2006 MINI Cooper S Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 26%of 186 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the steering of the 2006 MINI Cooper S, 26% of the 186 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2006 Mini Cooper S: power steering failure intermittent failure of power steering--at first. Very frightening experience. Very dangerous. Now there is no power steering. I've never had such an experience in any automobile. I investigated this experience online and find a number of similar experiences. I'm very troubled by such a flaw in the engineering of this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10380920, filed 2011-02, 64,000 miles“The power steering when out on the car. This makes it difficult to steer. Also, because of the failure, the steering/car will not straighten itself out after making a turn. One has to make an extra effort to straighten the wheel out. I almost hit a parked car because of that problem. I see canada made Mini do a recall on this issue. Is it going to take an injury or worse before the USA makes Mini recall the cars ?”
NHTSA complaint #10509336, filed 2013-04, 80,000 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“My Mini cooper has a problem with the power steering pump that will eventually cause an accident. I noticed that 2002 through 2005 has been recalled because of this issue but not 2006? And now I have an issue with my power steering?”
NHTSA complaint #10764615, filed 2015-09, 140,000 miles“In april 2013 I was merging onto highway i20 with my children in the back of my Mini Cooper S 2006. As I was speeding up to merge onto the highway the car completely cut off. I veered over into a median in the middle of six lanes of high-speed traffic. The car had completely shut off, even the hazard lights. I was very lucky that the median was there and that I had not yet entered the main stream of traffic. The police came, then a friend. …”
NHTSA complaint #10550969, filed 2013-11, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10151228Mar 1, 2016This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. SUBJECT Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle is No Longer…
- 10148439Nov 1, 2014Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Limited Warranty Extension to 13 Years/150,000 Miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power…
- 10148394Aug 1, 2014Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle. Supply shortage of left-hand drive steering spindles
- 10150044Jul 1, 2013Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering…
- 10150086Jun 1, 2013Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering…
- 10025843Jun 1, 2008Mini: dsc indicator lamp active. R56 (cooper, cooper s) vehicles produced august 31, 2006 to july 22, 2007. The dsc indicator lamp (dynamic stability control) is active and the…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 1 | 20% |
| 2016 | 1 | 10% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 48 | 26% |
| 2005 | 212 | 68% |
| 2004 | 210 | 85% |
| 2003 | 129 | 59% |
| 2002 | 57 | 69% |
Other parts of the 2006 MINI Cooper S
67 complaintsElectrical system
23 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