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MINI Cooper SModel year report

2016 MINI Cooper S Problems

Complaints
10filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
42,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 33 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 MINI Cooper S (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2016 MINI Cooper S. The part named most often is engine, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and exterior lighting (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 338 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 45 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 107 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Engine: “There have been thousands upon thousands of failures of the oil cooler/oil filter housing on all BMW/MINI B46/B48 2.0T engines. This problem dates back to 2014 when BMW issued a stop sale order and recall on the 2014 MINI Cooper with both the 1.5L I3 (B38) and 2.0L I4 (B48) engines. Since 2014, the engine has been installed in over two million vehicles sold in the United States under the BMW, MINI, Karma, and Toyota brands. …”

NHTSA complaint #11626962, filed 2024-11

Electrical system: “While driving home thursday night I received left tail light malfunction waring on my dash panel with the turn signal blinking extremely fast. After arriving home I checked the light and found that the tail light inoperative and the turn signals were extremely dim. The next morning I called tucson Mini and told them the problem. The sa stated to bring the car in and they would check out the problem. Upon inspection they found that the l/h tail light ground connector and the bulb connector melted. I ask the sa what would cause this problem and she could not answer this problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11396364, filed 2021-02, 67,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “The contact owns a 2016 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message Left brake lamp and Tailgate light malfunction was displayed and while depressing the brake pedal the driver’s side rear brake light failed to illuminate. Additionally, the left turn signal was blinking quickly while activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the rear brake light bulbs, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the driver’s side brake sensor wiring harness was melted and needed to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #11652098, filed 2025-04, 34,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2016 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on a hill of a driveway, fifteen minutes later the vehicle shifted out of park and rolled away. As a result, the vehicle crashed through the contact's garage door. There was no police report filed and no injuries reported. The vehicle was parked with the emergency brake applied. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #11245046, filed 2019-08, 18,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 34,000 and 57,085 miles.

0%0–1017%10–2550%25–5033%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 42,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2017220192202020212024202522026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 MINI Cooper S. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Cooper S Hardtop · hatchback FWD★★★★☆4 / 5454 · 11.1% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 MINI Cooper S version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cooper S Clubman FWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic233327$3,050
Cooper S Clubman FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual223125$3,300
Cooper S Convertible FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950
Cooper S Convertible FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual233226$3,150
Cooper S Countryman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253128$2,950
Cooper S Countryman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263228$2,950
Cooper S Countryman All4 AWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual253027$3,050
Cooper S Countryman All4 AWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic233026$3,150
Cooper S Hardtop 2 door FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950
Cooper S Hardtop 2 door FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual233327$3,050
Cooper S Hardtop 4 door FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950
Cooper S Hardtop 4 door FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual233327$3,050
Cooper S Paceman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253128$2,950
Cooper S Paceman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263228$2,950

2 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2016 MINI Cooper S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 338 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 338 bulletins →

Other model years of the MINI Cooper S

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202054,7142—30—Not enough data
2019540,8301—27—Not enough data
2017617,2003—27—Not enough data
20161042,0003428—Not enough data
20151833,8104428—Rising
20141325,0004—29—Not enough data
20132449,4001—29—Rising
20122386,0002—30—Rising
20113165,0083—300 · FewerRising
20105962,6354—2947 · TypicalFalling
200911952,0623—2953 · TypicalRising
200816853,6004—2972 · MoreFalling
200724952,0004—28Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200618655,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200531466,0002—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200424774,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200321770,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20028375,4151——Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All MINI Cooper S model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 MINI Cooper S have?

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2016 MINI Cooper S as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 MINI Cooper S is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2016 MINI Cooper S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2016 MINI Cooper S do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 MINI Cooper S 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2016 MINI Cooper S get?

The EPA rates the 2016 MINI Cooper S (Cooper S Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 MINI Cooper S reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,000 miles and the middle half falls between 34,000 and 57,085 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.