MINI Cooper 2006 — Reported problems

Electronic power steering pump issue/failure. The steering wheel was so stiff when I tried to go right that I physically could not turn the wheel. This is extremely dangerous & it happens without warning. No lights come on. You are left in a moving vehicle, without much of a way to control the direction you need it to travel in. From what I have learned, it seems an extended warranty was initially offered, & then a forced recall was issued on the, 1st Gen, 2002-2005 Mini Coopers. Only part of the vehicles with these issues were included in the recall. I have the same size 1.6 engine, & the exact same electronic power steering pump that comes with the issues & failures that I have in my 06. I have seen it on vehicles up to 08. This is absolutely unacceptable. This is a documented manufacturing defect & design flaw that has been continually allowed to endanger people’s lives. I am unsure how BMW managed to only recall part of the vehicles with these electronic power steering pump issues. I contacted BMW who told me there were no extended warranties or recalls on my vehicle.

Power steering pump grinding. This was a recall on the 2002-2005 model but not the 2006. The same issue is happening with this car that happened with the recall vehicles and I would expect bmw to fix this problem. Thanks

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

BMW issued a Recall 15V-205 Safety Recall, to cover the Airbag sensor in the passenger seat of my vehicle, a 2006 Mini Cooper S. The failure error was in the airbag sensor in the passenger seat, and the system warned of potential hazard with the passenger airbag. My car had a recall fix in 2018 for this fault. Now some 4 years later the same fault has arisen in the same sensor and system. I returned to BMW Mini who carried out the previous recall to have this fixed again. They said that while their repairs and parts generally carry an 8-year warranty, they do not warrant Recall repairs. They wanted over $2,000 to fix this issue. As this is a repeat of the original fault, and the car has under 100,000 miles I believe it should be covered, as their repair and or part has again failed. The date below is when I took it for the recall and was refused the warrenty repair.

Power Steering pump leaking failure

Power steering pump went out while driving the car. Car was extremely hard to steer. Almost hit a guard rail. Had the car towed home and then to a garage. This is a known problem with Mini Coopers from year 2002 to 2006. Websites and Mini Cooper Forums are loaded with Power Steering Pumps failing. No warning. Pump was confirmed to be the problem by an independent garage that only services high end german cars. Power Steering Pump was diagnosed to be bad on 8/04/2022. Car has a little over 60,000 miles on it.

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Coop S. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat occupancy mat had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist since the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,350.

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat occupant detection mat was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags) three years ago; however, the front passenger's side air bag warning light had been illuminating intermittently. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag warning light would illuminate whenever a lightweight passenger or a heavier passenger would sit in the front passenger’s seat. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Blindsided Drive side impact car ignited I was cut from my car suffering emence Injuries due to the malfunction of the airbags . No air bags deployed.

It is very difficult to turn my steering wheel. It takes more energy than any other car I have ever driven

The electro-hydraulic power steering system stopped working on my 2005 Mini Cooper. The was a recall for 2002 to 2005 mini power steering pump failures but the problem continued thru 2011 because the fix that mini Cooper came up with was inadequate. The essentially put a band-aid on the problem and left car owners holding the bag. I, in fact, had the auxiliary pump that mini came up with replaced and the power steering problem continued because their fix was no good. I have an appointment with the Mini Cooper dealership to look at my car in about 2 weeks. They've told me that I'm not covered by the recall even though they ordered a recall of 86,000 cars for the problem in 2015. Not having power steering in any vehicle is very dangerous. The problem first occurred and remains after 2 years. The problem was reproduced by an independent repair service that I have used for years.

Passenger air bag light went on and i took it to Mini dealer who diagnosed that ht passenger seat matt sensor failed and recommendedreplacement of seatmatt sensor I called Mini about safetyrecall NHTSA15V20500 of 4/6/2015, and they informed me my VIN/vehicle was not part of thatrecall

I DROVE THE CAR EARLIER AND IT WAS FINE. I RETURNED HOME AND THEN HOURS LATER TRIED TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO FIND I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN IT WENT OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. APPARENTLY AFTER READING ONLINE QUITE A BIT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO RECALL OR EVEN A CAMPAIGN OR BULLETIN. THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE ALONE I'M FRANKLY SHOCKED. APPARENTLY BMW DEALERS ARE CLEANING UP DUE TO THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIR. I'M LOOKING AT A MINIMUM OF $1500. APPORX 60% OF VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, FLAMES WERE PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE NEIGHBOR ASSISTED IN EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

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.

AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SOUTH BAY MINI LOCATED AT (18800 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE CA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE SEAT BELT AND CHECK-ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BROWN MOTOR WORKS (803-551-0991, LOCATED AT 4041 BROAD RIVER RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210) AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE SERVICES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160.000.

CAR ACCIDENT CAUSE PROBLEMS , HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH / FLYWHEEL WAS REPAIRED ONE TIME DRIVE SLOW WON'T MOVE FAST. NOT STEERING , HAS LEAKAGE , DAMAGE DENTS ON RIGHT SIDE FRONT END PAINT DAMAGES, NOT RIGHT COLOR. BACK BUMPER DAMAGE SCRATCHES , HATCHBACK LOCK NEEDS BE REPLACED. WHEELS DAMAGE LT RT . ABS SYMPTOM LIGHT ON, AIRBAG LIGHT ON, FRONT REAR HOOD LIGHT ON PROBLEMS NOT CLOSING. IN MOTION STREET .

POWER STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING. IT COME AND GOES FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS WHILE IN A WINDING ROAD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACE SOME LINES. A FEW MOTHS LATER IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVING AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN IDLE FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS. NOW THE POWER STEERING IS TOTALLY NOT WORKING AT ALL.

THERE IS A CONSTANT FUEL / GASOLINE SMELL IN MY CAR AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. NO VISIBLE LEAKS. THE SMELL IS CONSTANT.

INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILIURE DURING DRIVING, STIFF STEERING WHEEL CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT

THE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER A RECALL. AFTER 2 YEARS, IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS ONLY A TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON TEH PART. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAKES THE CARE UNSAFE AND UNUSABLE.

POWER STEERING PUMP PROBLEM FOR MINI COOPER R50 BOUGHT MY R50 PRE-OWNED 125000 KMS ON THE ODO FROM A DEALERSHIP(NOT A MINI DEALERSHIP) AS A PRESENT FOR MY DAUGHTER IN MARCH 2019. I ALREADY KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. OBSERVED A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. DEALER SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING SOME HOSES. AFTER A MONTH, I TRIED STARTING THE CAR UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS LUCKY TO STILL BE AT HOME THAT TIME. RECHARGED THE BATTERY AND STARTED THE CAR. TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND NOTICED A SOUND. TRACED THE SOUND TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP NOT TURNING OFF EVEN IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY SO IT WILL NOT DO A FULL DISCHARGE. BOUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE PS PUMP. DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A COMMON ISSUE RELATED TO THIS PUMP ALREADY AND BMW HAS OFFERED EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE PUMP AND PERIPHERALS LIKE HOSES AND RESERVOIR COVERING 2003 TO 2005 MODELS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC ISSUES A FAILED PUMP CAN BRING. I ASKED THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER IF I COULD AVAIL BUT THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE COVERAGE. I NEEDED THE CAR TO WORK AND I WANTED IT DONE RIGHT SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE PUMP. THIS COSTED ME 1500 CAD++ I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD STILL BE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME AND THAT THE PUMP IS CONFIRMED TO BE AN ORIGINAL BY THE MINI SERVICE AND MAY VERY WELL STILL BE THE SAME ONE FROM THE PREVIOUS MODELS AND BMW SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS.

STEERING PUMP TRANSMISSION WEENING NOT WANTING TO CHANGE GEARS RIGHT

THE STEERING FEELS VERY STIFF. THIS IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN I START IN THE MORNING. IT IS EXTREMELY STIFF TO TURN.

THE AIR BAG DETECTION WARNING REMAINS ACTIVE AFTER DEALER REINSTALLATION OF THE SEAT DETECTOR PAD.

2006 MINI COOPER S WITH 66000 MILES HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION DUE TO LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ALERTED TO THE ODOR OF SMOKE DURING THE NIGHT. THE CONTACT APPROACHED THE VEHICLE, QUICKLY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, AND ROLLED THE VEHICLE HALFWAY DOWN THE DRIVEWAY OUT OF THE GARAGE. THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HEAT FROM THE ENGINE, BUT THE VEHICLE COOLED DOWN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL PUMP AND MASSIVE REPAIRS WERE NEEDED, WHICH WOULD TOTAL APPROXIMATELY $3,500. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER THE $500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE MECHANIC TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO COVER THE CLAIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILING, CREATING A LOUD WHINE WHEN RUNNING (MOVING, AND STATIONARY).

UPON STARTING MY CAR, AFTER BEING IN A STORE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE A PASSENGER WAS IN THE SEAT. THE INDICATOR STAYED ON AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. I RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR A FAULTY PASSENGER AIRBAG COVERING MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL MINI DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO INFORMATION PERTAINING TO MY CAR AND THAT I NEEDED TO CONTACT MINI USA DIRECTLY. I DID SO AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ALSO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION PERTAINING TO MY CAR AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE STATUS OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS PURCHASED THROUGH AN OVERSEAS MILITARY PROGRAM THE SYSTEMS WERE NOT THE SAME AND THAT A SUPERVISOR WOULD HAVE TO TRY AND FIND THE INFORMATION AND MANUALLY ADD IT TO THE MINI USA SYSTEM. I WAS ALSO ASKED, REPEATEDLY, IF MY CAR WAS A CANADIAN SPEC VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT ORDERED AS SUCH. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF WAITING, I CALLED MINI USA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD ALREADY BEEN NOTIFIED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE. WHEN I INQUIRED AS TO WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE RECALL WAS ISSUED, I WAS TOLD THAT MY CASE WAS NOW CLOSED AND IF I HAD ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I NEEDED TO CONTACT MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE.

I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER S. AIRBAGS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL (2015 OR 2016) AT MINI DEALERSHIP. NOW, MAY 15, 2018, SEATBELT/AIRBAG RED LIGHT ON ON CONSOLE. NO AIRBAG LIGHT ON NEAR MIRROR. NOTHING ON PASSENGER SEAT - I AM BELTED WHEN I DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS AS I TURN ON IGNITION AND STAYS ON.

GOOD MORNING, I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER AND THE POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED. I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HEAVY (POWER STEERING FLUID WAS OK) THE UNIT JUST GAVE OUT. I READ THAT THE NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING UNIT FOR 2002 TO 2005 COOPERS RECALL 15V660000 (THE 2002 THRU 2006 ARE ALL FIRST GENERATION MODELS). MY QUESTION IS WHY WAS THE 2006 COOPER NOT INCLUDED SINCE IT IS ALSO FIRST GENERATION MODEL, AND IT IS THE SAME POWER STEERING UNIT USED FROM 2002 THRU 2006 ATLEAST ON THE BASE MODELS - NOT SURE ON THE COOPER S MODEL. COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE ADDED TO THE RECALL SINCE IT AFFECTS MY CAR ALSO,, IT HAPPENED AT 110K MILES FOR ME, I DONT DRIVE TOO MUCH THUS THE LOW MILEAGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON LOCAL ROADS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD A LOSS OF POWER AND STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER/TURN

MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAILING. IT WHINES WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. VERY SCARY TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL THRU 2005, BUT BMW SAYS THEY WONT HELP US 2006 OWNERS.

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING BOTH SLOWLY PULLING OUT OF CARPORT AND AT NORMAL 35 MILES PER HOUR STREET SPEED. STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. PERSISTED UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. HAPPENED SPORADICALLY AFTERWARD. ISSUE RETURNED AND NOW AFFECTS THE CAR MOST OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WILL HAPPEN UPON STARTING THE CAR, OR WHILE DRIVING. CAR ONLY HAS 50,063 MILES ON IT! LOOKS LIKE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE IS CAUSING THE LOSS OF STEERING. EXTREAMLY DANGEROUS!

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, THEY DID NOT RECALL THIS YEAR BUT THE PUMPS STILL FAIL

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED SUDDENLY ON THE CAR. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS YOU SUDDENLY LOOSE MOST OF YOUR ABILITY TO STEER! THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, AND WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. ONE OF THE TIMES WAS WHILE I WAS TURNING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A COMBINATION OF PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN, AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP ITSELF. NOW BMW/MINI HAS ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS THOUGHT THE MODEL YEAR 2005. HOWEVER FROM WHAT I'VE READ A LOT OF 2006 MINI'S HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. THEY SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL/REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE TO AT LEAST THE 2006 MODELS AS WELL.

2006 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DETECTION MAT FAILURE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, BUT WAS IN ACCIDENT BEFORE IT COULD BE COMPLETED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE,THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SKULL FRACTURE AND OTHER UPPER BODY DAMAGES. UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS

THE STREWING WHEEL GOT STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT, LEFT OR MAKE A U-TURN. WHILE RESEARCHING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED IT IS ON RECALL BUT THE NORTH AMERICA MINI COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMED ME TO CONTACT NATIONAL HIGHWAY INSTITUTION TO ASK FOR A RECALL LETTER TO BE ISSUED TO THE COMPANY.