Revealed in November 2023 as a 2025 model, the new Countryman has been hit with a safety recall. BMW of North America determined that the rear side door panel armrest support bracket may not have been fitted according to specifications by the supplier, namely SMP Deutschland GmbH.
Said armrest support bracket attaches to the door panel by two screws. In the event of a side crash that prompts the deployment of the thorax airbag, the bracket in question may separate from the door panel, which may result in serious injuries to the occupants. Both the left- and right-side brackets are believed to have been attached incorrectly.
Thankfully for the automaker's legal department, BMW of North America isn't aware of any detachments or injuries related to the described concern. Dealers have already been instructed to replace the panel assemblies, while owner notification letters aren't required because none of the recalled vehicles have been retailed.
Nine such vehicles were produced for the US market in the period between March 4, 2024 and March 22, 2024 at the BMW Group Plant Leipzig in Germany. The third-generation Countryman started rolling off the assembly line at the beginning of November 2024, and being a new model, it's evident that mistakes can and will happen.
In addition to the largest MINI yet, BMW Group Plant Leipzig also makes the 1 Series, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, and the 2 Series Active Tourer. Of the aforementioned Bimmers, only the 2 Series Gran Coupe is available stateside. It's the Bavarian marque's entry-level product, and it shouldn't be confused with the rear-drive 2 Series Coupe.
Photo: MINI
The recall condition was first identified by the supplier during a production quality check on March 27, 2024. The subsequent engineering investigation revealed that SMP Deutschland GmbH introduced a process change involving the connection of the armrest support bracket to the door panel. Come April 15, the automaker issued a plant stop-ship order for extra peace of mind.
As for the reason why the recall followed suit a month after the stop-ship order, that's because the BMW Group had to conduct additional analyses and to review production records to determine which vehicles have to be remedied. Twinned with the BMW X1, the MINI Countryman is available in three distinct flavors in the US of A for 2025.
The most affordable of the bunch is the S ALL4 at $38,900 before taxes and optional extras. Highlight numbers include 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm) from the BMW-sourced turbo four-pot engine, 6.2 seconds to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) thanks to so-called intelligent all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch box, 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms) of maximum towing capacity, and up to 27 miles per gallon (8.7 liters per 100 kilometers) in the EPA's combined test cycle.
Step up to the SE ALL4, and you're presented with a zero-emission powertrain that puts out 313 ponies and 363 pound-feet (492 Nm) of twist for a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds. The dual-motor electric crossover starts at $45,200, but alas, an EPA-estimated range isn't available at press time. Finally, the $46,900 JCW ALL4 builds on the S ALL4 with a punchier engine (312 hp and the same 295 lb-ft). It needs 5.2 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour, while top speed is estimated at 155 mph (250 kph).
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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