YearToAvoid

2021 MINI Countryman Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

9/100

#11 most-complained of 12 Countryman years

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

The 2021 MINI Countryman has 2 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 9 out of 100 — #11 highest of 12 Countryman model years. The most reported problem area is engine (1 complaints, 50% of the total).

Complaints
2
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2021 MINI Countryman problems

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

  1. Engine1 (50%)
  2. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (50%)
  3. Fuel System1 (50%)
2021 MINI Countryman complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2021Oct 2025
3 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2021 to Oct 2025; peak Oct 2021 (2).

2021 MINI Countryman recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V554000Jul 21, 2021Seat Belts21,537 vehicles

    Seat belts

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).

  2. 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.

2021 compared with other Countryman years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Caution55112—
2020Caution7362—
2021No verdict922—
2022No verdict2720—
2023No verdict1820—

All MINI Countryman years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 MINI Countryman a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 MINI Countryman ranks #11 of 12 among Countryman model years (Complaint Index 9/100). It has 2 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 MINI Countryman?
The most reported problem areas are engine (1 complaints), collision avoidance & cameras (1 complaints), and fuel system (1 complaints).
Does the 2021 MINI Countryman have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 MINI Countryman, most recently reported 2021, covering seat belts and electrical system.

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.