2005 MINI Cooper S Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 3%of 314 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,146miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the seats of the 2005 MINI Cooper S, 3% of the 314 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,146 miles. 1 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.
“I have a 2005 Mini cooper. The airbag sensor in the passenger seat failed around 50,000 miles. I was told that the passenger seat had to be replaced at a cost of $1400.00. This is a know issue with this year of Mini Cooper S. Dealships need to be aware of this problem and Mini/bmw needs to have a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10371078, filed 2010-12, 50,000 miles“Driving to work in the am. I smell something in the car. When I look at my passenger side seat I saw smoke. Pull over and got a better look at it. I have a holes in my car seat and the two vest that I place on the seat. It appears the heated seat had a electrical failure. Took car to Mini dealer. They said it real odd this happen. They also nice to say I would have to paid to fix it. Look at many site on internet and seen bmw/Mini and other company have issues with heated seats. It do not seem to odd to me. I did not even had the heated seat on because no one was seating there.”
NHTSA complaint #10492994, filed 2013-01, 135,000 miles“The occupancy sensor has failed. This causes the airbags to be unarmed while the vehicle is in use. I have contacted Mini about the problem. They covered the repair on certain vehicles, but not mine. This is a safety issue, and it should be covered on all vehicles that it has occurred on, regardless of mileage. The repair is very expensive, and should be covered.”
NHTSA complaint #10470222, filed 2012-08, 33,000 miles“The passenger seat occupancy mat was replaced by recall on 10/28/2016. On 10/2018 I noticed that when there is a passenger in the seat with their seat belt on the air bag was off, in 1 weeks time the passenger side seat belt light was on all the time and the air bag is off all the time with or without someone occuping the seat. Reguardless if the car is idiling or going down the rode. At least before the recalled mat sensor was replaced the seat mat sensor worked most of the time. Now it does not work at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #11151353, filed 2018-11, 116,000 miles“When passenger exited vehicle, light airbag off notification came on. This happens every time someone exits the passenger seat. Also airbag warning light & seatbelt not buckled light come on.”
NHTSA complaint #10627166, filed 2014-08, 50,291 milesSeats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 15 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2005 MINI Cooper S
212 complaintsAir bags
71 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 MINI Cooper S
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology