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What 119 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (119)Crash / fire / injury (17)Engine (44)Electrical system (42)Airbags (17)Lights (9)Transmission & drivetrain (9)Fuel system (8)Seat belts (6)Seats (5)Visibility & wipers (5)Brakes (4)

Newest first · 119 complaints · page 3 of 5

Apr 29, 2019AirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2011 AND HAS REQUIRED A MULTITUDE OF MAINTENANCE /REPAIRS DUE TO MANUFACTURER ISSUES. THE DEALERSHIP OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE WAS INCREDIBLY RESPONSIBLE AND TOOK RESPONSIBILITY OF THESE REPAIRS. I MOVED TO ANOTHER AREA TWO YEARS AGO AND RIGHT ABOUT THIS TIME, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT BE ENGAGED. THE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF WHEN IN MOTION OR JUST IDLING. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO GO UNRESOLVED AS I TEND TO MOST OFTEN RIDE ALONE AND DON'T HAVE ADDITIONAL $$$ FOR THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME. I DID JUST FINISH REPLACING THE CLUTCH IN THIS VEHICLE WHICH CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 51K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11204487

Apr 27, 2019Engine

THE CORE PLUG FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT INTO THE CRANK CASE. THE MINI AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY SPECULATED THAT THE VEHILCE MUST HAVE BECOME OVERHEATED TO THE POINT OF DAMAGING THE CYLINDER HEAD. AT FIRST IS WAS THOUGHT THAT A REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEAD WOULD COST $9K. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANK CASE WAS TO BADLY COMPROMISED FOR ADEQUATE REPAIR AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST THAT EXCEEDED THE MARKET VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE IT WAS NOT ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, I WAS FORCE TO PURCHASE AN ALTERNATE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. BEING THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NO LONGER BE DRIVEN WITH OUT A COSTLY REPAIR, I CHOSE TO DONATE IT FOR CHARITY. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IF THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, I WAS NOT AWARE OF IT AS THE DRIVER INFORMATION GAVE NO ALERT. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPED WITH A TEMPERATURE WHICH MAY WHICH SHOULD HAVE INDICATED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS OUTSIDE OF NORMAL OPERATING PARAMETERS. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHICH I PROMPTLY TOOK TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THE CODE WHICH INITIALLY PRESENTED AND PROMPTED ME TO VISIT THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR FACILITY TO BEGIN WITH. THE VEHICLE GAVE NO TEMPERATURE WARNINGS THROUGH THE DRIVER INFORMATION DISPLAY AND THE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT CHANGE; I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY WITH NO PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS, THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS THAT CAN BE FOUND ONLINE OF DRIVERS THAT GAVE AN ACCOUNT SIMIULAR TO MY EXPERIENCE - FAILURRE OF THE CORE PLUG WITH NO NOTIFICATION THROUGH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AND, IN MANY CASES, THEY WERE ALSO TOLD BY THE MAKER'S REPAIR SHOP THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE DRIVER WAS NOT ALERTED. WHILE I DID NOT PAY FOR ACTUAL REPAIRS, I WOULD NOT HAVE NEEDED TO BUY REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. I ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MAINTENCE SCHEDULE.

NHTSA ODI 11204131

Apr 18, 2019Lights

MY DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS MELTING. THE PLASTIC THE THE LIGHT BUILD SCREWS INTO IS ACTUALLY MELTING T THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB. I'VE PAID MINI TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND THE SAME ISSUES HAS SURFACED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11197140

Apr 15, 2019BrakesFuel system

HANDBRAKE HARNESS NOT ROUTED AS DESIGNED. FROM THE PICTURE YOU CAN SEE THE HARNESS NOT INSIDE THE CLIP. THIS MAKES THE HANDBRAKE HARNESS SHORT FROM POINT TO POINT. WHICH WILL LEAD TO MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE ALWAYS ON. AND ALSO, IT WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF I WANT TO USE MY HANDBRAKE TO STOP MY VEHICLE. THE FORCE APPLIED ON PASSENGER SIDE IS WAY MORE THAN DRIVE SIDE ( IT WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY ) . AND IT MAY LEAD MY PASSENGER SIDE HANDBRAKE WIRING HARNESS BROKEN ( BECAUSE OF THE INCORRECT ROUTING ) I FOUND IT OUT WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHT IN ON. MY FRONT BRAKE STILL WORKING FOR ANOTHER 1100 MILES WHILE MY REAR BRAKE SENSOR TELL ME I NEED TO CHANGE MY BRAKE . WE CHANGE THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE AND FOUND OUT ITS DIFFICULT TO CLIP THE HANDBRAKE WIRING HARNESS TO RIGHT HOLE. THEN WE TRACK THE WIRING DONE. IT'S SHOCKS ME . THE ROUTING IS 100% INCORRECT. YOU CAN SEE THE CORRECT HANDBRAKE HOLE IS EMPTY.

NHTSA ODI 11196221

Apr 8, 2019Engine

DRIVING ON HWY AND MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE NO WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF ON THE CAR SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP THAT SAID THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF COOLANT LEAKAGE AND A MALFUNCTION OF THERMOSTAT SO THE ENGINE OVER HEATED. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 10,000 TO FIX IT AND THE WARRANTY THAT I BOUGHT FOR 2999.00 DID NOT WANT TO COVER THE COST. SO THE SHOP CHARGED ME 1500.00 TO TAKE THE HEAD APART AND I HAD TO TOW IT BACK HOME WHERE IT SITS IN MY DRIVE WAY.

NHTSA ODI 11194680

Mar 5, 2019Airbags

PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING LEADING TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BEING DISABLED WHILE IN MOTION. A PERSON SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TRIGGERS THE AIRBAG SENSOR WARNING AND DISABLING OF THE AIRBAG. WHILE THE PERSON IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING CAN COME ON AND OFF, AND THE ERROR DOES NOT OCCUR WHILE THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED. THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED YET IT IS NOT AVAILABLE TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY AND REQUIRES REPLACING OF THE ENTIRE SEAT CUSHION (COST PROHIBITIVE) AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE 2012 MINI COOPER MODEL IS NOT COVERED BY THE MINI RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WHICH HAS AFFECTED THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11184296

Dec 26, 2018Engine

WATER PUMP LEAKING COOLANT. RECALLED ACCORDING TO BMW WEBSITE. CALLED MINI MALL OF GA NO ONE WOULD HELP OR CALL ME BACK AROUND THANKSGIVING. SCHEDULED APPT TODAY FOR REPAIRS MY HUSBAND DROVE MY MINI TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VIN NUMBER AND THE WATER PUMP WARRANTY EXPIRED DEC 11 2018......HOW CONVENIENT. MY 2012 ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT !!!!!! THE SERVICE DEPT AT MINI MALL OF GA IS A JOKE THEY WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE PAPERWORK MY HUSBAND HAD OR LISTEN TO WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO SAY. IT WAS LIKE SPEAKING TO ROBOTS THAT KEPT REPEATING THEMSELVES. I NEED THIS FIXED AND DO NOT HAVE THE 800.00 THEY ARE ASKING FOR

NHTSA ODI 11163462

Dec 18, 2018EngineFire

WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY, MY MINI COOPER SHUT OFF COMPLETELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER AND THAT IS WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE, WITHIN 6 MINUTES MY WHOLE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, CAR TOTALED. INSURENCE INSPECTORS COULDN'T FIGURE OUT A CAUSE. ONE OF THE FIRE FIGHTERS SAID IT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED NEAR THE WATER PUMP. THERE ARE RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOT MINE. MY MINI HASN'T BEEN WORKED ON SINCE LAST YEAR WHEN I GOT NEW TIRES, I ALSO KEEP UP WITH EVERY OIL CHANGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11162247

Oct 24, 2018Electrical system

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 WILL SHORT, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE.' TECHNICIAN REPLACED OIL PUMP SOLENOID AND REPAIRED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS.' DURING THE DAYS PERIOD OF TIME THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I DID SOME QUICK RESEARCH. I COULD NOT FIND AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE/ITEM; HOWEVER, THE NHTSA PUBLISHED A SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN CONCERNING THIS ISSUE (SB-10044680-8464) LOCATED AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2014/SB-10044680-8464.PDF APPARENTLY, THIS ISSUE WITH THE SOLENOID IS NOT NEW AND HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH PREVIOUS MINI MODELS AS WELL. INFORMATION/COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO PREVIOUS MINI MODELS CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/R60-COUNTRYMAN-TALK-2010-2015/237021-OIL-PUMP-SOLENOID-LEAK.HTML INFORMATION/COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE WITH THE SOLENOID FOR CURRENT MINI MODELS CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING LINKS: HTTPS://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/SECOND-GENERATION-FAULTS-FIXES/250393-ISSUE-HIGH-PRESSURE-PUMP-OIL-PUMP-SOLENOID-LEAKING.HTML WHEN THE SERVICE/REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE, I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE CENTER MANAGER CONCERNING THE SOLENOID. HE AGREED WITH MY FINDINGS THAT MINIS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR A GOOD NUMBER OF YEARS. I ASKED IF IT WAS A RECALL ITEM AND HE RESPONDED NEGATIVELY. IS THIS ON THE NHTSA RADAR FOR POTENTIAL RECALL STATUS?

NHTSA ODI 11142342

Sep 20, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TAKATA RECALL. I LIVE IN NEWPORT, WA. I AM APPROXIMATELY 6 - 7 HOURS FROM A MINI DEALER IN SEATTLE/TACOMA. MY CLOSEST CITY IS SPOKANE, WA. I HAVE A GREAT CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DOES ALL OF MY REPAIR WORK BRANDON MARTIN OF MARTIN'S AUTO SERVICE, SPOKANE, WA, WHO IS COMPETENT AT WORKING ON MINI-COOPERS. IT IS UNREASONABLE TO REQUIRE THAT I MAKE A TRIP TO SEATTLE FOR THIS REPAIR. I AM WILLING TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE HERE AND BE REIMBURSED, BUT MINI WILL NOT ALLOW THAT. THEY ARE REQUIRING EXTREME TRAVEL AND EVEN AN OVERNIGHT STAY TO ABIDE BY THEIR OWN RECALL REGULATIONS. THEY DO SEEM TO MAKE THE RULES TO SUIT THEMSELVES; BECAUSE IF I HAD MADE THIS REPAIR PRIOR TO THE RECALL, THEY WOULD HAVE REIMBURSED ME, BUT NOW I CANNOT HAVE THE REPAIR DONE WITHOUT EXTREME ADDED EXPENSES INCURRED. DUE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF EXCESS TRAVEL, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT I AM ABLE TO MAKE THE RECALL REPAIR AND BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST. THIS IS NECESSARY FOR MY SAFETY. DUE TO THE COMPANY'S UNREASONABLE RULE, I AM AT RISK.

NHTSA ODI 11130381

Aug 15, 2018Electrical systemEngineFire

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AND, AFTER GOING OVER SEVERAL POT HOLES, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED, AND THE ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT ALSO APPEARED. THIS IS WHEN I PULLED OVER INTO THE OFF RAMP, AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SPUTTERING STOP. I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT TO THE DIRT SIDE LANE OF THE OFF RAMP. I OPENED THE HOOD, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I COULD SEE BURNT CIRCUITS, BURNT PLASTIC, AND COOLANT LEAKING ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND EXPOSED WIRING. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR IMMEDIATELY EXITING ONTO THE OFF RAMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. I COULD HAVE ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF THE FIRE; THIS FAULTY ENGINEERING BY BMW/MINI HAS ALREADY TAKEN THE LIFE OF A DRIVER IN SOUTH KOREA. BMW ISSUED A RECALL OF THE 2012 MINI COOPER S ROADSTER, BUT WHEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO ONE OF THEIR SERVICE CENTERS, THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNAWARE OF THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE. I SEE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED, BUT WHEN I TYPE IN MY VIN, NO RECALL IS ATTACHED TO MY VEHICLE. BMW/MINI IS TAKING NO ACTION; THEY ARE HARMING AND KILLING DRIVERS OF ITS VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11120057

Aug 15, 2018Electrical systemEngineFire

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AND, AFTER GOING OVER SEVERAL POT HOLES, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED, AND THE ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT ALSO APPEARED. THIS IS WHEN I PULLED OVER INTO THE OFF RAMP, AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SPUTTERING STOP. I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT TO THE DIRT SIDE LANE OF THE OFF RAMP. I OPENED THE HOOD, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I COULD SEE BURNT CIRCUITS, BURNT PLASTIC, AND COOLANT LEAKING ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND EXPOSED WIRING. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR IMMEDIATELY EXITING ONTO THE OFF RAMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. I COULD HAVE ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF THE FIRE; THIS FAULTY ENGINEERING BY BMW/MINI HAS ALREADY TAKEN THE LIFE OF A DRIVER IN SOUTH KOREA. BMW ISSUED A RECALL OF THE 2012 MINI COOPER S ROADSTER IN SOUTH KOREA, BUT WHEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO ONE OF THEIR SERVICE CENTERS, THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNAWARE OF THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE. I SEE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED, BUT WHEN I TYPE IN MY VIN, NO RECALL IS ATTACHED TO MY VEHICLE. BMW/MINI IS TAKING NO ACTION; THEY ARE HARMING AND KILLING DRIVERS OF ITS VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11120060

Aug 14, 2018Electrical systemEngineFire

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AND AFTER GOING OVER SEVERAL POT HOLES THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED AND AN ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT ALSO APPEARED. THIS IS WHEN I PULLED OVER INTO THE OFF RAMP AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SPUTTERING STOP. I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT TO THE DIRT SIDE LANE OF THE OFF RAMP. I OPENED THE HOOD, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I COULD SEE BURNT CIRCUITS, BURNT PLASTIC, AND COOLANT LEAKING ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND EXPOSED WIRING. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR IMMEDIATELY EXITING ONTO THE OFF-RAMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI 11119998

Jul 27, 2018Engine

CONFIRMED WITH MECHANIC FAULTY ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP, HOWEVER, MY VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THIS EXACT ISSUE THAT IS BEING RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11114053

Jul 27, 2018Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATOR FLASHED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE DEALER (MINI COOPER OF ALEXANDRIA, 5990 DUKE ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22304, (703) 751-4630) WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM ANY RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE, BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED OTHER MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN VEHICLES, SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL HAD RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE,HOWEVER, THIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RECALL 18V248000- ELECTRIC AUXILLARY WATER PUMP FAILS AND OVER HEATS-MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN S 2012 AFFECTED. MY VIN NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL,DESPITE EXPERIENCING THIS EXACT ISSUE. WATER PUMP AND RELEVANT PARTS. UPDATED 10/9/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11114064

Jun 28, 2018Engine & coolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES IMMEDIATELY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. MINI OF MT. LAUREL (1311 NJ-73, MT. LAUREL, NEW JERSEY) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) A YEAR AND A HALF AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11104541

May 9, 2018EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT UNLATCHED THE HOOD AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MINI OF BALTIMORE COUNTY (720 KENILWORTH DR., TOWSON, MD 21204, (443) 798-3461) WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT NO VIN NUMBER UPDATED 8/30/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11092683

Apr 21, 2018Electrical systemLights

REAR BRAKE LIGHT BURNT AND MELTED. IT WAS REPAIRED AND NOW IT MELTED AND BURNT AGAIN BUT HAS CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE REQUIRING THE WHOLE TAILLIGHT NEEDING REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11089223

Apr 4, 2018SuspensionElectrical systemEngine

I KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS ELECTRIC PROBLEMS ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON COIL BROKE BROKE DOWN WON'T START

NHTSA ODI 11083212

Mar 7, 2018Visibility & wipers

WHILE TRAVELING ON I90 AT APPROXIMATELY 72MPH, I HEARD A VERY LOUD POP AND PART OF MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. ONCE AT A SAFE STOPPING PLACE, I TOOK A LOOK AT THE SUNROOF AND I DIDN'T NOTICE ANY OUTSIDE FORCE THAT CAUSED THIS. I WAS NOT TRAVELING NEAR ANY OVERPASSES WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI 11076783

Mar 5, 2018Engine

I'M JUST NOTICING A COOLANT LEAK PUDDLING UP UNDER FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS THE THERMOSTAT OR IT'S HOUSING OR BOTH.. MY ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S RUNNING WITH NO OIL. I GO TO CHECK THE DIPSTICK AND THE OIL AT THE VERY END OF IT SEEMS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCURATELY READ, BECAUSE IT'S NOT UNIFORM IN IT'S COATING AT THE TIP OF IT. LIKE IF IT WAS SPLASHED ON. NOT SURE IF THE AUXILIARY COOLING SYSTEM IS EVEN WORKING ANYMORE, WHICH USED TO RUN FOR A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I'M ADDING THE OEM SPECIFIED COOLANT ALONG WITH WATER, 50/50, EVERY DAY NOW, BECAUSE THE RESERVOIR SHOWS IT'S LOSS OF COOLANT. VIN CHECK SHOWS NO RECALLS, BUT I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS THE RECALLS. I JUST WANT MY VEHICLE RUNNING LIKE IT WAS WHEN I FIRST GOT. I BEGAN FINANCE ON THE VEHICLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, AND I STILL OWE 16K ON IT. I SHOULDN'T BE WORRIED ABOUT THE CAR DYING OUT ON ME ALREADY. BAD ENOUGH I WORK 35 MINUTES AWAY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING HELP FROM ANYONE IS ALSO PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE. IT'S STRESSING ME OUT BIG TIME. I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET FIRED. WHERE I WORK, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT MY ISSUES. I ALSO REQUIRE AN IID EQUIPPED VEHICLE, SO RENTALS ARE OUT OF THE QUESTION, OTHERWISE, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE WRITING THIS MESSAGE! THANK YOU. I REALLY FEEL UNSAFE BEING ON THE HIGHWAY AS WHO KNOWS IF MY CAR'S ENGINE EVEN HAS OIL. OR IF THE COOLANT HOSES WILL JUST BLOW OFF. EITHER WAY, I FEEL LIKE I'M RIDING WITH DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. I TRIED TO BABY THIS CAR DRIVING, BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD A 16K BROKEN CAR. I FEEL TRAPPED.

NHTSA ODI 11076410

Feb 27, 2018Airbags

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY WHEN STARTING THE CAR. I TOOK IT INTO A MINI SPECIALIST AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE INDICATOR SENSOR IN THE SEAT. OTHER MINI MODELS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN RECALLED. HE QUOTED $600-700 TO REPAIR IT. HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A NO BRAINER.

NHTSA ODI 11075336

Feb 19, 2018Fuel system

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RAIL DEVELOPED A CRACK AT A BRAZEN JOINT. HIGH PRESSURE FUEL WAS THEN BEEN RELEASED IN THE VICINITY OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN AND NEAR VEHICLE. NO FIRE OR DAMAGE RESULTED. VEHICLE REPAIRED AT OWNERS EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI 11073632

Feb 11, 2018Lights

BRAKE LIGHT FAILED, BULB COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. UPON REMOVING THE ASSEMBLY, THE FIXTURE WAS REVIEWED TO FIND WHERE EXCESIVE HEAT HAD MELTED THE CONNECTION TO THE BULB (SAME ONES USED IN BMWS THAT MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS BACK IN 2003). I REPAIRD THE THE ASSEMBLY BY SOLDERING THE SOCKETS TO THE BOARD SUCH THAT IT DID NOT DEPEND ON A PIECE OF PLASTIC FOR PRESSURE CONTACT. IT WORKS, BUT WHEN A BULB TRUELY BURNS OUT, THE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE BULB.

NHTSA ODI 11072200

Jan 17, 2018AirbagsSeats

WARNING LAMP FOR "AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED" ILLUMINATED ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STREET "IN TOWN" APPROX 25MPH. AT FIRST LIGHT WENT OFF IF I BUCKLED PASSENGER SEATBELT (EVEN WHEN SEAT WAS EMPTY) NOW IT WON'T GO OFF EVEN DOING THAT... ALSO DOESN'T MATTER IF DRIVING AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS, ROAD TYPES, TURNING, STOPPING, PARKED, DRIVING, PASSENGER IN RIDER'S SEAT, NO RIDING PASSENGER, ETC, IT WILL ILLUMINATE (& I NEVER PLACE ANYTHING ON MY PASSENGER SEAT). TOOK TO A MECHANIC - HE CHECKED & PROVIDED CODE 9435. STATED AIRBAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY WHEN THIS WARNING LAMP IS ILLUMINATED. SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPERS & IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HE THINKS PROBABLY SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. CONTACTED MINI DEALERSHIP - SAID NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND THERE ARE ALMOST 100,000 OTHER MINIS THAT HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY TELL ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL - WANT TO CHARGE ME MINIMALLY $65 JUST TO RE-DIAGNOSE THE CODE, THEN LABOR & PARTS TO FIX! CALLED MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE - TOLD ME NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE & THEY REFERRED ME HERE.

NHTSA ODI 11063326

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Working with the data? Download all 119 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 27, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman verdict →