2005 MINI Cooper Convertible Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 Cooper Convertible report one problem far more than any other: the power steering assist cuts out, often intermittently and without warning, leaving the wheel very hard to turn. Many also describe the steering pump's cooling fan running on after shutdown, sometimes draining the battery or producing smoke and a burning smell. Smaller groups of complaints cover airbag warning lights tied to the passenger seat sensor, CVT transmission failures, and door/trunk latch problems.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out (EHPS pump/fan)

   • 65 complaints (68%)
   • median 74,500 mi at 6.5 yrs old (60 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2009–2023

   Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming very heavy, either at startup, at low speed, or while mid-turn, sometimes with no warning light. Many say restarting the car restores assist temporarily, and the problem returns intermittently. Complaints also describe a high-pitched noise or a fan continuing to run after the engine is shut off, sometimes draining the battery, and in a few cases smoke or a burning smell from the pump area. Dealers are reported to have diagnosed the power steering pump or its cooling fan as needing replacement, and some owners mention a warranty extension on the pump and fan that they were told did not cover their build date, or parts being on back order. Spread across the sample from about 4,000 to 185,000 miles, with many reports between roughly 45,000 and 80,000 miles.

   7 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering pump and its cooling fan have been replaced, and check for a warranty extension on those parts. After a test drive, shut the car off and listen for a fan still running near the front, and try the steering from a stop with the engine idling.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power steering pump goes out from time to time, brought it to Mini dealerships once and was working fine when we brought it in, and was told nothing was wrong, and was sent on our way. Now had to disconnect battery to replace a part, and when reconnecting the battery, power steering pumps runs and wont shut off. Vehicle was stationary. Please hep, and thank you.”

   NHTSA complaint #10949672, filed 2017-02, 185,005 miles

   “Last thursday may 10, 2012 I was driving home and suddenly and without any warning, I lost the steering power function; the steering wheel got totally rigid and almost impossible to manipulate; with a huge effort and very carefully, I could arrive at home. I am lucky that I am an experienced driver. After switching off and on the car the power steering was working fine again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10458606, filed 2012-05, 54,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Passenger airbag warning light / seat sensor

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2013

   Complaints describe the passenger airbag warning light coming on with or without anyone in the seat, and the seat belt reminder chiming for an empty seat. Owners say dealers diagnosed a faulty occupant detection mat or damaged wiring under the seat, and some were told the whole seat needed replacing. One complaint describes airbags not fully deploying in a collision. Reported mostly between about 34,000 and 50,000 miles, with one at 75,000 miles.

   Recall 15V2050002 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the key on, watch the passenger airbag status light with the seat empty and with someone seated to confirm it reads correctly, and ask whether the occupant detection mat has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The airbag warning light stays on even when there isn't a passenger in the passenger seat. The light indicates the airbag is off. The light also stays on if there is a passenger in the seat. I am not sure if the airbag would work in the event of an accident. The dealer indicated I needed a new seat at my cost. To me this is a manufacturer's defect that bmw should fix.”

   NHTSA complaint #10365410, filed 2010-11, 49,000 miles

   “The passenger air bag sensor activates, saying that there is a passenger in the seat when one is not present. It often reminds this passenger to buckle their seat belt. Other times it is silent but still indicates that the passenger airbag is turned off when there truly is a passenger.”

   NHTSA complaint #10470672, filed 2012-08, 50,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   CVT transmission failure / no shifting

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 38,530 mi at 8.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2022

   Owners describe the automatic CVT stopping or refusing to shift, with a check engine light and transmission warning light, and in one case jerking and near-stalling. Several say the transmission had to be replaced at considerable cost, and one complaint notes it had already been replaced more than once. A service bulletin covers an extended warranty on CVT replacement parts. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 92,000 miles, with one at 160,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, note whether shifts are smooth and the car reaches highway speed without hesitation, and ask for service records showing any CVT replacement or repair and its warranty status.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Hi, I'm writing to report that my 2005 Mini cooper, with less than 43k miles is in need of a third transmission. I nearly did not make it home one evening because the jerking motion the car was making and because the engine just felt like it was going to shut off. I nearly stalled on the highway, while in traffic. The first transmission, while under warranty was replaced in november 2007 at 28k miles. On 12/16/08, I had an accident where the transmission pan among other things had to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10320761, filed 2010-03, 43 miles

   “My 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible needs the transmission replaced. My car has only 92,000 miles and it is unfair that already it has to be replace at a ridiculous cost. There was a class action law suit with bmw/Mini for the transmission that went wrong. There are many people besides myself who where not notified of this and were left out. Mini cooper should recall the transmissions .there are many forums of Mini cooper owners who are outraged and have similar situations. Please consider and make this company recall the transmissions. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10670215, filed 2015-01, 92,000 miles

Buying note. The power steering pump and its cooling fan are the defining concern for this model year, so confirm what has been replaced and whether any warranty extension still applies before buying. Also check the passenger airbag status light and the transmission's service history, since both come up repeatedly in owner complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.