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2005 Mini Cooper S Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 314 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Mini Cooper S, most often about the steering (68% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Cooper S model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.

Complaints314
Recalls2
Crashes reported6
Fires reported17
Injuries reported31 death reported

Most common 2005 Mini Cooper S problems

  1. Steering

    212 complaints · 68%

    Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, electric power assist system.

    The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. As he was making a left turn at 5 MPH, the power steering pump locked without warning and caused uncontrollable hard steering. The dealer advised that the power steering pump would need to be replaced. The manufacturer advised there were no recalls and the failure was normal for…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 70,000 miles
    I noticed a strange noise coming from the passenger side wheel area. Took the car to the dealer and power steering pump failure was diagnosed.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 69,023 miles

  2. Air bags

    71 complaints · 23%

    Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window, sensor.

    "SRS" warning light (passenger airbag off) blinks on and off in a 2005 Mini coopers with less than 60,000 miles on it. The warning light only triggers when there is someone sitting in the passenger seat. Was told by Mini dealership that it would cost $800 for the part and +$200 in labor to fix this safety issue. Not…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 58,638 miles
    I have now had a second failure of the passenger airbag sensor (sensor mat in passenger seat). The first mat failed at 3 months after purchase and the replacement lasted just over 2 years (warranty on part is 2 years).
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 56,000 miles

  3. Electrical

    23 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.

    2005 Mini Cooper S. Approximately 63,000 miles. October 22, 2009. I had just gotten home from work and parked in the garage. Going in the house I smelled something burning. After a couple minutes of investigating in the house, I decided to go back into the garage, and find that it is a little smokey. I open the garage…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 63,300 miles
    Upon starting the vehicle and sometimes while moving at low speeds the power steering would fail making the vehicle extremely difficult to steer. The dealer explained that the relay in the auxiliary engine fan had failed likely as a result of the power steering fan failing. Both the auxiliary engine fan and the power…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 65,000 miles

  4. Engine

    16 complaints · 5%

    Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.

    A "pop" was heard when I was driving my vehicle on i95. I was able to pull over to the side considering when the "pop" occurred, my Mini lost power. As I was pulled over, the vehicle burst into flames.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 66,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle overheated and smoke began coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the water pump was replaced. After the repair, the power steering ceased without…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 75,000 miles

  5. Transmission

    13 complaints · 4%

    Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, driveline.

    Started vehicle in the morning of 11/14/2012. The shift indicator on the dash shows ep mode instead of d,r,n,etc. The car seemed to drive fine but there's something wrong with the shifter electronics. The car does not seem to know what drive mode is in. Putting the auto manual transmission into sports mode does not…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 76,525 miles
    I am the current owner of a 2005 Mini Cooper S. I purchased the vehicle in 2006 from Mini of irvine with 3,000 miles. I have recently been experiencing issues with the CVT transmission. The car jerks when changing gears at any speed, as well as when switching from drive to reverse. I have taken the car to Mini of san…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 72,878 miles

  6. Seats

    8 complaints · 3%

    Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.

    I have a 2005 Mini cooper. The airbag sensor in the passenger seat failed around 50,000 miles. I was told that the passenger seat had to be replaced at a cost of $1400.00. This is a know issue with this year of Mini Cooper S. Dealships need to be aware of this problem and Mini/bmw needs to have a recall.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 50,000 miles
    When passenger exited vehicle, light airbag off notification came on. This happens every time someone exits the passenger seat. Also airbag warning light & seatbelt not buckled light come on.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 50,291 miles

  7. Other or unspecified

    6 complaints · 2%

    Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles.

    Experienced abrupt and complete loss of the power steering system simultaneous with an immediate and sharp decrease in power. This incident occurred at 75 MPH on an interstate highway, car in middle lane. Very narrowly avoided collision with a truck when moving vehicle to full stop in emergency lane. Vehicle currently…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 81,000 miles
    Power steering pump seized and needed to be replaced. Power steering fan failure and also needed to be replaced. Power steering hoses leaking and also needed to be replaced. Output shaft seal is leaking, but has not been replaced at this time. These repairs cost me approximately $1000! I have found numerous complaints…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 100,258 miles

  8. Body and structure

    4 complaints · 1%

    Parts named most often: body.

    (1) I recently traded my 2003 Mini cooper in for a 2005 Mini Cooper S at a private dealership. (2) upon inspecting the 2005 Cooper S, I noticed that the strut towers were deformed, but since this was not a Mini dealership, nothing could be done by them. I bought the car thinking this could be fixed under warranty.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 17,400 miles
    Strut towers deformed. This is a result of standard equipment run flat tires hitting pot holes. The fix is a reinforcing plate attached to the top of the strut tower. Either the run flats should not have been available or the strut towers should have been of sufficient strength.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 20,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2005 Mini Cooper S recalls

  1. Steering: electric power assist system

    NHTSA 15V660000 · October 15, 2015 · 86,018 vehicles

    Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Fix: Mini will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on december 10, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact mini customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

    Full defect summary

    Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 mini cooper and cooper s vehicles and 2005 cooper and cooper s convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.

  2. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 15V205000 · April 6, 2015 · 91,800 vehicles

    Risk: An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.

    Fix: Mini will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on october 12, 2015. Owners may contact mini customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

    Full defect summary

    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.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2005 Mini Cooper S

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mini Cooper S?
By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (212 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); air bags (71 complaints, typically around 58,500 miles); electrical (23 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2005 Mini Cooper S have?
2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 15, 2015 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2005 a bad year for the Mini Cooper S?
It is the most complained-about Cooper S model year since 2000, with 314 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Mini Cooper S years

Mini Cooper S problems by year