2016 MINI Cooper Convertible Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible has 13 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 71, and 3 recalls, ranking 3rd worst out of 8 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by electrical system complaints about brake light visibility.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 71/100
- #3 of 8 Cooper Convertible years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 13
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 27 city / 36 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System5 (38%)
- Other4 (31%)
- Brakes2 (15%)
- Engine1 (8%)
- Seat Belts1 (8%)
- Structure & Body1 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the rear brake lights are placed too low and small, making them hard to see in stop-and-go traffic.
- Some describe the larger rear lights as looking like brake lights but actually functioning only as turn signals or driving lights.
- One owner reported repeated failure of the rear seat belt, requiring multiple dealer visits.
- One owner noted the brake pedal sits close to the gas pedal, occasionally causing accidental contact with both pedals.
- A drivetrain malfunction warning light flashed briefly and then disappeared while driving on the highway at 12,800 miles.
- One owner reported a VIN discrepancy that misidentified their 4-door hardtop model as a 2-door for accident evaluation purposes.
2016 MINI Cooper Convertible recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V222000Mar 31, 2017Electrical System16,883 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights
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."
Risk: If the brake light does not illuminate when a turn signal is activated, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 16V747000Oct 17, 2016Seat Belts15,455 vehicles
Seat belts:front:retractor
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.
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.
- NHTSA 15V887000Dec 30, 2015Steering2 vehicles
Steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)
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.
Risk: A gearbox malfunction may cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
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.
2016 MINI Cooper Convertible fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 MPG
- Highway
- 36 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Cooper Convertible years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible reliable?
- NHTSA lists 13 complaints for the 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible, giving it a complaint index of 71, which ranks 3rd worst among the 8 model years with data. It carries a Caution verdict relative to other years of this model.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 5 of 13 complaints (38%), mostly about rear brake light visibility and placement.
- Does the 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this year, covering the electrical system (brake lighting), seat belts (driver's seat belt assembly replacement), and steering (steering gearbox replacement).
- How does the 2016 model compare to other MINI Cooper Convertible years?
- The 2016 model's complaint index of 71 is worse than the 2007 (29) and 2008 (43) model years, which both earned a Good verdict, but better than the 2005 (100) and 2009 (86) Avoid years.