2005 MINI Cooper Convertible Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 96 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible, 7% of the 96 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“My 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible was parked in a parking lot after a short trip, not running. I came out of a store and saw smoke pouring out from all around the hood area. I raised the hood and the smoke began to subside. Smelled like an electrical fire. There was no previous warning of any kind. The repairs include the alternator, power steering pump, reservoir, power steering pump fan. At a total out of pocket of $1900.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10442431, filed 2012-01, 65,000 miles“After I turned my car off, a noise like a fan kept running. It drained the battery causing me to get my car jumped. Then power steering went out, and when I arrived home after struggling to turn vehicle and operate safely, the fan did it again, after 5 minutes battery was dead. This is a major issue with this year of Mini I have found after researching tonight, and I am very displeased to see that canada has recalled this issue and the USA has not! People could get seriously injured. There is no rhyme or reason as to why, or when this will happen. …”
NHTSA complaint #10564157, filed 2014-02, 60,900 miles“Parked at shopping mall and not running for at least 30 minutes, come out to Mini cooper on fire. Smoke coming out of engine area, high pitch fan whirling, electrical smell. Power steering failed, shorted out, and caught on fire. Vehicle was not even on and parked when this happened. Appears to be a major failure many others owning a Mini cooper have experienced. Bmw/Mini cooper of USA did nothing for us and put it all on our and my insurances shoulders. Amazed so many cases of this same issue have happened yet they do nothing and seem to expect everyone else to foot the bill. …”
NHTSA complaint #10715412, filed 2015-05, 60,000 miles“Daughter/co-owner was driving car. Shifting from 1st in to 2nd gear. Loud clunk or rattle/clicking from unside. Car lost power steering, battery light came on. Could not control vehicle. Had to call tow truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10472498, filed 2012-08, 70,595 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244507Oct 25, 2023MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. Breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems…
- 10059114Jul 1, 2015Mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature is high outside, and more obvious if the tank is only partly filled.
- 10057710Nov 1, 2014Mini: models r50, r52, and r53 with the electro-hydraulic power-assist steering pump and cooling fans will have an limited warranty extension to 13 years/150,000 miles.
- 10055137Apr 15, 2014Mini: warranty coverage extension/repair expense reimbursement for the electro hydraulic power (assist) steering (ehps) pump, which has its own cooling fan, on some vehicles and…
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible
75 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology