2006 Mini Cooper S: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 222 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (36% 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 222 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2022
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2019
“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
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2018
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2018
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2018
“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!”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2018
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
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
Check your exact Cooper S 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 222 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Mini Cooper S. The most complained-about area is air bags (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Mini Cooper S problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 58,729 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Mini Cooper S have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. 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.