2017 MINI Cooper: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2017 MINI Cooper: 3 recalls, 28 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #16V747000 · 2016 · 15,455 vehicles
What's wrong: The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt emergency locking retractor (elr) for the driver's seat May not lock as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Why it matters: In the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the emergency locking retractor (elr) May activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V914000 · 2016 · 3,506 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that May fail to ignite during a crash.
Why it matters: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #17V222000 · 2017 · 16,883 vehicles
What's wrong: When the affected vehicles are braking and the turn signals are on, the inner, bumper-mounted, brake light will go out. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: If the brake light does not illuminate when a turn signal is activated, other drivers May be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mini will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle to correct the brake lighting, free of charge. The recall began May 22, 2017.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Exterior lights (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (6): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (6): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2), warning light on (2).
- Electrical (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2017 MINI Cooper has 28 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 26 Cooper model years for complaints (well below the 86 average). Complaints peaked in 2023 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 7,972 miles. Neighboring years: 2016 (28 complaints, 1 recalls), 2018 (8 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 3-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 32 | Premium |
| 1.5 L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 30 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2017 MINI Cooper.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2017 MINI Cooper have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2017 MINI Cooper. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2017 MINI Cooper problems?
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are exterior lights (6), engine (6), transmission & drivetrain (6).
What gas mileage does the 2017 MINI Cooper get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (1.5 L, Manual 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2017 MINI Cooper repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.