2012 Mini COOPER S COUNTRYMAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
94,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 26 complaints (46.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 11.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.8% |
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 | 12 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger:Intercooler | 1 |
Engine: 12; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Power Train: 2; Seats: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger:Intercooler: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 12 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2018: 6; 2019: 5; 2020: 6; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 11131115 · 2018-09-25 (September 25, 2018)
WATER PUMP FAILED AT 84,000 MILES CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL ON THE HIGHWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11131115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11240683 · 2019-07-30 (July 30, 2019)
CLUTCH SLIPPING, TAKING A LOT OF RPMS TO GET MOVING, LOT OF CHATTER ACCELERATING AROUND CORNERS (LIKE MAKING A TURN FROM OUT OF A DEAD STOP). STALLED OUT AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS, AND AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS ON HILLS, NEARLY CAUSING A FEW ACCIDENTS. BACKING UP INTO DRIVEWAY, JUST TRYING TO GET OVER THE CURB SLOPE WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BURNING SMELL FROM THE CLUTCH. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE CLUTCH IN THIS MAKE/MODEL YEAR SUBJECT TO PREMATURE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR (ONLY 7 YRS AND 40K MILES ON THIS VEHICLE - BY CONTRAST, I ALSO DRIVE A VW 10 YEARS OLDER WITH …
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11240683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11534133 · 2023-07-24 (July 24, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 126,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11534133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11660554 · 2025-05-12 (May 12, 2025)
I had been having trouble with my Footwell Module since the fall, but for months, I didn’t know what was going on!! The first time, October 2024, I went to Advance Auto Parts to get help bc it was raining and my windows were down, and I needed headlights, not to mention, the signals weren’t working. The second time it happened in January 2025, I didn’t go to Advance, I just disconnected the battery myself for a few hours. The third time it happened, first week of April 2025, I got home that night, cut my engine off, and noticed a light in m…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11660554 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11184966 · 2019-03-07 (March 7, 2019)
SIMPLY PUT, MY SHIFT CABLE DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I WENT FROM 1ST TO 2ND TO NEUTRAL TO STOP AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY TO LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE PULLING ONTO THE ROAD TO NO SHIFT CAPABILITIES WHATSOEVER. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE I NORMALLY DRIVE TO GET TO WORK. I MANAGED TO POP THE LOOP END BACK IN PLACE, BUT FEAR IT MAY FALL OFF, AGAIN. DEALER WANTED 1K TO REPLACE SHIFT CABLES/HARDWARE. TWO CABLES IN MY SITUATION...
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11184966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11607530 · 2024-08-09 (August 9, 2024)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11607530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11329373 · 2020-06-17 (June 17, 2020)
STEERING ASSIST AS GONE OUT. NO STEERING. THE CAR HAS 34000 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 340,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11329373 at NHTSA ↗