2017 MINI Countryman Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2017 MINI Countryman has a complaint index of 45, ranking 7th out of 12 model years, and earns a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 7 complaints, 1 recall, and 2 fire reports, with electrical issues the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #7 of 12 Countryman years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 7
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
Top 2017 MINI Countryman problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System3 (43%)
- Engine1 (14%)
- Fuel System1 (14%)
- Other1 (14%)
- Steering1 (14%)
- Structure & Body1 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (14%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report a smoke odor in the cabin along with a melted taillight bulb socket around 36,000 miles.
- Some describe a loud noise and smoke from the front passenger side tied to a tire blowout while driving on the highway.
- An auxiliary cooling radiator mounted low near the bumper was punctured by road debris, causing coolant leaks and engine overheating around 26,475 miles.
- A front passenger door latch failed to hold the door closed, requiring replacement of the latch, actuator, and striker around 82,000 miles.
- Fuel system complaints describe the vehicle stalling while refueling, along with abnormal restart sounds and delayed startup around 81,500 miles.
- One owner reported a grinding noise from the front axle area during tight, low-speed turns, linked to the steering gear.
2017 MINI Countryman recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V557000Aug 23, 2018Fuel System9,953 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017-2019 MINI Cooper Countryman vehicles. These vehicles may be missing a crash protection plate near the high pressure fuel pump, which may result in a fuel leak in the event of a crash.
Risk: Without the crash protection plate, in the event of a crash, the fuel pump can become damaged, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will install a crash protection plate, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 22, 2018. Owners will receive a second notification when the repair is available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
2017 compared with other Countryman years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 MINI Countryman reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Countryman a complaint index of 45 and a Good verdict, ranking 7th out of 12 model years for the Countryman. It has fewer reported problems than several other years like 2014, 2016, and 2025.
- What problems does the 2017 MINI Countryman have?
- NHTSA lists 7 complaints for the 2017 Countryman, with electrical system issues making up 43% of them, including reports of smoke odor and melted bulb sockets. Other reported areas include the engine, fuel system, steering, structure, and suspension.
- Does the 2017 MINI Countryman have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 18V557000, for a missing crash protection plate near the high-pressure fuel pump that could allow a fuel leak. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2017 Countryman compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 45, the 2017 model ranks better than 2014 (82), 2015 (64), 2016 (91), 2019 (55), 2020 (73), and 2025 (100), but slightly higher than 2018 (36).
- Were there any fires reported for the 2017 MINI Countryman?
- NHTSA lists 2 fire reports for the 2017 Countryman, both tied to electrical system complaints, though no crashes, injuries, or deaths were reported.