2012 MINI Cooper Countryman Owner Complaints

My 2012 MINI Countryman (R60) experienced a complete electrical shutdown and engine failure while operating due to a severe manufacturing defect. Authorized dealership Jackie Cooper MINI of Edmond diagnosed the vehicle under RO# [XXX] and confirmed in writing that the "JBE electronic connectors are heavily corroded" and "The FRM has water/corrosion damage," providing a repair estimate of $4,700 (including a specific $1,055.84 charge to replace the FRM and clean the sunroof drains). Water entering the footwell area through defective, shrinking sunroof drainage structures is the exact identical failure mechanism, component (FRM3 Module), and extreme safety/fire hazard covered under mandatory safety recall NHTSA Campaign 23V-337. However, MINI has improperly excluded the R60 Countryman model from active coverage despite it utilizing the identical electrical infrastructure and drainage engineering layout. Releasing this vehicle into traffic presents a catastrophic risk of a highway vehicle fire or sudden total loss of vehicle control and lighting at high speeds. NHTSA must expand Recall 23V-337 to include the 2012 MINI Countryman to protect consumers from these documented structural water-ingress fires. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11745835

Incident

Jun 16, 2026

My front windshield wipers stopped working suddenly while driving in the rain

NHTSA ID

11622283

Incident

Oct 28, 2024

No warning lights have come on and the car is braking on its own. I try to push the gas and it doesn't want to go. The car has around 42k miles on it. I took it to tom bush mini last week, the said the front axle was leaking some fluid, they ordererd the axle, changed all brake pads, changed the brake fluid and said it was good to go, cost about $2300. Got the car back, doing the same thing. Now they said all calipers need to be replaced and the hydro unit dsc needs to be replaced which will cost around $6400 and they can't get the hyro unit dsc or 2 months. If this was the problem why didn't they know last week? It doesn't seem like the car has enough miles to have such a big issues and no part for 2 months. I don't know what to do.

NHTSA ID

11621018

Incident

Oct 14, 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, who determined that there was a short in the footwell module due to water intrusion. The drain was also clogged in the sunroof. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 161,818.

NHTSA ID

11609036

Incident

Jul 28, 2024

Mileage

161,818 mi

On the evening of [XXX] at approximately [XXX] my 2012 Mini Cooper S all 4 burst into flames. The car was parked in front of my building for 6 days (we don't use the car very much) in front of my building when the all of a sudden the head lights started flashing followed by the car cabin filling with grey smoke then followed by black smoke then there was a flash (spark?) and the entire cabin the became engulfed in flames. All of this has been captured by our building security camera. I reported the incident the following day to Mini/BMW customer care. I've been sharing emails with Thomas Lula who is investigating the "thermal event" INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11577096

Incident

Mar 4, 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.

NHTSA ID

11576223

Incident

Mar 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts but had not started since. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11574533

Incident

Jan 28, 2024

While traveling on the highway at speed, the forward (retractable) sunroof exploded with no apparent provocation or warning. When the failure occurred there was a loud bang followed by glass forcefully raining down into the front and back seat area of the vehicle. There were no vehicles immediately ahead, and no overpasses or trees from which something could have fallen. The driver immediately slowed but did not swerve and there were no other vehicles close by so there was no secondary incident. The glass from the roof continued to fall on subsequent bumps in the road until all of the loose glass had fallen. The size of the glass pieces varied in size and sharpness greatly, with some pieces being very small clear slivers (causing mild cut to hand when exiting the vehicle). In addition when exiting the vehicle a piece of glass from the sunroof found its way into the driver's seatbelt fastener and as a result can no longer be buckled. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by anyone and is available for inspection on request.

NHTSA ID

11550092

Incident

Oct 15, 2023

When the vehicle computer detects low voltage all turn signals, lights and instrument cluster immediately fail and do not turn back on. The Foot Well Module (FWM) or Foot Rest Module (FRM) computer becomes corrupt and deletes data from the module. This becomes a major safety hazard as a nighttime failure occurred causing several near accidents due to inability to signal to other vehicles. This is a known issue with Mini and they released an extended service bulletin knowing the factory footrest modules were manufactured incorrectly. Vehicles falling outside the initial warranty period are prone to safety risks when this occurs.

NHTSA ID

11542960

Incident

Sep 4, 2023

Passenger side airbag light on with no one in seat. The repair shop stated that there is a seat sensor fault code is 93c3(passenger seat occupancy detector). If there is an accident the airbag may not deploy. I was told to by the BMW of Hawaii in Kona that it will cost $2030 for parts and labor.

NHTSA ID

11531633

Incident

Oct 4, 2022

My 2012 Mini Countryman has had failed signal lighting. My dealer has diagnosed the issue as a failed FRM module which I have been informed that NHTSA issued in conjunction with Mini USA a warranty extension to service this module's failure. While as an owner of this car for the past 9 years, I received not notice from Mini. I recently appealed for warranty coverage of this part. Mini USA has denied coverage of my failed FRM module stating the warranty was only good for 10 years from in-service date. My vehicle went in-service 8/12/2012, or ten years and ten months. Mini is adamantly denying good will to replace this part and my car is off the road do to no working turn signals.

NHTSA ID

11531545

Incident

Jun 18, 2023

Mini coopers have faulty transmission problems, and well mine today it's transmission went out when I had my AC on, the car stalled in the middle of the highway in the middle of the road with oncoming traffic and refused to budge, like seriously this is highly dangerous on the interstate

NHTSA ID

11526625

Incident

Jun 12, 2023

Our Mini Cooper Countymen S was being towed behind our motorhome. I. saw smoke coming from the car I stopped and the car started to catch on fire. I got out motorhome disconnect just in time before the Mini was consumed by fire, it was a total loss. The Fire Investigator stated he believed the fire started in the right side of the engine compartment.

NHTSA ID

11489819

Incident

Oct 16, 2022

I was driving down the road when a light popped onto my dash, it was the airbag/seatbelt light after some research. From what I've read, this will prevent the airbags from activating in case of a crash, and after talking to other MINI owners it is extremely common.

NHTSA ID

11476707

Incident

Jul 13, 2022

timing chain failure which caused engine shut down. this is a known problem with other models. It was not recalled but BMW lost a class action lawsuit for the same problem in the same car, different years. They have not updated or repaired the issue. very expensive repair.

NHTSA ID

11476173

Incident

Jul 27, 2022

The contact owned a 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated while she was at a standstill in traffic, she saw smoke exiting from under the hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the emergency lane and exit the vehicle before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The contact spoke to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11440756

Incident

Nov 9, 2021

Mileage

180,000 mi

The front passenger occupancy detector (or OC3) failed, making the passenger airbags inoperable. This is a common problem with minis and many other models have had the mat warranty extended. The dealer confirmed that the OC3 is bad but wanted $800 just to order the part which is embedded in the seat cushion. Consumers shouldn't have to bear the cost of a defective vital safety component that should last the life of the car.

NHTSA ID

11428626

Incident

Oct 15, 2020

AFTER DRIVING FEW MILES (10) UP HILL OUT THE DEALER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON. IT’S NOT BLINKING BUY SEEMS LIKE IT’S HALF AWAY ON THE SIGNED ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11416755

Incident

May 15, 2021

Mileage

10 mi

THE WATER PUMP IN THE CAR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, CAUSING IMMEDIATE OVERHEATING AND THE HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE TO BLOW. MINI REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR, AS THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, DESPITE THE FAULTY WATER PUMP BEING THE CAUSE OF THE OVERHEATING.

NHTSA ID

11230081

Incident

Aug 29, 2018

Mileage

104,000 mi

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT IS FAULTY. THIS ISSUE WAS LISTED AS A RECALL ON PREVIOUS MODELS OF MINI COOPERS FROM NHTSA.

NHTSA ID

11228391

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Mileage

43,000 mi

THE VEHICLE STARTS INTERMITTENTLY. THE IMMOBILIZER OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF THEY KEY FOB IN THE SLOT AND THEREFORE WONT START THE VEHICLE. THESE EVENTS HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. ONE INSTANCE WAS IN A GASOLINE STATION. I STOP THE ENGINE AND REFUELED. WHEN IT WAS OVER I COULDNT GET THE CAR TO START BECAUSE THER WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE CAR. I TRIED TO INSERT/EJECT THE KEY FOB IN ITS SLOT AND AFTER COUNTELESS AND MORE THAN THIRTY MINUTES WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED. ONE TIME , I WENT GROCERY SHOPPPING AND WHEN I WAS DONE WHEN BACK TO THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. KNOWING THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING , I DID THE INSERT/EJECT OF KEY FOB IN ITS SLOT COUNTLESS NUMBER OF TIMES. I DID THIS FOR OVER AN HOUR BEFORE I GOT A RESPONSE FROM THE CAR AND GET IT STARTED. MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE SHE MAY GET STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. IF THERE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND THIS IS THE ONLY CAR AVAILABLE, IT WOULD BE BETTER OFF TO JUST WAIT FOR THE AMBULANCE THAN ATTEMPT TO BRING THE PERSON NEEDING MEDICAL ATTENTION TO THE HOSPITAL IN THIS CAR BECAUSE YOU MAY GET STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. ANY ROAD TRIP THAT WILL GET YOU 100 MILES AWAY FROM YOUR PLACE OR DRIVING AT NIGHT IS A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE YOU MAY RUN OUT OF FUEL AND REFUEL AT A REMOTE GASOLINE STATION BUT THEN YOU CANT GET THE CAR TO START AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11222428

Incident

Jun 20, 2019

Mileage

63,400 mi

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 ID

11204487

Incident

Jun 26, 2017

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 ID

11204131

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

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 ID

11194680

Incident

Sep 25, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

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 ID

11163462

Incident

Nov 21, 2018

Mileage

55,000 mi