2006 MINI Cooper S Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
78/100
#5 most-complained of 19 Cooper S years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2006 MINI Cooper S has 186 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 78 out of 100 — #5 highest of 19 Cooper S model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is airbags (67 complaints, 36% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes, 9 fires, and 7 injuries.
- Complaints
- 186
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 9
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 29 hwy
Top 2006 MINI Cooper S problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags67 (36%)
- Steering48 (26%)
- Engine24 (13%)
- Electrical System23 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (12%)
- Structure & Body16 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (6%)
- Other10 (5%)
- Fuel System7 (4%)
- Brakes4 (2%)
2006 MINI Cooper S 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.
2006 MINI Cooper S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 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 S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 MINI Cooper S a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 MINI Cooper S ranks #5 of 19 among Cooper S model years (Complaint Index 78/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 186 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 S?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (67 complaints), steering (48 complaints), and engine (24 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 55,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2006 MINI Cooper S, most recently reported 2015, covering airbags.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 MINI Cooper S?
- EPA rates the 2006 MINI Cooper S at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.