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MINI Countryman VIN Number Check

Enter an MINI Countryman VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.

VIN prefixWMWWMZ

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
MINI Countryman

About the MINI Countryman

MINI has sold the Countryman in the US since the 2011 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 14 vehicle recall campaigns and 257 owner complaints. The 2012 has the most complaints of any model year (79). EPA rates it at 24–30 mpg combined, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2011–2026
EPA classMidsize Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns14
Owner complaints257 at NHTSA
MINI Countryman photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

MINI Countryman at a glance

One generation in the data, 2011–2026: 14 NHTSA recall campaigns and 257 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Countryman
2011–2026Midsize Cars
MINI Countryman (2011–2026)

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2011201520202025
2011–2026

MINI Countryman

EPA classMidsize Cars
EPA combined mpg24–30
NHTSA recalls14

Engines (EPA)

  • 1.6 L 4-cyl · 2011–2016
  • 1.6 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2011–2016
  • 1.5 L 3-cyl (turbo) · 2017–2024
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2017–2026
  • 1.5 L 3-cyl (turbo, plug-in hybrid) · 2018–2023
  • Electric · 2025–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD
  • manual (2011–2019), automatic (2011–2026), automated manual/dual-clutch (2020–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (81)Electrical system (71)Air bags (30)5 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 257 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · CountrymanWMWZC5C5?CW······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2012 MINI Countryman, built in Graz, Austria
Check a Countryman VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Countryman model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 14 campaigns on file for Countryman model years 2011–2026, and the 2025 shows up in more of them than any other year (6), ahead of the 2011 (2). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2025
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What MINI Countryman owners report

NHTSA data

Between them, the 2012 and 2011 hold 125 of the 257 complaints, or 49%. Tap any bar or generation.

257NHTSA complaints, 2011–2026
10mention a crash
26mention a fire
4injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearCountryman: 257 complaints · most for the 2012 (79)

Top complaint areas · Countryman

Mentions in 257 complaints, 2011–2026.

Engine and cooling81
Electrical system71
Air bags30
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)25
Fuel system18
Steering16
Crashes 10Fires 26Injuries 4

2011–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2012 is the outlier. On its own it has 79 of the ’s 257 complaints (31%), more than any other Countryman model year, and owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (81 mentions), then electrical system (71).

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner complaints · by model year

Countryman complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Plug-in and electric Countryman versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

257complaints, 2011–2026
10mention a crash
26mention a fire
4injuries reported
Most complaints: 2012 (79), 2011 (46), 2013 (25)
46’1179’1225’13’15’20’25

2012 · 79 complaints

Crashes 2 · fires 12 · injuries 0

Engine39
Electrical system17
Air bags8
Power train8
Unknown or other8

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Countryman CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 116 Countryman versions for model years 2011–2026 (gas, plug-in hybrid and electric). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 175 g/mi, for the 2023 plug-in hybrid. Electric versions have none at the tailpipe. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Countryman2011–2026

24–30 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 65–73 MPGe plug-in hybrid · 91–96 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0–373 g/mi

2025
27combined MPG
323CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,050EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: Countryman S All4 · Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo — 27 MPG · 323 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
01002003004002015202020252011 · Gas: 2962012 · Gas: 2962013 · Gas: 2972014 · Gas: 2952015 · Gas: 3022016 · Gas: 3112017 · Gas: 3192018 · Gas: 3192019 · Gas: 3212020 · Gas: 3072021 · Gas: 3062022 · Gas: 3062023 · Gas: 3112024 · Gas: 3122025 · Gas: 3232026 · Gas: 3242018 · Plug-in hybrid: 2232019 · Plug-in hybrid: 2232020 · Plug-in hybrid: 1752021 · Plug-in hybrid: 1752022 · Plug-in hybrid: 1752023 · Plug-in hybrid: 1752025 · Electric: 02026 · Electric: 0
GasPlug-in hybridElectric

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Countryman vs Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2011–2026. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the Countryman, against 44 for the Toyota RAV4 and 46 for the Honda CR-V. Pick a range to compare.

MINI Countryman

Model years 2011–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
14
NHTSA owner complaints
257
EPA combined mpg
24–30
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.5 L · 4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed
turbo, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 81
  2. Electrical system 71
  3. Air bags 30

Toyota RAV4

Model years 2011–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
44
NHTSA owner complaints
5,051
EPA combined mpg
21–43
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.5 L · 6-cyl 3.5 L · Electric
Also listed
hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 1,096
  2. Engine and cooling 805
  3. Fuel system 496

Honda CR-V

Model years 2011–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
46
NHTSA owner complaints
10,756
EPA combined mpg
23–40
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.5, 2.0, 2.4 L · Electric
Also listed
turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 2,189
  2. Forward collision avoidance 1,703
  3. Steering 1,638

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

MINI Countryman VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Countryman

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Gray MINI Countryman (third generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the Countryman's VIN at the base of the driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and B-pillar label between the front and rear doors are secondary locations. Engine bay stamp near the strut tower is present.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common MINI Countryman VIN questions

Which MINI Countryman model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2012 leads with 79, ahead of the 2011 (46) and 2013 (25). Those first two alone make up 49% of the 257 Countryman complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the MINI Countryman had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 14 vehicle campaigns for model years 2011–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which MINI Countryman recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 12V-008, 18V-248, 18V-557, 20V-490 and 20V-601. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the MINI Countryman get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2011–2026 Countryman at 24–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (65–73 MPGe on gas and electricity) (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the MINI Countryman compare with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V on recalls?

For 2011–2026 models the Countryman has 14 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota RAV4 has 44, the Honda CR-V 46. Complaints run 257, 5,051 and 10,756 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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