2005 MINI Cooper Convertible Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 8 Cooper Convertible years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible has 96 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 8 Cooper Convertible model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is steering (75 complaints, 78% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes, 5 fires, and 3 injuries.
- Complaints
- 96
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23.5 city / 31 hwy
Top 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering75 (78%)
- Airbags7 (7%)
- Electrical System7 (7%)
- Structure & Body6 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (6%)
- Engine3 (3%)
- Other2 (2%)
- Brakes1 (1%)
- Fuel System1 (1%)
- Seat Belts1 (1%)
2005 MINI Cooper Convertible recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V205000Apr 6, 2015Airbags91,800 vehicles
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. 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.
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.
2005 MINI Cooper Convertible fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,075
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Cooper Convertible years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible ranks worst among Cooper Convertible model years (Complaint Index 100/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 96 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible?
- The most reported problem areas are steering (75 complaints), airbags (7 complaints), and electrical system (7 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 69,998 miles.
- Does the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible, most recently reported 2015, covering airbags.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible?
- EPA rates the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible at 26 MPG combined (23.5 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,075. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.