Home · 2016 · Mini
2016 Mini Clubman
Solid pick. The complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
18 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 16, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Complaints are still coming in strong late in this car's life, a chronic-problem pattern, not early teething.
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA hasn’t published a crash-test rating for this model year. That’s common for lower-volume or older models. It doesn’t mean the car is unsafe, just that this program hasn’t tested it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Mini Clubman, plotted where owners report it happening.
Lights
22%4 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND REAR LIGHTS ON BUMPER ARE NON FUNCTIONAL WHEN BREAKING”
Brakes
22%4 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“REAR BUMPER BRAKE & TAIL LIGHTS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. UNINSTALLING AND REINSTALLING BUMPER LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND BULBS MAY TEMPORARILY SOLVE THE ISSUE. LIGHT ASSEMBLY I…”
Engine
22%4 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“This vehicle has the same environmental air catalyst sensor as in the recall SIM 01 05 20 from the NTHSA however the engine number is different and isn't therefore cov…”
Electrical system
22%4 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“This vehicle has the same environmental air catalyst sensor as in the recall SIM 01 05 20 from the NTHSA however the engine number is different and isn't therefore cov…”
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Trailer Hitches · 17E051000
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.
Risk: If the trailer hitch sags or separates from the vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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.
Air Bags · 16V553000
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."
Risk: 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.
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.
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Mini CLUBMAN beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every Clubman model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Mini Clubman against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.