Mini Cooper s countryman problems

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The Mini Countryman, also called Mini Crossover in Japan, is a subcompact crossover SUV, the first vehicle of this type to be launched by BMW under the Mini marque. It was launched in 2010 and received a facelift in 2014. The second generation vehicle was released in 2017.

Pre-production concepts

The Mini Crossover Concept previewed the design of the Countryman. It has four doors (2 right swing open, 1 left swing open, 1 left lift/sliding) and four single seats. It was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

The 2010 Mini Beachcomber Concept was based on the Crossover Concept and the Mini Countryman, with no doors and no conventional roof. It included ALL4 all-wheel drive and offroad wheels. It was unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.

photo of Mini Cooper s countryman car production

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Mini Cooper s countryman model years

mini cooper s countryman 2012 photo
Cooper s countryman 2012
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Cooper s countryman 2011
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Common Mini Cooper s countryman problems

Mini Cooper Countryman owners have reported several common problems, including engine fires, transmission issues, sunroof explosions, engine overheating, and internal oil leaks.

Engine fires are a significant concern, especially in the 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman. Reports indicate that the sunroof of this model can shatter, causing an exploding sound, which can be quite alarming for the vehicle's occupants. Replacing the sunroof with shatterproof glass is the recommended solution to this issue.

Transmission problems are also common in numerous Mini Cooper Countryman models. These issues can manifest as abnormal noises, delayed shifting, excessive vibrations, and acceleration jumps. Experts recommend checking the transmission regularly to prevent these problems from escalating.

The 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman has been reported to have an engine that tends to overheat, causing symptoms like illuminated check engine lights, coolant leakage, blown head gaskets, etc. The overheating issue is caused by faulty core plugs and coolant leaks.

Internal oil leaks are another noteworthy problem with the 2012 Countryman. Unlike common oil leaks, this issue is hard to detect outside the car. The internal oil leak drips through the wiring sheath and may reach the electronic control unit (ECU), causing a short circuit and severe damage.

The 2011, 2012, and 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman models have been reported to have serious safety hazards, including engine failures, fires, and other hazardous defects. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid these year models.

The 2014 Mini Cooper Countryman has been reported to have issues with the tie rods, crankshaft sensor, swivel bearings, and crash protection plate. These issues can lead to emergency reduced power mode, fractures in the swivel bearings, and a missing crash protection plate in 1.5-litre petrol models.

In conclusion, while the Mini Cooper Countryman is a reliable SUV with a 3.5 out of 5.0 reliability score from RepairPal, it is essential to be aware of these common problems, especially if you are considering purchasing a used Mini Cooper Countryman. Regular maintenance and checks can help prevent these issues from escalating and ensure the longevity of the vehicle.

Mini Cooper s countryman

How reliable is the Mini Cooper Countryman S?

With proper maintenance, the Mini Cooper Countryman can last over 150,000 miles with little to no problems. Some of the top Mini Cooper Countryman problems include transmission problems, clutch issues, and an exploding sunroof.

What are common faults with Mini Countryman?

MINI Countryman Common Problems and Solutions

  • Fuel pump failure. Problem: The high pressure fuel pump on the 1.6L petrol engine is known for failing. ...
  • Engine rattling noise. Problem: Have you been hearing a rattling noise coming from the engine? ...
  • Temperature sensor failure. Problem: ...
  • Erratic engine idling. Problem:

What year is the Mini Cooper Countryman to avoid?

Quick Answer: Avoid MINI Countryman Year Models 2011 - 2013

Even though most MINI Countryman models are highly reliable, the 2011, 2012, and 2013 models have serious safety hazards. We recommend avoiding these year models as they have been reported as having engine failures, fires, and other hazardous defects.

What is the life expectancy of a Mini Countryman?

131,000mi

What is Mini Countryman lifespan? The estimated lifespan of a Mini Countryman is 131,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Mini Cooper s countryman years

We have researched Mini problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Mini Cooper s countryman cars and compiled the top 2 most problematic Mini Cooper s countryman model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Mini Cooper s countryman model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Mini Cooper s countryman years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Mini Cooper s countryman car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Mini Cooper s countryman , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Electrical system problems
  • Engine problems
  • Power train problems
  • Unknown or other problems
  • Air bags problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Mini Cooper s countryman vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Cooper s countryman model years

There were a total of 7 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 64 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Mini Cooper s countryman . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Mini Cooper s countryman vehicles.

Latest 25 complaints

Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-10-20
  • Date Complaint: 2024-08-09
  • VIN: WMWZC3C54CW
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse(R) and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice and a dealer once however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
  • Date Complaint: 2024-08-05
  • VIN: WMWSV3C54CT
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the headlights, turn signals, windows, and the radio were inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted, and it was diagnosed that there was no water leaking into the vehicle from the roof. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a claim for the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-02-04
  • Date Complaint: 2024-08-02
  • VIN: WMWZC5C52CW
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
  • Summary: Oil keeps leaking back into motor and many car repair companies keep saying this is common and they won’t repair it because it’s not worth it also on another side the hood latch keeps breaking
Mini Cooper s countryman 2011
  • Date Of Incident: 2020-05-30
  • Date Complaint: 2024-05-09
  • VIN: WMWZC5C54BW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the battery became drained. The contact replaced the battery. The contact stated that after replacing the battery, the turn signals and brake lights failed to work as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to get the vehicle shipped to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-06-30
  • Date Complaint: 2024-04-18
  • VIN: WMWSV3C56CT
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle after 15 minutes and continued driving; however, the failure recurred after exiting the highway. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump plausibility pressure was significantly low due to footwell control module failure. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-04
  • Date Complaint: 2024-04-15
  • VIN: WMWSV3C55CT
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while merging onto a highway at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the failure was an electrical failure. The battery and the main fuse box were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 121,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-08
  • Date Complaint: 2024-04-08
  • VIN: WMWSV3C54CT
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the windows failed to roll down. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlights, the hazard lights, and the turn signals were inoperable. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated and the message "Light Malfunction, Contact Dealer" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-15
  • Date Complaint: 2023-10-19
  • VIN: WMWSV3C58CT
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed the turn signals were inoperable. The contact stated that the power switches to unlock or lock the doors were inoperable, and the power window switches were also inoperable. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-10-05
  • Date Complaint: 2023-10-05
  • VIN: WMWSV3C54CT
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-04-02
  • Date Complaint: 2023-10-02
  • VIN: WMWSV3C50CT
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the turn signals were engaged but failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that warning lights indicated that the gas cap and trunk were opened, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that the windows failed to roll down, and the headlights and the fog lights were inoperable. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed to determine whether the failure was related to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-07-23
  • Date Complaint: 2023-07-24
  • VIN: WMWZC5C5XCW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contacted stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the headlights, turn signals, horn, window regulators, and door locks became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-03-27
  • Date Complaint: 2023-03-27
  • VIN: WMWSV3C59CT
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Nothing has failed yet, however, the oil stick is completely illegible. On a car that fails to have an electronic dipstick and likes to burn oil, as well as has a very small oil capacity (Around 5 liters or less) this design is going to cause the engine to run out of oil without the driver knowing. It is a seriously bad design, especially combined with BMW recommending a 10,000 mile oil change, the car will burn off all the oil it has and operator will have no idea due to the faulty design of the dipstick. I generally like BMWS engineering and designs, but this one is just atrocious and I have no idea how it got approved. Running a car out of oil usually causes the engine seize unless you shut it off at the right time, which, most people will not do. Imagine if your engine seizes on the highway? No it hasn't been inspected, I can send pictures of it, if you want? Or a video? I have not had this problem yet (knock on wood) but I have read the only warning sign, is the sound of an engine without oil and the oil pressure light comes on (which at that point you have maybe 3s to pull over and shut off the engine before it toasts the engine) I have also read about the engines consuming the entire oil capacity if you follow the BMW recommended schedule. It all just seems like a huge oversight for a company that usually has few issues.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2022-02-22
  • Date Complaint: 2022-04-24
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: WMWZC3C5XCW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Fire observed starting in the engine compartment from a red hot glowing spot on the auxiliary water pump, an electric powered pump on the front of the engine. The purpose of the auxiliary water pump is to continue to pump coolant through the turbocharger even after the engine was shut off. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company after the inspection by the dealer created an estimate too high for the repairs to be made. Report of this incident to the phone no of BMW/MiniCooper customer service had no favorable response. They blamed the US Government for not including this VIN in the recalls for this fire caused by the auxiliary water pump.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2011
  • Date Of Incident: 2022-04-08
  • Date Complaint: 2022-04-19
  • VIN: WMWZC3C52BW
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated while parked there was white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the battery and CS module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Date Of Incident: 2021-01-17
  • Date Complaint: 2021-03-19
  • VIN: WMWZC3C50CW
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL PACKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,421.

Recalls Mini Cooper s countryman

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the Mini Cooper s countryman.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Mini Cooper s countryman 2012
  • Report Received Date: 2018-04-18
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
  • Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
  • Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
  • Model: Mini Cooper s countryman 2011
  • Report Received Date: 2018-04-18
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
  • Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
  • Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
  • Model: Mini Cooper s countryman 2011
  • Report Received Date: 2012-01-11
  • Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
  • Summary: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.
  • Consequence: THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
  • Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

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