2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1836.0%
- Interior & seats612.0%
- Engine612.0%
- Steering510.0%
- Powertrain (other)510.0%
- Seat belts36.0%
- Electrical36.0%
- Brakes24.0%
- Other / unspecified12.0%
- Body & structure12.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR (RECALL 15V-205, OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT) IN MY 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE HAS FAILED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH AND OVERHEAD STAY LIT AT ALL TIMES. RECALL ISSUED BY MINI IN 2015 COVERING EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL FOR YEARS 2005 - 2008. DEALER SHIP AND MINI USA BOTH SAY THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY 2006 S CONVERTIBLE IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS RECALL. HOW CAN THIS BE, THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE EXACT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. MINI STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE IS THE CORRECT TYPE, MODEL AND YEAR BUT NOT PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE IT PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PART THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FAILING INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR ME AND WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE COST FOR THE FIX WILL BE AT LEAST $1,200 OUT OF POCKET. THIS COST IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER THE STANDING RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FACT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS OBVIOUS AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!
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.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR (RECALL 15V-205, OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT) IN MY 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE HAS FAILED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH AND OVERHEAD STAY LIT AT ALL TIMES. RECALL ISSUED BY MINI IN 2015 COVERING EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL FOR YEARS 2005 - 2008. DEALER SHIP AND MINI USA BOTH SAY THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY 2006 S CONVERTIBLE IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS RECALL. HOW CAN THIS BE, THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE EXACT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. MINI STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE IS THE CORRECT TYPE, MODEL AND YEAR BUT NOT PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE IT PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PART THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FAILING INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR ME AND WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE COST FOR THE FIX WILL BE AT LEAST $1,200 OUT OF POCKET. THIS COST IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER THE STANDING RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FACT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS OBVIOUS AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT MY 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE FOR $9,393 IN NOVEMBER 2016 . WHEN DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP I HEARD SOME NOISE, SO I STOPPED AT A FOREIGN AUTO SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY REFUSED TO HELP, SO I HAD THEM REPLACED AT A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP FOR $2,500 . THEN HAD A BRAKE JOB FOR $394 AND SPENT OVER $1,000 AT A MINI DEALERSHIP . AND THEN PUT THE CAR IN STORAGE FOR 5 MONTHS. I DROVE IT FOR TWO DAYS ( ABOUT AN HOUR EACH DAY ) WHEN I HEARD A NEW NOISE AND IT WOULD HARDLY RUN , SO I PULLED IT OFF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY JUST NOTIFIED ME THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED , COSTING ME BETWEEN $5,000 AND $8,000 !!! NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.....HELP !!!!
BACK AGAIN! I JUST CAN'T CATCH A BREAK WITH THIS CAR! I WAS TAKING A ROAD TRIP AND HAD ALL MY FLUIDS CHECKED AND FILLED PRIOR TO LEAVING.WHILE DRIVING HWY99 MY THERMOSTAT GAUGE WENT FINE TO DANGER ZONE! I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION AND CHECK THE WATER AND COOLANT. HE STAYED ON THE PHONE WITH ME WHILE I REPORTED WHAT THE TEMP GAUGUE WAS DOING. EVERY TIME I TURNED THE THE GUAGE WOULD DROP TO FINE UNTIL THE NEXT TURN WHICH IT WENT TO DANGER. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK.I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CHECK THE FLUIDS AND FOUND THAT EVERYTHING WAS FULL BUT THE WATER PUMP WAS LOW. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND A LEAK. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SHOP WHICH THE FOLLOWING WAS FOUND.1. MALFUNCTION OF THE WATER PUMP 2. WARP HEADGASKET 3. WARP CYLINDERS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY AGREED TO THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT THEN LATER STATED THEY WOULD ONLY PAY 1500 TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, AND HAVE THE HEAD AND CYLINDERS REFURBISHED. MY SHOP HAS CALLED AND SPOKEN TO THEM NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT ANY OUTCOMES. MINI IS REQUESTING ME TO PAY OUT OF EXPENSES TO HAVE THE CAR PUT BACK TOGETHER AND TOWED 75 MI AWAY TO THE NEAREST MINI CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER, AS WELL AS PAYING FOR THEM TO TARE DOWN THE ENGINE FOR THEM RUN THEIR OWN TESTS.THE SERVICE SHOP SAID IT WOULD BE 3500 FOR EVERYTHING TO BE GONE THROUGH! AFTER MINI COMPLETES THE ABOVE, THEN THEY WOULD TRY TO HAVE WARRANTY COMPANY REPLACE ANY ITEMS AND IF THEY ARE NOT COVERED THEY WOULD ASK MINI TO PROVIDE IT, HOWEVER I WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET AGAIN! THE CAR IS STILL AT THE SERVICE SHOP AS OF TODAY. I AM VERY UNSURE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND WHETHER I SHOULD FIX IT OR SELL IT. I AM ALREADY PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE LOAN AND INSURANCE FOR A CAR THAT I CAN NOT EVEN DRIVE WITH COUNTLESS PROBLEMS. RECALLS NEED TO BE MADE! PLEASE END THIS NIGHTMARE!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR AND AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHTS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. NOW THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ALWAYS LIT AND THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR IS STILL INTERMITTENT. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY WILL NOT TEST THE CONDITION UNDER THE WARRANTY. WE PURCHASED THE CAR ON 12/22/2012. IT WILL COST OVER $100 JUST FOR THEM TO TELL US IF THERE IS A MALFUNCTION. SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE REPAIR WILL COST WELL OVER $1,000. FROM RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND BMW RECALLED THE BMW MODELS FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE, BUT MINI WILL NOT FIX THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY OR NOT. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. *TR
PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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?
MY WIFE'S 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLES AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, AS I'M SEEING. ON THE INTERNET, THAT MANY OWNERS OF COOPERS AND BMWS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE AND BE ADVISED THAT YOU ARE OFFICIALLY ON NOTICE, THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. ALSO A TIRE SAFETY ISSUE INCLUDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
2006 MINI COOPER S. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SOMETIMES STALLS AND STOPS WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT MISTAKES WERE MADE IN REPROGRAMMING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD MISFIRE, BUT THEY ASSURED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WOULD BE CORRECTED BY CHANGING THE SPARK PLUGS. ALSO, THE ELECTRONICS SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM TO GIVE FALSE DIRECTIONS. THE ABS, ENGINE AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED TO THE CONSUMER AND THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO DEFECTS. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. EACH TIME THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CONSUMER WOULD TURN THE ENGINE OFF, RESTART IT AND THE LIGHT WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE PAD WEAR SENSOR, PULSE GENERATOR, AND BRAKE LIGHT PRESSURE SWITCH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AFTER THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING WAS THE RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE OXYGEN SENSOR THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE EVEN THOUGH A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. *JB THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A STATUS UPDATE. 05/10/11
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. BUBBLES ON RUN FLAT TIRES (ONE REPLACED). RUBBER SEALS DETERIORATING ON OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. WATER PUMP LEAKING (REPLACED). UPHOLSTERY IS COMING APART ON DRIVERS SEAT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. BUBBLES ON RUN FLAT TIRES (ONE REPLACED). RUBBER SEALS DETERIORATING ON OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. WATER PUMP LEAKING (REPLACED). UPHOLSTERY IS COMING APART ON DRIVERS SEAT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .