Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2016 MINI Cooper Electrical system Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
29%of 28 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 MINI Cooper, 29% of the 28 complaints for this model year.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“Rear passenger tail light casing/bucket had burnt connections. Replaced casing/bucket and bulb. Worked for short time, tail light failed a second time. Casing/bucket & bulb replaced, again worked for short time and then went out. Took vehicle to another mechanic after passenger side headlight failed. New mechanic checked casings/bucket - connections looked okay, however both wiring harnesses were severely burnt. Headlight harness was all bare wires. …”

NHTSA complaint #11605757, filed 2024-07

“Rear tail lights have a bulb socket and a 6-pin connector that have a tendency to burn at the brown ground wire where the connector and bulb socket meet. Requiring replacement of both parts and disabling the rear tail light (brake, turn, and reverse lights). It requires rewiring the 6-pin connector and replacing the bulb socket. About $60 in parts. When this occurs it an alert comes on the dash of a malfunction to all three rear lighting functions. One or all three of the lights can be affected. …”

NHTSA complaint #11516815, filed 2023-04

“* Component/ system that has malfunctioned and failed - The Driver side tail light circuit board and pig tail malfunctioned. The connector has corroded and the plastic plug housing looks melted on the earth / brown wire. This in return damages the the ground connection for the tail light rendering the turn signal the reverse light and the brake light inoperable on the effected side. YES, MY VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT ANY TIME. *A driver behind an affected vehicle could be confused which could increase the risk of a crash. …”

NHTSA complaint #11569727, filed 2024-02

“While driving straight on an Interstate highway at approximately 65 mph, the right front and left rear brakes momentarily locked up after the windshield wipers were turned on due to light rain starting to fall. This happened multiple times, only when the wipers were turned on. There were no warning lights illuminated in the instrument cluster or dash displays. This nearly caused a loss of vehicle control on several occasions and nearly caused an accident as well. The car has been routinely serviced to factory schedules including brake fluid time based changes. …”

NHTSA complaint #11614123, filed 2024-09

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023114%
2021343%
2020229%
2019217%
2018225%
2017518%
2016829%
20151018%
2014824%
20131940%
20122842%
20113745%
20102932%
20092517%
2008119%
20072723%
2006105%
2005308%
2004155%
2003268%
2002137%

Other parts of the 2016 MINI Cooper

Engine
10 complaints
Exterior lighting
8 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Seats
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 MINI Cooper

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology