2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible recalls and problems

The 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible has 1 safety recall and 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any MINI dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

0 / 2

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible recalls

Recall 15V-205: Air Bags

Reported Apr 6, 2015 · 91,800 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	19
Seats	6
Steering	5
Power Train	5
Engine and Engine Cooling	4
Seat Belts	3
Engine	3
Electrical System	2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1
Equipment	1
Structure	1
Wheels	1

Most reported parts

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control — 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 1
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) — 1
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module — 1
Structure › Body — 1
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 65,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Seats · at 80,000 miles · reported Apr 30, 2018

Passenger side seat airbag sensor (Recall 15v-205, oc3 seat occupancy mat) in my 2006 mini cooper s convertible has failed. The passenger side airbag light on dash and overhead stay lit at all times. Recall issued by mini in 2015 covering exact problem described for same make and model for years 2005 - 2008. Dealer ship and mini USA both say the VIN number for my 2006 s convertible is not included with this recall. How can this be, the exact problem for the exact vehicles identified for this recall. Mini states that this vehicle is the correct type, model and year but not part of the recall…

Engine · at 68,000 miles · reported Apr 22, 2017

I bought my 2006 mini cooper s convertible for $9,393 in november 2016 . When driving it home from the dealership I heard some noise, so I stopped at a foreign auto service and was told the clutch and transmission was going out. I called the dealership, but they refused to help, so I had them replaced at a transmission repair shop for $2,500 . Then had a brake job for $394 and spent over $1,000 at a mini dealership . And then put the car in storage for 5 months. I drove it for two days ( About an hour each day ) when I heard a new noise and it would hardly run , so I pulled it off the road and…

Power Train · at 82,000 miles · reported Mar 14, 2017

6 speed automatic transmission failed catastrophically after 82,000 miles. This in spite of proper dealer recommended mainainance. Cost to repair was the same as the value of the vehicle.

Seats · at 49,000 miles · reported Jan 27, 2016

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.

Seats · at 122,000 miles · reported Jan 4, 2016

While driving with the driver seat heater on a burning smell and smoke began to fill the car. Additionally, began feeling extreme heat on my back. Immediately pulled over and found a small fire on the seat back which I had to pat out. No injury was sustained. The seat heater had been in operation roughly 5 minutes. This is a significant safety concern as the seat heater switches are in a location where they are easily turned on by accident. Had I not been able to pull off the road immediately the damages could have been significantly worse and injury would have occurred.

Other MINI Cooper S Convertible years

2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 200720062005

Compare all MINI Cooper S Convertible years · All MINI models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible: 15V-205 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible?

Owners report air bags problems most often (19 reports), followed by seats (6). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 65,000 miles.

Are MINI recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized MINI dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.