Home · 2017 · Mini
2017 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.
23 owner complaints · 3 recalls · data verified July 16, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
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 crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for 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 2017 Mini Clubman, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Transmission & drivetrain (6) · Lights (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Transmission & drivetrain
26%6 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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.”
Lights
22%5 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The left brake light in the bumper intermittently fails. A warning is issued in the dashboard display. Switching bulbs with the properly lighting adjoining bumper tail…”
Brakes
13%3 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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.”
Electrical system
9%2 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“Rear parking brake light in the bumper has caused a short and failed twice, after complete replacement of light assembly.”
Recalls (3)
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 · 16V914000
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.
Risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
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 2017 Mini CLUBMAN beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2017? See how every Clubman model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2017 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.