VehicleVerdict

2006 Mini Cooper S problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 243 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.8 times the median Cooper S year — the 2006 model ranks #5 of 22 Cooper S years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 71 reports (29% of the total).

243

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

16

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Cooper S years?

Cooper S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted383 complaints2002: 105 complaints2003: 258 complaints2004: 279 complaints2005: 383 complaints2006: 243 complaints2007: 300 complaints2008: 197 complaints2009: 151 complaints2010: 78 complaints2011: 46 complaints2012: 30 complaints2013: 32 complaints2014: 17 complaints2015: 20 complaints2016: 10 complaints2017: 8 complaints2019: 7 complaints2020: 8 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 1 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 6 complaints
Cooper S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cooper S years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mini Cooper S problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags7129%
Steering4820%
Electrical System2410%
Transmission229%
Engine229%
Seats156%
Visibility & Wipers115%
Other104%
Fuel System73%
Brakes31%
Speed Control31%
Suspension31%
Seat Belts21%
Tires & Wheels10%
Body & Structure10%

Does the 2006 Mini Cooper S 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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 26, 2012

“EXECUTING A LEFT TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS ISSUE. DAMAGE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AGAINST CURB. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ON A RECALL! ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 14, 2012 · crash

“EXECUTING A LEFT TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS ISSUE. DAMAGE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AGAINST CURB. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ON A RECALL! ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 14, 2012 · crash

“LA TRANSMISION ESTA FALLANDO,CUANDO LLEGA A LAS 2100 RPM EL SIGUIENTE CAMBIO O SEA LA 4TA CAMBIO NO ENTRA O TARDA EN ENTRAR LO Q PASA ES ENTONCES SUBEN LAS RPM Y SE ACELERA EST ES CONSTANTE ,EN LAS PRIMEROS MINUTOS TRABAJA BIEN LUEGO DE UNOS CUANTOS MINUTOS DE RODAR ESQUE COMIENZA A MOLESTAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 9, 2014

“AS I TURN ON THE ENGINE, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, 5 SECONDS LATER, ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. ENGINE WON'T TURN BACK ON AND LOST ALL POWER, STEERING WHEEL WON'T TURN. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, GEAR WOULD SHIFT UP AND DOWN ON IT'S OWN WHILE I'M DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS! *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 27, 2013 · fire

2006 Mini Cooper S — common questions

Is the 2006 Mini Cooper S reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 243 complaints put the 2006 model at #5 of 22 Cooper S years. It is one of the Cooper S years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Cooper S problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (71 complaints), steering (48 complaints), electrical system (24 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mini Cooper S have recalls?

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

Which Mini Cooper S years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cooper S years to avoid are 2005, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2002, 2010. The cleanest record among Cooper S years belongs to 2021.

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.