The buttons on the gear selector switch (GWS) do not work, or the function indicator lighting has failed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 MINI Clubman lighting problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
When does it fail?
Of the 5 lighting complaints filed for the 2017 MINI Clubman, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Ambient lighting changes color after the vehicle goes to sleep.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE COVER FOR THE REAR LIGHT IS LOOSE. Mounting position of service cover is too low and clearance dimensions between the cover and door are too tight.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 lamp corrects the issue temporarily. The brake light will operate properly and the dash warning will reset. At some point, the fault reoccurs.
Problem 1. A bug is inside of tail lamp (right) 2. A lot of dead bug's debris and dust are on the housing of both tail lamps. (right and left) the dealership service said the issue cannot be covered by warranty because the bugs would be considered an outside influences. In my knowledge, the bug inside of the tail lamp cannot be considered an outside influences, such as weather or…
I have a melted socket and exposed wire for my right headlight bulb (high/low beam malfunction error). The whole headlight is cloudy which I assume is from when the socket melted/burned up. I have no functioning headlight on the right side, though the turn signal still works. I disconnected the bulb from the socket so that it doesn't keep burning. There are no issues with the left headlight.…
The contact owns a 2017 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message was displayed that the rear brake light was not functioning. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the body domain controller needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating…
The contact owns a 2017 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the rear passenger’s side brake light wiring harness had melted which led to a defective brake light. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the taillight was replaced. The contact stated that after the last failure the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
Had lighting trouble with your 2017 MINI Clubman?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2017 MINI Clubman?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 51,665 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/MINI/Clubman.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.