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Research · Minicompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2006 MINI Cooper SRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 36 owner complaints for the 2006 MINI Cooper S. Most complaints involve air bags (18) and seats (6). The EPA rates it 22–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–24mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2015
Owner complaints
36
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.

Air bagsReported Apr 6, 2015NHTSA 15V205000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

36 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2011 – Aug 2019
  1. Air bags18
  2. Seats6
  3. Steering5
  4. Power train5
  5. Engine3
  6. Engine and engine cooling3
  7. Seat belts3
  8. Electrical system2
  9. Service brakes1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cooper S model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004529
200636
200816
200936
201059
201140
201226
201369
201446
201571
20169
20174
20194
20205
20221
20241
20254
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

18 reports
“PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR (RECALL 15V-205, OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT) IN MY 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE HAS FAILED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH AND OVERHEAD STAY LIT AT ALL TIMES. RECALL ISSUED BY MINI IN 2015 COVERING EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL FOR YEARS 2005 - 2008. DEALER SHIP AND MINI USA BOTH SAY THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY 2006 S CONVERTIBLE IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS RECALL. HOW CAN THIS BE, THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE EXACT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. MINI STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE IS THE CORRECT TYPE, MODEL AND YEAR BUT NOT PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE IT PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PART THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FAILING INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR ME AND WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE COST FOR THE FIX WILL BE AT LEAST $1,200 OUT OF POCKET. THIS COST IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER THE STANDING RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FACT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS OBVIOUS AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2018Air bags, SeatsODI 11091069

Seats

6 reports2 fires
“I PUT THE HEATED SEAT ON WHILE DRIVING, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THIS WITH LESS THEN 50,000 MILES AND A COST OF ALMOST $1000. I HAD TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION AND PUT OUT THE SMOKING SEAT WITH WATER. I'VE COMPLAINED TO MINI COOPER USA, WITH NO RESULTS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2016SeatsFire reportedODI 10822584

Steering

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE HOME. MINI OF ST. LOUIS (40 SUNNEN DR, MAPLEWOOD, MO 63143, (314) 644-6464) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2019SteeringODI 11246687
All 2006 Cooper S problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact Cars, Two Seaters
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cooper S
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200370
Cooper S
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$3,200370
Cooper S Convertible
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200370
Cooper S Convertible
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$3,200370
Cooper S JCWorks GP Kit
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$3,500404
  • Cooper S
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Sup Charg
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Sup Charg
    22 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S Convertible
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Sup Charg
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Sup Charg
    22 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cooper S JCWorks GP Kit
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Sup Charg
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 MINI Cooper S as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Cooper S questions

How many recalls does the 2006 MINI Cooper S have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 MINI Cooper S problems?

Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (18), seats (6), steering (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 MINI Cooper S get?

The EPA rates the 2006 MINI Cooper S at 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026