2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (49% of complaints).
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 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mini cooper s convertible. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle became extremely difficult to steer without warning. The contact managed to drive home. Mini of st. Louis (40 sunnen dr, maplewood, mo 63143, (314) 644-6464) stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed and referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2019
“6 speed automatic transmission failed catastrophically after 82,000 miles. This in spite of proper dealer recommended mainainance. Cost to repair was the same as the value of the vehicle.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2017
“I put the heated seat on while driving, and the driver's seat caught fire. This with less then 50,000 miles and a cost of almost $1000. I had to pull into a gas station and put out the smoking seat with water. I've complained to mini cooper usa, with no results.”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving with the driver seat heater on a burning smell and smoke began to fill the car. Additionally, began feeling extreme heat on my back. Immediately pulled over and found a small fire on the seat back which I had to pat out. No injury was sustained. The seat heater had been in operation roughly 5 minutes. This is a significant safety concern as the seat heater switches are in a location where they are easily turned on by accident. Had I not been able to pull off the road immediately the damages could have been significantly worse and injury would have occurred.”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2016
“The power steering in the car has stopped working, very hard to turn the wheel. I just replaced the alternator and battery due to the battery not charging correctly, now the electric power steering pump has failed and the battery light on the console has turned on. I noticed that there is a recall for 2002 - 2005 cars of the same type for this reason. I believe the problem to be the same and would like the recall extended to at least the 2006 year model. We went into an office and when we came out the power steering is not working. We drove it home and are now waiting on the parts to replace the power steering pump.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mini cooper s convertible. 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 notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mini cooper s convertible. After the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, 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 not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2015
“This historical issue has plagued many drivers of mini usa and many have reported accidents. Is it going to take the loss of innocent lives to have you force mini usa do the right thing and include all of these known defects fixed?”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2015
“I have had my car about for about 2 weeks and when I start my car the ABS warning light comes on. It has also come on while driving, and the brakes will go all the way to floor, then catch after several times. I have been in a few close accidents as a result of this. I again went back to the shop and had diagnostic tests performed. Nothing came back from the test. The problem still exists. I find myself turning of the car and waiting a minute, upon restart the ABS warning light is not being shown. This is a major safety risk as one can not say when it will happen but that it does happen randomly.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2015
“2 days after purchasing a used mini cooper s convertible 2006, the car began to self shift at improper times, causing the engine to rev at high rpm's. I contacted the dealer immediately and he test drove the car trying to get the vehicle to respond the same way. After 15 minutes of driving it the problem did not occur and I was sent on my way. The problem continued to persist when I was at low speeds. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 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 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible. The most complained-about area is air bags (49% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,500 miles or less.
Does the 2006 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.