Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Mini Cooper S owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2005 Mini Cooper s was traveling 50mph when it hit icy bridge spun around and rolled 3 times driver was wearing a seatbelt and passenger was not and got ejected and died.no airbags deployed. Hwy 299.
Earlier in the day I took the car on a day trip to lake tahoe driving a combination of interstate and mountain pass road. 3 hours later, my wife had taken the car to run an errand and came home and parked the car in the garage completely off and locked. 10-15 minutes later we hear the car alarm going off. We opened the door to the garage and saw white smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was high pitched wining also. When I opened up the door the put in neutral, the lights on the instrument panels were all on with no keys in the ignition. Opened the garage and moved the car to the driveway and away from the house. Called the fire department and I used an extinguisher underneath where orange glow was visible. The glow of the flames were toward the back part of the engine compartment and low. …
About two weeks prior to the fire, my back bumper was hit by someone,nothing too serious just the tail light broken. Their insurance had my car fixed at world Toyota collision center in atlanta georgia. On Saturday morning, I picked up my car. I noticed clicking noise coming out from inside the car and the steering wheel becoming rigid as soon as I started driving. I pulled to the closest gas station (was in need of gas as well). White smoke came out from the front right after I parked. My husband lifted up the hood trying to see where the smoke is from. Not even two minutes later, there was flame, yes, actual fire underneath the engine compartment. Fortunately, there were two officers next to us at that time so they used fire extinguisher to take the fire down. I'm extremely frightened and disappointed at Mini Cooper. Very dangerous car.
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 NHTSA 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 parked, a fire erupted under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the flames. A police report was available. The cause of the failure was unknown. The failure mileage was 10,000. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.
Takata recall. Dealership wanted to charge me $1000 to fix this airbag. Steering also stiff and at time unresponsive. Number three misfire is a design flaw. Horn does not work. Lens on headlights make light very dim.
A "pop" was heard when I was driving my vehicle on i95. I was able to pull over to the side considering when the "pop" occurred, my Mini lost power. As I was pulled over, the vehicle burst into flames.
Vehicle fire 5/2/2012. Car parked for 4 hrs. Returned to car & drove it <50 yards for ~2 minutes (moved it from street to parking lot). Turned it off and went in store. Returned ~4 minutes later, noticed smoke/exhaust smell; presumed it was adjacent car. Unlocked car. Car would't start (no lights/electrical at all). I then noticed white smoke coming from hood. Opened hood then noticed flame/fire inside engine compartment. Went in store, got fire extinguisher and put fire out. Invoice was >$3500 from Mini dealer. The dealer's assessment: "verified power steering pump has overheated to the point where it has burned up internally as well as externally (melting all three connectors and the wiring leading to them). Inspected power steering cooling fan and verified cooling fan is seizing up which very likely LED to the overheating and eventual failure of the power steering pump. …
My problem is with a 2005 Mini Cooper s. Why is their not a recall on the water pump? It has been know for going out premature and BMW has redesigned the new pumps with a metal impeller instead of previous plastic. Talking to the dealer, they made me feel fortunate that my water pump made it to 50,000 miles stating they replace many water pumps in the 1st generation series around 20,000 miles. I strongly believe this is dangerous, as the failure can cause overheating and requires you to shut off the car, and sit on the side of the road. Cars are not made to over heat. This greatly increases the chance of a fire. BMW knows they have a problem but is not recalling the water pumps until 2006-2011. I think the 1st generation minis should have the same recall as most minis including mine has/had a water pump issue and would like over a thousand dollars to have it replaced. …
Last December my steering went out on my car. I did some research online and found that a possible class action suit was in the process. I called Mini north America to discuss my findings and to see if a recall was in the works. The customer service agent stated she wasn't aware of any. I took the car to my dealer and had to have 4,000 dollars in repairs. Water pump, super charger and several bearings. I then get a letter in early June of 2013 stating that a recall was in the works and to send all my information in for possible reimbursement. I was told that I qualify and that a check was going to be cut and sent out by the end of June or early August. When the check didn't arrive, I continued to call Mini north America and I keep getting the run around. I was told it was going to be late September or early October. …
Engine complaints in other Cooper S years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Mini Cooper S?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Mini Cooper S, 5% of the model year's 375 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Mini Cooper S engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2005 Mini Cooper S, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Mini Cooper S engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.