RoadVitals

2017 MINI Countryman Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Feb 4, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 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

  • Electrical225.0%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Fuel system112.5%
  • Interior & seats112.5%
  • Exterior lighting112.5%
  • Steering112.5%
  • Suspension112.5%

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The Air conditioning mixing flap failed. The is a technical bulletin out for this SIM 64 02 21. The mixing flap separated from the heater housing which is located under the dash board. In turn Cold air only coming out of the drivers side vent and not the passenger or rear vents. This is unsafe in Arizona where there is extreme heat for babies and pets. In addition one cannot see out the windshield since it also impacts the vents for defogging/defrosting. This is a $5000 repair causing economic hardship. Said vehicle only had 47,800 mile on it. Please advise . Thanks

NHTSA ID 11715641 · filed Feb 4, 2026

On 3/24/22 I was driving on the highway at approximately 1:30am my car made a loud noise and dropped down a bit on the front passenger side. At the same there was a cloud of smoke that came up from the same side. I pulled my car slowly off into the breakdown lane. Got out of my car to see what happened. The passenger tire was blown out. Had the car towed to Bedford, NH mini. They determined the Right front Coil Spring had snapped and a piece of it blew out the tire. Of note, I had not hit a pothole. They replaced it. I returned to the same place within a week because I heard creaking in the same area of that coil Spring. They inspected it and said it was fine. Between that time and the electrical fire I had the front light bulb on the passenger side replaced as it had burned out. On 7/31 at approximately 5:30am I had called valet parking to bring my car around at the Hotel I had stayed at. My friend noticed that light bulb on the passenger was once again burned out. We got in the car and I noticed the smell of smoke. I looked at my dash quickly and saw nothing. Then I saw smoke coming up from under my hood. Got out to check and noticed flames under my hood. I quickly alerted the desk clerk to call 911. It took approximately 3 minutes for them to arrive. By then the front right end was fully engulfed ing flames.

NHTSA ID 11479295 · filed Aug 15, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE AUXILIARY COOLING RADIATOR WAS PUNCTURED BY A FOREIGN OBJECT, RESULTING IN LEAKING COOLANT AND ENGINE OVERHEAT. THE RADIATOR IS LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER, WITH A LARGE OPENING AND NO PROTECTION, LEAVING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE FROM ROCKS OR EVEN LARGE ENOUGH INSECTS WHILE DRIVING. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING MY ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, AND THE NEED TO PULL OVER AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED.

NHTSA ID 11341410 · filed Jul 25, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contacts wife owns a 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the vehicle stalled while refueling. The contact stated that the vehicle made abnormal sounds while restarting, and often took 30-seconds to start operating normally. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions with the engine running and attempting to refuel the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled, and the contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after 15 minutes. The vehicle was not diagnosed of repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,500.

NHTSA ID 11514799 · filed Mar 31, 2023

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side door latch failed to latch as designed. The contact stated that he taped the door closed while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as a defective latch. The contact stated that the door lock actuator and the striker were replaced. The contact stated that a month later the front driver's side failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the door lock actuator and door assembly were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

NHTSA ID 11473740 · filed Jul 13, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Mini Countryman. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle cabin was emitting a smoke odor. The contact stated the rear passenger side taillight malfunction warning message was displayed. The contact mentioned that the socket was melted when he replaced the rear passenger bulb. The contact spoke with a local dealer and they were informed to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact was concerned that his vehicle could potentially catch on fire due to the failure being experienced. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. Consumer while driving stated rear/ brake and directional light went out.

NHTSA ID 11449577 · filed Jan 31, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Grinding noise near the front axis especially during tight corners when parking. Mechanics looked at it and saying the steering gear issue.

NHTSA ID 11690603 · filed Sep 30, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

On 3/24/22 I was driving on the highway at approximately 1:30am my car made a loud noise and dropped down a bit on the front passenger side. At the same there was a cloud of smoke that came up from the same side. I pulled my car slowly off into the breakdown lane. Got out of my car to see what happened. The passenger tire was blown out. Had the car towed to Bedford, NH mini. They determined the Right front Coil Spring had snapped and a piece of it blew out the tire. Of note, I had not hit a pothole. They replaced it. I returned to the same place within a week because I heard creaking in the same area of that coil Spring. They inspected it and said it was fine. Between that time and the electrical fire I had the front light bulb on the passenger side replaced as it had burned out. On 7/31 at approximately 5:30am I had called valet parking to bring my car around at the Hotel I had stayed at. My friend noticed that light bulb on the passenger was once again burned out. We got in the car and I noticed the smell of smoke. I looked at my dash quickly and saw nothing. Then I saw smoke coming up from under my hood. Got out to check and noticed flames under my hood. I quickly alerted the desk clerk to call 911. It took approximately 3 minutes for them to arrive. By then the front right end was fully engulfed ing flames.

NHTSA ID 11479295 · filed Aug 15, 2022

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

Data on this page last refreshed .