2017 MINI Cooper Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#11 most-complained of 21 Cooper years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2017 MINI Cooper has 28 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 50 out of 100 — #11 highest of 21 Cooper model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is electrical system (9 complaints, 32% of the total). Complaints report 5 crashes and 2 injuries.
- Complaints
- 28
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 31
- 27.5 city / 36.5 hwy
Top 2017 MINI Cooper problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
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 a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 MINI Cooper ranks #11 of 21 among Cooper model years (Complaint Index 50/100, verdict: Caution). It has 28 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 MINI Cooper?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (9 complaints), engine (6 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (6 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 7,972 miles.
- Does the 2017 MINI Cooper have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2017 MINI Cooper, most recently reported 2017, covering electrical system, airbags, and seat belts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 MINI Cooper?
- EPA rates the 2017 MINI Cooper at 31 MPG combined (27.5 city / 36.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,575. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.