VehicleVerdict

2005 Mini Cooper steering problems

The 2005 Mini Cooper has 280 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 64% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

280

Steering complaints

64%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Cooper steering complaints by model year280 complaints2002: 63 complaints2003: 162 complaints2004: 247 complaints2005: 280 complaints2006: 53 complaints2007: 4 complaints2008: 4 complaints2009: 4 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 2 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 1 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 1 complaints
Cooper steering complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

15V660000SteeringOctober 15, 2015 · 86,018 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S Convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.

Consequence

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 10, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING AND THE CONTACT WOULD SEE AND SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 28, 2011 · fire

Common questions

How many steering complaints does the 2005 Mini Cooper have?

NHTSA has 280 complaints about the 2005 Mini Cooper steering — 64% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2005 Mini Cooper steering?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the steering: 15V660000.

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.