2006 MINI Cooper S: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 MINI Cooper S: 1 recall, 186 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 9 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (67): the most common themes are warning light on (38).
- Steering (48): the most common themes are steering problems (47), noise or vibration (7).
- Electrical (23): the most common themes are electrical failure (9), fire / smoke (7).
- Transmission & drivetrain (22): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (15), warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (2).
The 2006 MINI Cooper S has 186 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 22 Cooper S model years for complaints (2.3× the average Cooper S year). Complaints peaked in 2012 (36 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 55,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (314 complaints, 2 recalls), 2007 (249 complaints, 4 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 2006 MINI Cooper S.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2006 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 2006 MINI Cooper S problems?
Owners have filed 186 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (67), steering (48), electrical (23).
What gas mileage does the 2006 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 2006 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.