Airbag light and seatbelt light are on continuously no matter if someone is in the seat or not.
The worst 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine12
- Airbags3
- Electrical3
- Seats2
- Transmission2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine12
- Airbags3
- Electrical3
- Seats2
- Transmission2
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
- Steering1
Recalls 1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- 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.
Recall number 18V248000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman 102
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years
- New RDC wheel electronics will be introduced with future generation MINI models
- Air Conditioning System Leak Testing
- N18 thermostat with thermostat housing: limited warrantyextension to 10 years/
- N18 thermostat with thermostat housing: limited warranty extension to 10 years/
- Manual transmission - stiff diagonal gearshift lever movement.
- N18 Engine High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HDP): Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years/120,000 Miles This...
- Update MINI Water Pump Class Action Settlement: Herremans v. BMW of North America, LLC. MINI USA, a...
- Engine mechanical water (coolant) pump: limited warranty extension to 7 years/84,000 miles
- Service Action: Retrofit of Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
What 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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!
I had been having trouble with my Footwell Module since the fall, but for months, I didnât 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 werenât working. The second time it happened in January 2025, I didnât 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 hadnât seen before. It was a fog lamp bulb, but the car was off, and it wasnât 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 didnât check my windows. If they did go down they may not go back up! I didnât check my turn signals either. I was just happy the fogs went off⦠It was after much research, that I âfiguredâ 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 Miniâs that we ADORE, are PROUD of & LOVE! Mini Rule #1 Always park next to another Mini Mini Rule #5 Be compassionate to SUVâs
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.
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
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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
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.
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.
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.
Compare the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman
Other model years
20112012
Questions about the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman
Is the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman reliable?
Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman, close to a typical Cooper S Countryman model year.
What is the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman year score?
The 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman scores 73 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the MINI Cooper S Countryman: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman?
Engine and cooling, with 12 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles. Next is airbags (3).
How many recalls does the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman have?
1 recall, covering engine and engine cooling.
Was there a recall on the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 18V248000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history