2015 MINI 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 2015 MINI 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
- Engine425.0%
- Body & structure212.5%
- Electrical212.5%
- Interior & seats212.5%
- Powertrain (other)212.5%
- Visibility16.3%
- Driver assistance16.3%
- Exterior lighting16.3%
- Brakes16.3%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Spontaneous engine fire of 2015 Mini Cooper S Countryman while parked and not used for 48 hours prior. The fire department guessed it was an electrical issue. It was put out with water and a fire extinguisher but the engine was severely damaged, melted plastic everywhere, electrical wiring burned completely and more. The engine appears unfixable, the front window was cracked by the heat and the hood with paint was burnt.
The vanos solenoid failed in the 2015 Mini Cooper, and immediately after the Alternator failed. My safety was put at risk in multiple ways: 1 - The engine was in a non-drivable state 2 - Significant smell gasoline was coming from the car 3 - Car had to be towed to a shop to determine what failed 4 - The shop fixed the vanos solenoid The problem was confirmed by the independent service center. When the vanos solenoid failed, the Check Engine and Oil lights came on. By the time the lights came on however, the vehicle was undrivable. When the alternator failed, the battery light came on. Repair of the vanos solenoid was $279.44 Towing to the shop was $155.00
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
I opened door in freezing conditions and the door refused to open. Then once I got it opened it would not shut or remain latched with an pressure. Problems have been identified by rusted cables from door latch to door handle. These devices should have the ability to hold a load once it’s latched, especially in rear where children can do kid things.
PURCHASED MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN S NEW FROM FACTORY. RECENTLY HAD SEVERAL ELEMENTS OF THE CAR FAIL AT AROUND 50,000 MILES. THE TRUNK LATCH WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT UNLOCK OR JAM AND NOT CLOSE. TRUNK LATCH EVENTUALLY FAILED TO THE POINT WHERE THE TRUNK HATCH COULD NOT BE OPENED. REAR WIPER MOTOR WOULD MAKE ODD CHIRPING NOISES OCCASIONALLY, ALONG WITH THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WOULD MAKE A SHUTTERING NOISE WHEN CLOSING. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRUNK LATCH ACTUATOR. IN ADDITION, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR WIPER MOTOR AND THE SIDE DRIVER'S MIRROR. CONSIDERING I HAVE HAD THIS CAR NEW FROM THE FACTORY, IT HAS BEEN STORED IN THE GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE, AND THAT I TAKE IT IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 5K MILES, I HAVE A BOOK WITH SEVERAL PAGES OF REPAIRS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE ON THIS CAR THAT STARTED AT 2500 MILES. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY CAR, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE ALREADY PAID OVER $6,000 IN REPAIRS FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. THIS IS REALLY UNACCEPTABLE! I DON'T ABUSE MY VEHICLES AND CONSIDERING THE PRICE OF THIS CAR, I EXPECTED MORE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The car starts but within a few second, the dashboard starts flashing with all of the warning lights and sounds. The speedometer and RPM needles move up and down frantically. I can drive the car, but I cannot tell at what speed I am going and if I put a turning signal I am not always able to stop it from flashing. Mini service found that the fuse box part # Main Fuse Box – Mini (61-35-9-813-622) that control the electric component of the car is defective. They also told me that the part is in back order worldwide for 11 months and they cannot get it for me, but they can place an order for it. I found out from MINI directly that there are 400 of that part in back order. My car is now in my driveway for the last two months and still no news about receiving the part. My registration is due for renewal in November, and it will not pass safety inspection, and I will end up with a lemon in my driveway. I still have a loan with Mini and I cannot even sell my car to pay for the remainder of that loan.
Second failure of the FRM electrical board on the drivers side (part # 61356827070) within a year. I have only owned the vehicle for 14 months. Mini dealer advised this is known problem - water entering the vehicle causing corrosion and malfunction of the FRM board. I was advised there IS a recall for this problem on several other Mini Cooper models but not for the Countryman S (vehicle I own). Estimate for repair is $1939 for the FRM board including labor AND $3,000 for the "water test" to determine where the leak is coming from. My son was driving the vehicle when electrical problem started. Driver window went down and could not be raised, turn signals would not operate and headlights could not be operated then went on and could not be turned (even when the key was removed) off which killed the battery. Vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle is currently at the Mini dealer in Latham NY until we can figure out what to do. Certified Dealer technician confirmed FRM board malfunction advising it could not be repaired and had to be replaced. There was no indication or warning lights prior to the board malfunction.
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 contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated that the front driver's side door failed to latch securely. The contact had to hold the door closed while driving to the destination. The contact stated that the front driver's side door latch had previously been replaced five years prior to the failure; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side door cable and latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 83,905.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MINI COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MECHANISMS DID NOT LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF DUTCHES COUNTY (1162 US 9,, WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY 12590) AND WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *BF PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECTIFIED TO CONSUMERS SATISFACTION.*JB
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
The vehicle shifts between reverse, neutral and drive without the automatic shift knob being pressed. This is an absolute safety issues, since it can shift at speed, causing a major accident. This is an ongoing issue. But don’t see a recall for it. I’ve contacted Mini of San Francisco.
2015 MINI COUNTRYMAN WITH 48980 MILES CLUTCH FAILED WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION TURNING FROM A 50 MPH ZONE TO A SIDE STREET. DEALER COVERED IT EXCEPT $173 DUE TO EXTENDED SERVICE MAINTENANCE PLAN. IT ALSO COST $155 LOCAL SERVICE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER REPLACED FLYWHEEL, CLUTCH AND PRESSURE PLATES, SHIFT FORK AND PEDAL RETAINING PIN AND CLUTCH RELEASE FORK. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION IF THE RIGHT TURN WAS NOT MADE IN THE LOWER SPEED ROAD.
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
PURCHASED MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN S NEW FROM FACTORY. RECENTLY HAD SEVERAL ELEMENTS OF THE CAR FAIL AT AROUND 50,000 MILES. THE TRUNK LATCH WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT UNLOCK OR JAM AND NOT CLOSE. TRUNK LATCH EVENTUALLY FAILED TO THE POINT WHERE THE TRUNK HATCH COULD NOT BE OPENED. REAR WIPER MOTOR WOULD MAKE ODD CHIRPING NOISES OCCASIONALLY, ALONG WITH THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WOULD MAKE A SHUTTERING NOISE WHEN CLOSING. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRUNK LATCH ACTUATOR. IN ADDITION, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR WIPER MOTOR AND THE SIDE DRIVER'S MIRROR. CONSIDERING I HAVE HAD THIS CAR NEW FROM THE FACTORY, IT HAS BEEN STORED IN THE GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE, AND THAT I TAKE IT IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 5K MILES, I HAVE A BOOK WITH SEVERAL PAGES OF REPAIRS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE ON THIS CAR THAT STARTED AT 2500 MILES. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY CAR, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE ALREADY PAID OVER $6,000 IN REPAIRS FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. THIS IS REALLY UNACCEPTABLE! I DON'T ABUSE MY VEHICLES AND CONSIDERING THE PRICE OF THIS CAR, I EXPECTED MORE.
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
Our 2015 Mini Cooper countryman spontaneously combusted. It started with a cruise control warning and then a notice that the care was drivable but to take it to a dealership. The car’s engine began smoking and shortly after stopping the car became engulfed in smoke and then combusted. The car was completely damaged by the fire. The car has been towed to Crossroads Towing and Recovery Services in Ft. Collins, CO.
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 car starts but within a few second, the dashboard starts flashing with all of the warning lights and sounds. The speedometer and RPM needles move up and down frantically. I can drive the car, but I cannot tell at what speed I am going and if I put a turning signal I am not always able to stop it from flashing. Mini service found that the fuse box part # Main Fuse Box – Mini (61-35-9-813-622) that control the electric component of the car is defective. They also told me that the part is in back order worldwide for 11 months and they cannot get it for me, but they can place an order for it. I found out from MINI directly that there are 400 of that part in back order. My car is now in my driveway for the last two months and still no news about receiving the part. My registration is due for renewal in November, and it will not pass safety inspection, and I will end up with a lemon in my driveway. I still have a loan with Mini and I cannot even sell my car to pay for the remainder of that loan.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The car starts but within a few second, the dashboard starts flashing with all of the warning lights and sounds. The speedometer and RPM needles move up and down frantically. I can drive the car, but I cannot tell at what speed I am going and if I put a turning signal I am not always able to stop it from flashing. Mini service found that the fuse box part # Main Fuse Box – Mini (61-35-9-813-622) that control the electric component of the car is defective. They also told me that the part is in back order worldwide for 11 months and they cannot get it for me, but they can place an order for it. I found out from MINI directly that there are 400 of that part in back order. My car is now in my driveway for the last two months and still no news about receiving the part. My registration is due for renewal in November, and it will not pass safety inspection, and I will end up with a lemon in my driveway. I still have a loan with Mini and I cannot even sell my car to pay for the remainder of that loan.
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 .