2006 Mini Cooper S

Routine

Owners filed 186 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
55,000 milesMedian miles at failure

161 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags60
000
Steering42
130
Electrical System15
153
Power Train14
001
Engine and Engine Cooling10
000
Visibility › Windshield9
000
Unknown or Other5
000
Seats5
000
Fuel/Propulsion System3
010
Suspension › Front2
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal15V205000
Filed Apr 6, 201591,800 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.

Risk. An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.

Remedy. MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Apr 12, 202290,350 milesSC

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Coop S. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat occupancy mat had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist since the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,350.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 23, 202079,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SOUTH BAY MINI LOCATED AT (18800 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE CA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 14, 2020160,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE SEAT BELT AND CHECK-ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BROWN MOTOR WORKS (803-551-0991, LOCATED AT 4041 BROAD RIVER RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210) AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE SERVICES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160.000.

Steering
Filed Oct 17, 20191 milesVA

POWER STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING. IT COME AND GOES FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS WHILE IN A WINDING ROAD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACE SOME LINES. A FEW MOTHS LATER IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVING AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN IDLE FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS. NOW THE POWER STEERING IS TOTALLY NOT WORKING AT ALL.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 16, 2019TX

THERE IS A CONSTANT FUEL / GASOLINE SMELL IN MY CAR AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. NO VISIBLE LEAKS. THE SMELL IS CONSTANT.

Power Train
Filed Mar 20, 2019140,000 milesAL

STEERING PUMP TRANSMISSION WEENING NOT WANTING TO CHANGE GEARS RIGHT

Air Bags
Filed Dec 15, 2018NY

THE AIR BAG DETECTION WARNING REMAINS ACTIVE AFTER DEALER REINSTALLATION OF THE SEAT DETECTOR PAD.

Power Train
Filed Nov 25, 201866,000 milesTN

2006 MINI COOPER S WITH 66000 MILES HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION DUE TO LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.

Steering
Filed Sep 8, 2018103,500 milesIL

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILING, CREATING A LOUD WHINE WHEN RUNNING (MOVING, AND STATIONARY).

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger
Filed Sep 4, 201853,000 milesCO

UPON STARTING MY CAR, AFTER BEING IN A STORE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE A PASSENGER WAS IN THE SEAT. THE INDICATOR STAYED ON AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. I RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR A FAULTY PASSENGER AIRBAG COVERING MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL MINI DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO INFORMATION PERTAINING TO MY CAR AND THAT I NEEDED TO CONTACT MINI USA DIRECTLY. I DID SO AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ALSO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION PERTAINING TO MY CAR AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE STATUS OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS PURCHASED THROUGH AN OVERSEAS MILITARY PROGRAM THE SYSTEMS WERE NOT THE SAME AND THAT A SUPERVISOR WOULD HAVE TO TRY AND FIND THE INFORMATION AND MANUALLY ADD IT TO THE MINI USA SYSTEM. I WAS ALSO ASKED, REPEATEDLY, IF MY CAR WAS A CANADIAN SPEC VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT ORDERED AS SUCH. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF WAITING, I CALLED MINI USA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD ALREADY BEEN NOTIFIED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE. WHEN I INQUIRED AS TO WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE RECALL WAS ISSUED, I WAS TOLD THAT MY CASE WAS NOW CLOSED AND IF I HAD ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I NEEDED TO CONTACT MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Air Bags
Filed May 15, 201853,000 milesNH

I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER S. AIRBAGS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL (2015 OR 2016) AT MINI DEALERSHIP. NOW, MAY 15, 2018, SEATBELT/AIRBAG RED LIGHT ON ON CONSOLE. NO AIRBAG LIGHT ON NEAR MIRROR. NOTHING ON PASSENGER SEAT - I AM BELTED WHEN I DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS AS I TURN ON IGNITION AND STAYS ON.

Steering
Filed Mar 29, 201855,000 milesAZ

WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON LOCAL ROADS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD A LOSS OF POWER AND STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER/TURN

Steering
Filed Feb 7, 2018IL

MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAILING. IT WHINES WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. VERY SCARY TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL THRU 2005, BUT BMW SAYS THEY WONT HELP US 2006 OWNERS.

Steering
Filed Jan 31, 201850,000 milesHI

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING BOTH SLOWLY PULLING OUT OF CARPORT AND AT NORMAL 35 MILES PER HOUR STREET SPEED. STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. PERSISTED UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. HAPPENED SPORADICALLY AFTERWARD. ISSUE RETURNED AND NOW AFFECTS THE CAR MOST OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WILL HAPPEN UPON STARTING THE CAR, OR WHILE DRIVING. CAR ONLY HAS 50,063 MILES ON IT! LOOKS LIKE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE IS CAUSING THE LOSS OF STEERING. EXTREAMLY DANGEROUS!

Steering
Filed Oct 1, 2017105,000 milesNC

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, THEY DID NOT RECALL THIS YEAR BUT THE PUMPS STILL FAIL

Steering
Filed Sep 20, 2017125,000 milesMN

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED SUDDENLY ON THE CAR. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS YOU SUDDENLY LOOSE MOST OF YOUR ABILITY TO STEER! THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, AND WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. ONE OF THE TIMES WAS WHILE I WAS TURNING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A COMBINATION OF PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN, AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP ITSELF. NOW BMW/MINI HAS ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS THOUGHT THE MODEL YEAR 2005. HOWEVER FROM WHAT I'VE READ A LOT OF 2006 MINI'S HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. THEY SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL/REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE TO AT LEAST THE 2006 MODELS AS WELL.

Seats
Filed Jun 27, 2017CA

VEHICLE RECALLED 2015 FOR FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR MAT (RECALL 15V205) STILL NOT REPAIRED. LOCAL MINI DEALER HAS SERVICED THE CAR SO THEY HAVE CONTACT INFORMATION.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 8, 2017127,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FUEL SENSOR GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL, BUT THE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS 74 MILES LEFT IN THE FUEL TANK. TEMPE MINI, LOCATED AT 7855 SOUTH TEST DRIVE, TEMPE, ARIZONA 85284, WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL HOUSING, AND FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Jan 12, 2017CO

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SLIPPING AND HARD SHIFTING. AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL. 70,000 MILES. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING. BMW TOLD ME TO SELL IT RIGHT AWAY. $9,000 TO REPAIR. SHOULD BE RECALLED. VERY UNHAPPY. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 10, 201698,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. ONCE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN OFF WITH THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR HAD FAILED AND MELTED. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR, WIRES, BATTERY, PUMP, FAN, PRESSURE HOSE AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. AFTER REPAIRS, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE USING THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

20 of 186 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20253300Routine
20241000Routine
20221000Routine
20210200Routine
20205200Routine
20195100Routine
20175300Routine
20169320Routine
201518420Routine
201413400Routine
201324100Routine
201223220Routine
201131350Routine
201059450Routine
2009119340Routine
20081684100Routine
20072494140Above average
2006 — this page186190Routine
20053142171Fatalities reported
2004247250Above average
20032172211Fatalities reported
200283150Routine

Compare every Cooper S year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 6, 2015. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.