FaultScore

FaultScore report

2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible problems

Owners have filed 53 complaints about the 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible with NHTSA between 2011 and 2019. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 5 worst.

C

FaultScore 53/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mini Cooper S Convertible.

How this is worked out

The numbers

53

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

59,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

20%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 81 vs 50 Severity 19 vs 50 Early failure 33 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 81
Against the median year of the Mini Cooper S Convertible. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 19
3.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 33
20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2006 compares with every other Mini Cooper S Convertible

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 19 35.8%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 7 13.2%

Median failure at 51,000 miles

Seats 6 11.3%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 65,010 mi

Steering 5 9.4%

Median failure at 53,650 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 5 9.4%

Median failure at 76,952 miles

Seat Belts 3 5.7%

Median failure at 62,000 miles

Brakes 2 3.8%

Median failure at 55,629 miles

Electrical System 2 3.8%

Median failure at 20,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 1.9%

Median failure at 76,995 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 1.9%

Median failure at 34,156 miles

Wheels 1 1.9%

Median failure at 8,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 1.9%

Median failure at 8,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 7.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 13 25.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 17 33.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 13 25.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 7.8%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jan 2011 peak 4 Aug 2019

Recalls on the 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2015147 7,865 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue over time. As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating the airbag warning lamp and the passenger airbag ON/OFF lamp. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the occupant detection mat. Note: This recall is an expansion of recalls 2008-307 and 2013-238.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 49,000 miles Cave Creek, AZ Fire

SEATS

I PUT THE HEATED SEAT ON WHILE DRIVING, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THIS WITH LESS THEN 50,000 MILES AND A COST OF ALMOST $1000. I HAD TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION AND PUT OUT THE SMOKING SEAT WITH WATER. I'VE COMPLAINED TO MINI COOPER USA, WITH NO RESULTS.

NHTSA complaint #10822584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Yorktown, VA Fire

SEATS

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER ON A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CAR. ADDITIONALLY, BEGAN FEELING EXTREME HEAT ON MY BACK. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND FOUND A SMALL FIRE ON THE SEAT BACK WHICH I HAD TO PAT OUT. NO INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. THE SEAT HEATER HAD BEEN IN OPERATION ROUGHLY 5 MINUTES. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN AS THE SEAT HEATER SWITCHES ARE IN A LOCATION WHERE THEY ARE EASILY TURNED ON BY ACCIDENT. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY THE DAMAGES COULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE AND INJURY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10817499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 52,000 miles ST. Louis, MN

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE HOME. MINI OF ST. LOUIS (40 SUNNEN DR, MAPLEWOOD, MO 63143, (314) 644-6464) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.

NHTSA complaint #11246687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Honolulu, HI

SEATS

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR (RECALL 15V-205, OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT) IN MY 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE HAS FAILED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH AND OVERHEAD STAY LIT AT ALL TIMES. RECALL ISSUED BY MINI IN 2015 COVERING EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL FOR YEARS 2005 - 2008. DEALER SHIP AND MINI USA BOTH SAY THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY 2006 S CONVERTIBLE IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS RECALL. HOW CAN THIS BE, THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE EXACT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. MINI STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE IS THE CORRECT TYPE, MODEL AND YEAR BUT NOT PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE IT PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PART THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FAILING INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR ME AND WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE COST FOR THE FIX WILL BE AT LEAST $1,200 OUT OF POCKET. THIS COST IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER THE STANDING RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FACT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS OBVIOUS AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!

NHTSA complaint #11091069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Honolulu, HI

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR (RECALL 15V-205, OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT) IN MY 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE HAS FAILED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH AND OVERHEAD STAY LIT AT ALL TIMES. RECALL ISSUED BY MINI IN 2015 COVERING EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL FOR YEARS 2005 - 2008. DEALER SHIP AND MINI USA BOTH SAY THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY 2006 S CONVERTIBLE IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS RECALL. HOW CAN THIS BE, THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE EXACT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. MINI STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE IS THE CORRECT TYPE, MODEL AND YEAR BUT NOT PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE IT PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PART THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FAILING INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR ME AND WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE COST FOR THE FIX WILL BE AT LEAST $1,200 OUT OF POCKET. THIS COST IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER THE STANDING RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FACT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS OBVIOUS AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!

NHTSA complaint #11091069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Honolulu, HI

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR (RECALL 15V-205, OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT) IN MY 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE HAS FAILED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH AND OVERHEAD STAY LIT AT ALL TIMES. RECALL ISSUED BY MINI IN 2015 COVERING EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL FOR YEARS 2005 - 2008. DEALER SHIP AND MINI USA BOTH SAY THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY 2006 S CONVERTIBLE IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS RECALL. HOW CAN THIS BE, THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE EXACT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. MINI STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE IS THE CORRECT TYPE, MODEL AND YEAR BUT NOT PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE IT PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PART THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FAILING INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR ME AND WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE COST FOR THE FIX WILL BE AT LEAST $1,200 OUT OF POCKET. THIS COST IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER THE STANDING RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FACT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS OBVIOUS AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!

NHTSA complaint #11091069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Hobart, IN

ENGINE

I BOUGHT MY 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE FOR $9,393 IN NOVEMBER 2016 . WHEN DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP I HEARD SOME NOISE, SO I STOPPED AT A FOREIGN AUTO SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY REFUSED TO HELP, SO I HAD THEM REPLACED AT A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP FOR $2,500 . THEN HAD A BRAKE JOB FOR $394 AND SPENT OVER $1,000 AT A MINI DEALERSHIP . AND THEN PUT THE CAR IN STORAGE FOR 5 MONTHS. I DROVE IT FOR TWO DAYS ( ABOUT AN HOUR EACH DAY ) WHEN I HEARD A NEW NOISE AND IT WOULD HARDLY RUN , SO I PULLED IT OFF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY JUST NOTIFIED ME THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED , COSTING ME BETWEEN $5,000 AND $8,000 !!! NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.....HELP !!!!

NHTSA complaint #10979899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles Kearneysville, WV

POWER TRAIN

6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AFTER 82,000 MILES. THIS IN SPITE OF PROPER DEALER RECOMMENDED MAINAINANCE. COST TO REPAIR WAS THE SAME AS THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10965808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,000 miles Cave Creek, AZ Fire

SEATS

I PUT THE HEATED SEAT ON WHILE DRIVING, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THIS WITH LESS THEN 50,000 MILES AND A COST OF ALMOST $1000. I HAD TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION AND PUT OUT THE SMOKING SEAT WITH WATER. I'VE COMPLAINED TO MINI COOPER USA, WITH NO RESULTS.

NHTSA complaint #10822584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Yorktown, VA Fire

SEATS

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER ON A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CAR. ADDITIONALLY, BEGAN FEELING EXTREME HEAT ON MY BACK. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND FOUND A SMALL FIRE ON THE SEAT BACK WHICH I HAD TO PAT OUT. NO INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. THE SEAT HEATER HAD BEEN IN OPERATION ROUGHLY 5 MINUTES. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN AS THE SEAT HEATER SWITCHES ARE IN A LOCATION WHERE THEY ARE EASILY TURNED ON BY ACCIDENT. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY THE DAMAGES COULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE AND INJURY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10817499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,500 miles Houston, TX

STEERING

THE POWER STEERING IN THE CAR HAS STOPPED WORKING, VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. I JUST REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY DUE TO THE BATTERY NOT CHARGING CORRECTLY, NOW THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE HAS TURNED ON. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2002 - 2005 CARS OF THE SAME TYPE FOR THIS REASON. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM TO BE THE SAME AND WOULD LIKE THE RECALL EXTENDED TO AT LEAST THE 2006 YEAR MODEL. WE WENT INTO AN OFFICE AND WHEN WE CAME OUT THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. WE DROVE IT HOME AND ARE NOW WAITING ON THE PARTS TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.

NHTSA complaint #10810077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10783225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peachtree Corners, GA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 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 NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10779839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Fairport, NY

STEERING

THIS HISTORICAL ISSUE HAS PLAGUED MANY DRIVERS OF MINI USA AND MANY HAVE REPORTED ACCIDENTS. IS IT GOING TO TAKE THE LOSS OF INNOCENT LIVES TO HAVE YOU FORCE MINI USA DO THE RIGHT THING AND INCLUDE ALL OF THESE KNOWN DEFECTS FIXED?

NHTSA complaint #10746599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Fairport, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS HISTORICAL ISSUE HAS PLAGUED MANY DRIVERS OF MINI USA AND MANY HAVE REPORTED ACCIDENTS. IS IT GOING TO TAKE THE LOSS OF INNOCENT LIVES TO HAVE YOU FORCE MINI USA DO THE RIGHT THING AND INCLUDE ALL OF THESE KNOWN DEFECTS FIXED?

NHTSA complaint #10746599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,952 miles Sacramento, CA

POWER TRAIN

2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING A USED MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE 2006, THE CAR BEGAN TO SELF SHIFT AT IMPROPER TIMES, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV AT HIGH RPM'S. I CONTACTED THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND HE TEST DROVE THE CAR TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND THE SAME WAY. AFTER 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR AND I WAS SENT ON MY WAY. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST WHEN I WAS AT LOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10726721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,995 miles Sacramento, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I PURCHASED A USED 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE FROM A DEALER AND AFTER SIGNING THE PAPERS AND GETTING THE KEYS I TURNED THE CAR ON AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE DEALER TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALING NOTHING WAS WRONG, RESET THE VEHICLE AND HANDED ME THE KEYS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES INTERMITTENTLY STILL.

NHTSA complaint #10726719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,610 miles Sacramento, CA

ENGINE

BACK AGAIN! I JUST CAN'T CATCH A BREAK WITH THIS CAR! I WAS TAKING A ROAD TRIP AND HAD ALL MY FLUIDS CHECKED AND FILLED PRIOR TO LEAVING.WHILE DRIVING HWY99 MY THERMOSTAT GAUGE WENT FINE TO DANGER ZONE! I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION AND CHECK THE WATER AND COOLANT. HE STAYED ON THE PHONE WITH ME WHILE I REPORTED WHAT THE TEMP GAUGUE WAS DOING. EVERY TIME I TURNED THE THE GUAGE WOULD DROP TO FINE UNTIL THE NEXT TURN WHICH IT WENT TO DANGER. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK.I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CHECK THE FLUIDS AND FOUND THAT EVERYTHING WAS FULL BUT THE WATER PUMP WAS LOW. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND A LEAK. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SHOP WHICH THE FOLLOWING WAS FOUND.1. MALFUNCTION OF THE WATER PUMP 2. WARP HEADGASKET 3. WARP CYLINDERS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY AGREED TO THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT THEN LATER STATED THEY WOULD ONLY PAY 1500 TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, AND HAVE THE HEAD AND CYLINDERS REFURBISHED. MY SHOP HAS CALLED AND SPOKEN TO THEM NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT ANY OUTCOMES. MINI IS REQUESTING ME TO PAY OUT OF EXPENSES TO HAVE THE CAR PUT BACK TOGETHER AND TOWED 75 MI AWAY TO THE NEAREST MINI CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER, AS WELL AS PAYING FOR THEM TO TARE DOWN THE ENGINE FOR THEM RUN THEIR OWN TESTS.THE SERVICE SHOP SAID IT WOULD BE 3500 FOR EVERYTHING TO BE GONE THROUGH! AFTER MINI COMPLETES THE ABOVE, THEN THEY WOULD TRY TO HAVE WARRANTY COMPANY REPLACE ANY ITEMS AND IF THEY ARE NOT COVERED THEY WOULD ASK MINI TO PROVIDE IT, HOWEVER I WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET AGAIN! THE CAR IS STILL AT THE SERVICE SHOP AS OF TODAY. I AM VERY UNSURE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND WHETHER I SHOULD FIX IT OR SELL IT. I AM ALREADY PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE LOAN AND INSURANCE FOR A CAR THAT I CAN NOT EVEN DRIVE WITH COUNTLESS PROBLEMS. RECALLS NEED TO BE MADE! PLEASE END THIS NIGHTMARE!

NHTSA complaint #10726725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,102 miles Sacramento, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE HAD MY CAR ABOUT FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND WHEN I START MY CAR THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. IT HAS ALSO COME ON WHILE DRIVING, AND THE BRAKES WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, THEN CATCH AFTER SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE BEEN IN A FEW CLOSE ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS. I AGAIN WENT BACK TO THE SHOP AND HAD DIAGNOSTIC TESTS PERFORMED. NOTHING CAME BACK FROM THE TEST. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I FIND MYSELF TURNING OF THE CAR AND WAITING A MINUTE, UPON RESTART THE ABS WARNING LIGHT IS NOT BEING SHOWN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK AS ONE CAN NOT SAY WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN BUT THAT IT DOES HAPPEN RANDOMLY.

NHTSA complaint #10726722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Neenah, WI

AIR BAGS

OUR 2006 MINI COOPER AIR BAG SENSOR GOES ON AND OFF. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE ENTIRE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS IS AN EMBEDDED SENSOR. THIS DOES APPEAR TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED MINI COOPERS.

NHTSA complaint #10721546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Huntsville, AL

POWER TRAIN

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ELECTRONICALLY DISENGAGES (RANDOM OCCURRENCES) WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR, ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO REV UNCONTROLLABLY. SINCE THIS HAPPENS WHILE ACCELERATING, IT CREATES AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN TRAFFIC AS THERE IS NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGES, IT CAN HAPPEN AT A VERY HIGH REV (3000-5000, OR MORE RPM) WHICH CAUSES AN UNSAFE CONDITION BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT. IF ROADS ARE WET, THE RE-ENGAGEMENT CAN EASILY PRODUCE WHEEL SPIN AND SKIDDING WHEN IT HAPPENS DURING A TURNING MANEUVER. THE SUDDEN RE-ENGAGEMENT AT HIGH REVS CAN ALSO BREAK A CV JOINT OR OTHER DRIVE COMPONENT, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE WHILE IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10712486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,000 miles Long Beach, CA

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. BUBBLES ON RUN FLAT TIRES (ONE REPLACED). RUBBER SEALS DETERIORATING ON OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. WATER PUMP LEAKING (REPLACED). UPHOLSTERY IS COMING APART ON DRIVERS SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10692148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,000 miles Long Beach, CA

WHEELS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. BUBBLES ON RUN FLAT TIRES (ONE REPLACED). RUBBER SEALS DETERIORATING ON OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. WATER PUMP LEAKING (REPLACED). UPHOLSTERY IS COMING APART ON DRIVERS SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10692148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,000 miles Long Beach, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. BUBBLES ON RUN FLAT TIRES (ONE REPLACED). RUBBER SEALS DETERIORATING ON OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. WATER PUMP LEAKING (REPLACED). UPHOLSTERY IS COMING APART ON DRIVERS SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10692148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,000 miles Long Beach, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY WIFE'S 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLES AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, AS I'M SEEING. ON THE INTERNET, THAT MANY OWNERS OF COOPERS AND BMWS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE AND BE ADVISED THAT YOU ARE OFFICIALLY ON NOTICE, THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. ALSO A TIRE SAFETY ISSUE INCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #10692161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles Naples, FL

AIR BAGS

MY 2006 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE HAS INTERMITTENT EXPERIENCED WITH PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYING ON EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT AND PROPERLY BUCKLED IN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY BMW. ALSO, HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE AT JUST UNDER 60,000...AND HAVE HEARD THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ON MANY MINI COOPERS. BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT. FAULTY EQUIPMENT. ALSO, CONVERTIBLE GASKET NEEDS REPLACING. INFERIOR MATERIAL USED BY BMW. VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10659724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles Naples, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 2006 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE HAS INTERMITTENT EXPERIENCED WITH PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYING ON EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT AND PROPERLY BUCKLED IN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY BMW. ALSO, HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE AT JUST UNDER 60,000...AND HAVE HEARD THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ON MANY MINI COOPERS. BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT. FAULTY EQUIPMENT. ALSO, CONVERTIBLE GASKET NEEDS REPLACING. INFERIOR MATERIAL USED BY BMW. VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10659724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.