2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (35) · Air Bags (13) · Power Train (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mini Cooper S Convertible model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
55 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
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2019-07-12 · M240112 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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. programming concept.
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 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.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2014-11-01 · SI M01 01 13 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini: models r50, r52, and r53 with the electro-hydraulic power-assist steering pump and cooling fans will have an limited warranty extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. *ta
Showing the 6 most recent of 23 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-02 · Steering“the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s. the contact stated while driving 10-15 mph, the steering wheel was significantly loose and turned excessively. additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel felt like it would detach from the column. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent …”
2019-04-01 · Steering · 133,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. the contact stated that the electric power steering was faulty. mini of loveland (4055 byrd dr, loveland, co 80538, (970) 292-5020) was notified of the failure, but a diagnostic appointment was not scheduled. the dealer indicated that the vehicle was excluded from extended warranty program: si …”
2017-06-27 · Steering · 42,000 mi“electric power steering pump has loud whine or moaning sound with only 42,000 miles on it. fluid level is good and so far the power steering is still working. it does get louder while turning but also annoying when just idling.…”
2017-05-15 · Air Bags“passenger airbag light has been on since 2013. mechanics tell me that it is a weight-sensing mat on the seat. mini recalled 2005 mini's but this one is not included in the recall. this is a very common problem with this year for this car.…”
2017-04-25 · Steering · 22,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. the contact stated that when the vehicle was started, it was difficult to turn the steering wheel. the contact stated that the power steering assist function failed to operate as intended. the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the electro hydro power…”
2017-02-24 · Power Train · 77,000 mi“transmission upshifts and downshifts erratically and/or shifts into neutral without driver input while in motion.…”
2017-01-27 · Steering · 70,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. the contact observed fluid leaking from the vehicle without warning. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering hoses needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the contact stated that the power steering pump failed previously. the manufacturer was no…”
2016-01-08 · Steering · 60,000 mi“my mini cooper s conv, 2005, has been having steeering issues for some time now. it will randomly lose what seems like the power steering while i am driving! i have found that by turning the car off (if i am stopped and in area with time to turn off my car) that it works again for 10 minutes to 30 minutes. other times i can drive for 45 minutes n…”
2015-11-19 · Steering · 100,000 mi“i was leaving work late at night when i tried to drive the car out of the parking lot the steering disappeared. it was difficult to maneuver the car. i had the car at the mini dearlship earlier in the week to replace light bulbs so i called the dealership to find out where what this could be, where i could check the power steering fluid levels. the…”
2015-10-19 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. the contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 15v205000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the contact…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.