The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the steering wheel was significantly loose and turned excessively. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel felt like it would detach from the column. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
The worst 2005 MINI Cooper S 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 2005 MINI Cooper S 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
See all 1 recalls for the 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible
Defect investigations
Loss of power steering assist
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include MY 2002 and 2003 vehicles that use the same steering system.The subject vehicles now include MY 2002, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure to a conventional rack-and-pinion steering gear.A pump, the electric motor, and an electronic control unit (ECU) are housed in a single component BMW calls a Power Pack.The investigation focused on contaminant-induced failure of the ECU resulting in a loss of assist without warning.When assist is lost mechanical steering is retained however increased steering effort is required to keep the vehicle on an intended path.Some consumers reported that restarting the vehicle (cycling the ignition switch) would often reinstate the steering assist.Additionally, and by design, assist can also reinstate during the drive cycle in limited circumstances.The unexpected loss of assist, and/or possibly the reinstatement of assist while driving, may contribute to a loss of vehicle control in certain driving situations.During MY 2005 production BMW introduced a revised Power Pack design (the ECU incorporated a conformal coating of the circuit board) which resulted in a significant reduction in failures.ODI identified 20 reports describing crashes consistent with a loss of power assist event possibly caused by a failure of the Power Pack.Two reports alleged an injury however both were minor in nature and did not require emergency treatment (a subsequent doctor's visit occurred in one case).Ten of these reports described low speed crashes with minimal, or in most cases no property or vehicle damage (e.g., striking a movable barrier in a parking lot).Additionally 27 other reports alleged or indicated that a crash occurred due to a Power Pack failure however in reviewing these reports, ODI either 1) was unable to confirm that a crash actually occurred (8 reports), or 2) determined that the crash circumstances (e.g., adverse road/weather conditions) or cause (e.g., the crash was caused by steering linkage failure) were not attributable to a Power Pack failure (19 reports).Throughout the investigation BMW maintained that loss of assist in the subject vehicles did not constitute a safety related defect, noting that the subject vehicles are smaller, light weight vehicles that can be reasonably controlled when assist is lost.In May 2013 BMW launched a 13 year/150,000 mile extended warranty coverage utilizing the redesigned Power Pack as a replacement part.ODI continued its investigation.In July 2014 BMW provided ODI a status of the ongoing extended warranty program, and in May 2015 ODI requested an update of complaint data.Following a review of the provided data, ODI informed BMW of its assessment that loss of steering assist failures were not adequately resolved by an extended warranty program.On October 12, 2015 BMW notified the federal safety agency that it would conduct a safety recall (15V‑660) on approximately 86,000 subject vehicles not previously remedied with the new design Power Pack through regular or extended warranty programs.The recall covers MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper, MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper S, and MY 2005 MINI Cooper/Cooper S convertibles manufactured through Feb 9, 2005.Vehicles produced after this date are not included si
EA11005
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible 23
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
- Programming a Replacement EGS Module with ISTA/P. Programming a replacement electronic transmission...
- This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014
- Mini: some vehicles have turbocharger noise and a lack or loss of performance, due to restriction of...
- Mini: models R50, R52, and R53 with the electro-hydraulic power-assist steering pump and cooling fans will...
- 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
- Mini: warranty coverage extension/repair expense reimbursement for the electro hydraulic power (assist)...
- Mini: on certain model vehicles, an engine oil leak may occur, due to the compromised oil pump volume...
2005 MINI Cooper S 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 | 21-22 | 29 | 24 |
What 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. The contact stated that the electric power steering was faulty. Mini of loveland (4055 byrd dr, loveland, co 80538, (970) 292-5020) was notified of the failure, but a diagnostic appointment was not scheduled. The dealer indicated that the vehicle was excluded from extended warranty program: si m32 02 15 (steering and wheel alignment). An independent mechanic diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
Electric power steering pump has loud whine or moaning sound with only 42,000 miles on it. Fluid level is good and so far the power steering is still working. It does get louder while turning but also annoying when just idling.
Passenger airbag light has been on since 2013. Mechanics tell me that it is a weight-sensing mat on the seat. Mini recalled 2005 mini's but this one is not included in the recall. This is a very common problem with this year for this car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, it was difficult to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the power steering assist function failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electro hydro power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
Transmission upshifts and downshifts erratically and/or shifts into neutral without driver input while in motion.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. The contact observed fluid leaking from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the power steering pump failed previously. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 70,000.
My mini cooper s conv, 2005, has been having steeering issues for some time now. It will randomly lose what seems like the power steering while I am driving! I have found that by turning the car off (if I am stopped and in area with time to turn off my car) that it works again for 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Other times I can drive for 45 minutes no problems at all. However, more often than not the steering goes out is not working as soon as I turn the car on. I k now that I have to select a date of when this happened and I am putting today's date since it happens daily. However, I want it noted it is not only today.
I was leaving work late at night when I tried to drive the car out of the parking lot the steering disappeared. It was difficult to maneuver the car. I had the car at the mini dearlship earlier in the week to replace light bulbs so I called the dealership to find out where what this could be, where I could check the power steering fluid levels. They were not that helpful. Then later I looked online at all the steering complaints and called the dealership back and was told that there was a problem and my car (VIN#) would be covered for 13 years/150,000. I am reporting this because all mini's with this problem should be covered. Dealerships should check vehicles for recalls when customers call with problems. I like my dealership but I am disappointed that I had to research this dangerous problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. The contact received a notification for the federal safety agency 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Compare the 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible
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Questions about the 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible
Is the 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible reliable?
Owners have filed 61 complaints about the 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible, 6.8 times a typical Cooper S Convertible model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible?
Steering, with 37 complaints, typically around 65,875 miles. Next is airbags (15).
How many recalls does the 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible get?
Official estimates for the 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible range from 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-22 city and 29 highway.
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