IllustrationLOUD AND PERSISTENT WHINNING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING PUMP, INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. HAD PAST PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING FAN (JUNE 2011). *TR
2006 Mini Cooper
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cooper years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Mini Cooper are substantially higher than the model-year median of 40.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cooper years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
3225–50K
5350–75K
4475–100K
22100–150K
6150K+
166 reports with mileage · 34 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports8 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
200 reportsMINI COOPER TRANSMISSION FAIL. THE CAR DOES NOT GO BETWEEN 20 TO 50 MPH. IT HAS NO POWER AND THAT CAN BE DANGERS WHEN I AM GETTING INTO THE HIGHWAY AND CARS ARE GOING AT A HIGH SPEED. ON TOP OF IT MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR. LUCKY I GOT IT STARTED AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS …
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MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION FAIL. THE CAR DOES NOT GO BETWEEN 20 TO 50 MPH. IT HAS NO POWER AND THAT CAN BE DANGERS WHEN I AM GETTING INTO THE HIGHWAY AND CARS ARE GOING AT A HIGH SPEED. ON TOP OF IT MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR. LUCKY I GOT IT STARTED AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM THE CAR NEED TO BE RECALL AND GET IT FAXED BECAUSE SOMEONE CAN DIE. *TR
THERE IS A" LINE" CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD STARTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW AND BEGINNING @ 4 INCHES FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDOW AND EXTENDING LEFT TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD.. NO HEAD, OR ICE HAIL OR BODY HIT THE WINDOW, TO CAUSE THE BREAK.. *TR
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES SYSTEM IS EITHER OFF OR INOPERATIVE - IT DOES NOT MATTER IF SOMEONE IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. AFTER REVIEWING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MINI FORUMS, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AND DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR UNDER THE SEAT COVER. SINCE I RARELY C…
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AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES SYSTEM IS EITHER OFF OR INOPERATIVE - IT DOES NOT MATTER IF SOMEONE IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. AFTER REVIEWING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MINI FORUMS, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AND DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR UNDER THE SEAT COVER. SINCE I RARELY CARRY PASSENGERS, THIS CONDITION IS DEFINITELY NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. AS IT STANDS, I HAVE NO WAY TO ASCERTAIN IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO ANYONE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR EVEN THE DRIVER. A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE OR EVEN AN OLDER VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF SAFETY ISSUE. MINI CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFERED NO HELP DUE TO CAR BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. INDEPENDENT SHOP IS DOING THE REPAIR FOR $1210.00 DUE TO LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN MINI. *TR
OUR 2006 MINI COOPER HATCHBACK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR STAYS ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. SOMETIMES WITH A PASSENGER, IT WILL GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. IF THE LIGHT IS ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT WOU…
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OUR 2006 MINI COOPER HATCHBACK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR STAYS ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. SOMETIMES WITH A PASSENGER, IT WILL GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. IF THE LIGHT IS ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE-SPREAD AND DANGEROUS. *TR
OUR 2006 MINI COOPER HATCHBACK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR STAYS ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. SOMETIMES WITH A PASSENGER, IT WILL GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. IF THE LIGHT IS ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT WOU…
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OUR 2006 MINI COOPER HATCHBACK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR STAYS ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. SOMETIMES WITH A PASSENGER, IT WILL GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. IF THE LIGHT IS ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE-SPREAD AND DANGEROUS. *TR
THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT SENSOR FOR AIR BAG APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL MINI COOPER'S THAT HAVE DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSORS. WHEN THIS SENSOR FAILS, THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. THIS IS A SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR WAS OVER $1,400.00. *TR
CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WITH HAND BRAKE ENGAGED. 5 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR ROLLED DOWN DRIVEWAY AND HIT A DITCH. REAR SUSPENSION WAS DAMAGED. THE HAND BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED. *TR
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. IT FIRST BEGAN LOCKING WHEN I TURNED IT ON. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT SINCE IT UNLOCKED A MINUTE LATER. THEN A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT STARTED TO HAPPEN ONCE A MONTH AND JUST LIKE THE FIRST TIME IT UNLOCKED. HOWEVER, AS OF LAST MONTH IT HAS JUST LOCKED AND WON'T UNLOCK. THE 2004 AND 2005 H…
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THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. IT FIRST BEGAN LOCKING WHEN I TURNED IT ON. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT SINCE IT UNLOCKED A MINUTE LATER. THEN A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT STARTED TO HAPPEN ONCE A MONTH AND JUST LIKE THE FIRST TIME IT UNLOCKED. HOWEVER, AS OF LAST MONTH IT HAS JUST LOCKED AND WON'T UNLOCK. THE 2004 AND 2005 HAD RECALL ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL THAT 2006 HAS THE SAME ISSUE. IT SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. HOW DO I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE NOT USED THE 2004 OR 2005 PART ON THE STEERING WHEEL? THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT CAN CAUSE MAJOR CAR ACCIDENTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Official recalls
115V205000 · Air Bags:frontal
Apr 6, 2015
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.