VehicleVerdict

2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 53 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.4 times the median Cooper S Convertible year — the 2006 model ranks #2 of 8 Cooper S Convertible years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (36% of the total).

53

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Cooper S Convertible years?

Cooper S Convertible NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted72 complaints2005: 72 complaints2006: 53 complaints2007: 8 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 15 complaints2010: 12 complaints2011: 6 complaints2012: 3 complaints
Cooper S Convertible NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cooper S Convertible years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1936%
Engine713%
Seats611%
Transmission59%
Steering59%
Seat Belts36%
Electrical System36%
Brakes24%
Body & Structure12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Other12%

Does the 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V205000AirbagsApril 6, 2015 · 91,800 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 20, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COPPER S CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 5, 2011

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 6, 2016 · fire

“THE POWER STEERING WOULD STOP AND IT BECAME HARD TO TURN AND STEER. IT CAME BACK ON AND HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. IT EFFECTS STEERING WHEN GOING SLOW MORE THAN FAST. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO FAIL UNDER ANY SPECIFIC CONDITION, IT WILL JUST STOP AND AFTER AWHILE IT WILL COME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 3, 2011

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 24, 2015

2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible — common questions

Is the 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 53 complaints put the 2006 model at #2 of 8 Cooper S Convertible years. It is one of the Cooper S Convertible years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Cooper S Convertible problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (19 complaints), engine (7 complaints), seats (6 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mini Cooper S Convertible years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cooper S Convertible years to avoid are 2005, 2006. The cleanest record among Cooper S Convertible years belongs to 2012.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.