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Verdict

2018 Mini Countryman: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2018 Mini Countryman — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Fewer reported complaints than most SUV.

Owners filed 11 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 88% of 2018 SUVs. Steering leads the reports (27%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

11

Reports to NHTSA, 2018

Safety recalls

2

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

No data

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 88% of 2018 SUVs

The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Steering issues lead owner complaints (27% of 11 reports), followed by electrical system (18%).

Steering27% · 3 reports
Electrical System18% · 2 reports
Service Brakes18% · 2 reports
Unknown Or Other18% · 2 reports
Engine9% · 1 report
Fuel/Propulsion System9% · 1 report

Share of all 11 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11728346, ODI 11634488, ODI 11432572.

Recalls(2)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Trailer Hitches · 17E051000Details +

Curt Manufacturing LLC (Curt) is recalling certain Class 1 trailer hitches, part number 11451, sold for installation on 2016-2018 Mini Cooper Clubman and Countryman vehicles. The vehicles may have inadequate structure points for the trailer hitch mounting, causing the hitch to sag under to certain loads and possibly separate from the vehicle.

Risk: If the trailer hitch sags or separates from the vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Curt will notify owners, and dealers will provide a replacement hitch, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2017. Owners may contact Curt customer service at 1-800-798-0813.

Fuel System · 18V557000Details +

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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2018 Mini Countryman 5 HB FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

2018 Mini Countryman 5 HB AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

No EPA fuel-economy record is available for this model year. Some trims and older vehicles were not tested or are not in the current EPA feed.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2018 Mini Countryman: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Mini Countryman?

Owners filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Mini Countryman — fewer complaints than 88% of comparable 2018 SUVs, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2018 Mini Countryman?

The most-reported problem areas are Steering (27% of complaints) and electrical system (18%).

How many recalls does the 2018 Mini Countryman have?

2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2018 Mini Countryman, covering components such as trailer hitches. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Mini Countryman get?

EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2018 Mini Countryman aren't available yet.