2017 MINI Cooper Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 21%of 28 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,586miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2017 MINI Cooper, 21% of the 28 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,586 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“I recently test drove a Mini Cooper clubman s. I did not like the vehicle, and one of the reasons is the way the lighting (front and rear) is designed. The rear of the car has very large lights that go across the 'barn doors' that appear to be brake lights. When I was at the dealership I noticed another clubman in the parking lot being parked wasn't lighting up the large lights as it slowly backed into a parking space. Upon further examination I realized the large lights on the rear doors actually do not light up when braking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10874574, filed 2016-06, 22 miles“I have only two weeks with my new car, and absolutely love it! However, there appears to be a safety issue with the brake lights. On two occasions, trucks have rode up on my tail and had to almost slam their brakes before winding up inside the trunk/boot. At the time, I just thought these were inattentive drivers. However, I had read on a forum someone else too pointed out a similar instance. If one looks at the back of the clubman, there are large red lights on the rear of the barn doors. This is what appears to be brake lights and the 'focal point' that the drivers behind you are watching. …”
NHTSA complaint #10872763, filed 2016-06, 1,200 miles“The contact owns a 2017 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while that vehicle was parked, the vehicle was turned on that there was a message on the instrument panel stating that there was a taillight malfunction. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the driver’s side rear taillight had not illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver’s side taillight housing and connector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11515234, filed 2023-04, 60,000 miles“1. (Lighting) The front lights of the car kept turning off and on. We would always go to the repair shop every time the lights began to malfunction. (Engine) the oil was sticky which was not normal and the water entered inside. (Brakes) When you turned on the car, noises came from the brakes which were concerning and risky to drive in. 2. This car was risky to drive due to the problems with the oil and brakes. 3. Yes, this problem has already been confirmed by a dealer. 4. No. 5. No.”
NHTSA complaint #11516980, filed 2023-04Related recalls
- 17V222000Mar 31, 2017BMW 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…Covers: MINI Cooper 2017, Cooper S 2016–2017, Cooper Convertible 2016
Related service bulletins
- 10234352Mar 1, 2023The buttons on the gear selector switch (GWS) do not work, or the function indicator lighting has failed.
- 10233170Feb 1, 2023Ambient lighting changes color after the vehicle goes to sleep.
- 10159156Mar 1, 2019SERVICE ACTION: REWORK TAIL LIGHTS. The tail light mounting brackets may be cracked or broken. During assembly oil may have contaminated the plastic housing of the rear tail…
- 10154764Feb 1, 2018SERVICE ACTION REWORK TAIL LIGHTS. The tail light mounting brackets may be cracked or broken. During assembly; oil may have contaminated the plastic housing of the rear tail…
- 10146668Apr 1, 2017SERVICE COVER FOR THE REAR LIGHT IS LOOSE. Mounting position of service cover is too low and clearance dimensions between the cover and door are too tight.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 21% |
| 2016 | 8 | 29% |
| 2013 | 3 | 6% |
| 2012 | 5 | 8% |
| 2011 | 9 | 11% |
| 2010 | 11 | 12% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2017 MINI Cooper
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 MINI Cooper
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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