2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (9) · Electrical System (3) · Seats (2)
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2018-04-18 · campaign 18V248000 · 47,806 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommen
Service bulletins (102)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2023-10-25 · M610607 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. as a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system can have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. for this rea
Wheels 2021-12-01 · M360119 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
new rdc wheel electronics will be introduced with future generation mini models. the new wheel electronics are identified as huf generation 5. these new wheel electronics will need to be programmed using the new tool when replaced or when depressurized (0 psi) for more than 2 minutes.
Equipment:electrical 2019-07-12 · M640108 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
air conditioning system leak testing. the customer complains of poor or no air conditioning cooling. after further diagnosis, the system is found to be low or empty of a refrigerant charge, but when using an electronic leak detector, no leak can be found. cause: in most cases, an electronic leak d
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2019-04-01 · M010218 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
n18 thermostat with thermostat housing: limited warranty extension to 10 years/ this service information bulletin supersedes si m01 02 18 dated may 2018.
Equipment 2019-04-01 · M010218 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
n18 thermostat with thermostat housing: limited warrantyextension to 10 years/ this service information bulletin supersedes si m01 02 18 dated may 2018.
Power Train 2018-11-01 · M230108 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"manual transmission - stiff diagonal gearshift lever movement. the customer may complain of a ""stiff diagonal shift"" (e.g., n-r, r-n, 2-3/3-2 or 4-5/5-4). also, in some cases, gears cannot be selected, or the selector gear does not go into the neutral position. cause 1. the deflection lever circl
Showing the 6 most recent of 102 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-10 · Air Bags“airbag light and seatbelt light are on continuously no matter if someone is in the seat or not. …”
2025-07-12 · Engine“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 presen…”
2025-06-22 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch“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!…”
2025-05-12 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“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…”
2024-08-09 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 125,000 mi“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 …”
2024-08-02 · Unknown Or Other“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…”
2023-07-24 · Electrical System · 126,000 mi“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 …”
2022-04-24 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“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 th…”
2021-03-19 · Engine · 118,421 mi“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 dia…”
2020-10-19 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump · 80,000 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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.