Research · Compact Cars

2011 MINI Cooper CountrymanRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints for the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman. Most complaints involve electrical system (11) and engine and engine cooling (4). The EPA rates it 27–30 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
27–30mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
29
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

29 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2011 – Apr 2026
  1. Electrical system11
  2. Engine and engine cooling4
  3. Engine4
  4. Steering4
  5. Power train4
  6. Vehicle speed control3
  7. Air bags3
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Visibility2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cooper Countryman model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201129
2012119
201371
201449
201553
201618
20190
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

11 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the driveway while both the contact and his wife were in another vehicle parked in the garage. The contact noticed white smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that upon opening the hood of the vehicle, the contact noticed an electrical burning smell and fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The contact then noticed that a blue plug had melted and was smoking. A police report was not filed. There was no injury sustained. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V008000(Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle remained at the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that he would receive a call back. The failure mileage was 111,019.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2025Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11686826

Engine and engine cooling

4 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal burning odor inside and outside the vehicle. The vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted after several hours. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a cracked water pump, which caused the engine to overheat. The contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11729444

Engine

4 reports
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? HEAD GASKETS BLEW ON THE ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IN JANUARY 2022. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AROUND MARCH 2022. NOW THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE IS SHOWING THE SAME SIGNS THAT THE HEAD GASKETS ARE AGAIN BLOWN. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? THIS CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN INITIALLY WHEN THEY BLEW. THE ENGINE IS NOW AGAIN MISFIRING AS IF THE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN AGAIN. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE CENTER YET, BUT IT IS ACTING THE SAME AS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NOT BEEN INSPECTED CURRENTLY. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AROUND MAY 2023.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2023EngineODI 11555328
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cooper Countryman
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273430$2,600296
Cooper Countryman
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
252927$2,850329
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 80
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Cooper Countryman questions

How many recalls does the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman problems?

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (11), engine and engine cooling (4), engine (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman get?

The EPA rates the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman at 27–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026