10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,400 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Mini Cooper engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Mini Cooper Owner Comments

problem #10

Jan 132025

Cooper

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Drivetrain error occurred. I pulled codes and found P0015. I added oil, cleared code. The next day the drivetrain error popped back up. Pulled codes and found P0366. I took the vehicle to mechanic for diagnostics and to find the issue. They found faults: 130F11 and 120408. When replacing engine oil and filter, they found metal shavings in the oil; bearing material. They are recommending replacing the engine. Doing research, it appears this has been a common occurrence with these vehicles/engines. Is there a current recall on some of these engines, or a possibility for a discounted replacement due to the issues being widespread? The car has less than 74,000 miles, and the mechanic said it looks like it may have been going on a while. I purchased this car from a used dealership less than 3 months ago, and have already encountered so many unexpected issues. I really expected more from the Mini brand. Thanks.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #9

Nov 232024

Cooper

  • miles
There have been thousands upon thousands of failures of the oil cooler/oil filter housing on all BMW/MINI B46/B48 2.0T engines. This problem dates back to 2014 when BMW issued a stop sale order and recall on the 2014 MINI Cooper with both the 1.5L I3 (B38) and 2.0L I4 (B48) engines. Since 2014, the engine has been installed in over two million vehicles sold in the United States under the BMW, MINI, Karma, and Toyota brands. There is a defect with the oil cooler/oil filter housing that leads to coolant and oil leaks due to the plastic housing failing after being heat cycled a certain number of times. It has gotten so bad that numerous aftermarket metal replacement parts exist to try and prevent this issue from recurring. Due to the placement of the part on the engine, the repair costs up to $3000. Failures are occurring on vehicles with as little as 30,000 miles, but vast majority between 50,000-80,000 miles. Due to the loss of both oil and coolant, a fire risk exists. Coolant can come in contact with electrical components and cause a short, while the oil can begin to drip onto hot engine or exhaust parts. This is a dangerous hazard that should be recalled. BMW should refit affected engines with a more durable component. Below I have included a link to the original NHTSA stop-sale from 2014. [XXX] I-??ve also included links to various forums and news articles about this issue. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] / [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Zebulon, NC, USA

problem #8

Aug 012023

Cooper

  • miles
Had recurring engine warning light which will only reset for one ignition cycle. Took to dealer to read code and result was "LIN bus communication fault for environmental air catalyst sensor". This is the same problem drivers of the Mini Cooper S model have reported and received an extended warranty from Mini of North America (15 year / 150000 mi) with replacement of sensor and radiator. However, talking with Mini of North America, the extended warranty does not apply to the base model 5-door Cooper because not enough complaints have been recorded. If more people report this issue, it could be covered just as the S-model is being covered. In the meantime, the car will not pass an emissions inspection with the light on, and Mini dealer wants $2000 to replace radiator and sensor. Car currently has about 70,000 miles on it, but engine light as been on for approximately 15 months (emissions inspection is required every 24 months). I have a decent code reader, but it only provides "U019D generic code" which is why I took it to Mini dealer.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #7

Jun 132024

Cooper

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Mini service adviser said the timing case cover is seeping and will continue to get worse until the seep becomes a leak and the oil starts dripping onto the manifold, potentially creating a fire. It is at the seepage stage now and therefore my extended warranty will not fix it. My Mini service adviser said she doesn-??t think it is dangerous yet but I have to keep an eye on it as this is a common problem on Minis. They quoted me a price of $934 to replace the timing case cover itself. I researched the problem online and found this is a common problem and will need my attention to ensure it doesn-??t get dangerous before I-??m able to get it repaired.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #6

Feb 122024

Cooper

  • miles
Notes from Beckley Auto Service from 2-12-24. "Verified warning light on, retrieved one code for LIN bus communication fault for environmental air catalyst sensor. Checked and found technical service bulletin (TSB) from Mini Cooper M13 01 19. The chemical composition of the fan shroud contaminates the sensor. This repair involves the replacing of the radiator with each sensor and fan shroud. Should be covered under Mini Coopers emissions warranty. Called Mini Cooper of Des Moines(Jerimiah) and was advised that this vehicle does not have and extended parts warranty/warranty extension on the environmental sensor. Would recommend contacting Mini Cooper Customer service or Mini Cooper North America for assistance." I did contact Mini Cooper customer service North America and was told my vin does not fall within this TSB. When asked why my vehicle with the identical engine and issues specified in the TSB is not covered I was told, "I don't know."

- Ankeny, IA, USA

problem #5

Aug 242022

Cooper

  • miles
Transmission-get message when opening car door to put parking brake on to secure vehicle from rolling-?? Car does not roll, goes into gear with no problem-?? on the mini message board a lot of owners getting the same message-??.

- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA

problem #4

Aug 072021

Cooper

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The harmonic balancer aka crank damper went on my 2016 4dr hardtop 1.5L Mini Cooper. Has 73,000 miles on it. It has been sitting at a garage now for almost a month waiting for bmw to have the part in stock (tentative date avail. Sept.20, making it 2months wait time) tried every possible 3rd party parts dealer & not 1 harmonic balancer is to be found. I was told this part had already needed to be upgraded & modified making it a faulty part to begin with. Was told by garage it-??s a common part to go on these cars. 1st my warning light came on saying the battery wasn-??t holding a charge. Beings that I was 2 blocks from my house I drove there & as I was getting to my house another warning came on saying -??carefully pull over & let engine cool-?? so I parked it & had it towed to garage to avoid any other issues.

- Mahanoy City , PA, USA

problem #3

May 202021

Cooper

  • miles
Check engine light comes on. The vehicle is giving code 1b8302. This code is for environmental air sensor BUS communication error. There is an extended warranty issued by Mini for other models for the exact same issue. Dealership/Mini will not cover the cost to repair my vehicle as it has been excluded from the extended warranty. I would like to highlight again that the warranty was issued for the same issue I am experiencing. I have the same engine and the vehicle was manufactured during the same years the warranty was issued for. My vehicle has less than 44,0000 miles on it. There is clearly a defect. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide in holding Mini accountable.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #2

Apr 292020

Cooper

  • 41,000 miles
The contact owned 2016 MINICooper S. contact stated that while his wife was driving at 40 mph, without warning an smoke appeared on the front passenger side under the hood. The contact stated his wife pulled to the side of the road and exited the vehicle before the whole vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the flames and a fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage lot and deemed a totaled lost. The manufacturer was contacted and sent a field inspector whom could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer motor city MINI29929 telegraph rd. Southfield, mi 48034) was contacted and informed the contact that fire was not covered under the warranty. The dealer did not inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximant 41,000.

- Grand Raids, MI, USA

problem #1

Mar 012018

Cooper

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 MINICooper S. while driving 35 mph, the check engine and oil warning indicators illuminated. Also, the instrument panel alerted the contact to shut off the engine. The contact stated that the oil dipstick showed that there was no oil in the engine. The vehicle was towed to MINIof ft. Myers (located at 13880 S tamiami trail, fort myers, fl 33908, (239) 205-7816) where it was determined that the oil consumption was normal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

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