new model in march 2016 and have been unable to ascertain a crashworthiness rating through your administration or the iihs. I once assumed that these tests were conducted prior to the public sale of automobiles. How long must a consumer wait for a test to be conducted? The insurance companies seem to depend heavily on these evaluations when determining their rates.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2016
“After my car was involved in an accident I was made aware that the mini VIN number indicates that my mini is a 2 door model in most data resources for evaluation purposes. But I have the mini 4 door hardtop model! How could that not be indicated with a 4d instead of the 2d in this models VIN #? *tr”Owner report · Equipment · Oct 2016
“Twice since buying my car in may if 2016 I have badly burned my leg on the tailpipe while getting bags out of the trunk. I was not even reaching into the trunk particularly deeply. The tailpipe protrudes beyond the bumper and it is very easy to inadvertently bump it with one's leg if wearing shorts. This is dangerous to adults, but also especially dangerous for children helping their parents get things out of the car. I have photos of the burns if you need them.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2016
“Constant replacing of the seat belts. Currently back seat belt not working again serious saftey hazard . No longer receiving a response from the dealer. Cannot ride a certain amount of passengers in the rear. Have taken the car back multiple times”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2016
“Please check the rear brake light photos (halfway down, this page: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/r55-clubman-talk-2008/293675-2016-clubman-13.html). I was following one of these cars the other day and in stop-and-go traffic the lower brake lights are simply not visible! The large (turn signal) lights just below the rear window "look" they're supposed to be brake lights but, obviously, don't come on with braking. No question, this will result in collisions, some serious. NHTSA needs to be proactive and force a corrective repair; this is truly a public health.safety issue!!!”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2016
“This car has terribly placed taillights. The lights are not placed in a visible line of sight. The mini clubman I saw had very small lights below the large lights on the rear doors. These vehicles should be recalled and the large lights that appear to be taillights should be made functional. The taillights on this vehicle are what appear to be rear fog lights at the very bottom of the car. This is an awful safety issue as you cannot see the lights in traffic. I'm surprised there haven't been several additional complaints.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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."
Remedy: 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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 MINI Cooper Clubman, Cooper S Clubman and JCW Clubman vehicles. When the affected vehicles are braking and the turn signals are on, the inner, bumper-mounted, brake light will go out. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle to correct the brake lighting, free of charge. The recall began May 22, 2017. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one model year 2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door vehicle manufactured November 24, 2015, and one BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) manufactured October, 19 2015. The steering gearbox may have been manufactured with incorrect parts.
Remedy: BMW will replace the steering gearbox, free of charge. Affected vehicles are located in dealer inventory and will be remedied before customer retail. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Check your exact Cooper Convertible by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Mini Cooper Convertible reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Mini Cooper Convertible. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting.
Does the 2016 Mini Cooper Convertible have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.