2016 MINI Cooper Convertible recalls and problems

The 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible has 3 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any MINI dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
13
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 MINI Cooper Convertible recalls

Recall 17V-222: Exterior Lighting

Reported Mar 31, 2017 · 16,883 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 16V-747: Seat Belts

Reported Oct 17, 2016 · 15,455 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 15V-887: Steering

Reported Dec 30, 2015 · 2 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Exterior Lighting4
Unknown or Other3
Service Brakes2
Electrical System1
Structure1
Equipment1
Seat Belts1
Power Train1
Engine1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 6,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Nov 19, 2025
The Environmental Air Catalyst (EAC) Sensor on my 2016 MINI failed two years ago when I had only 25,000 miles on the car. (The car now has 30,200 miles on it; I do not drive it very much). NHTSA worked with MINI/BMW several years ago, and MINI extended a limited warranty for this sensor to 15 years/150,000 miles, but only for Cooper "S" models. Mine is not an "S". See Recall "S1 M01 05 20" The S has a BMW "B46M PZEV/SULEV " engine, which is covered by the extended warranty. My car - not the "S" model - has the BMW "B36M" engine. This is not covered by the extended warranty noted above. I have…
Exterior Lighting · reported Apr 25, 2018
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 ?
Service Brakes · at 9,300 miles · reported Nov 15, 2017
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
Power Train · at 12,800 miles · reported Jun 7, 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.
Seat Belts · reported Feb 23, 2017
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

Other MINI Cooper Convertible years

Compare all MINI Cooper Convertible years · All MINI models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible: 17V-222 (exterior lighting), 16V-747 (seat belts), 15V-887 (steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible?

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (4 reports), followed by unknown or other (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 6,000 miles.

Are MINI recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized MINI dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.