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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

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 reports
52,000 miles · Mar 8, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR A SECOND AND DIMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR A SECOND AND DIMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 54 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND LEAK OIL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10845583

76,204 miles · Mar 7, 2016
Steering

CAR HAD A BURNING SMELL THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETY OFF WHILE DRIVING . MINI HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MINI R53 FIRST GENERATION 2002-2005 BUT THE 2006 IS ALSO A FIRST GENERATION AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED .CALLED MINI AND AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDNT HELP ME AND I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD WARRANTY THE 2006 MODEL BEFOR…

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CAR HAD A BURNING SMELL THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETY OFF WHILE DRIVING . MINI HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MINI R53 FIRST GENERATION 2002-2005 BUT THE 2006 IS ALSO A FIRST GENERATION AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED .CALLED MINI AND AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDNT HELP ME AND I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD WARRANTY THE 2006 MODEL BEFORE A FIRE STARTS OR SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE

NHTSA ODI #10840187

61,160 miles · Feb 8, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONSU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT EITHER THE MAT SENSOR OR CONTROL MODULES WERE DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 03/23/16.*JB UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ *JS *LN*AS

NHTSA ODI #10824805

90,000 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED WITH NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED WITH NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10823530

67,747 miles · Jan 15, 2016
Steering

BOUGHT VEH. USED ON 11/21/15 WITH 66,898 MILES. ON DECEMBER 30, 2015 DROVE VEHICLE AND PARKED, WHEN VEH. WAS SHUT OFF I NOTICED A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THOUGHT IT WAS A FAN. RETURNED TO VEHICLE APPROX. 6 HRS. LATER, BATTERY WAS DEAD. HAVE VEH. JUMP STARTED. DROVE HOME, HEARD HUMMING AGAIN COMING FROM UNDER TH…

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BOUGHT VEH. USED ON 11/21/15 WITH 66,898 MILES. ON DECEMBER 30, 2015 DROVE VEHICLE AND PARKED, WHEN VEH. WAS SHUT OFF I NOTICED A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THOUGHT IT WAS A FAN. RETURNED TO VEHICLE APPROX. 6 HRS. LATER, BATTERY WAS DEAD. HAVE VEH. JUMP STARTED. DROVE HOME, HEARD HUMMING AGAIN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN VEH. WAS SHUT OFF. I DISCONNECTED BATTERY AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR. TOOK VEH. TO MY MECHANIC ON 1/6/16 (VEH. HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE 12/30/15) AND HE ADVISED ME THAT THE STEERING PUMP NEEDED REPLACING, VEH. WAS AT 67,747 MILES. PAID $1,154.17 FOR REPAIRS. MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO DO RESEARCH AS HE HAS HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER MINI OWNERS. RESEARCHED ON INTERNET TO FIND I WAS NOT THE ONLY 2006 MINI OWNER TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEMS. SAME PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED TO THE MINI'S THAT BMW HAS RECALLED AND EXTENDED WARRANTY. PLEASE DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE THEM INCLUDE 2006 MINI COOPERS AND FIX THE PROBLEM AND/OR REIMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE CONTACTED MINI USA, BUT THEY CLAIM MY VEH. IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, THOUGH I FEEL IT SHOULD BE SINCE THE PROBLEM IS THE EXACT SAME THING AS THOSE VEH.'S THAT WERE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #10820546

85,000 miles · Nov 30, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NO LONGER DETECTED THAT A PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NO LONGER DETECTED THAT A PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10807575

53,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Engine

OUR CAR HAS ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT. WE ARE INFORMED BY 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION TOTALING $10,000. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS VERY ISSUE THAT SETTLED LATE LAST YEAR. BMW/MINI KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND SAID NOTHING. OUR CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE NOW AND IS UNSAFE …

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OUR CAR HAS ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT. WE ARE INFORMED BY 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION TOTALING $10,000. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS VERY ISSUE THAT SETTLED LATE LAST YEAR. BMW/MINI KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND SAID NOTHING. OUR CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE NOW AND IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. IT IS WORTHLESS ESSENTIALLY AFTER BEING MAINTAINED PER THEIR GUIDELINES. WHEN DRIVING IT LOST CONTROL AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEARS. WAS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR ONE TIME AND WAS HARD TO STOP. COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT WE WERE ABLE TO GET CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #10806624

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V20500 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V20500 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10790046

69,000 miles · Nov 3, 2015
Power Train

TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. THE 2006 MINI COOPER CVT TRANSMISSION HAS HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES. A CALIFORNIA JUDGE RECENTLY RULED IN FAVOR OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST BMW(MINI COOPER). WE JUST BECAME AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT IN OUR CAR. IT STILL RUNS AND SHIFTS BUT OUR CONCERN IS THAT IT COULD QUI…

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TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. THE 2006 MINI COOPER CVT TRANSMISSION HAS HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES. A CALIFORNIA JUDGE RECENTLY RULED IN FAVOR OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST BMW(MINI COOPER). WE JUST BECAME AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT IN OUR CAR. IT STILL RUNS AND SHIFTS BUT OUR CONCERN IS THAT IT COULD QUIT AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MINI HAS SHOWN NO MORAL OR ETHICAL INTEREST IN REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AT NO COST OR REDUCED COST TO THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA ODI #10788091

30,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other

70K AND ON MY THIRD SERPENTINE BELT ,BATTERY LIGHT GOES ON AND INCREDIBLY HARD TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT AND CAR DIES. WHEN THE BELT SHREDS OR BREAKS THE CAR DIES AND ONLY MOVES AT BELOW 5 MPH ,ONLY WARNING IS A BATTERY LIGHT ... PEOPLE BUYING THIS CAR FOR TEENS DONT ! HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 30 K ... IF YOU BUY THIS CAR U…

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70K AND ON MY THIRD SERPENTINE BELT ,BATTERY LIGHT GOES ON AND INCREDIBLY HARD TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT AND CAR DIES. WHEN THE BELT SHREDS OR BREAKS THE CAR DIES AND ONLY MOVES AT BELOW 5 MPH ,ONLY WARNING IS A BATTERY LIGHT ... PEOPLE BUYING THIS CAR FOR TEENS DONT ! HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 30 K ... IF YOU BUY THIS CAR USED WITH LOW MILEAGE GET THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED . NOTE : TRANSMISSION CHECK REQUIRES THE ENGINE TO BE PULLED OUT AND WILL COST $500.00 OIL PAN CONSTANTLY LEAKS. IF VW IS BAD BMW /MINI COOPER IS WORSE AND GETTING AWAY WITH HIGHWAY ROBBERY . SEAT BELTS ALWAYS GETTING TWISTED AND REQUIRE THE NEED TO PUL OFF ROAD TO FIX BECAUSE THEY TIGHTEN AND WON'T RELEASE TENSION. LOOK INTO DRIVER AND PASSENGER LEATHER SEATS FALLING APART ... WAITING FOR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG TO GO OFF BECAUSE OF POOR MATERIAL AND TEXTILE USE . IF IT'S RUBBER IT ROTS OR RATS EAT IT BECAUSE THEY CAN ENTER CAR ENGINE WITHOUT ISSUE. WITH THE CLASS ACTION SUITS ,SERVICE WARNINGS,AND RECALLS IT LOOKS LIKE MINI COOPER NEEDS A HARDER MORE INTENSE INVESTIGATION . IN REGARDS TO EXACT DATES I HAVE REPAIR BILLS ,CLASS ACTION INFO. REGARDING TRANSMISSION ...WORTHLESS AS I HAVE WRONG YEAR ,ALSO CAR IS ON A CONSTANT CYCLE OF MALFUNCTION ... BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEAD LIGHTS CONSTANTLY NEED BULB REPLACEMENT . PLEASE MAKE MINI COOPER RESPONSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #10787265

Official recalls

1

15V205000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.