Most common 2006 Mini Cooper S problems
Share of the 222 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mini Cooper S complaints by model year
Best Cooper S years: 2017, 2016, 2021. Years to avoid: 2005, 2007, 2004, 2006, 2003. Compare all years →
2006 Mini Cooper S recalls (1)
Air bags › Frontal
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.
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.
What 2006 Mini Cooper S owners say
Air bags all 85 →
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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,350.
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 NHTSA 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. …
Steering all 53 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper s. The contact stated that while in park, the vehicle failed to start. In addition, the contact stated that while reversing at a low speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. Once in park, the vehicle failed to turn off with the key in the off position. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering motor had failed and melted. The power steering motor, wires, battery, pump, fan, pressure hose and alternator were replaced. After repairs, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the vehicle using the diagnostic tool. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer who stated that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
I bought my daughter a 2006 Mini Cooper s a little over a year ago. Today I decided to drive it to work here at fort hood, texas. A little over an hour after I got to work I decided to go get breakfast so when I walked out of my office I heard a car alarm going off and when I rounded the corner I saw my daughter's car billowing smoke! I ran inside to get help and was able to find tools to disconnect the battery. I raised the hood and was meet with a lot of heat, smoke and a strong odor of burnt plastic. The car wasn't running and like I stated, had been sitting for over an hour. After conducting research online I found out Mini USA had recalled several Mini coopers for the power steering pump that had the same exact symptoms. After calling the closest dealership, an hour away, and Mini USA I was told that my car was not part of this recall and I am left to pay for this repair myself. …
Engine & cooling all 28 →
I was driving on the road my I turned the ac on and about 20min of me riding in the vehicle me and my infant son my my vehicle started smoking under the hood heavy white smoke under the hood of the 2006 Mini Cooper s. My car began to loose power while engine bay still heavily smoking I managed to get car in a nearby dealership get my son and I out of the car I put water on the side of the engine that was burning to keep the rest of the car from burning up.the rest of the car I had to call my insurance company the car wont do anything at all the electric system or the wires burnt under the hood.
Dt*: the contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper model s. Three days after purchase at 130 miles the vehicle stalled and operated at a reduced speed while attempting to accelerate. Although the vehicle did not stall out completely, the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer reprogrammed the computer software. Afterwards, the contact was pulling into a parking space with brake pressure applied, the engine roared and the vehicle lurched forward and struck a tree. The police were on the scene and a report was taken. The vehicle sustained minor damage, but no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic test and was unable to duplicate the problem. The service department suggested replacing the engine. Updated 3/3/2006 -
2006 Mini Cooper S engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl supercharged | 6-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 29 / 24 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl supercharged | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Mini Cooper S a good car?
Based on 222 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Cooper S rates avoid: 4.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cooper S at the same age. It is one of the Cooper S years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mini Cooper S?
The air bags — 85 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about sensor › occupant classification. Next are the steering (53) and engine & cooling (28).
How many recalls does the 2006 Mini Cooper S have?
There is 1 recall for the 2006 Mini Cooper S, the most recent from April 6, 2015 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mini Cooper S?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2016 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2007, 2004, 2006 and 2003. See the full Mini Cooper S years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Mini Cooper S problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 38% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.