2005 Mini Cooper Convertible
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 96
- Recalls
- 1
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Steering
Campaigns on file for 2005
Opened by NHTSA
82% of complaints
Complaints per year
2005: 96 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 96 |
| 2006 | 27 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Steering
82% · 79 reportsMost commonly citing pump.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH after exiting his driveway, he suddenly lost power steering without warning.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-03-24
Parked at shopping mall and not running for at least 30 minutes, come out to Mini Cooper on fire. Smoke coming out of engine area, high pitch fan whirling, electrical smell. Power steering failed, shorted out, and caught on fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-05-08
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, she noticed smoke emitting from under the hood.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-10-09
Electrical system
7% · 7 reportsAir bags
7% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible. While driving 35 MPH another driver crashed into her vehicle. The air bags did not completely deploy. As a consequence sparks from the air bag short, caused her coat to catch on fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-10-26
Power train
6% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission.
Latches/locks/linkages
4% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing lock and latch.
Safety timeline
1 recall · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
I
2010-09-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-05-10 Loss of Power Steering Assist
-
I
2011-05-04Engineering analysisClosed 2016-01-05 Loss of power steering assist
-
R
2015-10-12Air bags15V205000 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...
Remedy: 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2005 Mini Cooper Convertible — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Steering: 79 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 7 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 7 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 15V205000 · Air bags
FAQ
- Is the 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible?
- The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 82% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible have?
- 1 recall on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.