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MINI Cooper S ConvertibleModel year report

2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible Problems

Complaints
36filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
63,500miles, 34 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 29 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible. The part named most often is air bags, with 18 complaints (50% of the total), followed by seats (6) and steering (5). 34 of the complaints include a mileage, and 26% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 63,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 24 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Body and structure (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11091069, filed 2018-04, 80,000 miles

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, filed 2016-01, 49,000 miles

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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10810077, filed 2015-12, 82,500 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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, filed 2015-06, 76,952 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

26% of the 34 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 49,000 and 79,610 miles.

6%0–100%10–2521%25–5035%50–7529%75–1009%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (34 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 63,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20112012201320142015122016201720182019
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 S 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 S Convertible FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual222924$3,400
Cooper S Convertible FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic212924$3,400

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 S 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. 24 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 24 bulletins →

Other model years of the MINI Cooper S Convertible

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20101027,0001—29—Not enough data
2009947,0001—29—Not enough data
2008728,6651—24—Not enough data
2007826,0002—24—Not enough data
20063663,5001—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20056169,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All MINI Cooper S Convertible model years

Frequently asked questions

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

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Air bags is named most often, in 18 complaints (50% of the total), followed by seats with 6.

Has the 2006 MINI Cooper S 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 S Convertible get?

The EPA rates the 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible (Cooper S Convertible, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 22 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 34 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 63,500 miles and the middle half falls between 49,000 and 79,610 miles; 26% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.