2017 MINI Clubman recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. The side curtain air bags for the front seat occupants may deploy in the intended positions in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
What could happen: If a side curtain air bag does not inflate as intended in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front seat occupants.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the driver and passenger side curtain air bag covers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 12, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 CLUBMAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized MINI dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V553000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 MINI Clubman vehicles manufactured August 19, 2015, through July 14, 2016. The side curtain air bags for the front seat occupants may deploy in the intended positions in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Consequence: If a side curtain air bag does not inflate as intended in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front seat occupants.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the driver and passenger side curtain air bag covers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 12, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Trailer Hitches
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. The vehicles may have inadequate structure points for the trailer hitch mounting, causing the hitch to sag under to certain loads and possibly separate from the vehicle.
What could happen: If the trailer hitch sags or separates from the vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Curt will notify owners, and dealers will provide a replacement hitch, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2017. Owners may contact Curt customer service at 1-800-798-0813.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 CLUBMAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized MINI dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17E051000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-798-0813.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: TRAILER HITCHES
Summary: Curt Manufacturing LLC (Curt) is recalling certain Class 1 trailer hitches, part number 11451, sold for installation on 2016-2018 Mini Cooper Clubman and Countryman vehicles. The vehicles may have inadequate structure points for the trailer hitch mounting, causing the hitch to sag under to certain loads and possibly separate from the vehicle.
Consequence: If the trailer hitch sags or separates from the vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Curt will notify owners, and dealers will provide a replacement hitch, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2017. Owners may contact Curt customer service at 1-800-798-0813.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
What could happen: 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 CLUBMAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized MINI dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V914000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Consequence: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2017 MINI Clubman owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (6), Lights (5), Brakes (3), Unknown Or Other (3), Electrical system (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
12/29/2025 · Airbags · crash
The contact owned a 2017 Mini Clubman. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH the vehicle in the lane ahead lost control and spun sideways into the path of the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that his vehicle crashed into the driver's door and slightly behind into the cab of the pick up truck. The contact stated that at the moment of…
12/05/2025 · Electrical system
Rear parking brake light in the bumper has caused a short and failed twice, after complete replacement of light assembly.
12/05/2025 · Transmission / drivetrain
There is a defect in the vehicle that is associated with a pervasive design flaw, wherein a spring fails in the gearbox, preventing the car from showing as parked.
08/14/2025 · Electrical system
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Mini Clubman. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for servicing, the dealer informed the contact that based on the Carfax history report, there was a mileage discrepancy; however, the contact did not have the Carfax information available. Additionally, the contact stated that an inspecti…
03/05/2025 · Lights
The contact owns a 2017 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message was displayed that the rear brake light was not functioning. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the body domain controller needed to be replaced. The vehicle…
02/05/2025 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
Component/System That Failed: The oil filter housing cracked, causing a coolant leak. This part was made of plastic, which appears to be a weak point in the design and should ideally be aluminum for durability. Unfortunately, I no longer have the failed part for inspection. Safety Risk: The coolant loss resulted in a sudden loss of heat in freezing tempera…
12/10/2024 · Fuel system
Warning to apply parking brake and contact service. Apparently a common occurrence with automatic transmission with the failure of the gear selection switch.
10/31/2024 · Engine · fire
on 10-15-2024 while i was on my way home my mini caught fire while driving. total loss, i was driving about 65mph and my coworker who travel the same direction flagged me down then calling me to tell me my car was smoking really bad. after i pulled directly over to the side of the road and went to pop the hood and saw nothing but smoke rising up from under…