Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2019 Mini Countryman with NHTSA between 2019 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the Mini Countryman. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 32
6.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2019 compares with every other Mini Countryman
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2019 Mini Countryman
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
425.0%
Airbags
318.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
212.5%
Median failure at 17,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
212.5%
Median failure at 7,000 miles
Steering
212.5%
Median failure at 17,000 miles
Brakes
16.3%
Electrical System
16.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2019peak 3Aug 2026
Recalls on the 2019 Mini Countryman
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2024544587,250 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.
Recall 20194123 units in Canada
Steering
Issue: On certain vehicles, the steering tie rod ends may not be assembled correctly and could be missing a washer. Over time, this may cause excessive wear to the tie rod ends and cause them to break. This could result in a loss of steering control. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect, and if necessary, replace the tie rods and ball joints.
Recall 20184971,313 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, a crankshaft sensor error may cause the engine to stall. This would result in a loss of motive power, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor. Note: This condition would result in the illumination of the check engine warning lamp and an “engine malfunction” message appearing in the instrument cluster. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2018-373.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Pensacola, FLCrash
AIR BAGS
I was stopped at a red light behind a line of cars. A toyota tundra going 45-60 mph rear ended me. This sent me into the car ahead of me and sandwiched me in between the two. It destroyed the front and back of my vehicle. The tundra's airbags went of, mine did not. Despite me taking most of the damage and force. The car is totaled.
NHTSA complaint #11695712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Potomac, MD
ENGINE
My car is a 2019 Mini Countryman All4 S. It currently has 17,000 miles. I bought it new, and it has only been serviced by the Dealer. On July 20, it was in for an oil change, and they informed me that right engine mount was starting to tear and needed to be replaced. The price quoted was $1,135.83. I have owned many cars with a lot more age and mileage, and have never had to replace an engine mount. They said if I did not replace it, it would eventually damage other parts of the engine. After talking with other Mini owners, I found out it is common for this part to fail much sooner than it should. They all felt it should be recalled, particularly due to the repair cost and short lifespan. I spoke with Mini/BMW, and was told that it was a "wear and tear" item, and they took age into consideration, so they could not help me.
NHTSA complaint #11756775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrill, MI
ENGINE
75000 miles, the clip on the cam shaft has failed and I need a new engine for the car not to stall at traffic lights. Regular maintenance. Service center confirmed. There is an engine light and now the vehicle is unsafe and unusable with low miles!
NHTSA complaint #11707265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FLCrash
AIR BAGS
I was stopped at a red light behind a line of cars. A toyota tundra going 45-60 mph rear ended me. This sent me into the car ahead of me and sandwiched me in between the two. It destroyed the front and back of my vehicle. The tundra's airbags went of, mine did not. Despite me taking most of the damage and force. The car is totaled.
NHTSA complaint #11695712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allendale, NJ
POWER TRAIN
This car is a PHEV. I experienced a drivetrain malfunction warning noted on instrument display. Vehicle states it can continue to be driven “moderately” with reduced drivetrain output. This is similar to an incident recently in which the instrument cluster stopped working following a drivetrain warning on the instrument cluster. Dealer has not yet diagnosed this latest problem but for the previous issue states it is due to high voltage battery not being fully charged when driving but does not acknowledge any faults with the system.
NHTSA complaint #11573839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allendale, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This car is a PHEV. I experienced a drivetrain malfunction warning noted on instrument display. Vehicle states it can continue to be driven “moderately” with reduced drivetrain output. This is similar to an incident recently in which the instrument cluster stopped working following a drivetrain warning on the instrument cluster. Dealer has not yet diagnosed this latest problem but for the previous issue states it is due to high voltage battery not being fully charged when driving but does not acknowledge any faults with the system.
NHTSA complaint #11573839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allendale, NJ
ENGINE
This car is a PHEV. I experienced a drivetrain malfunction warning noted on instrument display. Vehicle states it can continue to be driven “moderately” with reduced drivetrain output. This is similar to an incident recently in which the instrument cluster stopped working following a drivetrain warning on the instrument cluster. Dealer has not yet diagnosed this latest problem but for the previous issue states it is due to high voltage battery not being fully charged when driving but does not acknowledge any faults with the system.
NHTSA complaint #11573839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hinesburg, VT
ENGINE
Water pump broke; car overheated and belt needs to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11527397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
AIR BAGS
In July 2022, I kept getting a warning that the passenger restraint system is malfunctioning whenever somebody sits on the passenger seat. I brought my car to Mini of Austin and they had the system being reset but the warning came up again a few days later when somebody sat on my passenger seat. In August 2022, I brought my car back to Mini of Austin and a week later they told me that they had to replace the airbag sensor and it would take weeks since they had to order it from Germany. They told me they would let me know when the part arrived but they didn’t tell me that the part had arrived until I asked them in October 2022. I brought my car to Mini of Austin again to have the sensor replaced but after 10 days they told me the replacement that they got was faulty so they had to reorder the replacement and it would take weeks again. I’ve had my car back ever since and the problem got worse. I got the passenger restraint system malfunction warning even when nobody sits on the passenger seat. The seatbelt warning is also always on even when nobody sits there, so I have to buckle the seatbelt at the passenger seat even when nobody sits there in order for the car to not giving me noisy alarms telling me to buckle the seatbelt on the passenger seat when I’m driving on my own. Mini of Austin hasn’t charged me since the car is still under warranty. However, the warranty will end on November 26 2022 and they told me I would have to pay for the service and replacement if the issue comes up again after the warranty ends. I believe that my car is faulty and should have been recalled or at least have my warranty extended in case the issue comes up again not long after the warranty ends.
NHTSA complaint #11490912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
In July 2022, I kept getting a warning that the passenger restraint system is malfunctioning whenever somebody sits on the passenger seat. I brought my car to Mini of Austin and they had the system being reset but the warning came up again a few days later when somebody sat on my passenger seat. In August 2022, I brought my car back to Mini of Austin and a week later they told me that they had to replace the airbag sensor and it would take weeks since they had to order it from Germany. They told me they would let me know when the part arrived but they didn’t tell me that the part had arrived until I asked them in October 2022. I brought my car to Mini of Austin again to have the sensor replaced but after 10 days they told me the replacement that they got was faulty so they had to reorder the replacement and it would take weeks again. I’ve had my car back ever since and the problem got worse. I got the passenger restraint system malfunction warning even when nobody sits on the passenger seat. The seatbelt warning is also always on even when nobody sits there, so I have to buckle the seatbelt at the passenger seat even when nobody sits there in order for the car to not giving me noisy alarms telling me to buckle the seatbelt on the passenger seat when I’m driving on my own. Mini of Austin hasn’t charged me since the car is still under warranty. However, the warranty will end on November 26 2022 and they told me I would have to pay for the service and replacement if the issue comes up again after the warranty ends. I believe that my car is faulty and should have been recalled or at least have my warranty extended in case the issue comes up again not long after the warranty ends.
NHTSA complaint #11490912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rock Hill, SC
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle stalled 10/01/2022. Towed home and it started. Stalled again 10/07/2022 and had it towed to third party mechanic. Could not identify the problem. Took to another mechanic who is experienced in Mini Cooper BMW engines. Problem was condensation in the electric fuel pump control module caused corrosion. Had to be replaced. Could not identify where the condensation build up starts. Contacted Mini Cooper dealership in Charlotte NC. They stated no recalls. Contacted Mini Customer Relations. Car is under warranty but they will not reimburse because repair done at a 3rd party mechanic. Car has 37,648 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11489141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellicott, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Phev Charging cord that came w vehicle from Grayson BMW dealership in Knoxville. Bought car used w 15339 miles during pandemic (site unseen via internet had shipped to Maryland). Cord that came w car is an official mini OEM charging cord (see attached pics- mini cord 61440003082- number etched on portable EV charger)Have had charging issues w cord brought to mini Towson 3* for cord issues- overheat I believe is the code error?? There was a known recall on bmw/mini cords for the 2018 vehicles
NHTSA complaint #11475232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesCarteret, NJ
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING MY COUNTRYMAN ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH, I MY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY AND RANDOMLY JERKED TO THE RIGHT. THE JERK WAS SEVER ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE CAR TO SWERVE INTO THE NEXT LANE CUTTING OFF A CLOSE BY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN MY LINE, AND THE ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN CAUSING MY CAR TO SWERVE AN ADDITIONAL TIME. THIS IS OF SERIOUS CONCERN FOR ALL DRIVERS THAT THIS HAPPENS TO AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. DURING THIS TIME THE ELWEATHER WAS DRY AND ABOUT 60F.THE ROAD WAS CLEAR OF DEBRIS, POTHOLES AND BUMPS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN WHICH THIS ISSUE OCCURRED FOR ME IN MY +1 YEAR OF OWNERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #11364876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesCarteret, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING MY COUNTRYMAN ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH, I MY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY AND RANDOMLY JERKED TO THE RIGHT. THE JERK WAS SEVER ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE CAR TO SWERVE INTO THE NEXT LANE CUTTING OFF A CLOSE BY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN MY LINE, AND THE ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN CAUSING MY CAR TO SWERVE AN ADDITIONAL TIME. THIS IS OF SERIOUS CONCERN FOR ALL DRIVERS THAT THIS HAPPENS TO AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. DURING THIS TIME THE ELWEATHER WAS DRY AND ABOUT 60F.THE ROAD WAS CLEAR OF DEBRIS, POTHOLES AND BUMPS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN WHICH THIS ISSUE OCCURRED FOR ME IN MY +1 YEAR OF OWNERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #11364876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesFort Collins, CO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
A BACKSEAT SPILL CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE TO COMPLETELY FAIL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A FRONTAGE ROAD, THE MINI JERKED STARTED SHAKING AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. A "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" WARNING CAME UP. THE VEHICLE, ONCE STOPPED, BEGAN WORKING AGAIN WITH NO ELECTRIC WARNING. THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR WOULD START, DRIVE FOR 10 FEET, THEN STOP, WITH THE "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" WARNING. WE TOWED THE CAR TO A MINI DEALER, WHO INFORMED US THAT A SPILLED DRINK IN THE BACKSEAT DESTROYED THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. IT SEEMS COMPLETELY UNSAFE THAT A CHILD'S SPILL (MAYBE 1/4 OF A DRINK) COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE TO STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT IN DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, IT COULD HAVE--OR COULD HAVE LEFT US STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. (WE ALSO HAVE A MP4 VIDEO OF THE INSPECTION SHOWING THAT A SPILL IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE TO FAIL, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE)
NHTSA complaint #11307202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort LEE, NJ
STEERING
I PURCHASED MY CAR FOR SCHOOL AND TO COMMUTE TO WORK FROM NEW JERSEY TO CONNECTICUT AND SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED MY CAR, I HAD NOT ONCE FELT SAFE IN MY OWN CAR. I TOWED MY CAR IN 3 TIMES (9/15/18, 4/8/19, AND 6/10/19) BECAUSE MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP AND FREEZE. IT WAS LIKE DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINES OFF. NON-DRIVEABLE INSTANCES WERE 3 TIMES. HOWEVER, THERE WERE MANY INSTANCES WHEN I WOULD BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OVER 50MPH AND IF I HAD GONE OVER A SMALL POTHOLE OR I AM TURNING MY VEHICLE ON A CURVED AREA OR IF I AM DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS AND I AM MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK AND LOCK FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THEN RELEASE. TO BE FRANK, IF I HAD NOT DRIVEN WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL TIMES, I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS AUTO-ACCIDENTS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO ME AND OTHER CIVILIANS ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS ANOTHER INCIDENT TWO DAYS AGO ON 6/26/19 (AFTER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE MINI MANUFACTURERS TOLD ME MY CAR WAS FIXED FOR THE 3RD TIME) WHERE I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY SO I HAD TO SLAM THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. THEN I SAW NOTIFICATIONS (FRONT COLLISION MALFUNCTION AND BRAKE INTERVENTION NOT POSSIBLE). THIS WAS THE 4TH TIME I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND IS NOW EVEN WORSE BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, AND THIS TIME THEY SHOULD NOT GET AWAY WITH THIS ISSUE. AFTER THE 3RD INCIDENT, I ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE TO THE MINI/BMW MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE BEING RUDE AND INCONSIDERATE OF MY SITUATION. THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY THREAT TO ME AND MANY OTHER CIVILIANS ON THE ROAD. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME.
NHTSA complaint #11223100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort LEE, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
I PURCHASED MY CAR FOR SCHOOL AND TO COMMUTE TO WORK FROM NEW JERSEY TO CONNECTICUT AND SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED MY CAR, I HAD NOT ONCE FELT SAFE IN MY OWN CAR. I TOWED MY CAR IN 3 TIMES (9/15/18, 4/8/19, AND 6/10/19) BECAUSE MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP AND FREEZE. IT WAS LIKE DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINES OFF. NON-DRIVEABLE INSTANCES WERE 3 TIMES. HOWEVER, THERE WERE MANY INSTANCES WHEN I WOULD BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OVER 50MPH AND IF I HAD GONE OVER A SMALL POTHOLE OR I AM TURNING MY VEHICLE ON A CURVED AREA OR IF I AM DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS AND I AM MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK AND LOCK FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THEN RELEASE. TO BE FRANK, IF I HAD NOT DRIVEN WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL TIMES, I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS AUTO-ACCIDENTS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO ME AND OTHER CIVILIANS ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS ANOTHER INCIDENT TWO DAYS AGO ON 6/26/19 (AFTER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE MINI MANUFACTURERS TOLD ME MY CAR WAS FIXED FOR THE 3RD TIME) WHERE I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY SO I HAD TO SLAM THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. THEN I SAW NOTIFICATIONS (FRONT COLLISION MALFUNCTION AND BRAKE INTERVENTION NOT POSSIBLE). THIS WAS THE 4TH TIME I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND IS NOW EVEN WORSE BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, AND THIS TIME THEY SHOULD NOT GET AWAY WITH THIS ISSUE. AFTER THE 3RD INCIDENT, I ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE TO THE MINI/BMW MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE BEING RUDE AND INCONSIDERATE OF MY SITUATION. THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY THREAT TO ME AND MANY OTHER CIVILIANS ON THE ROAD. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME.
NHTSA complaint #11223100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.