What 18 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Mini Cooper Countryman

2015 and 2016 Hard top Mini Coopers, Standard (F55) are prone to their environmental air catalyst sensor breaking, causing a check engine light and emissions issues. The remedy is replacing the entire radiator. This occurred on my vehicle at only 40,000 miles. MINI is aware of the issue, but only issued an extended warranty for "S" (or 4-cylinder) models, despite the 3-cylinder base model containing the same radiator sensors with the same defects. [XXX] This extended warranty should cover base models with the same parts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11745527

The rear brake lights and rear signal indicator lights keep going in and out arbitrarily. It's dangerous because it will work fine and then just randomly stop working and then work again. People can't tell if I'm stopping or turning when this randomly occurs. This is currently not a recall on my Mini, however, I saw that it is a recall on other Minis and it seems mine is having the same issue so it's possible they all have similar or the same faulty wiring/electrical for the brake lights and signal indicator lights.

NHTSA ODI 11678331

The contact owns a 2016 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power; however, the contact was able to safely pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the failure had since become a regular occurrence. Several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was water damage within the footwell control module, and water damage to the ignition control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 11540106

The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated that his daughter was informed by an independent mechanic that the vehicle could be started without the ignition key. The contact stated that his daughter tested the vehicle while the keys remained in the residence with him. The contact stated that his daughter was able to start and drive the vehicle without the ignition key. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact's daughter that she would be responsible for the cost of the diagnostic test and repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11432812

ON FEBRUARY 8, 2021 9:00AM DROVE MINI APPROXIMATELY 24 MILES, RETURNED HOME. PARKED CAR, TURNED OFF ENGINE, WENT INTO HOUSE AND LESS THAN 3 MINUTES LATER, NEIGHBOR SAYS MY ENGINE IS SMOKING FROM UNDER HOOD. WITHIN SECONDS IT WENT FROM HEAVY, WHITE SMOKE TO FIRE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AND ENGULFED FRONT OF VEHICLE, BREAKING WINDSHIELD, MELTING TIRES. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS THAT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, NO SMELLS, NOTHING TO WARN OF IMPENDING FIRE. LUCKILY, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF HOME RATHER THAN IN COVERED GARAGE. I KEPT A HOSE GOING ON HOOD AND SURROUNDING BUSHES TO KEEP FIRE FROM ESCALATING TO BUILDINGS OR HILLSIDE UNTIL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE MINI WAS KEPT IN GOOD WORKING ORDER, ALL MAINTENANCE DONE ON TIME. SO LUCKY WE WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT OCCURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS CONSIDERED UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11398268

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 MINI COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY HIS WIFE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHILE PARKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED BMW PAID THE DEDUCTIBLE FOR HIS DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE BUT NOT THE OTHER CAR OR HOUSE. * FD REPORT CONCLUSION: UNDERTERMINED- DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE INVESTIGATORS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE PROBABLITY EXISTS THAT DUE TO THE BEADED BATTERY CABLE FOUND THAT A SHORT ENSURED THUS CAUSING THE FIRE. THERE IS ALSO A PROBABILITY THAT A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/ FAILURE ENSUED, BUT INVESTIGATORS WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THIS WAS A CAUSE, DUE TO THE OWNER STATEMENTS RECORDED IN NYPD INTERVIEWS THAT SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 9/25/18*JP

NHTSA ODI 11101782