2012 Mini COOPER COUNTRYMAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
53 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
44,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 53 complaints (50.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 6 | 11.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 7.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 27 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
Engine: 27; Electrical System: 13; Power Train: 6; Air Bags: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4; Seat Belts: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2012: 3; 2013: 7; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 10; 2019: 6; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 5; 2024: 6; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10471676 · 2012-08-21 (August 21, 2012)
ON 3/6/12 (VEHICLE MILEAGE 4,743) MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE DRIVING IN OUR 2012 MINI COUNTRYMAN S AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP MODE WITH REDUCED POWER ON THE FREEWAY AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE ENGINE COMPUTER WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO US. ON 5/15/12 (VEHICLE MILEAGE 9,318) THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AND THE CAR AGAIN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE VALVTRONIC ACUTATOR. ON 7/27/12 (VEHICLE MILEAGE 13,140) THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN (ENGINE WENT INTO LIMP MODE WITH LOSS OF POWER AND MY WIFE …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,743 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10515901 · 2013-06-09 (June 9, 2013)
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, I HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY WITH MY 2012 COUNTRYMAN ALL4 S CLUTCH. THE CAR SIMPLY WILL NOT GO UP HILLS. LIVING IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST, THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN IN MULTIPLE SITUATIONS WHERE THE CAR WILL NOT ENGAGE, RESULTING IN STALLING AND A BURNING CLUTCH. I'VE HAD TO STOP AND MOTION FOR PEOPLE TO GO AROUND ME TO AVOID ROLLING BACK INTO THEM. I TOOK IT IN TWICE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. NOT SURPRISINGLY, AT 9,500 MILES, MY CLUTCH COMPLETELY BURNED OUT 200 MILES F…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11142342 · 2018-10-24 (October 24, 2018)
BROUGHT 2012 MINI COUNTRYMAN S ALL4 W/50,033 MILES TO MINI SERVICE CENTER FOR COOLANT LEAK JUNE 2017. THEY REPLACED THERMOSTAT HOUSING, THERMOSTAT ADAPTER, COOLANT HOSE, AND WATER PUMP. 8000 MILES LATER LEAK IS BACK. WHILE TECHNICIAN WAS WORKING ON VEHICLE, HE STATED, 'OIL LEAKING FROM OIL PUMP SOLENOID VALVE. OIL LEAKING THROUGH OIL PUMP SOLENOID WIRING HARNESS.' HE ALSO STATED, 'THE LEAK IS INTERNAL AND NOT VISIBLE. THE OIL IS LEAKING THROUGH THE WIRING SHEATH AND MIGRATING TOWARD THE COMPUTER. IF THE OIL REACHES THE COMPUTER, THE COMPUTER W…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,033 miles reported. Look up ODI 11142342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11576223 · 2024-03-08 (March 8, 2024)
There is a recall existing for my car, by VIN mine is not included, however I have the exact same problem. Water in the driver side foot well electrical panel which has caused a fault in the lighting, hazard lights, and battery issue. The car cannot be driven because the hazard lights and daytime running lights will not turn off even with the key out. Running out the battery in the process. The mechanic found water and corrosion inside the electrical housing.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11576223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10485016 · 2012-11-17 (November 17, 2012)
ON A 2012 MINI COUNTRYMAN S ALL4 WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STARTING AT 15500 MILES ON THE CAR, BEGAN NOTICING ODD RESPONSE TO THE THROTTLE WHEN ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CLUTCH WOULD ENGAGE AND ENGINE INCREASE REVS (200-400 RPM) TO ACCELERATE WHILE NOT DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS WORSENED OVER THE NEXT 500 MILES UNTIL THE RPM DIFFERENCE WAS 2000-4000 RPM. FINALLY, THE CLUTCH GAVE COMPLETELY, WITH SMOKE BILLOWING FROM THE HOOD AND OBVIOUS SMELL OF BURNT PLATE, EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT ENGAGED THE PEDAL WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY IN…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10485016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789662 · 2015-11-10 (November 10, 2015)
UPON ENTERING AN EXIT ONLY LINE ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE END OF A 400 MILE JOURNEY, TRAFFIC BACKED UP AND CAME TO A STOP IN THE EXIT ONLY LANE. WHEN TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING AGAIN, MY CAR WHICH HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL INTO 1ST GEAR (OR ANY GEAR). I WAS STOPPED AND UNABLE TO MOVE WITH TRAFFIC MOVING 50-60 MPH BEHIND ME AND NEXT TO ME. CARS SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME AND ONE ALMOST HIT ME AFTER SLAMMING ON ITS BREAKS AND TURNING SIDEWAYS. IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCES I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. A…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,067 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789662 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522518 · 2013-06-30 (June 30, 2013)
I PURCHASED THE 2012 MINI NEW AND TOOK DELIVERY 12/20/2013. THE FIRST ISSUE INVOLVED THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE FASTEN SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE AUDIBLE ALARM. THE SEAT BELT WAS SECURELY FASTENED, I HAD NO PASSENGERS AND THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. I PULLED OVER AGAIN, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, AND UNFASTENED THE SEAT BELT. AFTER 5 MINUTES I FASTENED THE SEAT BELT AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE WARNING RESUMED IMMEDIATELY AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 453 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10510079 · 2013-05-02 (May 2, 2013)
2012 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FAULTY SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY ON AN INCLINE HILL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DELIVERY OF FUEL TO THE GAS TANK AND THE VEHICLE HAD SIMPLY RUN OUT OF GAS. HOWEVER, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED THERE WAS AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF GAS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10510079 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11609036 · 2024-08-16 (August 16, 2024)
The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled. The fuel tank was a third of the way full. The trunk was locking and unlocking continuously while driving or while the vehicle was parked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical system). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, …
Owner-reported narrative. 161,818 miles reported. Look up ODI 11609036 at NHTSA ↗