YearToAvoid

2012 MINI Cooper Countryman Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 3 Cooper Countryman years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman has 53 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 3 Cooper Countryman model years. The most reported problem area is engine (28 complaints, 53% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes and 8 fires.

Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
2 / 8
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
28.5
26 city / 31.5 hwy

Top 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine28 (53%)
  2. Electrical System14 (26%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain6 (11%)
  4. Airbags5 (9%)
  5. Other5 (9%)
  6. Fuel System4 (8%)
  7. Seat Belts4 (8%)
  8. Brakes3 (6%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers3 (6%)
  10. Structure & Body2 (4%)
2012 MINI Cooper Countryman complaints: complaints filed per month4Aug 2012Jul 2013May 2016May 2018Apr 2019Jul 2022Feb 2024
77 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2012 to Jun 2026; peak Aug 2012 (4).

2012 MINI Cooper Countryman recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2012 MINI Cooper Countryman fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26 MPG
Highway
31.5 MPG
Combined
28.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Cooper Countryman years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201120122013
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011No verdict5029028.5
2012No verdict10053028.5
2013No verdict025028.5

All MINI Cooper Countryman years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman ranks worst among Cooper Countryman model years (Complaint Index 100/100). It has 53 complaints and 0 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman?
The most reported problem areas are engine (28 complaints), electrical system (14 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (6 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 44,000 miles.
Does the 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman have any recalls?
No safety recall campaigns list the 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman in NHTSA’s recall database at the time of the last data update.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman?
EPA rates the 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman at 28.5 MPG combined (26 city / 31.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.