2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible problems & reliability
36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags → | 18 | 50% |
| Seats | 6 | 17% |
| Power Train | 5 | 14% |
| Steering | 5 | 14% |
| Engine | 3 | 8% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 8% |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 8% |
| Electrical System | 2 | 6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3% |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 14 reported components →Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 34 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 63,500 miles (middle 50% between 49,250 and 79,604 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mini cooper s convertible. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle became extremely difficult to steer without warning. The contact managed to drive home. Mini of st. Louis (40 sunnen dr, maplewood, mo 63143, (314) 644-6464) stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed and referenced nhtsa…”
Steering · filed Aug 27, 2019
“Passenger side seat airbag sensor (recall 15v-205, oc3 seat occupancy mat) in my 2006 mini cooper s convertible has failed. The passenger side airbag light on dash and overhead stay lit at all times. Recall issued by mini in 2015 covering exact problem described for same make and model for years 2005 - 2008. Dealer…”
Seats · filed Apr 30, 2018
“I bought my 2006 mini cooper s convertible for $9,393 in november 2016 . When driving it home from the dealership I heard some noise, so I stopped at a foreign auto service and was told the clutch and transmission was going out. I called the dealership, but they refused to help, so I had them replaced at a…”
Engine · filed Apr 22, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
24 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible. The 10 most recent:
MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. Breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system can…
M610607 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 25, 2023
Programming a Replacement EGS Module with ISTA/P. Programming a replacement electronic transmission control module (EGS) with ISTA/P requires the manual entry of the correct target basic and programmed part numbers…
M240112 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 12, 2019
MINI Water Pump Class Action Settlement
BMWJUL1316 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 29, 2016
This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. SUBJECT Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle is No Longer Required. Left-hand drive steering spindles…
M320214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2016
Mini: some vehicles have turbocharger noise and a lack or loss of performance, due to restriction of turbocharger oil supply, resulting in oil starvation and seizing of turbocharger assembly. Model all. *pe
SIM-11-10-14 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2014
Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Limited Warranty Extension to 13 Years/150,000 Miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump can fail.
M010113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2014
MINI CVT Replacement Parts Warranty Extension: Additional 12 Months with Up to 50,000 Accumulated Miles. A MINI vehicle's CVT assembly or component that was previously repaired and/or replaced by an authorized MINI…
M010514 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2014
Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle. Supply shortage of left-hand drive steering spindles
M320214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2014
MINI CVT Replacement Parts Warranty Extension: Additional 12 Months with Up to 50,000 Accumulated Miles. A MINI vehicle's CVT assembly or component that was previously repaired and/or replaced by an authorized MINI…
M010514 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2014
Mini: on certain model vehicles, an engine oil leak may occur, due to the compromised oil pump volume control solenoid valve, from the underside of engine. No model years listed. *pe updated 4/19/2013. *kb updated…
SIM-11-01-12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2014
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 63,500 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.