2006 MINI Cooper S problems
Owners have filed 243 complaints about the 2006 MINI Cooper S with NHTSA. Air bags account for 29.2% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of steering at 19.8%.
Complaints243
Crashes8
Fires16
Injuries12
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 29.2% · 71
Steering 19.8% · 48
Electrical system 9.5% · 23
Power train 9.1% · 22
Seats 6.2% · 15
Engine and engine cooling 6.2% · 15
Visibility 4.5% · 11
Unknown or other 3.7% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 8 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire and 12 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the MINI Cooper S in this data, 2006 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2005 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 21 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 56,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2006 MINI Cooper S. The contact stated that the front passenger's air bag warning light on the rearview mirror was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the seat pad sensor needed to be replaced. No repairs were performed to the vehicle. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000 and the current mile was 67,000. Air bags · reported at 54,000 miles
Passenger side air bag warning light spontaneously lighted without incident and continues to remain illuminated during operation of vehicle with or without passenger in seat. MINI of usa assistance denies any responsibility or warranty, but states that" air bag may not function in case of accident". This vehicle has 53,00 miles on odometer. Have observed many such complaints on related internet sites. Air bags · reported at 53,000 miles
Failure of oc-3 weight mat in passenger seat base, thus disabling passenger side airbag system. Cost to replace seat bottom is $1200. As this part is common between minis and bmws, and is very prone to failure, bmw has issued a recall on bmws in this model year area, but has not yet done so for minis. Perhaps bmw needs a wrongful death lawsuit to issue a recall? This is a travesty. Air bags · reported at 56,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…