2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 61 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (59% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the steering wheel was significantly loose and turned excessively. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel felt like it would detach from the column. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2026
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. The contact stated that the electric power steering was faulty. Mini of loveland (4055 byrd dr, loveland, co 80538, (970) 292-5020) was notified of the failure, but a diagnostic appointment was not scheduled. The dealer indicated that the vehicle was excluded from extended warranty program: si m32 02 15 (steering and wheel alignment). An independent mechanic diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2019
“Electric power steering pump has loud whine or moaning sound with only 42,000 miles on it. Fluid level is good and so far the power steering is still working. It does get louder while turning but also annoying when just idling.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. The contact observed fluid leaking from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the power steering pump failed previously. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, it was difficult to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the power steering assist function failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electro hydro power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2016
“My mini cooper s conv, 2005, has been having steeering issues for some time now. It will randomly lose what seems like the power steering while I am driving! I have found that by turning the car off (if I am stopped and in area with time to turn off my car) that it works again for 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Other times I can drive for 45 minutes no problems at all. However, more often than not the steering goes out is not working as soon as I turn the car on. I k now that I have to select a date of when this happened and I am putting today's date since it happens daily. However, I want it noted it is not only today.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. The contact received a notification 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
“Notified that mini would recall due to faulty sensor for airbag on may 1. Now 4 months later, and still no recall. Mini says they are gathering data on the affected cars, no info on when recall and repair will actually happen.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2015
“On the first day of occurrence, there was loss of power steering. Very difficult and hard steering. No warning lights or no check engine lights came on. Managed to park safely. Stopped car and turned off ignition. Waited a few minutes. Turned on ignition and normal power steering resumed. Occurred one more time about 1 hour later. Occurred multiple times in the coming days. If ignition is shut off then turned back on, it will resume normal operation. This has almost caused accidents because of the difficult steering and maintaining of lane especially on curved roads and turns. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2015
“The passenger detector on my passenger seat has failed. This is a known issue in mini coopers and bmws of this age. The fix is complete $1500 seat replacement at the dealer. Bmw has already recalled the parts for all the bmws where this occurs, but not the minis. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2015
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 S Convertible years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Cooper S 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 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible reliable?
NHTSA has 61 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible. The most complained-about area is steering (59% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Mini Cooper S 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.