Most common 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mini Cooper S Countryman complaints by model year
2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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…
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.
What 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman owners say
Engine & cooling
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 NHTSA 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. …
Turbo coolant pump - last year my car smelled like burnt rubber and smoke began coming out of the tailpipes. The smoke was so bad, the car looked like it was on fire. I took it to a body shop to get it fixed and the smoke stopped. About 9 months later, I was parked with the car on. The rubber smell and smoke appeared again. I took it to a mechanic who said it was the coolant pump for the turbo. He said there had been a recall for it. I looked up the recall, but my VIN was not included. My car is having this exact problem and Mini will not fix it. It costs $3300 for me to fix, when clearly, it is a Mini manufacturing problem.
Air bags
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
Airbag light and seatbelt light are on continuously no matter if someone is in the seat or not.
Electrical system
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.
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.
2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 31 / 28 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 26 / 32 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the Cooper S Countryman to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman?
The engine & cooling — 12 complaints, 46% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline › turbo/supercharger › intercooler. Next are the air bags (3) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman have?
There is 1 recall for the 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman, the most recent from April 18, 2018 (engine). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 95,000 miles; 14% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.