The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that a software update was performed on the back over prevention camera. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V660000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 175,830.
The worst 2005 MINI Cooper S 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.
- Steering212
- Airbags71
- Electrical23
- Engine16
- Transmission13
- Seats8
- Body4
- Lights3
- Suspension3
- Visibility3
- Acceleration2
- Locks2
- Seat belts2
- Brakes1
- Fuel system1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 MINI Cooper S
Power steering loss 75Airbag light 36Loss of power 18Fire or smoke 15Overheating 11CVT failure 5Engine failure 5Jerking 5Steering noise 5Transmission failure 5
Recalls 2
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 15V660000 · Recall details
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 2 recalls for the 2005 MINI Cooper S
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
Loss of Power Steering Assist
ODI has received 339 complaints alleging an unexpected loss of power steering assist while driving the vehicle.When the power steering assist stops working, drivers experienced difficulty in steering and/or controlling the vehicle.According to BMW drivers may experience either a temporary or permanent loss of power steering assist.BMW further advised that a temporary loss of power steering assist may be due to a malfunctioning cooling fan or an under-voltage condition in the power steering system.A permanent loss of power steering assist may be due to an error in the internal electronics, and may also result in the continuous running of the power steering pump.The VOQ complaints allege 5 minor crashes and 3 fires.The crashes are described as hit the curb.The fires are described as melted wires. There were no property damage claims.ODI has received similar complaints for other model year Mini.Additional information is required to evaluate the frequency, consequence, and scope of this issue.Accordingly the investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (see EA11-005).
PE10038
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 MINI Cooper S 43
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...
- Navigation system has missing or incorrect road map data
- Aisin automatic transmisison: right side output shaft seal replacement
- This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014
- Mini: different faults activates engine malfunction and oil warning. ma
- Mini: because of the dme software, and a damaged clutch, the drivetrain malfunction check message appear. ma
- Mini: a mechanical failure and dme software error of the vanos actuators cause the engine to run rough...
- Mini: due to faulty dme software, the service engine lights comes on, including the check control message...
- Mini: faulty software causes the check control and engine power reduced light to appear. ma
2005 MINI Cooper S 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 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact also stated that he was advised by the dealer that he had to pay out of pocket for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Battery light flashing, power steering cutting out intermittently while driving. Alternator and serpintine belt replaced but problem continues. Electric power steering seems to be draining electrical system.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle overheated and smoke began coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the water pump was replaced. After the repair, the power steering ceased without warning upon starting the vehicle. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering) as possible cause of the failure however, the VIN was not included. Mini of des moines located at (9900 hickman rd, des moines, ia 50325) was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s. While driving various speeds, the contact experienced intermittent power steering failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); however, mini of marin (5880 paradise dr, corte madera, ca 94925, (415) 887-2194) and the manufacturer were contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power steering no longer works.
The car was in motion when suddenly the steering wheel became very hard and the driver lost control, almost causing an accident. There has been a recall for mini cooper s vehicles (15v-xxx safety recall) involving the electric-hydraulic power steering system. The recall includes 2002-2005 models, and extends the warranty up to 13 years or up to 150,000 miles. Our vehicle falls under those requirements, and is a 2005 model and has 69,751 miles, yet we were told that there are no existing recalls for our vehicle, even though we suspect that the incident we had involves the hydraulic steering system.
When adjusting the driver and passenger seats, the airbag light illuminated. After researching online, I conducted troubleshooting. I verified that the wiring harnesses and connectors for the airbag sensors under both seats had come loose, and certain wires de-pinned. The car was running, and parked when this occurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s. When the vehicle was started, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn and the service engine soon warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the steering failure worsened since december of 2017. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
Driving on interstate and lost power. I pulled to shoulder and black smoke came thru air vents. I opened the hood and there was fire. My car completely burned up. I never had any mechanical problems. The tow truck driver said he believed the fire started under my car.
Compare the 2005 MINI Cooper S
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Questions about the 2005 MINI Cooper S
Is the 2005 MINI Cooper S reliable?
Owners have filed 314 complaints about the 2005 MINI Cooper S, 10.1 times a typical Cooper S model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2005 MINI Cooper S year score?
The 2005 MINI Cooper S scores 5 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the MINI Cooper S: 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 2005 MINI Cooper S?
Steering, with 212 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is airbags (71).
How many recalls does the 2005 MINI Cooper S have?
2 recalls, covering steering and air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2005 MINI Cooper S get?
Official estimates for the 2005 MINI Cooper S 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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