Recall 17V222 affects 16,883 2016-2017 MINI Cooper S, Cooper Convertible and Cooper vehicles for a brake-light programming defect. Free repair at any franchised MINI dealer.
MINI is recalling 16,883 2016-2017 Cooper S, Cooper Convertible, and Cooper vehicles because an inner bumper-mounted brake light goes out when the driver brakes with the turn signal on. That lighting failure can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; MINI dealers will correct the brake light issue free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on 2016-2017 MINI Cooper S, Cooper Convertible, and Cooper vehicles are supposed to give drivers behind you a steady red signal every time you press the brake pedal. On these models, the system uses bumper-mounted inner brake lights along with the outer stop lamps to show that the vehicle is slowing or stopped.
The problem is in the lighting control logic, the behavior that decides which lamps stay on during braking and signaling. When an affected MINI is braking with a turn signal on, the inner bumper-mounted brake light goes out instead of staying steadily lit. That means the stop-lamp setup does not fully meet the steady-burning requirement in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108.
There is no warning sign before failure. You will not feel a change in braking, and the outer brake lights still work, so the issue is easiest to miss unless someone checks the rear lamps while the brake pedal and turn signal are both active.
Who's affected?
Cooper S, Cooper Convertible, and Cooper are listed across the 2016 and 2017 model years, all tied to the same brake-light component.
| 2017 MINI Cooper S | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2016 MINI Cooper S | Brake lights |
| 2016 MINI Cooper Convertible | Brake lights |
| 2017 MINI Cooper | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 16,883 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
When the brake light does not illuminate during turn-signal use, drivers behind you can read the signal incorrectly and react late, increasing the risk of a crash. Schedule the reprogramming promptly, and use extra space when slowing or turning until the repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 MINI Cooper S, Cooper Convertible, or Cooper is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised MINI dealer to schedule the free vehicle reprogramming that corrects the brake-light issue when a turn signal is on.
- Bring the recall notice if MINI mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V222 when you call.
- Call MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 if the dealer cannot confirm the campaign or appointment timing.
- Drive cautiously until the repair, since a brake light can go out while a turn signal is activated.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a MINI technician reprograms the vehicle software so the inner, bumper-mounted brake light stays on when the driver brakes with the turn signals active. The recall repair is free. MINI has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related brake light correction before the recall repair. Bring repair invoices and proof of payment to the service desk, or contact MINI customer service to ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 31, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 31, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| May 19, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 22, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V222?
Recall 17V222 covers 16,883 2016-2017 MINI Cooper S, Cooper Convertible, and Cooper vehicles with a brake-light software issue. When braking with a turn signal on, the inner bumper-mounted brake light goes out. MINI dealers will reprogram the vehicle for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 MINI Cooper S, Cooper Convertible, or Cooper is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific MINI is included in recall 17V222. If it is, contact a franchised MINI dealer to schedule the brake-light reprogramming. Reference recall 17V222 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. MINI dealers will reprogram the vehicle to correct the brake-light operation free of charge, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V222?
The risk is reduced brake-light visibility when the turn signal is active. If the inner brake light goes out while braking, other drivers can misread your vehicle's movement, increasing the risk of a crash. The fix is a free dealer reprogramming.
When were owners notified about recall 17V222?
MINI began the recall on May 22, 2017. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, the notice history is not enough. Check your VIN, then call a franchised MINI dealer with recall 17V222.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V222000 |
|---|---|
| MINI customer service | 1-866-825-1525 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V222 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V222000 |
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →