2018 Mini Countryman problems
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.
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Common 2018 Mini Countryman problems
The 2018 MINI Countryman has received positive reviews for its agile handling, upscale and spacious interior, and potent available engines.
However, there are some common problems reported by owners of the 2018 MINI Countryman. These include tie rod issues, where a small number of Countrymans made between 29 March to 8 April 2019 have an issue where the tie rods on the front suspension were not assembled correctly. If your car is affected, it will need to be checked by a Mini dealer and have the fault rectified.
Additionally, there is a manufacturing flaw with the swivel bearings on the front suspension, which could lead to fractures in the part over time. This affects vehicles made between 24 April and 1 May 2018, and you can find out if your car is affected by contacting your Mini dealer.
It is important to note that the 2018 Mini 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%. It was below the Audi Q2 and Suzuki Ignis but above most of its main rivals including the Renault Captur, Seat Arona, Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Roc.
In conclusion, while the 2018 MINI Countryman has received positive reviews for its performance and reliability, there are some common problems reported by owners that potential buyers should be aware of. These include tie rod issues, crankshaft sensor problems, swivel bearing manufacturing flaws, and missing crash protection plates. However, it is worth noting that the 2018 Countryman did well in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, and Mini as a brand finished third out of 32 manufacturers featured for reliability.
Is a Mini Countryman reliable?
As a brand, a very low 12% of MINI owners reported an issue with their car in the first year of ownership in the 2023 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.
Are Mini Cooper Countryman expensive to maintain?
Mini Cooper owners pay an average of $850 per year in repair and maintenance costs. The cost is significantly higher than the average repair and maintenance cost of $652 for all models. Another factor that further reduces the reliability ratings for the Mini Cooper is the repair frequency.
Is it expensive to fix a Mini Countryman?
MINI Countryman Maintenance Costs. A MINI Countryman will cost about $7,460 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for popular SUV models by $1,673. There is also a 21.93% chance that a Countryman will require a major repair during that time.
How long does a Mini Countryman engine last?
about 200,000 and 250,000 miles
How Many Miles Will a Mini Cooper Engine Last? The Mini Cooper engine will last about 100,000 miles if you maintain it well. However, the engine will last much longer than without any unwanted signs. A maintained Mini Cooper engine would last for about 200,000 and 250,000 miles.
2018 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:
- Unknown or other problems
- Engine problems
- Service brakes problems
- Electrical system problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Mini Countryman vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2018 Mini Countryman complaints
The NHTSA has received 9 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Mini Countryman.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-17
- VIN: WMZYV5C30J3
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My engine malfunctioned after the module under the back seat was wet from an unknown water leak in the vehicle. My vehicle lost power without warning until I came to a complete stop on the side of a very busy highway. I'm not sure if the repair center kept the faulty module or not I would have to check. I know leaks have been a problem with my model in previous years but when I checked my VIN there were no recalls. This is a very dangerous defect and should be fixed.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-04-01
- VIN: WMZYU7C45J3
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Fuel sensor failed and due to tank pressure that would not release properly, according to repair shop. Among other safety issues, this caused me to not be able to open the gas tank to refill the gas tank. This has been ongoing. At first the gas flap was repaired (2x) and ultimately the fuel sensor was entirely replaced at my cost. All repairs were done at New Country Mini in Hartford, CT. The repair shop should provide history of repairs over the several years as Mini is denying the seriousness of the defect. I’ve notified mini.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-05
- VIN: WMZYV5C35J3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: •What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I had brake caliper repaired on front right wheel, on 5/5/20. Had to have service on same brake caliper on 10/5/21 - revealed caliper froze causing excessive bakes wear. •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Potential of brake failure. •Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Dealer repaired work- Passport Mini of Montgomery County, 820 Russell Ave, Gaithersburg, MD, 20879 •Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Unknown •Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-11
- VIN: wmzyt5c32j3
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Steering is becoming stiffer. Seems like there is new or added restistance when turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is going slower.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-04-06
- VIN: WMZYU7C49J3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: I WAS PULLING INTO SHOPPING CENTER ALL DASHBOARD LIGHT UP WARNINGS ETC. STARTED TO HEAD HOME BECAUSE OF PRIOR INCIDENT WITH COMPUTER FAILURE. CAR STOPPED MID INTERSECTION AND WENT DEAD. PUT IT IN PARK RESTARTED AND DROVE HOME. HEADLIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. CALLED SERVICE TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP REPAIR. TOW TRUCK DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO TURN OF LIGHTS, NO LUCK. CAR REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD AT THAT POINT OF A POSSIBLE RECALL, BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW OF WHAT. CAR REPAIRED. AS SOON A LEASE IS UP IT IS GONE! *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-18
- VIN: WMZYT5C34J3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: VEHICLE'S SWITCH CONTROLLING HEADLIGHTS WAS LEFT IN THE "PARKING LIGHTS ON" MODE INADVERTENTLY (IT OPENED TERMINAL 15 PER MINI). CAR WOULD NOT START LESS THAN 12 HOURS LATER. MINI REPORTS THAT THIS "DAMAGED THE BATTERY BEYOND REPAIR" AND SAID IT WAS NOT SUBJECT TO WARRANTY REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE USER HAD OPERATED THE SWITCH. IF THIS HAPPENED FOR MANY MINI OWNERS, PEOPLE WOULD BE STRANDED AND LEFT IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION. FURTHERMORE, THIS IS CLEARLY SOMETHING MINI IS CHOOSING TO IGNORE AND CLASSIFY AS USER ERROR WHEN IT IS A DEFECT. MINI CHARGED $600+ PLUS DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE AND PHYSICALLY INSTALL THE NEW BATTERY. THE DEALER REP SAID HE HAS PERSONALLY SEEN 6 OTHER VEHICLES THIS YEAR ALONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-04-01
- VIN: WMZYV9C37J3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: WHEN STOPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL SLOWLY GOES TO THE FLOORBOARDS. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT TO PREVENT RUNNING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY DROVE THE CAR BUT COULDN'T FINE ANY PROBLEMS. THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAK DOWN IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME. I BELIEVE THAT I AM QUALIFIED TO WRITE ABOUT THIS AS I WAS, WHEN YOUNGER, A TOP MECHANIC FOR PORSCHE AND VOLKSWAGEN.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-01
- VIN: WMZYU7C4XJ3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE VIN [XXX] IS NOT RECOGNIZED ON NHTSA OR SAFECAR WEBSITE. MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP HAVE MY OLD ADDRESS (NOT PROVIDED BY MYSELF) IN THEIR SYSTEM. GENERAL HELPLINE REPRESENTATIVES TOLD ME TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER REFERRED ME TO DEALERSHIP. I CALLED YOUR GENERAL NUMBER AGAIN LAST WEEK AND THE WOMAN DISPARAGED ME AND LAUGHED AT ME. NO ONE WILL HELP ME FIX THIS SAFETY (COMMUNICATION) CONCERN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-01-25
- VIN: WMZYU7C46J3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND IS WOBBLY WHILE IN MOTION, ESPECIALLY MORE UNSTABLE IN WET CONDITIONS AND MINI COOPER SAYS IT IS AN UNEVEN TORQUE ISSUE RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL/GAS ENGINE AND CANNOT BE FIXED. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR 11 MONTHS AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T REPLACED THE VEHICLE WITH A SAFER VEHICLE OR EVEN TALKED WITH ME ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE WILLING TO DO TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP AND BMW HAVE IGNORED ME AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE MATTER.
2018 Mini Countryman recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2018 Mini Countryman.
- 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.
- 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 2018 Mini Countryman car reviews
Positive 2018 Mini Countryman car reviews
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Hi there! I noticed that you've only had the car for a few days and you're not quite satisfied with its performance. You mentioned that you might have made a mistake by not buying the S model. Do you think that could be the reason why it seems a bit gutless? Let me know if there's anything I can do to help!
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This car was just what you were looking for! Edmunds got straight to the heart of your search and produced a vehicle well worth the money and way exceeded your expectations!
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I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying all the features of your car and that it's been a blast to drive! I understand that you're missing the ability to start it remotely, and I'll do my best to help you find a solution.
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The car is performing better than expected, averaging 80 MPG despite the short commute. The drive is quiet, the transmission is smooth, and the acceleration is excellent. I absolutely love the Mini interior, it has much more style than other competitors and the materials are great. I haven't experienced any rattles or squeaks so far. The roof rails and fold-down seats come in handy, and the plug-in with 120v is fine for overnight charging. Although the electric range is adequate, it would be nice to have a 20-25 mile range. Beyond that, on a hybrid, it seems like a waste of money, weight, and resources. It should be big enough for a round trip commute, and road trips will use gas regardless. My only minor complaint is that the brakes are a little touchy at slow speed stops, but you can get used to it by feathering the pedal. Overall, I would give this car a 4.5-star rating! I absolutely love it...
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Mini Countryman problems:
Countryman Common Problems - North American Motoring
Apr 24, 2018 ... MiniToBe , 04-24-2018 05:12 AM ... Small problems in a mini are a bit more $$ and difficult than a Fusion. ... FYI, I bought a countryman used, from ...
2018 MINI Clubman Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2018 MINI Clubman? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
2018 MINI Countryman | Read Owner Reviews, Prices, Specs
The Countryman is extremely reliable. This is my third vehicle from the Mini line, and I have never had any issues with any of them whatsoever. Ana P.
Which Year Models of Used MINI Countryman to Avoid - CoPilot
Apr 25, 2023 ... Transmission problems - Numerous Countryman models are susceptible to transmission issues. Common symptoms include abnormal noises, delayed ...
Honest Opinions on Mini + Reliability : r/MINI
Jul 20, 2021 ... I am looking at the 2016-2018 models right now from an official mini dealer. ... I also have a 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman S. ... A lot of the ...
Other years of Mini Countryman
Are you having problems with your 2018 Mini Countryman?
Mauricio Schinner 2024-08-13
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.
Presley Frami 2024-08-08
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 and there is no way to turn it off. Additionally, the electronic interface is delayed and glitchy. As someone who is 5'2
Rhett Moen 2024-06-09
I love Mini Cooper, but I wasn't happy with my last one. I'm hoping that my next lease will be as good as the first one I had.