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2006 MINI Cooper S problems

The most common problem on the 2006 MINI Cooper S is airbags, typically around 56,000 miles. It has 6.0 times the complaints of a typical Cooper S model year.

Year to avoid6.0x the typical complaints
Year score
10/100
Owner complaints
186
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
49
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
24mpg
Typical repair
$1,374

The worst 2006 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.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 MINI Cooper S

Airbag light 44Power steering loss 17Slipping 9Transmission failure 9Loss of power 8Check engine light 5Jerking 5Whining noise 5

Recalls 1

Air bags: frontalReported April 6, 2015 · 91,800 vehicles affected
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 2006 MINI Cooper S

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 MINI Cooper S 49

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 49 bulletins for the 2006 MINI Cooper S

2006 MINI Cooper S fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.6L 4‑cylFWD21-222924

What 2006 MINI Cooper S owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 12, 2022 · Airbags · 90,350 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Coop S. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat occupancy mat had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist since the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,350.

Filed Mar 23, 2020 · Airbags · 79,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mini cooper s. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag sensor light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger side air bag system was defective and needed to be replaced. South bay mini located at (18800 hawthorne blvd, torrance ca) was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000.

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Steering · 160,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mini cooper s. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The seat belt and check-engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the brown motor works (803‑551‑0991, located at 4041 broad river rd, columbia, sc 29210) and it was diagnosed that the power steering needed to be services. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was intermittent. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160.000.

Filed Oct 17, 2019 · Steering · 1 miles · VA

Power steering is malfunctioning. It come and goes for a couple of days while in a winding road. Took it to the dealer and they replace some lines. A few moths later it started having issues with at the beginning of the driving after the car has been idle for more than 2 hours. Now the power steering is totally not working at all.

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Fuel system · TX

There is a constant fuel / gasoline smell in my car and outside the vehicle. No visible leaks. The smell is constant.

Filed Mar 20, 2019 · Steering, Transmission · 140,000 miles · AL

Steering pump transmission weening not wanting to change gears right

Filed Dec 15, 2018 · Airbags · NY

The air bag detection warning remains active after dealer reinstallation of the seat detector pad.

Filed Nov 25, 2018 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · TN

2006 mini cooper s with 66000 miles had a transmission failure that resulted in unsafe driving condition due to loss of forward propulsion while driving on highway.

Filed Sep 8, 2018 · Steering · 103,500 miles · IL

Power steering pump failing, creating a loud whine when running (moving, and stationary).

Filed Sep 4, 2018 · Airbags, Seats · 53,000 miles · CO

Upon starting my car, after being in a store, the passenger airbag light came on while a passenger was in the seat. The indicator stayed on after turning the car off and back on. I researched to see if there were any recalls for a faulty passenger airbag covering my year, make and model, and found the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v205000. I contacted my local mini dealer and was told that there was no information pertaining to my car and that I needed to contact mini USA directly. I did so and was told that they also could not find any information pertaining to my car and that they needed to open an investigation in order to determine the status of my vehicle. I was told that because my car was purchased through an overseas military program the systems were not the same and that a supervisor would have to try and find the information and manually add it to the mini USA system. I was also asked, repeatedly, if my car was a canadian spec vehicle. It was not ordered as such. After several weeks of waiting, I called mini USA to inquire about the status of the investigation. I was told that I had already been notified that my car was not included on the recall for the airbag sensor issue. When I inquired as to why my vehicle was not covered for the exact problem for which the recall was issued, I was told that my case was now closed and if I had any other questions I needed to contact mini customer service.

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Compare the 2006 MINI Cooper S

Other model years

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Questions about the 2006 MINI Cooper S

Is the 2006 MINI Cooper S reliable?

Owners have filed 186 complaints about the 2006 MINI Cooper S, 6.0 times a typical Cooper S model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2006 MINI Cooper S year score?

The 2006 MINI Cooper S scores 10 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 2006 MINI Cooper S?

Airbags, with 67 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles. Next is steering (48).

How many recalls does the 2006 MINI Cooper S have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

Was there a recall on the 2006 MINI Cooper S airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 15V205000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the MINI Cooper S have bad airbags?

The MINI Cooper S model years with the most airbags complaints are 2005 (71 complaints), 2006 (67 complaints) and 2008 (30 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2006 MINI Cooper S get?

Official estimates for the 2006 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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