2017 Mini Countryman problems

mini logo

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.

2017 Mini Countryman

Social links

Common 2017 Mini Countryman problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Mini Countryman 2017, here are some common problems with this car:

  1. Tie Rods Issue: Some Mini Countryman vehicles made between March and April 2019 had tie rods on the front suspension that were not assembled correctly. This issue required affected cars to be checked by a Mini dealer for rectification.
  2. Crankshaft Sensor Problem: Certain Mini Countryman models built between May and June 2018 experienced a problem with the crankshaft sensor. This issue could lead to the engine going into an emergency reduced power mode, limiting performance. Owners were advised to have the sensor replaced by a Mini dealer if their vehicle was affected.
  3. Swivel Bearings Defect: Vehicles manufactured between April and May 2018 had a manufacturing flaw with the swivel bearings on the front suspension. Over time, this flaw could lead to fractures in the part. Owners were recommended to contact their Mini dealer to determine if their car was affected by this issue.
  4. Crash Protection Plate Missing: This problem applied to 1.5-litre petrol models produced between January 2017 and May 2018. In these vehicles, a plate designed to protect the high-pressure fuel pump in case of a collision was not installed at the factory. Owners of affected cars needed to have this plate retrofitted at a dealer to address the issue.

These common problems with the Mini Countryman 2017 highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any issues that may arise to ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.

2017 Mini Countryman engine

Is Mini Countryman 2017 reliable?

This generation of the Countryman did very well in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, coming sixth out of 22 cars in the small SUV class with a great overall score of 97.7%.

What are common faults with Mini Countryman?

Transmission problems - Numerous Countryman models are susceptible to transmission issues. Common symptoms include abnormal noises, delayed shifting, excessive vibrations, and acceleration jumps. Experts recommend checking the transmission regularly.

Is Mini Countryman a reliable car?

The Countryman has actually placed in the top spot for reliability on some popular surveys, while driver reviews are also positive. The Countryman seems to be a great indication that Mini has left behind any reliability issues it had in earlier years.

Which Mini Countryman engine is best?

Best Mini Countryman engine

The best engine for the Countryman is the Cooper - it might not sound like much, as it's only a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, but the turbocharger means that there's plenty of performance. It's quiet, fun to use, reasonably efficient and the best value for money. Expect around 40mpg.

2017 Mini Countryman car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mini Countryman problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Fuel system problems
  • Gasoline problems
  • Suspension problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Latches/locks/linkages problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2017 Mini Countryman vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2017 Mini Countryman complaints

The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2017 Mini Countryman.

2023-03-31

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-03-22
  • VIN: WMZYS7C32H3
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: The contacts wife owns a 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the vehicle stalled while refueling. The contact stated that the vehicle made abnormal sounds while restarting, and often took 30-seconds to start operating normally. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions with the engine running and attempting to refuel the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled, and the contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after 15 minutes. The vehicle was not diagnosed of repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,500.
2022-08-15

SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-07-31
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: WMZYV5C30H3
  • Components: SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: On 3/24/22 I was driving on the highway at approximately 1:30am my car made a loud noise and dropped down a bit on the front passenger side. At the same there was a cloud of smoke that came up from the same side. I pulled my car slowly off into the breakdown lane. Got out of my car to see what happened. The passenger tire was blown out. Had the car towed to Bedford, NH mini. They determined the Right front Coil Spring had snapped and a piece of it blew out the tire. Of note, I had not hit a pothole. They replaced it. I returned to the same place within a week because I heard creaking in the same area of that coil Spring. They inspected it and said it was fine. Between that time and the electrical fire I had the front light bulb on the passenger side replaced as it had burned out. On 7/31 at approximately 5:30am I had called valet parking to bring my car around at the Hotel I had stayed at. My friend noticed that light bulb on the passenger was once again burned out. We got in the car and I noticed the smell of smoke. I looked at my dash quickly and saw nothing. Then I saw smoke coming up from under my hood. Got out to check and noticed flames under my hood. I quickly alerted the desk clerk to call 911. It took approximately 3 minutes for them to arrive. By then the front right end was fully engulfed ing flames.
2022-07-13

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-04-22
  • VIN: WMZYV5C37H3
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side door latch failed to latch as designed. The contact stated that he taped the door closed while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as a defective latch. The contact stated that the door lock actuator and the striker were replaced. The contact stated that a month later the front driver's side failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the door lock actuator and door assembly were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
2022-01-31

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-01-31
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: WMZYS7C38H3
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Mini Countryman. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle cabin was emitting a smoke odor. The contact stated the rear passenger side taillight malfunction warning message was displayed. The contact mentioned that the socket was melted when he replaced the rear passenger bulb. The contact spoke with a local dealer and they were informed to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact was concerned that his vehicle could potentially catch on fire due to the failure being experienced. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. Consumer while driving stated rear/ brake and directional light went out.
2020-07-25

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-07-16
  • VIN: WMZYT5C31H3
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
  • Summary: THE AUXILIARY COOLING RADIATOR WAS PUNCTURED BY A FOREIGN OBJECT, RESULTING IN LEAKING COOLANT AND ENGINE OVERHEAT. THE RADIATOR IS LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER, WITH A LARGE OPENING AND NO PROTECTION, LEAVING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE FROM ROCKS OR EVEN LARGE ENOUGH INSECTS WHILE DRIVING. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING MY ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, AND THE NEED TO PULL OVER AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED.

2017 Mini Countryman recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2017 Mini Countryman.

2018-08-23
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
  • Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017-2019 MINI Cooper Countryman vehicles. These vehicles may be missing a crash protection plate near the high pressure fuel pump, which may result in a fuel leak in the event of a crash.
  • Consequence: Without the crash protection plate, in the event of a crash, the fuel pump can become damaged, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will install a crash protection plate, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 22, 2018. Owners will receive a second notification when the repair is available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
2017-09-17
  • Manufacturer: Curt Manufacturing LLC
  • Components: TRAILER HITCHES
  • Summary: Curt Manufacturing LLC (Curt) is recalling certain Class 1 trailer hitches, part number 11451, sold for installation on 2016-2018 Mini Cooper Clubman and Countryman vehicles. The vehicles may have inadequate structure points for the trailer hitch mounting, causing the hitch to sag under to certain loads and possibly separate from the vehicle.
  • Consequence: If the trailer hitch sags or separates from the vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Curt will notify owners, and dealers will provide a replacement hitch, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2017. Owners may contact Curt customer service at 1-800-798-0813.

Negative 2017 Mini Countryman car reviews

  1. Terrance Stark 2024-05-20

    Owning a Mini can be a fun experience, but it does come with some high maintenance costs. My particular model came with 19' wheels and all the bells and whistles, including self-park, navigation, heads-up display, and upgraded audio. Unfortunately, the car was equipped with summer high-performance tires that wore down to 2mm during an 8k oil change, and the dealer was unable to provide a satisfactory answer. Additionally, the electrical unit on the instrument cluster had some issues, causing all the lights to come on during a drive. Although the dealership was unable to fix the issue, I still enjoy driving my Mini, which has the same great drive as a BMW. However, it's important to consider the time and money required to maintain it. For example, replacing wearable parts like windshield wipers now requires purchasing an extra package. Overall, owning a Mini can be a great experience, but it's important to weigh the costs and benefits before making a decision.

  2. Kade Harvey 2024-04-13

    The 2017 Mini Countryman has been a disappointing purchase for me. Despite being a brand new car, it has had several issues such as the electronic parking brake failing and the car locking itself with the keys inside. The Bluetooth also has a glitch where it plays music over phone calls, making it difficult to communicate. Additionally, the car's electronic interface is delayed and glitchy. As someone who is 5'2

  3. Vince Waelchi 2024-02-15

    I initially enjoyed my new 2017 Countryman, but unfortunately, I have had a negative experience with the service. The team at Global Imports MINI in Atlanta has had my car for almost 11 weeks due to a part that needed to be shipped from Europe. Despite the part finally arriving after 9 weeks, it was missing a component, and I am still waiting for it to be delivered after 2 weeks. I have found the customer service from MINI to be lacking, with a complete inability to track the shipment of the part. It has been a frustrating experience, and I hope that MINI can improve their customer service in the future.

Leave your review of 2017 Mini Countryman

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2017 Mini Countryman problems:

2017 mini countryman reliability? : r/MINI
2017 mini countryman reliability? : r/MINI
https://www.reddit.com/r/MINI/comments/q0m64t/2017_mini_countryman_reliability/

Oct 3, 2021 ... MINIs get their bad rep mainly from the first gens which had shoddy engines with a ton of issues. Most of those problems were fixed with the ...

Used Mini Countryman - 2017-present Reliability & Common ...
Used Mini Countryman - 2017-present Reliability & Common ...
https://www.whatcar.com/mini/countryman/hatchback/used-review/n887/reliability

Jan 17, 2024 ... What are the most common problems with a used Mini Countryman hatchback? · Crankshaft sensor. A problem with the crankshaft sensor of some ...

2017 Mini Cooper S Reliability : r/MINI
2017 Mini Cooper S Reliability : r/MINI
https://www.reddit.com/r/MINI/comments/m7fmlq/2017_mini_cooper_s_reliability/

Mar 18, 2021 ... They are very well built cars. The only main issue I've had with my 2018 is the AC compressor currently has a leak, which I'm 99% sure is down ...

Countryman Common Problems - North American Motoring
Countryman Common Problems - North American Motoring
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/r60-r61-stock-problems-issues/326533-countryman-common-problems.html

Apr 24, 2018 ... They all have the N18 engine so none of the bad engine problems you are thinking of with the N14 like your 07 had. Its still a Mini. Things like ...

Other years of Mini Countryman

mini countryman 2018 photo
Countryman 2018
Mini

9

2

7

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mini countryman 2019 photo
Countryman 2019
Mini

8

2

16

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mini countryman 2020 photo
Countryman 2020
Mini

5

2

12

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mini countryman 2021 photo
Countryman 2021
Mini

1

2

12

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mini countryman 2022 photo
Countryman 2022
Mini

2

0

15

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mini countryman 2023 photo
Countryman 2023
Mini

1

0

12

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Are you having problems with your 2017 Mini Countryman?

Add car complaint
2017 Mini Countryman photo