2006 MINI Cooper Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 27%of 200 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,602miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the steering of the 2006 MINI Cooper, 27% of the 200 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,602 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car had a burning smell then the power steering went complety off while driving . Mini has an extended warranty for Mini r53 first generation 2002-2005 but the 2006 is also a first generation and the problem was not fixed .called Mini and and was told they couldnt help me and I believe they should warranty the 2006 model before a fire starts or someone gets hurt or worse”
NHTSA complaint #10840187, filed 2016-03, 76,204 miles“The air conditioning had stopped blowing cool air. Then when I was parked, and idled, my power steering stopped working while trying to back out. After wrestling with the wheel for a minute to get out of a parking lot area, the power steering came back on. The mechanic said one of my coolant fans does not work. This may be part of a recall that affect 2005 minis with coolant fan/power steering, however my car was made just a few months past the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11337932, filed 2020-07, 68,000 miles“Stopped at gas station to fill up. Restarted car and began to drive...noticed extreme stiffness in steering and pulled over. Shut engine off and then restarted power steering returned. Later in the day...I was going for a drive and it occurred again. This time, it was after I had stopped at the gym for an hour, and was returning home. Again, I pulled over shut of engine and then restarted. Power steering returned.”
NHTSA complaint #10881729, filed 2016-06, 160,000 miles“I replaced my power steering pump fan 2-3 years ago then about a year and a half ago I had it replaced under warranty. Now my power steering is completely gone with no prior indication that it was failing and I have to pay a $1,400 to get it replaced by a certified shop.”
NHTSA complaint #10928680, filed 2016-11, 111,000 miles“Parked my car with a valet. Returned in an hour. It would not start. There was a smell as if something had burned. They jump started my car. As I began to drive the power steering was out. Immediately drove it to my car repair shop. By the time that I had traveled the 2 miles, the engine was heavily smoking. My car repair shop says that the power steering pump electrically malfunctioned - internal failure of the power steering pump.”
NHTSA complaint #10715685, filed 2015-05, 16,000 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…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 4 | 33% |
| 2017 | 1 | 4% |
| 2016 | 1 | 4% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 2 | 6% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 53 | 27% |
| 2005 | 276 | 74% |
| 2004 | 238 | 84% |
| 2003 | 159 | 50% |
| 2002 | 61 | 33% |
Other parts of the 2006 MINI Cooper
111 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 MINI Cooper
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