2005 Mini Cooper Convertible problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (71) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump (4) · Power Train (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mini Cooper Convertible model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
89 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal 2015-04-06 · campaign 15V205000 · 91,800 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (23)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2023-10-25 · M610607 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. for this rea
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control 2018-05-01 · M120817 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
w10 engine: ems2k - comprehensive component obd readiness monitor not completed: an affected vehicle fails to pass a state inspection and emission (i/m) test due to the òcomprehensive componentó obd readiness monitor status is ònot complete,ó or it fails complete after performing an applicable repai
Steering 2016-03-01 · M320214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 are currently available.
Engine 2015-07-01 · 12 09 15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature is high outside, and more obvious if the tank is only partly filled. *ma
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/Supercharger 2014-12-01 · SIM-11-10-14 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Steering 2014-11-01 · M010113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 23 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-03-08 · Steering · 94,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper convertible. the contact stated that she noticed a leak coming from the vehicle. the contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a power of steering hose leak. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact related the failure to nhtsa campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). the man…”
2022-02-18 · Power Train“the transmission will cycle first through third and when it tries to go into 4th it slips and will not operate higher gears it caused me to lose my forward drive momentum as i was switching lanes and the car i was getting in front of almost ran into me. …”
2021-12-21 · Steering“my son drives this car and the power steering went out twice on him while driving. i need to get the pump replaced via the recall, but the nearest location is 200 miles from me. it is not safe to drive this car that far and i would have to drop it off and make another trip to pick it up. towing that far would cost a small fortune. i called every nu…”
2021-12-17 · Steering“the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). the contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed. the dealer was made aware of the recall but informed the contact that they do not service recall repairs. the …”
2021-04-28 · Steering · 100,000 mi“power steering pump stop working while driving turning in a city street…”
2021-03-24 · Steering · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2005 mini cooper convertible. the contact stated that while driving at 5 mph after exiting his driveway, he suddenly lost power steering without warning. as a result of the failure, the contact lost complete control of the vehicle as the vehicle veered off the road and into a utility pole. the contact was unaware if the air …”
2017-12-30 · Steering · 10,200 mi“the car stopped steering correctly. it is very difficult to turn the wheels. the power steering is gone. i started noticing the difference in the steering and then the steering progressively got worse. i called the service department of the dealership to ask if there should be a concern because the steering started after i had the recall service …”
2017-02-05 · Steering · 185,005 mi“power steering pump goes out from time to time, brought it to mini dealerships once and was working fine when we brought it in, and was told nothing was wrong, and was sent on our way. now had to disconnect battery to replace a part, and when reconnecting the battery, power steering pumps runs and wont shut off. vehicle was stationary. please hep, …”
2016-11-21 · Steering · 113,000 mi“power steering issues: mini cooper convertible 2005. the first evidence of my problem was when the electrical system seemed to be faulty. i replaced the alternator, and that fixed the car for about two weeks. at that point, i noticed a fan running a lot, and then found the battery dead on several occasions. finally, i figured out that a fan w…”
2016-10-22 · Steering · 101,000 mi · 🔥 fire“my vehicle caught fire while parked directly after driving it six miles, saved by fire extinguisher and fire department. cause determined to be faulty power steering module.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.