2005 MINI Cooper S: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 MINI Cooper S: 2 recalls, 314 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V205000 · 2015 · 91,800 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #15V660000 · 2015 · 86,018 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles May experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 17 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (212): the most common themes are steering problems (208).
- Airbags (71): the most common themes are warning light on (28), fails to deploy (5).
- Electrical (23): the most common themes are electrical failure (16), fire / smoke (10).
- Transmission & drivetrain (13): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (9), noise or vibration (4).
The 2005 MINI Cooper S has 314 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 22 Cooper S model years for complaints (3.9× the average Cooper S year). Complaints peaked in 2011 (72 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 66,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (247 complaints, 2 recalls), 2006 (186 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 MINI Cooper S.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2005 MINI Cooper S. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 MINI Cooper S problems?
Owners have filed 314 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (212), airbags (71), electrical (23).
What gas mileage does the 2005 MINI Cooper S get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 MINI Cooper S repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.