Mini

Cooper (2016)

2016 · Subcompact ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.5)
43 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
1 Fire Reports
4 Crash Reports
Includes data from: COOPER HARDTOPCOOPER JCW HARDTOPCOOPER S HARDTOP
View all 17 generations of the Mini Cooper → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl / 189 hp
โœ… Recommended (3.5)
19 complaints 19.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
5
engine
4
electrical
4
transmission
3
other
3

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (5 complaints)
Engine Issues (4 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (4 complaints)

Same engine used in

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1.5-I3-Gas

1.5L 3-cyl / 134 hp
โœ… Recommended (3.5)
18 complaints 18.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
8
transmission
5
exterior
4
electrical
3
steering
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (8 complaints)
Transmission Issues (5 complaints)
Exterior Issues (4 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

Mini Cooper Unidentified Engine

โš ๏ธ Caution (2.6)
6 complaints 6.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
4
transmission
1
steering
1

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (4 complaints)
Transmission Issues (1 complaints)
Steering Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mini Cooper regardless of engine variant.

Exterior Issues (13 complaints)
exterior critical
Engine Issues (12 complaints)
engine moderate
Transmission Issues (6 complaints)
transmission moderate

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2016-2016 Mini Cooper problems?

The 2016-2016 Mini Cooper has accumulated 43 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Exterior, Engine, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mini Cooper engine is most reliable?

The 2016-2016 Mini Cooper was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2016-2016 Mini Cooper a good used car?

The 2016-2016 Mini Cooper can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 43 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016-2016 Mini Cooper have?

The 2016-2016 Mini Cooper has 43 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2016-2016 Mini Cooper?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2016-2016 Mini Cooper vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Mini Cooper?

Before buying a used Mini Cooper, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Exterior, Engine, Transmission, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Cooper?

The 2016 Mini Cooper received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 4 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (11.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 43 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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