2017 MINI Cooper Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 MINI Cooper has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 28 complaints, 3 recalls, and 5 crashes, mostly tied to the Electrical System and Engine.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Cooper years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 28
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 31
- 27.5 city / 36.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2017 MINI Cooper problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System9 (32%)
- Engine6 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (21%)
- Structure & Body4 (14%)
- Airbags3 (11%)
- Fuel System2 (7%)
- Seat Belts2 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (7%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear bumper-mounted brake lights allegedly worked improperly even after the recall repair, with one owner reporting a rear-end collision three weeks later.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple side and frontal collisions, including one crash at 55+ mph where side pillars and seatbelt pretensioners activated but airbags did not.
- The brake pedal reportedly failed to hold the vehicle, causing it to lunge forward unexpectedly at low speed on more than one occasion.
- The engine stalled on the highway with reduced power, a lit check-engine light, and a drivetrain malfunction warning shortly after purchase.
- The driver's seat belt locking mechanism jammed, preventing the belt from being fastened.
- A windshield developed a stress fracture running from the top down toward the rearview mirror area.
2017 MINI Cooper 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 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 36.5 MPG
- Combined
- 31 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,575
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 MINI Cooper reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 MINI Cooper a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years and earning a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints than most early Cooper years but more than the 2018–2023 model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 MINI Cooper?
- Owners most often reported issues with the Electrical System (9 complaints, 32% of the total), followed by Engine and Transmission & Powertrain issues, each with 6 complaints.
- Does the 2017 MINI Cooper have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 MINI Cooper covering the Electrical System (brake lighting), Airbags (module replacement), and Seat Belts (driver's seat belt assembly). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year MINI Cooper should I avoid instead of 2017?
- Based on complaint index, the 2005 through 2010 model years score worse, with 2005 (index 95) and 2009 (index 100) rated Avoid, compared to the 2017's Caution rating.
- What is the median mileage for problems on the 2017 MINI Cooper?
- The overall median mileage at failure is 7,972 miles, though Electrical System issues showed up at a median of 4,836 miles and Airbag issues at 40,000 miles.