2006 MINI Cooper S Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 12%of 186 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 MINI Cooper S, 12% of the 186 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Airbag passenger seat sensor is bad $1500 to repair and no guarantee it will work correctly in the future. Why hasn't this been recalled??? Bmw who owns Mini cooper recalled this sensor for their cars but why not the coopers? I'm so angry that they could care less about my families safety. Automobiles are required to have airbag systems but they aren't required to work properly??”
NHTSA complaint #10651954, filed 2014-11, 72,000 miles“As I turn on the engine, battery light came on, 5 seconds later, engine started to smoke. I turned off the engine. Engine won't turn back on and lost all power, steering wheel won't turn. Before this incident, gear would shift up and down on it's own while I'm driving. Very dangerous!”
NHTSA complaint #10507380, filed 2013-04, 7,300 miles“Executing a left turn and all of a sudden the power steering went out. Was unable to control the car due to the fact that I was not expecting this issue. Damage front right side of car against curb. I have learned that this is a serious problem. This issue needs to be addressed on a recall!”
NHTSA complaint #10458712, filed 2012-05, 78,000 miles“I was driving on the road my I turned the AC on and about 20min of me riding in the vehicle me and my infant son my my vehicle started smoking under the hood heavy white smoke under the hood of the 2006 Mini Cooper S. …”
NHTSA complaint #10716604, filed 2015-05, 71,056 miles“The passenger seat air bag light came on and will not go off. I was advised by an authorized Mini copper mechanic that the passenger seat air bag sensor is bad. It's my understanding that Mini cooper USA is not owning up to their responsibility to recall and repair what could possibly be a life safety problem. The leather seat is practically new and there's no excuse for this faulty air bag sensor seat/equipment. There was a recall for bmw's with the same issue. It's very disappointing.”
NHTSA complaint #10692253, filed 2015-03, 46,220 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…
- 10162443Jul 12, 2019Programming a Replacement EGS Module with ISTA/P. Programming a replacement electronic transmission control module (EGS) with ISTA/P requires the manual entry of the correct…
- 10143579May 1, 2018NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain…
- 10059112Jul 1, 2015Mini: because of the dme software, and a damaged clutch, the drivetrain malfunction check message appear.
- 10059098Jul 1, 2015Mini: different faults activates engine malfunction and oil warning.
- 10059113Jun 1, 2015Mini: faulty software causes the check control and engine power reduced light to appear.
- 10059111Jun 1, 2015Mini: due to faulty dme software, the service engine lights comes on, including the check control message for motor force decrease.
- 10044719Jun 1, 2012Mini: there is a software error causing the service engine soon light to be illuminated that is related to valvetronic diagnostics. Models r55, r56, r58, r57, r60, r59. No model…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 2 | 40% |
| 2017 | 1 | 17% |
| 2016 | 2 | 20% |
| 2015 | 2 | 11% |
| 2013 | 9 | 38% |
| 2012 | 13 | 57% |
| 2011 | 16 | 52% |
| 2010 | 4 | 7% |
| 2009 | 13 | 11% |
| 2008 | 8 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 | 23 | 12% |
| 2005 | 23 | 7% |
| 2004 | 19 | 8% |
| 2003 | 14 | 6% |
| 2002 | 9 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2006 MINI Cooper S
67 complaintsSteering
48 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsSeats
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 MINI Cooper S
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