Page 2 of 4 · complaints 51–100 of 200

2006 Mini Cooper complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2006 record →

Air Bags
Filed Aug 24, 2015100,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN APRIL 2015, THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. MA 10/5 UPDATED 10/06/15*LJ *CN

Air Bags
Filed Aug 19, 2015NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.UPDATED 10/19/15 *BF *CN

Air Bags
Filed Aug 6, 201580,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN JUNE OF 2015, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 5, 2015100,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED ON, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 14, 2015CA

AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE DETECTION MAT OF THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE PASSENGER . THE AIR BAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PANEL IS INTERMITTENT, PUTTING AT RISK OF NOT DEPLOYING THE AIR BAG DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE LIGHT WILL COME UP EVEN WHEN I HAVE A PURSE ON THE SEAT OR WITH A FULL GROWN ADULT (OVER 150 POUNDS). I RECENTLY CALLED 2 LOCAL MINI DEALERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (JULY 2015) REGARDING THIS AND BOTH STATED THE SAME: THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPARE PART REQUIRED FOR THIS RECALL AND CANNNOT PERFORM UNTIL MINI PROVIDES THEM WITH AN AUTHORIZATION LETTER. CALLED IMMEDIATELY THE MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE FOR RECALLS (1-866-825-1525) TO FIND OUT WHEN THIS WILL BE SOLVED SINCE THIS HAS BEEN ON ONGOING ISSUE SINCE MID 2014. MINI'S CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT WE NEEDED TO WAIT UNTIL A NEW RE-DESIGN OF THIS SENSOR IN THE DETECTION MAT IS AVAILABLE FROM THEM IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THIS SPARE PART TO THE DEALERS. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE PUTTING AT RISK ANY PASSENGER WHO WILL RIDE IN OUR CARS FOR AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN BY MINI FOR OVER A YEAR!

Air Bags
Filed Jul 8, 20153,500 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTAC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 10/27/15. *JB

Steering
Filed Jul 4, 201563,800 milesOR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AT <64K MILES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. SUCH A FAILURE MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. MINI COOPER HAS KNOWN ABOUT SUCH ISSUES FOR YEARS! FIX THE PROBLEM MINI BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 24, 2015TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 12, 201570,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) IN JUNE OF 2015. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST OF 2015. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Air Bags
Filed May 28, 201580,000 milesTN

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS MALFUNCTIONING ON MY MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. IT SAYS ON THE MINI COOPER COMPLIANT LIST THERE IS AN ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS ITS A SEAT PROBLEM, REQUIRING 1,800.00 FOR A NEW SEAT. THIS SITE SHOWS 14 OTHER CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL TRULY WORK IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. NO RECALL HAS BE ISSUED AS OF 5-28-2015. PLEASE HELP US GET THIS FIXED.

EngineFire
Filed May 25, 201572,000 milesCA

CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE SITING IN THE GARAGE.

Air Bags
Filed May 14, 201566,865 milesHI

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINS ON. INSPECTION IS DUE 5/31/2015 SO I HAD IT DIAGNOSED BY MINI DEALER. DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAULT IN THE SENSOR SYSTEM IN A MODULE LOCATED IN THE DASHBOARD, BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX - REPAIR COST, $2,000+. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER BEFORE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN THIS PART. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL IN PROCESS, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT ITSELF (WHICH I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED, DECEMBER 2012.).

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 11, 201516,000 milesIL

PARKED MY CAR WITH A VALET. RETURNED IN AN HOUR. IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS A SMELL AS IF SOMETHING HAD BURNED. THEY JUMP STARTED MY CAR. AS I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT TO MY CAR REPAIR SHOP. BY THE TIME THAT I HAD TRAVELED THE 2 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS HEAVILY SMOKING. MY CAR REPAIR SHOP SAYS THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP ELECTRICALLY MALFUNCTIONED - INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 22, 201523,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP CONTINUED TO FLICKER OFF AND ON EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 5/26/15*CN UPDATED 05/29/15*JB

Air Bags
Filed Mar 26, 201545,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Steering
Filed Mar 25, 201535,477 milesWA

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED, MELTING THE POWER STEERING HARNESS AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE INCIDENT WENT LIKE THIS: WHEN WE RETURNED FROM AN EXTENDED VACATION, THE CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF A DEAD BATTERY. WE JUMPED STARTED IT USING JUMPER CABLES. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE AWAY, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD "MELTED INTO THE PUMP." BECAUSE OF THE "KNOWN DEFECT" IN SIMILAR MINI MODELS AND THE CAR'S LOW MILEAGE, MINI USA AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE POWER STEERING KIT AND THE BATTERY FOR NO CHARGE. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 22, 201560,000 milesNJ

STEERING BECAME CHOPPY , NOT SMOOTH,IT CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE TO A DANGEROUS STATE OF OPERATION. *TR

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 14, 201570,250 milesMA

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. I PULLED LEFT TO CORRECT THE CAR AND IT BEGAN TO FISHTAIL SWERVING LEFT AND RIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. SUDDENLY IT WENT OFF THE ROAD, HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND DOWN A SMALL EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED OVER. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP UPSIDE DOWN WITH THE REAR WINDOW SMASHED AND SNOW IN THE CAR. I WAS MINORLY INJURED WITH A SMALL CUT ON MY FACE AND BRUISES ON MY RIGHT SIDE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jan 27, 201594,410 milesWI

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND NOW STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME, REGARDLESS IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL MINI DEALER (INTERNATIONAL AUTOS, MILWAUKEE, WI) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A "FAULTED AIR BAG OC3 MAT" THAT COULD BE REPAIRED/REPLACED FOR $1163.00. AS THIS WAS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE UNRELATED TO THE AGE OR ACCUMULATED MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE, I FELT THAT MINI USA SHOULD AUTHORIZE A NO-COST REPAIR OR, AT A MINIMUM, PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT PART(S) AT NO COST. THE COST TO REMEDY OTHER WEAR-RELATED ISSUES NOTED DURING THE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE ARE CLEARLY MY RESPONSIBILITY. A SUBSEQUENT PHONE CONVERSATION WITH MINI USA ON 01/27/2015 DISCLOSED THAT, WHILE THIS WAS AN LEGITIMATE VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, THEY DID NOT FEEL THAT THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT I SHOULD PAY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE DEFECT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jan 7, 201560,000 milesCT

I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE CAME ON, I KEPT AN EYE ON IT AND AT FIRST IT WOULD GO ON AND OFF. THEN IT GOT WORSE, IT WOULD GO ON AND OFF WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. NOW ITS ALWAYS ON, I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND I FOUND THIS SITE W/OVER 130 COMPLAINTS ON IT. I SEE THAT BMW HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND DID A RECALL OF ALL AIRBAG ISSUES. MINI IS MADE BY BMW WHY WOULD THEY NOT COVER ANY YEAR THAT HAS THE SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM. I'M A TEENAGER AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THE ISSUE THAT'S APPROX $1,500-2,000. OR DO I WAIT TILL MY FRIEND OR SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT, OR EVEN WORSE DIES FROM THIS PROBLEM. FOR BMW AND THE COST OF THEIR CARS THIS IS SMALL POTATOES FOR THEM. FOR ME TO FIX IT MIND AS WELL BE A MILLION DOLLARS, OR THE COST OF A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER..GOD FORBID!!! IF THERE'S THIS MANY COMPLAINTS THEN SHOULDN'T THE MANUFACTURER BE HELD RESPONSIBLE? THEY HAD A RECALL UNTIL 05, OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM STILL CONT. INTO 06 AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. THEY MADE THE CAR, SO I GUESS THEY ALSO MADE THE MISTAKE..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 24, 201463,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 18, 201445,000 milesCO

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WENT ON IN MY MINI COOPER. I NOTICED THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COMPONENTS IN THE MINI COOPER, WHICH AGAIN SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED REGARDING ALL THE AIR BAG RECALLS, BUT AT 1,7K TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT; THAT IS QUITE A BURDEN UPON A TIGHT BUDGET. I JUST WANTED TO USE THIS WEBSITE AS A PLACE WHERE I HAVE DOCUMENTED THESE ISSUES, SO THAT IF THERE IS A INSURANCE CLAIM DOWN THE ROAD, BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY ISSUE, I HAVE A DOCUMENTED COMPLAINT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 18, 201480,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Steering
Filed Nov 12, 201484,000 milesCA

THE POWER STEERING DRAINED THE BATTERY AND VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. PARTS NECESSARY TO REPLACE WERE: POWER STEERING PUMP POWER STEERING PUMP FAN POWER STEERING FLUID PEN I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE ABOVE PARTS HAVE BEEN RECALLED UP UNTIL 2005. MY VEHICLE IS 2006 BUT I SUSPECT THAT THE OLDER PUMP HAS BEEN USED ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FAN HAS BEEN WORKING IN AN ODD WAY EVER SINCE I GOT THE CAR. MINI REFUSED TO PAY FOR THIS PART AND I AM ASKING YOU TO EXTEND THE RECALL IF THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE WITH ISSUES WITH THESE PARTS. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 7, 201490,000 milesCA

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THE BMW DEALER SAID THAT THE SEAT SENSOR WAS FAULTY. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 24, 201450,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 16, 201483,000 milesAL

RIGHT SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANCY PAD SENSOR CAUSES AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY ON. THE SENSOR HAS BEEN TESTED AND IS INOPERATIVE. BMW HAS A RECALL FOR ALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SENSOR. MINI COOPER NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS FAULTY DESIGN AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR AT NO COST TO THE OWNERS. THIS REPAIR COST AROUND $1300.00. IF THIS IS NOT REPAIRED IT COULD PREVENT THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 11, 201460,000 milesTX

BACKING OUT OF MY LONG RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SINCE MY MILEAGE WAS OUT OF STANDARD WARRANTY AND SINCE I DIDN'T PURCHASE EXTENDED WARRANTY, I USED THE "BENTLEY PUBLISHER'S" COMPREHENSIVE MINI COOPER SERVICE MANUAL TO INVESTIGATE THE TROUBLE. I TESTED THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN AND THE PUMP FOR OPERATION. THE FAN WAS OK, BUT THE PUMP WASN'T GETTING ANY POWER. I REMOVED THE 100-AMP FUSE FROM THE FUSE BLOCK ASIDE THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, INSPECTED IT FOR FAILURE, BUT IT LOOKED GOOD, WIPED IT CLEAN WITH ALCOHOL, AND RE-INSTALLED IT. AFTER EVERYTHING WAS RECONNECTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO FULL OPERATION. SEVERAL TIMES FROM 2008 TO 2014, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, USUALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS OR UPON START UP OF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS INTERMITTENT AND RETURNED TO FULL OPERATION ON ITS OWN WITHIN A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS. IT FAILED ONCE AGAIN ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, AND HAS NOT RETURNED TO OPERATION ON ITS OWN SINCE THEN. ALTHOUGH THE NHTSA WEBSITE SHOWS 122 COMPLAINTS ON 2006 MINI'S, OF WHICH ABOUT 25% OF THE COMPLAINTS ARE FOR FAILED POWER STEERING, AND SINCE I CAN'T LOCATE ANY OFFICIAL MANUFACTURER'S RECALL ON THE INTERNET FOR REPEATED 2006 MINI POWER STEERING FAILURES, I GUESS I'LL TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR GUY FOR A FUSE OR PUMP REPLACEMENT. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 29, 201499,105 milesTX

POWER STEERING COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. STOPPED AND TURNED OFF CAR FOR A WHILE. STARTED CAR AGAIN AND POWER STEERING WAS OK. NOW POWER STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT UNTIL CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Jul 29, 201491,786 milesTX

AS MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS HAVE REPORTED, MY SRS LIGHT IS ON AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS CONTINUOUSLY OFF (LIGHT STAYS ON). I HAVE NO IDEA IF I AM DRIVING WITH OR WITHOUT AIRBAGS. *JS $1,500 TO FIX AT DEALER. MINI DID A RECALL ON MODELS UP TO 2005.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 15, 201480,000 milesFL

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER, ABOVE REARVIEW MIRROR STAYS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, WHETHER THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. AFTER CALLING THE NEARBY MINI COOPER DEALER, AND TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER HE SAID YES WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THEM. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL OUT FOR 2006 MINI AIRBAG PROBLEMS BUT THERE HAS BEEN FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS. SAID THE SENSOR AND THE WHOLE SEAT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED, BRING IT IN AND IT WILL RUN YOU ABOUT $1200 TO $1600. I ASKED DOES IT MEAN MY AIRBAG WILL NOT FUNCTION IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER LAUGHED IN A CAVALIER MANNER "WELL YOU ALWAYS HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT." AFTER MONTHS WAITING FOR AN OFFICIAL RECALL, CALLED THE NATIONAL MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS WHO ACTED VERY NON CHALANT AND GOT NO WHERE. WENT TO A LOCAL EUROPEAN CAR REPAIR SPECIALIST WHO USED A COMPUTER SCANNER THAT SAID THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. HE THEN USED A BRAND NEW SCANNER AND THIS TIME IT SAID THE DRIVER SIDE IS DEFECTIVE. SAID GO ON THE INTERNET I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE MINI AIRBAG PROBLEMS. WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THOUSANDS, MANY WHO DID SPEND THE LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THE PROBLEMS KEEPS RECURRING. MINI NEEDS TO EXTEND THE AIRBAG WARRANTY TO 150,000 MILES AT LEAST FOR 12 YEARS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO SUFFER SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH IN A SMALL CAR THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS ALL THE AIRBAG PROTECTION AVAILABLE. $1600 IS LOT OF MONEY FOR A DEALER FIX THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 14, 2014111,380 milesTX

MY OCCUPANCY SENSOR 2 MAT IS BAD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART, OTHERWISE IT WILL BE ABOUT $1400 TO REPLACE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS UNABLE TO READ WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 11, 201465,000 milesIN

OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT BAD AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT ON. A KNOWN ISSUE AND BMW AUTOS AND SUVS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THE MINI PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IS THE SAME DESIGN AS THE BMW 3 SERIES AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG PUTTING A PASSENGER IN DANGER. THE BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN IS NO. 13V-564. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 26, 201446,000 milesCO

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR STOP WORKING- CAUSING AIR BAG IN PASSENGER SEAT TO SHUT OFF. NO WAY TO OVERRIDE AND SEAT SENSOR COST OVER $1300 TO REPLACE. I UNDERSTAND THIS VERY COMMON WITH COOPERS IN THIS DATE RANGE. VERY SIMILAR SEAT SENSORS FOR THE BMW MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT THE VERSION FOR THE MINI THAT IS FAILING. SEEMS LIKE DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 20, 2014AZ

AIRBAG SENSOR FAILURE IN PASSENGER SEAT. PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 2, 2014120,000 milesNC

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER SMALL PASS USED THE SEAT AND DID NOT GO OFF. AFTER THAT THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF FOR A WHILE AND THEN COME BACK ON. I HAD IT LOOKED BY MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SEAT MAT. HE CLEARED THE LIGHT AND IT LASTED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE COST OF THE PART TO HIM WAS 1400.00 PLUS LABOR. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MY 2006 BMW. I RECEIVED ANOTHER LETTER FROM BMW AND MISS READ IT THINKING IT WAS FOR THE MINI COOPER. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MINI COOPER DEALER IN MY AREA (RALEIGH NC) AND WAS TOLD WHEN I SHOWED UP THAT THE PART WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. I DID NOT HAVE THE SEAT REPLACED AT MY COST SINCE IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY A FACTORY DEFECT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT CAN BE A COVERED DEFECT IN ONE BMW PRODUCT AND NOT IN ANOTHER WHEN IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 11, 201472,000 milesAZ

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR SRS LIGHT FAILED WHILE ONE OF MY FRIEND WAS TRYING TO BE SEATED IN MY CAR. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 9, 201484,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FLOOR SENSOR MAT. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Steering
Filed May 3, 201497,900 milesIL

THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A HIGH PITCHED WHINE WHICH INCREASED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH THE NOISE BECAME MUCH MUCH WORSE, LEADING TO THE FAILURE OF MY POWER STEERING PUMP. MINI ISSUED A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING PUMPS FOR THEIR 2001-2005 MODELS (13 YEAR, 150,000 MILES.) MINE IS A 2006, I STILL DON'T THINK THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED FOR THIS YEAR OF MODEL AS I AM FINDING MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS ONLINE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH 2006 MINI POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *TR

Steering
Filed May 1, 201473,000 milesMI

POWER STEERING PUMP STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING A 35MPH. STOPPED AND RESTARTED VEHICLE NO CHANGE, AN HOUR LATER PUMP WORKED AGAIN. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Apr 11, 201465,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,200.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 6, 2014106,000 milesNM

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH IS ILLUMINATED AFTER MOVING PASSENGER SEAT BACK AND FORTH. UNABLE TO CLEAR THE LIGHT. *TR

SteeringCrash
Filed Apr 1, 2014184,700 milesVA

EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER STOPPED WORKING. I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE PAVEMENT. THE CAR LEFT THE ROADWAY, NARROWLY MISSING A HIGHWAY SIGN (WOODEN POST), AND STOPPED IN A GRASSY AREA OFF THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. MY WIFE AND I WERE SHAKEN BUT UNHURT. THE VEHICLE BODY DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE DAMAGED. HOWEVER, THERE IS NOW A LOUD RATTLE COMING FROM THE REAR OR UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING IS ALSO COMPLETELY GONE. THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SO. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 22, 201480,000 milesNC

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS TRIGGERED THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CURRENTLY I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE WITHOUT OPERATING AIRBAGS AS IT IS $1,000 FOR THE PART. IT WAS ALREADY REPLACED TWICE IN THE PAST UNDER WARRANTY. I READ THAT BMW JUST ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR FOR THEIR CARS BUT NOT THE MINI WHICH IS OWNED BY BMW. HOPEFULLY I AM NOT GOING TO FAST WHEN THE POWER STEERING MOTOR BURNS OUT... *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 20, 201475,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 20, 201475,000 milesVA

MY 2006 MINI COOPER AIR BAG LIGHTS (PASSENGER SEAT LIGHT AS WELL AS DASH BOARD AIR BAG SYSTEM LIGHTS) ARE INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON AND STAYING ON WHEN I START MY MINI. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT APPARENTLY COMES ON WHEN A FAULT IS DETECTED IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, AND AS A RESULT THE SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS SINCE I'M NOW DRIVING IN A MINI COOPER WITH NO AIRBAG PROTECTION. THE SEAT LIGHT INDICATES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF DUE TO SOMEONE OF LIGHT WEIGHT SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS LIGHT IS NOW COMING ON WITH ANY AVERAGE ADULT OR NO ONE AT ALL SITTING IN THAT SEAT. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE INTERNET FOR THIS ISSUE AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. EVEN MORE SHOCKING WAS REPAIR COST FOR THIS ISSUE. DEALERS ARE CHARGING CUSTOMERS $1000 TO $2000 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE MOST COMMON CULPRIT. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE SENSOR ITSELF, THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. EVEN SAW SOME CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE REOCCUR 1 TO 2 YEARS AFTER THIS FIX. SPOKE TO MY LOCAL BMW/MINI DEALERSHIP WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT BMW HAD THE SAME ISSUE WHICH IS NOW UNDER RECALL, BUT MINI DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED ... SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BECAUSE OF IT! I LOVE MINI BUT AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW THIS ISSUE IS BEING HANDLED. MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO BUY A MINI ... I WILL STRONGLY RECOMMEND SHE DOES NOT. *TR

Seats1 injured
Filed Mar 19, 201479,000 milesOH

THE DRIVER SIDE HEADED SEAT ONLY HEATS UP IN ONE SPOT AND BURNED MY LEG. I HAVE HAD TO DISCONTINUE USE OF THE HEATED SEAT AS I AM AFRAID OF IT CATCHING ON FIRE OR BURNING THROUGH THE SEAT INTO MY LEG. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 19, 201479,000 milesOH

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMS VERY JERKY AND HESITANT. IT HAS DIED ON ME ONCE WHILE DRIVING AS IT STALLED OUT. I AM AFRAID THE TRANSMISSION IS CLOSE TO FAILURE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jan 29, 201436,363 milesTX

THE SEAT SENSOR IS FAULTY. IT READS THAT SOMEONE UNDER 30LBS IS IN IT (DISABLING THE AIRBAG) THE DASH LIGHT VERIFIES IT IS OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT TO THIS DAY. SO IF A CRASH OCCURS THE SENSOR WON'T READ CORRECTLY IF ANYONE IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT, THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AND IF IT DOES WILL DO SO POSSIBLY WITH TOO MUCH FORCE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 16, 201375,500 milesAL

THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IT WON'T GO OUT. THE MINI DEALER IN BIRMINGHAM SAID IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MINI USA SAID THE SAME THING. HOWEVER, BMW RECALLED THEIR 2006 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. SEVERAL OTHER MINI OWNERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE OWNERS' MANUAL STATES THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IF THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND MINI USA NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2006 Mini Cooper → · Every Cooper year → · How the figures are calculated →