Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2017 | 6 | 21% | 8,000 miles |
| 2016 | 12 | 29% | — |
| 2013 | 4 | 8% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 7% | 50,000 miles |
| 2011 | 10 | 12% | 88,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 12% | 66,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | 104,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% | 36,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% | 87,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% | 55,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 117,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2017 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while that vehicle was parked, the vehicle was turned on that there was a message on the instrument panel stating that there was a taillight malfunction. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the driver's side rear taillight had not illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's side taillight housing and connector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
1. (Lighting) The front lights of the car kept turning off and on. We would always go to the repair shop every time the lights began to malfunction. (Engine) the oil was sticky which was not normal and the water entered inside. (Brakes) When you turned on the car, noises came from the brakes which were concerning and risky to drive in. 2. This car was risky to drive due to the problems with the oil and brakes. 3. Yes, this problem has already been confirmed by a dealer. 4. No. 5. No.
Rear tail lights have a bulb socket and a 6-pin connector that have a tendency to burn at the brown ground wire where the connector and bulb socket meet. Requiring replacement of both parts and disabling the rear tail light (brake, turn, and reverse lights). It requires rewiring the 6-pin connector and replacing the bulb socket. About $60 in parts. When this occurs it an alert comes on the dash of a malfunction to all three rear lighting functions. One or all three of the lights can be affected. However, due to the complexity of the parts and labor required, it can be burdensome for people to diagnose and then afford to repair, if they don't know how to repair themselves. Web searches helped me diagnose the issue and find the burnt connections on our vehicle, with folks commenting of a known issue on MINIs and BMWs for this type of connection, surprised it hasn't been part of a recall. …
Rear passenger tail light casing/bucket had burnt connections. Replaced casing/bucket and bulb. Worked for short time, tail light failed a second time. Casing/bucket & bulb replaced, again worked for short time and then went out. Took vehicle to another mechanic after passenger side headlight failed. New mechanic checked casings/bucket - connections looked okay, however both wiring harnesses were severely burnt. Headlight harness was all bare wires. Mechanic unable to determine cause of the severe heat that would lead to both the headlight & taillight wiring harnesses becoming burnt so severely. Mechanic was concerned of the potential for this issue to cause vehicle fire. …
The footwell module that controls the lights, brake lights windows and dashboard is faulty on all mini cooper of this module. Every time I change my battery or disconnect it the module brakes and the dealership knows this problem and still want to charge 1300 dollars to fix it it is a safety and hazard issue.
2013 Mini Cooper both right and left tail light assemblies have required replacement at the dealer due to melted plastic adjacent to light bulb contacts. Quoting the dealer service record "found left tag light bulb out and right lower brake light melted. Replaced tag light bulb and right tail light assy." that service was performed at a Mini dealer in 2018. The same problem and same repair was performed at a different Mini dealer in 2017. Similar problems have been reported on this website (NHTSA vehichle complaints), and the problem was familiar to the service personnel at both dealerships. Mini has a standard practice of issuing "warranty extensions" for known "defects in materials or workmanship" which cover the expense (both parts and labor) for replacement and repair as necessary, but does not rise to the level of a full recall. …
i bought the car in august 2023 from carmax they were aware of recall , my car has no headlight, brake lights, door states open when not , windows do not roll down, cannot use alarm, will not lock, smells hot , i spoke with mini cooper and there is no remedy this is my only car i transport my grandchildren to and from school , i lost house due to a fire a yr ago , and lost everything , and see that a fire is at risk. mini cooper says nothing they can do because no remedy, carmax should not of sold this car with a recall .
My car is affected by this recall and I have no turn signals, dash lights, high beams, working windows, security system, or backup sensors. There are also codes thrown which prevents me from renewing my registration due to DEQ test failure. The dealership can't do anything and BMW North America has done nothing to remedy things.
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 MINI Cooper Clubman, Cooper S Clubman and JCW Clubman vehicles. When the affected vehicles are braking and the turn signals are on, the inner, bumper-mounted, brake light will go out.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle to correct the brake lighting, free of charge. The recall began May 22, 2017. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mini Cooper years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (12), 2010 (11), 2011 (10), 2017 (6) and 2009 (5) model years. Headlight complaints make up 29% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Mini Cooper headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 17V-222 (brake lights, Mar 31, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mini Cooper headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the brake lights (2 mentions), followed by the turn signal (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.