MYRModel Year Report

2005 Mini Cooper S

◆ Worse than typical
2005 Mini Cooper S
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mini Cooper S Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 2002: 83 complaints 2002 2003: 217 complaints 2004: 247 complaints 2005: 314 complaints 2005 2006: 186 complaints 2007: 249 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 119 complaints 2010: 59 complaints 2011: 31 complaints 2011 2012: 23 complaints 2013: 24 complaints 2014: 13 complaints 2014 2015: 18 complaints 2016: 9 complaints 2017: 5 complaints 2017 2019: 5 complaints 2020: 5 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaints 2024: 1 complaints 2025: 3 complaints 2025
2005: 314 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
200283
2003217
2004247
2005314
2006186
2007249
2008168
2009119
201059
201131
201223
201324
201413
201518
20169
20175
20195
20205
20210
20221
20241
20253

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STEERING 68%

68% of complaints: steering — 215 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing pump and electric power assist system.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE FIRE 5/2/2012. CAR PARKED FOR 4 HRS. RETURNED TO CAR & DROVE IT <50 YARDS FOR ~2 MINUTES (MOVED IT FROM STREET TO PARKING LOT). TURNED IT OFF AND WENT IN STORE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120504

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AUTO WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AFTER A 30 MILE DRIVE, TURNED OFF AND KEYS REMOVED. AFTER SOME TIME BEING PARKED, CAR STARTED BILLOWING SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, PARKING LIGHTS CAME ON SPONTANEOUSLY. NO KEYS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20081103

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250416

AIR BAGS 25%

25% of complaints: air bags — 78 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

2005 MINI COOPER S WAS TRAVELING 50MPH WHEN IT HIT ICY BRIDGE SPUN AROUND AND ROLLED 3 TIMES DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND PASSENGER WAS NOT AND GOT EJECTED AND DIED.NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HWY 299.*DT *JS

NHTSA ODI report, 20181130

Also filed under ENGINE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I GOT HOME FROM WORK PARKED CAR AND HEARD A WHINING NOISE UNDER HOOD I COULD SEE SMOKE AND BURING SMELL COMING FROM STEERING COOLING FAN THE FAN STAYED ON AND WENT INTO EXTREME HIGH SPEED AND CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND WIRING BURNING ,I WAS FORTUNATE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20171210

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091023

POWER TRAIN 4%

4% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and driveline.

SEATS 3%

3% of complaints: seats — 8 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 314
I 20100924 — PE (closed 20110510)

Loss of Power Steering Assist

I 20110504 — EA (closed 20160105)

Loss of power steering assist

R 20151012 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V205000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160304 — steering

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V660000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Mini Cooper S — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (215 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (78 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 15V205000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V660000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2011 ▲ 2010 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

◆ 2007 ◆ 2004 ◆ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Mini Cooper S reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Mini Cooper S is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mini Cooper S?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 68% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Mini Cooper S have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.