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MINI CooperModel year report

2016 MINI Cooper Problems

Compared with other MINI Cooper years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.1× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
28filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,430miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
29 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 32 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2016 MINI Cooper. The part named most often is engine, with 10 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and exterior lighting (8). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,430 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 85 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 34 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 9 MINI Cooper model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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.

Also reported: Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “Drivetrain error occurred. I pulled codes and found P0015. I added oil, cleared code. The next day the drivetrain error popped back up. Pulled codes and found P0366. I took the vehicle to mechanic for diagnostics and to find the issue. They found faults: 130F11 and 120408. When replacing engine oil and filter, they found metal shavings in the oil; bearing material. They are recommending replacing the engine. Doing research, it appears this has been a common occurrence with these vehicles/engines. …”

NHTSA complaint #11636617, filed 2025-01

Electrical system: “The rear brake lights and rear signal indicator lights keep going in and out arbitrarily. It's dangerous because it will work fine and then just randomly stop working and then work again. People can't tell if I'm stopping or turning when this randomly occurs. This is currently not a recall on my Mini, however, I saw that it is a recall on other Minis and it seems mine is having the same issue so it's possible they all have similar or the same faulty wiring/electrical for the brake lights and signal indicator lights.”

NHTSA complaint #11678331, filed 2025-08

Exterior lighting: “Tail light assembly including brake light and turn signal failed due to burnt electrical socket and connector. This is caused by a faulty grounding point that is very clearly a manufacturing issue but wasn't considered as a recall for some odd reason. This issue is prominent in several BMW 3,4, and 5 series models”

NHTSA complaint #11509134, filed 2023-02

Transmission and drivetrain: “About two days ago I noticed my MINI started showing an error every time I got into the vehicle saying Secure vehicle against rolling I have seen numerous different discussions online but none seemed to come to a solution or single cause of this error. Everything still shifts completely fine in the car, the parking brake engages, and the car shifts into park fine. Seems to be a common problem, it's a shame MINI has not addressed it as a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #11538855, filed 2023-08

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,500 and 97,359 miles.

0%0–100%10–2550%25–500%50–7550%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,430 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20202021202220232024720252026
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. 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 Hardtop · hatchback FWD★★★★☆4 / 5454 · 11.1% risk
Cooper JCW 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 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 Clubman FWD1.5L 3-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,950
Cooper Clubman FWD1.5L 3-cyl6-speed manual253428$2,950
Cooper Countryman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263229$2,850
Cooper Countryman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic252927$3,050
Cooper Hardtop 2 door FWD1.5L 3-cyl6-speed manual283832$2,550
Cooper Hardtop 2 door FWD1.5L 3-cyl6-speed automatic273630$2,750
Cooper Hardtop 4 door FWD1.5L 3-cyl6-speed manual283832$2,550
Cooper Hardtop 4 door FWD1.5L 3-cyl6-speed automatic273630$2,750
Cooper Paceman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263229$2,850
Cooper Paceman FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic252927$3,050

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 → · 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. 85 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 85 bulletins →

Other model years of the MINI Cooper

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202375000—31—Too new
202268,0250—31—Not enough data
20217—2—30—Not enough data
20207—2—31—Not enough data
201912702—30—Not enough data
201883,5000—28—Not enough data
2017287,9723—3049 · TypicalRising
20162870,43014290 · FewerRising
20155623,500642978 · MoreFalling
2014349,000743082 · MoreRising
20134737,0001—300 · FewerRising
20126653,5001—3028 · FewerRising
20118365,0001—3140 · TypicalRising
20109251,0002—3163 · TypicalRising
200915165,0001—3262 · TypicalRising
200811660,0001—3251 · TypicalStable
200711764,8451—31Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200620069,0001—28Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200537270,0002—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200428272,8412—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200332074,6512—28Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200218758,0003—25Not compared (before 2008)Rising
2001670,5620———Not enough data

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

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 MINI Cooper have?

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2016 MINI Cooper as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Engine is named most often, in 10 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.

Has the 2016 MINI Cooper been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 MINI Cooper 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2016 MINI Cooper get?

The EPA rates the 2016 MINI Cooper (Cooper Countryman, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,430 miles and the middle half falls between 43,500 and 97,359 miles; 50% 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.