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MINI Cooper ConvertibleModel year report

2006 MINI Cooper Convertible Problems

Complaints
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
71,500miles, 22 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
27 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 32 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible. The part named most often is air bags, with 14 complaints (52% of the total), followed by steering (10) and electrical system (5). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 41% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 71,500 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 20 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “The passenger side airbag light will not turn off. Seat cannot detect passenger and disable airbag. There is a recall going on, but it did not include my VIN number. Mini USA representative gave no answer, no timeline, no additional information. Just told me to wait. I cannot believe that's bmw/Mini.”

NHTSA complaint #10721770, filed 2015-05, 42,000 miles

Steering: “February of 2014 driving my 2006 convertible on curvy highway at 50 MPH. Loud shrieking noise and then steering became very difficult to turn. Towed to mechanic. Had steering pump & fan replaced. Total cost $1,038.54. 2005 Mini's have been recalled for this exact default. Called Mini and they will not reimburse me because mine is a 2006. However, my Mini was made in 2005.”

NHTSA complaint #10644301, filed 2014-10, 100,823 miles

Electrical system: “Passenger seat air bag warning indicator shows air bag disabled intermittently, even when seat is occupied by full sized adult (over 140 pounds). This means my passenger is at risk of severe injury in case of crash, as the air bag is disabled. In addition to the above, the light is off and on intermittently even when the seat is not occupied. Ditto if a 5 pound lunch box is on the seat. …”

NHTSA complaint #10595532, filed 2014-06, 43,001 miles

Seats: “The passenger airbag disabled light turns on intermittently, even when the passenger seat is occupied by an adult. The airbag might not deploy in an accident. The problem is caused by a faulty passenger seat occupancy sensor mat in the seat cushion. It failed once before and was replaced by the car dealer. Now the replacement sensor mat is also failing.”

NHTSA complaint #10586000, filed 2014-05, 80,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

41% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 81,800 miles.

0%0–109%10–2532%25–5014%50–7523%75–10018%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (22 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 71,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2011201372015201720212024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cooper Convertible FWD1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manual243227$3,050
Cooper Convertible FWD1.6L 4-cylCVT233025$3,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 20 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 20 bulletins →

Other model years of the MINI Cooper Convertible

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2016136,0003—30—Not enough data
20091847,3561—32—Falling
2008955,0001—26—Not enough data
2007772,0002—26—Not enough data
20062771,5001—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20059669,9981—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All MINI Cooper Convertible model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 14 complaints (52% of the total), followed by steering with 10.

Has the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible get?

The EPA rates the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible (Cooper Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 24 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible reported?

Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 71,500 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 81,800 miles; 41% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.