2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 26 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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!”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jun 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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2023
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 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.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2021
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2020
“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”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2019
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2019
“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”Owner report · Seats · Aug 2019
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Remedy: 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 recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cooper S Countryman by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman reliable?
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.