Recall 16V553 affects 7,810 2016-2017 MINI Clubman vehicles for side-curtain air bag cover defects. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
MINI is recalling 7,810 2016-2017 Clubman vehicles because the front side curtain air bags can fail to inflate as intended in a crash. That failure increases injury risk for front seat occupants, and MINI dealers will repair the air bag system free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The side curtain air bag in a 2016-2017 MINI Clubman is a fabric air bag stored along the roof rail above the side windows. In a crash, it is supposed to inflate downward like a curtain. Its job is to help keep front-seat occupants away from the side glass and help reduce the chance of ejection under FMVSS 226.
On affected Clubman vehicles, the fabric cover over the side curtain air bag was pre-perforated incorrectly during supplier production. That cover is supposed to tear in the right place as the air bag deploys. If the perforation is wrong, the front area of the curtain along the A-pillar can deploy out of position, so the air bag does not provide the ejection-mitigation coverage MINI intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the air bag fabric cover, so an owner is not expected to hear, see, or feel it during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2016 MINI Clubman | side air bag |
|---|---|
| 2017 MINI Clubman | side air bag |
| Units affected | 7,810 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific wagon is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the side curtain air bag does not inflate as designed in a crash, front seat occupants face a higher risk of injury. There is no warning sign listed before a crash reveals the problem, so confirm your VIN and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 MINI Clubman is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised MINI dealer to schedule the free side curtain air bag cover modification that helps the front side curtain air bags inflate as intended.
- Bring the recall notice if MINI mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V553 when you call.
- Drive with extra caution until the repair is complete, since a side curtain air bag that does not inflate as intended increases injury risk in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a MINI technician modifies the driver and passenger side curtain air bag covers so the front seat side curtain air bags deploy in the intended positions during a crash. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid for a related air bag cover repair before the recall notice, MINI's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses for eligible repairs. Bring your receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 21, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| July 25, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| September 9, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 12, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V553?
Recall 16V553 covers 7,810 2016-2017 MINI Clubman vehicles with front side curtain air bag covers that can keep the air bags from inflating as intended in a crash. MINI dealers will modify the driver and passenger side curtain air bag covers for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 MINI Clubman is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Clubman is included in recall 16V553. If it is, contact a franchised MINI dealer to schedule the side curtain air bag cover modification. Reference recall number 16V553 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and MINI dealers will modify the driver and passenger side curtain air bag covers free of charge. Parts and labor are covered by the recall.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V553?
The risk is injury protection in a crash. If a front side curtain air bag does not inflate as intended, front seat occupants face an increased risk of injury. The repair path is to have a MINI dealer modify the affected air bag covers for free.
What if I bought my MINI Clubman used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2016-2017 MINI Clubman is included, then call a franchised MINI dealer and reference recall number 16V553.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V553000 |
|---|---|
| MINI customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V553 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V553000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →