Apr 6, 2026Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal burning odor inside and outside the vehicle. The vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted after several hours. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a cracked water pump, which caused the engine to overheat. The contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA ODI 11729444
Sep 12, 2025Engine & coolingElectrical systemFire
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the driveway while both the contact and his wife were in another vehicle parked in the garage. The contact noticed white smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that upon opening the hood of the vehicle, the contact noticed an electrical burning smell and fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The contact then noticed that a blue plug had melted and was smoking. A police report was not filed. There was no injury sustained. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V008000(Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle remained at the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that he would receive a call back. The failure mileage was 111,019.
NHTSA ODI 11686826
Dec 12, 2011Engine & coolingFire
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25MPH WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD AND FOUND FLAMES IN THE ENGINE BAY. I DIDN'T HAVE AN EXTINGUISHER IN THE CAR AND THERE WASN'T A HOSE IN SIGHT, SO IT BURNED FOR A FEW MINS BEFORE A BYSTANDER STOPPED AND GAVE ME AN EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME SHORTLY AFTER AND DOUSED THE STILL SMOLDERING ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH WATER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON IN THE DASHBOARD BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THIS FIRE. MY COUNTRYMAN, BUILT IN APRIL 2011 AND PURCHASED IN MAY, HAS ABOUT 5700 MILES ON IT AND HAS OTHERWISE HAD NO PROBLEMS. MY RESEARCH ONLINE INDICATES THAT OTHER MINI MODELS (COOPER S, CLUBMAN) HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING SOME OF THESE. PLEASE CONSIDER ADDING THE COUNTRYMAN TO YOUR INVESTIGATION OF MINI SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FIRES. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10439348
Oct 21, 2011Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain
MY CAR IS THE MINI COUNTRYMAN ALL 4 YEAR 2011. AS I WAS DRIVING ON TONNELE AVE HEADING TOWARDS RT 3 W, THE CAR WAS ON 3RD GEAR AND I SHIFTED TO 4TH. I FELT THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND LOSE POWER. I HAD TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER, WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL "ROLLING". WHEN I GOT TO THE SHOULDER THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY DIED. THE YELLOW INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON, I LOOKED UP FROM THE USER'S MANUAL, IT SAYS, " FULL ENGINE POWER IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, YOU CAN CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY, BUT MODERATE YOUR SPEED AND EXERCISE DUE CAUTION. HAVE ENGINE CHECKED ASAP." I THEN TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, IT CRANKED BUT WOULDN'T START. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND TOW TRUCK CAME TO TOW THE CAR AFTER HOUR AND A HALF. THE NEXT DAY, SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED AND EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE IS A SENSOR MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE CAR TO LOSE POWER. I IMMEDIATELY SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY RECALLS AND OR ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I FOUND A FEW OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OFF. ALL THESE OWNERS HAVE THEIR CARS FOR AS LITTLE AS A MONTH TO A COUPLE OF MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10432315