2020 MINI Countryman Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 MINI Countryman has 6 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 73, and 2 recalls, ranking 4th worst out of 12 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, with engine and suspension issues most common.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #4 of 12 Countryman years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2020 MINI Countryman problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine2 (33%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (33%)
- Electrical System1 (17%)
- Fuel System1 (17%)
- Steering1 (17%)
- Structure & Body1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine overheated within a few miles of startup in cold weather, traced to radiator damage.
- Tires wore unevenly and lost most tread within thousands of miles, despite alignments, leading one tire to fail and cause a curb strike.
- Power rear hatch could raise itself while the vehicle was in drive if the key fob button was pressed, risking cargo falling out.
- Vehicle repeatedly shut down when stopped at intersections or in traffic before eventually failing to restart.
- Owners reported motor and transmission mount failures along with a USB port short that disabled power steering while driving.
2020 MINI Countryman recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V601000Sep 30, 2020Electrical System4,509 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
Risk: The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
Remedy: BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 20V490000Aug 18, 2020Electrical System713 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
Risk: A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2020 compared with other Countryman years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 MINI Countryman reliable?
- NHTSA lists 6 complaints and a complaint index of 73 for the 2020 Countryman, giving it a Caution verdict. That's better than the 2016 and 2014 model years but worse than 2017 and 2018.
- What problems does the 2020 MINI Countryman have?
- Owners most often reported engine issues, at 33% of complaints, followed by suspension, wheels, and tires, also at 33%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 3,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 MINI Countryman have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls, both involving the electrical system and hybrid battery modules on the Countryman SE ALL4 plug-in hybrid variant. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2020 Countryman compare to other years?
- It ranks 4th worst among the 12 model years with data, with a complaint index of 73. The 2018 model year scored best at 36, while 2025 scored worst at 100.