2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman Owner Complaints

Airbag light and seatbelt light are on continuously no matter if someone is in the seat or not.

NHTSA ID

11710137

Incident

Jan 10, 2026

I purchased a 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman from LA Motorsports (703 1st Ave N, Windom, MN 56101) in November 2024. Prior to purchase, I specifically asked whether any open recalls remained, and the dealership assured me all had been completed. After the vehicle failed within 60 days, a certified MINI technician inspected it and confirmed the presence of stop leak and catastrophic internal engine damage. The technician also confirmed that the auxiliary water pump—subject to NHTSA Recall 18V-248, a federal Stop-Sale recall—was still actively leaking at the time of inspection, and that the recall was still open at the time of sale. This indicates the dealer sold the vehicle without completing the required recall, which violates federal law (49 U.S.C. § 30120(i); 49 C.F.R. § 573.11). I am reporting this as a violation of federal safety standards and consumer protection. I have evidence available, including a video inspection and technician report, and I am willing to provide those upon request.

NHTSA ID

11673034

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

We have had issues with every single door lock actuator assembly in this vehicle the passenger door will not latch shut at all! I'm sure how you could see this as a safety concern!

NHTSA ID

11668418

Incident

Jun 4, 2025

I had been having trouble with my Footwell Module since the fall, but for months, I didn’t know what was going on!! The first time, October 2024, I went to Advance Auto Parts to get help bc it was raining and my windows were down, and I needed headlights, not to mention, the signals weren’t working.  The second time it happened in January 2025, I didn’t go to Advance, I just disconnected the battery myself for a few hours.  The third time it happened, first week of April 2025, I got home that night, cut my engine off, and noticed a light in my dash I hadn’t seen before. It was a fog lamp bulb, but the car was off, and it wasn’t like normal, it was an error light. When I walked around to the front if the car, I saw my fog lamps were still on, which was weird. All lights were off on toe column and dash. So, I restarted my Mini and cut her back off again, then the fog lamps went off. I had no park lights, or headlights then either. I didn’t check my windows. If they did go down they may not go back up! I didn’t check my turn signals either. I was just happy the fogs went off… It was after much research, that I ‘figured’ out what was going on with my Mini concerning all of the intermittent craziness, but it never occurred to me that there was a fire hazard. I actually looked into purchasing an FRM back in February, and had put it into my shopping cart, but it cost more than I could gather together at one time. I am pretty sure that is why my Mini caught fire & burned to a total loss on April 18, 2025. There is no other explanation. She ran too good. She was my dream car. She would boot, scoot & boogie! PLZ SOMEONE IN BMW FIX THIS PROBLEM!!!!! I am a sucker for this yr, make & model & just purchased the same one. Plz make a RECALL & Save Us, who are so PROUD to be Mini Owners & our sweet LiL Mini’s that we ADORE, are PROUD of & LOVE! Mini Rule #1 Always park next to another Mini Mini Rule #5 Be compassionate to SUV’s

NHTSA ID

11660554

Incident

Apr 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse(R) and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice and a dealer once however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11607530

Incident

Oct 20, 2023

Mileage

125,000 mi

Oil keeps leaking back into motor and many car repair companies keep saying this is common and they won’t repair it because it’s not worth it also on another side the hood latch keeps breaking

NHTSA ID

11606209

Incident

Feb 4, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contacted stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the headlights, turn signals, horn, window regulators, and door locks became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11534133

Incident

Jul 23, 2023

Mileage

126,000 mi

Fire observed starting in the engine compartment from a red hot glowing spot on the auxiliary water pump, an electric powered pump on the front of the engine. The purpose of the auxiliary water pump is to continue to pump coolant through the turbocharger even after the engine was shut off. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company after the inspection by the dealer created an estimate too high for the repairs to be made. Report of this incident to the phone no of BMW/MiniCooper customer service had no favorable response. They blamed the US Government for not including this VIN in the recalls for this fire caused by the auxiliary water pump.

NHTSA ID

11461975

Incident

Feb 22, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL PACKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,421.

NHTSA ID

11403950

Incident

Jan 17, 2021

Mileage

118,421 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AN ENGINE PROBLEM MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED SOON AFTER RESTART. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY ON HER VEHICLE FOR THE HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MINI OF ONTARIO (1251 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761) WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE VALVE COVER, OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET O RING, FRONT CRANKSHAFT SEAL, OIL PUMP SOLENOID VALVE, WATER PUMP PULLEY DRIVE WHEEL, AND WATER PUMP ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11365166

Incident

Aug 7, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON DASH AND CENTER CONSOLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO FOUND MULTIPLE SEAT MAT SENSOR FAULT CODES STORED. THE SEAT MAT IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY BY FAILING TO RECOGNIZE IF THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND/OR THEIR WEIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE AIRBAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY COMPLETELY OR INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY ON A PASSENGER WEIGHING LESS THAN 45 POUNDS. BOTH RESULTING IN ADDITIONAL INJURIES AND/OR DEATH. MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME MINI HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES/RECALLS WITH THESE SEAT MAT SENSORS, AS DOCUMENTED IN MINI SERVICE BULLETIN DATE JANUARY 2019 (I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY). THE ISSUE AFFECTS NUMEROUS MINI MODELS MADE THROUGHOUT VARIOUS YEARS, INCLUDING 2012 WHICH IS THE SAME YEAR AS MY MINI. THESE SEAT MAT SENSORS DEFINITELY NEED TO BE REEVALUATED AND POTENTIALLY EXPAND THE RECALL/SAFETY ALERT TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL MODELS.

NHTSA ID

11362365

Incident

Sep 29, 2020

STEERING ASSIST AS GONE OUT. NO STEERING. THE CAR HAS 34000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329373

Incident

Jun 9, 2020

Mileage

340,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MINI OF ARLINGTON (2001 N COLLINS ST, ARLINGTON, TX 76011) FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11327159

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILS TO OPEN WHEN STATIONARY. USING REMOTE AND/OR THE INTERIOR UNLOCK TOGGLE ALLOWS THE UNLOCK INDICATOR ON THE UPPER DOOR SILL TO POP UP; HOWEVER, NEITHER THE INTERIOR NOR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES, WHEN PULLED, OPEN THE DOOR. DRIVER MUST EXIT VIA WINDOW OR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. ALL OTHER DOORS OPERATE IN A NORMAL FASHION. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY FROM 2 MAY 2020 UNTIL 26 MAY 2020. CURRENTLY AS OF 26 MAY 2020, THE DOOR UNLOCK INDICATOR POPS UP OR DOWN WITH REMOTE OR INTERIOR TOGGLE, BUT FAILS TO OPEN WHEN INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS PULLED. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND CAN BE IDENTIFIED ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. THOUGH THE YEAR AND MODEL MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN OURS, MANY PARTS ARE SHARED ACROSS MODELS AND YEARS. HTTP://FORUMS.PELICANPARTS.COM/MINI-DISCUSSION-FORUM/939545-DRIVER-DOOR-WONT-OPEN.HTML HTTPS://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/STOCK-PROBLEMS-ISSUES/187003-DRIVER-S-DOOR-WON-T-OPEN-FROM-INSIDE-OR-OUTSIDE.HTML HTTPS://WWW.MINI2.COM/THREADS/DRIVER-DOOR-STUCK-CLOSED-HELP.183918/ HTTP://WWW.PSMINI.ORG/FORUM/DRIVERS-DOOR-WONT-OPEN-FROM-INSIDE_TOPIC6265.HTML HTTPS://MINICOOPERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/2002-2006-MINI-COOPER-R50-11/MINI-COOPER-DOOR-WONT-OPEN-NOT-ACTUATER-3479/*DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11326149

Incident

May 2, 2020

Mileage

68,587 mi

THE FIRST IMAGE SHOWS A QUOTE FOR WORK THAT EDISON MINI STATED MY CAR NEEDS. THE SECOND IMAGE IS A SCREENSHOT I SAVED FROM THE INTERNET WHEN I RESEARCHED IF THE ISSUE WITH THE THE WATER PUMP IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR MY YEAR AND MAKE OF MY CAR. IS THERE A WAY WHERE YOU CAN HELP ME TO GET THIS WATER PUMP ISSUE CORRECTED BY MINI, AT THEIR EXPENSE? MY CAR IS A 2012, 8 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE A MERE 77,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

11321445

Incident

Sep 20, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN. AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND BLACK SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 911. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND FACILITY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. *LN*JB*PM*JB

NHTSA ID

11269428

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

84,000 mi

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR SENSOR FAULTS WHICH WERE COVERED IN RECALLS ON EARLIER MODELS ARE STILL A PROBLEM, YET NO LONGER COVERED FOR REPAIR. THIS SENSOR CONTROLS AIRBAG INFLATION DURING ACCIDENTS

NHTSA ID

11241863

Incident

Aug 4, 2019

Mileage

112,000 mi

CLUTCH SLIPPING, TAKING A LOT OF RPMS TO GET MOVING, LOT OF CHATTER ACCELERATING AROUND CORNERS (LIKE MAKING A TURN FROM OUT OF A DEAD STOP). STALLED OUT AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS, AND AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS ON HILLS, NEARLY CAUSING A FEW ACCIDENTS. BACKING UP INTO DRIVEWAY, JUST TRYING TO GET OVER THE CURB SLOPE WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BURNING SMELL FROM THE CLUTCH. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE CLUTCH IN THIS MAKE/MODEL YEAR SUBJECT TO PREMATURE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR (ONLY 7 YRS AND 40K MILES ON THIS VEHICLE - BY CONTRAST, I ALSO DRIVE A VW 10 YEARS OLDER WITH TWICE THE MILEAGE, CLUTCH STILL WORKING PERFECTLY). REPAIR TECH REPORT STATES CLUTCH WORN DOWN TO THE RIVETS, FLYWHEEL HEAVILY SCORED - VEHICLE HAS NO HISTORY OF RACING OR EVEN HEAVY USE, IS ONLY A DAILY DRIVER ON A SHORT (3 MI.) COMMUTE.

NHTSA ID

11240683

Incident

Jul 12, 2019

Mileage

41,000 mi

I HAD JUST EXITED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND HAD NOT EVEN MADE IT TO THE NEXT EXIT RAMP, WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED AS IF A GUN SHOT HAD GONE OFF IN MY CAR. WE WERE HIT WITH SHARDS OF GLASS AS THE GLASS DID NOT SHATTER INTO SMALL PIECES. GLASS PIECES WERE 1+ INCHES LONG AND 1+ INCHES WIDE. WE HAD NO VEHICLES NEXT TO US. WE DID NOT FIND ANY DEBRIS IN THE CAR OR ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR EXCEPT FOR SHATTERED GLASS.

NHTSA ID

11222097

Incident

Jun 22, 2019

Mileage

93,000 mi

SIMPLY PUT, MY SHIFT CABLE DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I WENT FROM 1ST TO 2ND TO NEUTRAL TO STOP AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY TO LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE PULLING ONTO THE ROAD TO NO SHIFT CAPABILITIES WHATSOEVER. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE I NORMALLY DRIVE TO GET TO WORK. I MANAGED TO POP THE LOOP END BACK IN PLACE, BUT FEAR IT MAY FALL OFF, AGAIN. DEALER WANTED 1K TO REPLACE SHIFT CABLES/HARDWARE. TWO CABLES IN MY SITUATION...

NHTSA ID

11184966

Incident

Mar 7, 2019

Mileage

109,000 mi

MY 2012 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN WITH 83033 MILES IS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING, THE RECALLED WATER PUMP WAS INSTALLED BY THE DEALER ON 10/31/2018, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WILL COST YOU $1800 TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING, I HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WILL COST ME $1800. PRE THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX. THERE IS NOT ANY PARTS IN THE UNITED STATES CURRENTLY TO FIX THIS CAR. I HAVE INCLUDED PHOTOS OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING THAT WAS REMOVED FROM MY CAR AND BY PAPER WORK FROM THE DEALER. IT LOOK LIKE IT WAS CHIP WHEN THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AND NOT CRACKED. I HAVE ORDER TWO THERMOSTAT AND THEY DO NOT FIX. I AM STILL PAYING FOR THIS CAR THOUGH MINI FINANICEL, MAYBE IT TIME TO HAVE THIS CAR RETURN BACK TO THEM. I CANNOT GET THE CORRECT THERMOSTAT TO GET IT FIX. DO NOT WANT TO KEEP PAYING FOR A CAR I CANNOT DRIVE. SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE....

NHTSA ID

11155449

Incident

Oct 31, 2018

OIL FILTER HOUSING AND/OR OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKETS LEAKING DIRECTLY ON EXHAUST DOWNPIPE, AND IN MY OPINION IS A FIRE HAZARD. THE OIL FLLTER HOUSING IS ONLY HELD ON BY A FEW BOLTS, AND ENGINE VIBRATION AND HEAT CAUSE LEAKING. THIS IS A HORRIBLE DESIGN, AND A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 1.6 ENGINE. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX, AND AGAIN IN MY OPINION, THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. MY MINI ONLY HAS 106K MILES, AND I HAVE NOT YET FIXED IT DUE TO THE EXPENSE. WITH THE OIL DRIPPING DIRECTLY ON THE EXHAUST, THE OIL BURNS AND SMOKES AND IS A FIRE HAZARD. I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THOUSANDS OF MINI OWNERS.

NHTSA ID

11150856

Incident

Oct 29, 2018

THE 2012 MINI COUNTRYMAN S ALL4'S TRANSFER CASE SEAL FOR THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AT 39,000 MILES. THIS CAUSE THE INTERNAL GEARS TO FAIL AND THE TRANSFER CASE TO BE FULLY REPLACED. IT SHOULD BE KNOWN THE DEALER TRIED TO USE A REPLACEMENT SEAL AND IT ARRIVED DAMAGED AND UNUSABLE.

NHTSA ID

11141119

Incident

Oct 10, 2018

Mileage

39,000 mi

WATER PUMP FAILED AT 84,000 MILES CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

11131115

Incident

Sep 19, 2018

MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR SLOWED TO 19 MPH, THEN DIED. I WILL NEED A NEW TIMING CHAIN, ENGINE, AND MORE. THIS CAR IS NEW TO ME FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11130775

Incident

Aug 14, 2018

Mileage

95,000 mi