2017 Mini Countryman

Defect. 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.

Defect. 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.

The Air conditioning mixing flap failed. The is a technical bulletin out for this SIM 64 02 21. The mixing flap separated from the heater housing which is located under the dash board. In turn Cold air only coming out of the drivers side vent and not the passenger or rear vents. This is unsafe in Arizona where there is extreme heat for babies and pets. In addition one cannot see out the windshield since it also impacts the vents for defogging/defrosting. This is a $5000 repair causing economic hardship. Said vehicle only had 47,800 mile on it. Please advise . Thanks

Grinding noise near the front axis especially during tight corners when parking. Mechanics looked at it and saying the steering gear issue.

The contacts wife owns a 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the vehicle stalled while refueling. The contact stated that the vehicle made abnormal sounds while restarting, and often took 30-seconds to start operating normally. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions with the engine running and attempting to refuel the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled, and the contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after 15 minutes. The vehicle was not diagnosed of repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,500.

On 3/24/22 I was driving on the highway at approximately 1:30am my car made a loud noise and dropped down a bit on the front passenger side. At the same there was a cloud of smoke that came up from the same side. I pulled my car slowly off into the breakdown lane. Got out of my car to see what happened. The passenger tire was blown out. Had the car towed to Bedford, NH mini. They determined the Right front Coil Spring had snapped and a piece of it blew out the tire. Of note, I had not hit a pothole. They replaced it. I returned to the same place within a week because I heard creaking in the same area of that coil Spring. They inspected it and said it was fine. Between that time and the electrical fire I had the front light bulb on the passenger side replaced as it had burned out. On 7/31 at approximately 5:30am I had called valet parking to bring my car around at the Hotel I had stayed at. My friend noticed that light bulb on the passenger was once again burned out. We got in the car and I noticed the smell of smoke. I looked at my dash quickly and saw nothing. Then I saw smoke coming up from under my hood. Got out to check and noticed flames under my hood. I quickly alerted the desk clerk to call 911. It took approximately 3 minutes for them to arrive. By then the front right end was fully engulfed ing flames.

The contact owns a 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side door latch failed to latch as designed. The contact stated that he taped the door closed while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as a defective latch. The contact stated that the door lock actuator and the striker were replaced. The contact stated that a month later the front driver's side failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the door lock actuator and door assembly were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Mini Countryman. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle cabin was emitting a smoke odor. The contact stated the rear passenger side taillight malfunction warning message was displayed. The contact mentioned that the socket was melted when he replaced the rear passenger bulb. The contact spoke with a local dealer and they were informed to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact was concerned that his vehicle could potentially catch on fire due to the failure being experienced. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. Consumer while driving stated rear/ brake and directional light went out.

THE AUXILIARY COOLING RADIATOR WAS PUNCTURED BY A FOREIGN OBJECT, RESULTING IN LEAKING COOLANT AND ENGINE OVERHEAT. THE RADIATOR IS LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER, WITH A LARGE OPENING AND NO PROTECTION, LEAVING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE FROM ROCKS OR EVEN LARGE ENOUGH INSECTS WHILE DRIVING. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING MY ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, AND THE NEED TO PULL OVER AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED.