2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman recalls and problems

The 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman has 1 safety recall and 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any MINI dealer.

Recalls
1
Complaints
26
Crashes / fires
0 / 4
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman recalls

Recall 18V-248: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Apr 18, 2018 · 47,806 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

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 recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine12
Air Bags4
Unknown or Other3
Electrical System3
Power Train2
Seats2
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Structure1
Steering1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger › Intercooler — 1
  • Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger — 1
  • Structure › Body — 1
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 1
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 95,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Jul 12, 2025
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…
Latches/Locks/Linkages · reported Jun 22, 2025
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!
Electrical System · reported May 12, 2025
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 didn’t 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 hadn’t seen before. It was a fog…
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 125,000 miles · reported Aug 9, 2024
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.
Engine · reported Aug 2, 2024
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

Other MINI Cooper S Countryman years

20122011

Compare all MINI Cooper S Countryman years · All MINI models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman: 18V-248 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman?

Owners report engine problems most often (12 reports), followed by air bags (4). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 95,000 miles.

Are MINI recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized MINI dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.