Power steering pump grinding. This was a recall on the 2002-2005 model but not the 2006. The same issue is happening with this car that happened with the recall vehicles and I would expect bmw to fix this problem. Thanks
The worst 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible
Recalls 1
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 15V205000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible 20
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years
- This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014
- Mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature...
- Mini: some vehicles have turbocharger noise and a lack or loss of performance, due to restriction of...
- Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Limited Warranty Extension to 13...
- Mini CVT
- Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle
- State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails Due to an Invalid VIN Number
- State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails to Read 17-Character VIN. An affected vehicle may fail to...
- Mini: there is a procedural error in the removing and installing or replacing high pressure pump current...
2006 MINI Cooper Convertible fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 23-24 | 30-32 | 25-27 |
What 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Power steering pump went out while driving the car. Car was extremely hard to steer. Almost hit a guard rail. Had the car towed home and then to a garage. This is a known problem with Mini Coopers from year 2002 to 2006. Websites and Mini Cooper Forums are loaded with Power Steering Pumps failing. No warning. Pump was confirmed to be the problem by an independent garage that only services high end german cars. Power Steering Pump was diagnosed to be bad on 8/04/2022. Car has a little over 60,000 miles on it.
The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat occupant detection mat was replaced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags) three years ago; however, the front passenger's side air bag warning light had been illuminating intermittently. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag warning light would illuminate whenever a lightweight passenger or a heavier passenger would sit in the front passenger’s seat. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Passenger air bag light went on and i took it to Mini dealer who diagnosed that ht passenger seat matt sensor failed and recommendedreplacement of seatmatt sensor I called Mini about safetyrecall agency15V20500 of 4/6/2015, and they informed me my VIN/vehicle was not part of thatrecall
I drove the car earlier and it was fine. I returned home and then hours later tried to pull out of my driveway to find I couldn't turn the steering wheel. Thank goodness I wasn't driving when it went or I wouldn't have been able to turn the wheel. Apparently after reading online quite a bit this is a problem and there is no recall or even a campaign or bulletin. This is going to be a very expensive repair. Due to the safety issue alone I'm frankly shocked. Apparently bmw dealers are cleaning up due to the expense of the repair. I'm looking at a minimum of $1500. Apporx 60% of vehicles have had this issue.
Power steering goes out while driving down the road, without any warning. Very stiff. Hard to control. Can't turn. Scary!!!
Power steering randomly when out while in motion. Thankfully, I was on a local road going slowly when it happened. Pulled over to the side, turned off the car and turned it back on. Power steering came back.
The passenger side airbag light will not turn off. Seat cannot detect passenger and disable airbag. There is a recall going on, but it did not include my VIN number. Mini USA representative gave no answer, no timeline, no additional information. Just told me to wait. I cannot believe that's bmw/mini.
February of 2014 driving my 2006 convertible on curvy highway at 50 MPH. Loud shrieking noise and then steering became very difficult to turn. Towed to mechanic. Had steering pump & fan replaced. Total cost $1,038.54. 2005 mini's have been recalled for this exact default. Called mini and they will not reimburse me because mine is a 2006. However, my mini was made in 2005.
Passenger seat air bag warning indicator shows air bag disabled intermittently, even when seat is occupied by full sized adult (over 140 pounds). This means my passenger is at risk of severe injury in case of crash, as the air bag is disabled. In addition to the above, the light is off and on intermittently even when the seat is not occupied. Ditto if a 5 pound lunch box is on the seat. Bmw/mini refuses to correct this significant safety defect in minis, even though they are making free repairs for the same problem in many bmws of similar years, and have even made an warranty extension of many years and unlimited miles for affected bmws.
Compare the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible
Other model years
Questions about the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible
Is the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible reliable?
Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible, 2.1 times a typical Cooper Convertible model year.
What is the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible year score?
The 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible scores 49 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the MINI Cooper Convertible: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible?
Airbags, with 14 complaints, typically around 43,001 miles. Next is steering (10).
How many recalls does the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 15V205000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible get?
Official estimates for the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible range from 25 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23-24 city and 30-32 highway.
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