2017 MINI Cooper S Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2017 MINI Cooper S has a Good verdict with a complaint index of 28, ranking 14th worst out of 19 model years. NHTSA logged 6 complaints, 3 recalls, 1 crash, and 1 injury, with brakes and engine the top problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 28/100
- #14 of 19 Cooper S years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2017 MINI Cooper S problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes2 (33%)
- Engine2 (33%)
- Airbags1 (17%)
- Electrical System1 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (17%)
- Other1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during a head-on collision at low speed, at 17,200 miles.
- Owners report the engine stalling or having trouble stopping while driving, with dealers unable to duplicate the failure.
- A passenger-side engine mount reportedly needed replacement after abnormal vibration was felt while driving, at 101,000 miles.
- Some owners describe the brakes applying suddenly and unevenly on their own when the windshield wipers are turned on in wet conditions.
2017 MINI Cooper S 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 16V914000Dec 20, 2016Airbags3,506 vehicles
Air bags
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- 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.
2017 MINI Cooper S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,050
- 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.
2017 compared with other Cooper S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 MINI Cooper S reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Cooper S a Good verdict, with a complaint index of 28 and only 6 complaints on file, ranking 14th worst among 19 model years of the Cooper S.
- What are the most common problems on the 2017 MINI Cooper S?
- Brakes and Engine each account for 2 of the 6 complaints (33% each), followed by single complaints for Airbags, Electrical System, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras.
- Does the 2017 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Cooper S, covering brake lighting/turn signal wiring, airbag modules, and seat belt assemblies. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Cooper S should I avoid instead of 2017?
- Based on complaint index, 2007 is the worst year at 100, followed by 2005 at 94 and 2008 at 89, all rated Avoid, far higher than the 2017 model's index of 28.
- How is fuel economy on the 2017 MINI Cooper S?
- EPA rates the 2017 Cooper S at 26 mpg combined (23 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050.