2006 Mini Cooper Convertible: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Power steering pump grinding. This was a recall on the 2002-2005 model but not the 2006. The same issue is happening with this car that happened with the recall vehicles and I would expect bmw to fix this problem. Thanks”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2024
“Power steering pump went out while driving the car. Car was extremely hard to steer. Almost hit a guard rail. Had the car towed home and then to a garage. This is a known problem with Mini Coopers from year 2002 to 2006. Websites and Mini Cooper Forums are loaded with Power Steering Pumps failing. No warning. Pump was confirmed to be the problem by an independent garage that only services high end german cars. Power Steering Pump was diagnosed to be bad on 8/04/2022. Car has a little over 60,000 miles on it.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2022
“The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger's seat occupant detection mat was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags) three years ago; however, the front passenger's side air bag warning light had been illuminating intermittently. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag warning light would illuminate whenever a lightweight passenger or a heavier passenger would sit in the front passenger's seat. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“I drove the car earlier and it was fine. I returned home and then hours later tried to pull out of my driveway to find I couldn't turn the steering wheel. Thank goodness I wasn't driving when it went or I wouldn't have been able to turn the wheel. Apparently after reading online quite a bit this is a problem and there is no recall or even a campaign or bulletin. This is going to be a very expensive repair. Due to the safety issue alone I'm frankly shocked. Apparently bmw dealers are cleaning up due to the expense of the repair. I'm looking at a minimum of $1500. Apporx 60% of vehicles have had this issue.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2020
“Passenger air bag light went on and i took it to Mini dealer who diagnosed that ht passenger seat matt sensor failed and recommendedreplacement of seatmatt sensor I called Mini about safetyrecall NHTSA15V20500 of 4/6/2015, and they informed me my VIN/vehicle was not part of thatrecall”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2020
“Power steering goes out while driving down the road, without any warning. Very stiff. Hard to control. Can't turn. Scary!!!”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2017
“Power steering randomly when out while in motion. Thankfully, I was on a local road going slowly when it happened. Pulled over to the side, turned off the car and turned it back on. Power steering came back.”Owner report · Steering · May 2016
“The passenger airbag disabled light turns on intermittently, even when the passenger seat is occupied by an adult. The airbag might not deploy in an accident. The problem is caused by a faulty passenger seat occupancy sensor mat in the seat cushion. It failed once before and was replaced by the car dealer. Now the replacement sensor mat is also failing. *tr”Owner report · Seats · May 2014
“The passenger side airbag light will not turn off. Seat cannot detect passenger and disable airbag. There is a recall going on, but it did not include my VIN number. Mini usa representative gave no answer, no timeline, no additional information. Just told me to wait. I cannot believe that's bmw/mini.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2014
“February of 2014 driving my 2006 convertible on curvy highway at 50 mph. Loud shrieking noise and then steering became very difficult to turn. Towed to mechanic. Had steering pump & fan replaced. Total cost $1,038.54. 2005 mini's have been recalled for this exact default. Called mini and they will not reimburse me because mine is a 2006. However, my mini was made in 2005. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2014
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Cooper Convertible years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Cooper Convertible by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Mini Cooper Convertible reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Mini Cooper Convertible. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2006 Mini Cooper Convertible have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.