2016 MINI Cooper Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 21%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 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 MINI Cooper, 21% 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.
“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“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“I purchased this vehicle on 9/03/2019 with 29,871 miles. I had to replace the clutch on 5/11/2020 at 39,690 miles. I am now having to purchase yet ANOTHER clutch on 10/17/2022 with 58,850 miles. Two clutches within 3 years is just unacceptable!”
NHTSA complaint #11489667, filed 2022-10“The harmonic balancer aka crank damper went on my 2016 4dr hardtop 1.5L Mini Cooper. Has 73,000 miles on it. It has been sitting at a garage now for almost a month waiting for bmw to have the part in stock (tentative date avail. Sept.20, making it 2months wait time) tried every possible 3rd party parts dealer & not 1 harmonic balancer is to be found. I was told this part had already needed to be upgraded & modified making it a faulty part to begin with. Was told by garage it’s a common part to go on these cars. 1st my warning light came on saying the battery wasn’t holding a charge. …”
NHTSA complaint #11430245, filed 2021-08“Secure Vehicle from Rolling comes up in instrument cluster and millions of Mini/BMW's have this problem due to a faulty gear shifter selector knob going bad due to a spring in the gear selector box. Annoying because the part fails over time and dealer wants $3000 for the fix. Please help!!”
NHTSA complaint #11514968, filed 2023-04Related service bulletins
- 11021120Jul 30, 2025The automatic transmission limited warranty for the vehicle Selector Lever Magnetic Shift Interlock Mechanism (Gearshift lug assembly portion) has been extended to 10…
- 11006765Aug 12, 2024For the eligible vehicles listed above, the limited warranty for the vehicle’s Selector Lever Magnetic Shift Interlock Mechanism (Gearshift lug assembly portion) has been…
- 11005248Jul 9, 2024For this vehicle, the automatic transmission limited warranty for the vehicle Selector Lever Magnetic Shift Interlock Mechanism (Gearshift lug assembly portion) has been extended…
- 10206695Dec 1, 2021When the vehicle is on a lift and wheels are manually spun, a clanking noise is heard from the transmission area.
- 10190871Mar 1, 2021REPLACING THE CELL MODULE OF HIGHVOLTAGE BATTERY: During the service life of the vehicle, the high-voltage battery may unexpectedly not provide power to the vehicle.
- 10176383May 1, 2020TANK VENTILATION AND MIXTURE CONTROL FAULTS STORED IN THE DME: The Engine Malfunction Warning is illuminated and one or more of the following faults are stored in the DME. All…
- 10216767Apr 1, 2016Engine will not start (no crank). The engine will not crank or the engine loses power while driving, followed by a no crank situation.
- 10216708Apr 1, 2016Mini parts logistics TEC 26 turbo charger return
- 10216709Feb 29, 2016MINI crankshaft guide bearing service action (update 2)
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2017 | 6 | 21% |
| 2016 | 6 | 21% |
| 2015 | 10 | 18% |
| 2014 | 8 | 24% |
| 2013 | 3 | 6% |
| 2012 | 3 | 5% |
| 2011 | 9 | 11% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 5 | 3% |
| 2008 | 12 | 10% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 20 | 10% |
| 2005 | 25 | 7% |
| 2004 | 26 | 9% |
| 2003 | 89 | 28% |
| 2002 | 43 | 23% |
| 2001 | 3 | 50% |
Other parts of the 2016 MINI Cooper
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody 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