Mini COOPER S COUNTRYMAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
79,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 to 2012 model years. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 43 complaints (39.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 16.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 9.3% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 9.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 7.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.3% |
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 | 17 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
Engine: 17; Power Train: 7; Electrical System: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Air Bags: 5; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Seats: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 15 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 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 11; 2019: 5; 2020: 6; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2025: 4; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 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 10658584 · 2014-11-17 (November 17, 2014)
ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2014 THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE KEY SLOT. THE KEY IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE INSERTED TO START THE CAR BUT SIMPLY WITH YOU. HOWEVER, MY DAUGHTER HAD BORROWED THE CAR AND INSERTED THE KEY SO I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DATE MENTIONED OR EARLIER. IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 25TH, 2014 SO SOMETIME BETWEEN THE TWO DATES THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER, MINI OF DES MOINES, AND THEY ALSO COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY. THEY NOTICED THAT WITHOUT THE CAR RUNNING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL NOT DE…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,542 miles reported. Look up ODI 10658584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11039530 · 2017-10-25 (October 25, 2017)
AFTER A BATTERY FAILURE (LOSS OF CHARGE OR BATTERY REPLACEMENT) CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURES ARE DISABLED UNTIL THE CAR IS RETURNED TO A DEALER TO "PROGRAM THE NEW BATTERY". THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT ARE DISABLED INCLUDE: 1) TURN SIGNALS, 2) 4 WAY FLASHERS, 3) FRONT WINDOWS LOWERING, 3) CONTROL OF THE HEADLIGHTS (NO CONTROL OF DIMS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS), AND 4) DASH LIGHTS (CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER). WHILE A SIMPLE WARNING LIGHT IN THIS SITUATION WOULD WORK, THE MANUFACTURER CHOSE TO DISABLE CRITICAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR. IN MY CASE, ITS A 1 …
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11039530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508465 · 2013-04-16 (April 16, 2013)
VEHICLE STALLS FROM 1ST GEAR WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THE "SPORT" BUTTON (REGARDLESS OF TERRAIN). COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVE LINE COMBINED WITH THE STANDARD MINI CLUTCH LACK THE FEEL TO THE POINT OF CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT OFTEN CAUSING IT TO STALL. BMW/MINI DEALERSHIPS DENY ANY PROBLEM OCCURRING / EVER HAS OCCURRED. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT NEEDS TO REFLECT VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUES ALREADY IN OPERATION BUILT PRIOR TO THE LISTED DATE. OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM MINI USA: "AS PART OF THE CONTINUAL REFINEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF MINI VEHICLES, WE…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508465 at NHTSA ↗
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 11088783 · 2018-04-18 (April 18, 2018)
CAR FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. ON SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 I DROVE 10 MINUTES FROM HOME. I WAS PARKED IN A LOT FOR 5 MINUTES. CAME OUT OF STORE, STARTED ENGINE AND HEAVY SMOKE IMMEDIATELY STARTED FILLING THE INTERIOR AND BILLOWING UP FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I QUICKLY GOT OUT. OPENED THE HOOD. SAW FLAMES DEEP DOWN, JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK. HEAVY WHITE/GRAY SMOKE. CALLED 911, WHO RESPONDED QUICKLY (DANBURY CT FIRE DEPT.) THE OWNER OF THE STORE I HAD BEEN IN, CAME OUT AND WITNESSED FIRE/SMOKE. FIRE SUBSIDED AND FIRE DEPT CHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11088783 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10462518 · 2012-06-21 (June 21, 2012)
2011 MINI COUNTRYMAN S ALL4 MANUAL TRANSMISSION AFTER REPEATED INCIDENTS OF THE CLUTCH "SMOKING" UNDER HEAVY USE, AND REPORTING SAID INCIDENTS TO THE DEALER, AND HAVING THE DEALER INSPECT THE CAR AND CLAIM ALL WAS FINE, THE CLUTCH FINALLY WORE DOWN SUFFICIENTLY AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT ONLY 4965 MILES. WE ARE VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVERS OF MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND DID NOT ABUSE THE CLUTCH IN ANY WAY. MINI USA COMPLETED THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AS A GOODWILL MEASURE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF PREMATURE CLUTCH WEAR/FAILURE ON MINI ENTHUSIA…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,965 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462518 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 ↗
Owner report 10811178 · 2015-12-18 (December 18, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10811178 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2011: 2; 2012: 1