YearToAvoid

2006 MINI Cooper Convertible Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

57/100

#4 most-complained of 8 Cooper Convertible years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible has 27 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 57 out of 100 — #4 highest of 8 Cooper Convertible model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is airbags (14 complaints, 52% of the total).

Complaints
27
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
23.5 city / 31 hwy

Top 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags14 (52%)
  2. Steering10 (37%)
  3. Electrical System5 (19%)
  4. Structure & Body5 (19%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain3 (11%)
  6. Engine1 (4%)
2006 MINI Cooper Convertible complaints: complaints filed per month5Aug 2010May 2011Aug 2012Mar 2014Jun 2014May 2016May 2021Sep 2024
38 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2010 to Sep 2024; peak May 2014 (5).

2006 MINI Cooper Convertible recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2006 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.

2006 compared with other Cooper Convertible years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009201620222025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid10096126
2006Caution5727126
2007Good297225.5
2008Good439125.5

All MINI Cooper Convertible years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible ranks #4 of 8 among Cooper Convertible model years (Complaint Index 57/100, verdict: Caution). It has 27 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 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (14 complaints), steering (10 complaints), and electrical system (5 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 71,500 miles.
Does the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible, most recently reported 2015, covering airbags.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible?
EPA rates the 2006 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.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.