2013 MINI Cooper Countryman Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 MINI Cooper Countryman, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical824.2%
- Airbags412.1%
- Engine39.1%
- Visibility39.1%
- Body & structure39.1%
- Interior & seats26.1%
- Seat belts26.1%
- Tires & wheels26.1%
- Fuel system26.1%
- Driver assistance13.0%
- Exterior lighting13.0%
- Other / unspecified13.0%
- Powertrain (other)13.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The FRM module went bad. Lost signal lights, windows, headlights.
The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that there was a damp odor inside the vehicle after it rained. The contact stated that the vehicle started having electrical failures. The contact stated that the electrical system had stopped working on the driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the windows were not rolling up or down and the doors were not locking as needed. Additionally, the turn signals and the driver's side headlight and taillights were inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was a recall associated with the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED BRAMAN MOTORCARS AT 561-609-0130 (LOCATED AT 2901 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RECOMMENDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,186.
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS FAULTY. BMW RECALLED MANY BMWS AND MINI COOPERS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT THE 2013 MINI COUNTRYMAN - BUT IT ALSO HAS THIS ISSUE. IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH VIDOES TEACHING YOU HOW TO TRY TO BYPASS IT. THE LIGHT COMES ON TELLING YOU THERE IS AN AIRBAG DEFECT AND SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON FOR PASSENGER SIDE. IT ONLY MAKES THE SOUND WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT MOVING AROUND. IF NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT, THE LIGHTS ARE STILL LIT BUT NO ALARM IS SOUNDED. YOU CAN SIMPLY GOOGLE THIS AND TONS OF COMPLAINTS COME UP. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN ON THE CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT NOT BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED, INCIDENT NUMBER: 2019-006185. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S LOT. MINI OF WARWICK LOCATED AT 1515 BALD HILL RD A, WARWICK, RI 02886, (401) 229-4373, WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FIRE AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
ENGINE LOST ALL POWER WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF 3 AND ALL ENGINE POWER WAS LOST WHILE GOING 60MPH. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER OVER TO THE SHOULDER THROUGH TRAFFIC WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT WAS PRETTY SCARY. ENGINE WARNING SIGNS WERE FLASHING AND WAS TOLD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE IMMEDIATELY OR ELSE POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that water was entering the cabin of the vehicle from the sunroof. The contact stated that water was dripping on and into other electrical systems, causing malfunctions of the brake light and lights on the instrument panel. The water caused sizzling sounds and burning odors from other electrical controls. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
WE WERE DRIVING AROUND 70 MPH IN THE HOV LANE OF OUR HIGHWAY WITH OUR DOG IN THE BACK SEAT. A SUDDEN EXPLOSIVE NOISE (SOUNDED LIKE GUNFIRE) AND THE REAR SUNROOF EXPLODED ALL OVER OUR DOG AND REAR SEAT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The problem started with fog lights blinking on and off while the car was off. As I entered the vehicle I noticed a pool of water on the floor bed. The car has a sunroof which was closed at the time, as well as all of the windows - water came in from somewhere else. I proceeded to turn on the car to see what was happening and the car did not turn on. I thought maybe the battery is dead - tried to give it a boost and it did not work. I replaced the battery - it turned on the car but most lighting areas and power windows do not work. The two front windows are not working properly, they do not go up or down, only the back windows. I do not have control of the headlights - it just stays on one setting. The directional lights do not work. The console lights do not work. This puts myself and others at risk because I can’t aware other drivers when I making a turn or changing lanes. I can’t see the console panel at night, unaware of gas, speed, or radio functions. The car has been driven locally only during the day to avoid accidents and when I arrive at my destination - I notice smoke coming out of the hood. There is an active recall (23V-337) on the R55 & R56 models but not R60 models - which is my car. The exact description of defect (see below) is what is happening to my car and I’d like to have this model added to the recall. It is very dangerous to keep driving this car which I need for daily use. “This safety recall involves the Footwell Control Module (FRM), an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which controls various lighting and power window functions, and is installed near the bottom of the driver's side A-pillar behind an interior trim panel. Due to several contributing factors (environmental, certain US States' wintertime road treatment, vehicle design configuration and age), over time, the FRM could become susceptible to corrosion. For vehicles equipped with a sunroof, after a multi-year period involving large temperature changes, multiple freeze/thaw cycles..”
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. AFTER PARKING AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB TO THE REAR SEATS TO EXIT THROUGH THE REAR DOOR. THE CONTACT REPLACED A FUSE THAT ENABLED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO UNLOCK, BUT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR REMAINED LOCKED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS FAULTY. BMW RECALLED MANY BMWS AND MINI COOPERS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT THE 2013 MINI COUNTRYMAN - BUT IT ALSO HAS THIS ISSUE. IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH VIDOES TEACHING YOU HOW TO TRY TO BYPASS IT. THE LIGHT COMES ON TELLING YOU THERE IS AN AIRBAG DEFECT AND SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON FOR PASSENGER SIDE. IT ONLY MAKES THE SOUND WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT MOVING AROUND. IF NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT, THE LIGHTS ARE STILL LIT BUT NO ALARM IS SOUNDED. YOU CAN SIMPLY GOOGLE THIS AND TONS OF COMPLAINTS COME UP. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN ON THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. AFTER PARKING AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB TO THE REAR SEATS TO EXIT THROUGH THE REAR DOOR. THE CONTACT REPLACED A FUSE THAT ENABLED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO UNLOCK, BUT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR REMAINED LOCKED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE IN MOTION, PASSENGER SEAT BELT ALARM WAS GOING OFF THIS AM WITH NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SIGNAL WAS NOT LIT.
I GET AN ERROR THAT THE SEAT BELT IS DEACTIVATED AND THE THE AIRBAG IS OFF. RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND GOT CODE 93BF. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THIS HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE MORNING AFTER TURNING ENGINE ON WHEN GOING TO WORK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2 weeks ago my niece borrowed my 2013 mini countryman to go upstate NY and have a flat tire, went to Mavis to fix, when she returned the car I noticed the tire installed is not to the specs. required for the Mini w/ no spare tire due to run flat tire for the car required. Mavis should have installed the specified tire for safe driving. So far nothing happen because I immediately replaced it with a correct tire the next day after I noticed the improper tire installed. Subject: Tire size: - 205/55R17 95V (1624), Load index: - 95, Speed Rating: - V No Marking found indicating a run flat tire which are shown on other 3 existing tires.
CPSC: I1420055A. 2013 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER STATED THE CONTINENTAL TIRES ARE FAULTY AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *LN THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TWO TIRE FAILURES, WITHIN MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, AND THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED AS SHE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED A BUSTED SEAM ON BOTH FRONT TIRES, AND THREE GIANT BUBBLES ON THREE OF THE TIRES. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE LOST ALL POWER WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF 3 AND ALL ENGINE POWER WAS LOST WHILE GOING 60MPH. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER OVER TO THE SHOULDER THROUGH TRAFFIC WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT WAS PRETTY SCARY. ENGINE WARNING SIGNS WERE FLASHING AND WAS TOLD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE IMMEDIATELY OR ELSE POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THERE WAS ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE PART WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500. THE DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, WHICH WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 01/14/14
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I GET AN ERROR THAT THE SEAT BELT IS DEACTIVATED AND THE THE AIRBAG IS OFF. RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND GOT CODE 93BF. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THIS HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE MORNING AFTER TURNING ENGINE ON WHEN GOING TO WORK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The problem started with fog lights blinking on and off while the car was off. As I entered the vehicle I noticed a pool of water on the floor bed. The car has a sunroof which was closed at the time, as well as all of the windows - water came in from somewhere else. I proceeded to turn on the car to see what was happening and the car did not turn on. I thought maybe the battery is dead - tried to give it a boost and it did not work. I replaced the battery - it turned on the car but most lighting areas and power windows do not work. The two front windows are not working properly, they do not go up or down, only the back windows. I do not have control of the headlights - it just stays on one setting. The directional lights do not work. The console lights do not work. This puts myself and others at risk because I can’t aware other drivers when I making a turn or changing lanes. I can’t see the console panel at night, unaware of gas, speed, or radio functions. The car has been driven locally only during the day to avoid accidents and when I arrive at my destination - I notice smoke coming out of the hood. There is an active recall (23V-337) on the R55 & R56 models but not R60 models - which is my car. The exact description of defect (see below) is what is happening to my car and I’d like to have this model added to the recall. It is very dangerous to keep driving this car which I need for daily use. “This safety recall involves the Footwell Control Module (FRM), an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which controls various lighting and power window functions, and is installed near the bottom of the driver's side A-pillar behind an interior trim panel. Due to several contributing factors (environmental, certain US States' wintertime road treatment, vehicle design configuration and age), over time, the FRM could become susceptible to corrosion. For vehicles equipped with a sunroof, after a multi-year period involving large temperature changes, multiple freeze/thaw cycles..”
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
MINI NATIONAL AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT A LUG WRENCH IS NOT INCLUDED IN CARS MOUNTED WITH RUN-FLAT TIRES. THAT PUTS THE OWNER AT THE MERCY OF MINI'S ROAD-SIDE ASSISTANCE, WHICH DEPENDS ON CELLULAR SERVICE. IF THE OWNER CAN'T CONNECT WITH ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THERE IS NO WAY TO REMOVE TIRES TO TAKE FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE DISPLAYS LOSS OF ACCELERATION FROM STOP TO TAKE OFF. THIS LOSS OF POWER CAN LAST UP TO SECONDS. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE COULD BE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURS. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO MINI 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE COILS AND PLUGS WERE REPLACED. SECOND TIME THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CAR IS STILL DISPLAYING THE SAME ISSUE AND IS INTERMITTENT. AS OF THIS DATE, 6/18/2016, THE CAR LAST DISPLAYED THIS ISSUE ON 6/17/2016. I'VE CONTACTED MINI USA AND I AM AWAITING THERE REPLY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .