2005 Mini Cooper

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2005 Mini Cooper
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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

2005: 372 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2001	6
2002	187
2003	320
2004	282
2005	372
2006	200
2007	115
2008	115
2009	150
2010	92
2011	82
2012	65
2013	47
2014	34
2015	54
2016	28
2017	28
2018	8
2019	12
2020	7
2021	7
2022	6
2023	7
2024	1
2025	1
2026	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 72%

72% of complaints: steering — 268 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

INTERMEDIATE POWER STEERING FAILURE , RAN OFF THE ROAD HIT A FENCE TO AVOID ON COMING CAR,THANK GOD I WAS NOT HURT ,WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, AFTER 8 HRS AT WORK GOT IN IT STEERING WAS WORKIN ALMOST TO MY DRIVE WENT OUT AGAIN NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL...

NHTSA ODI report, 20120705

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE CONTROLLED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURVE AND PUNCTURED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120430

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle lost power steering functionality.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250326

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 41 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 30 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Driving at approximately 10-15 miles an hour entering a parking lot when I noticed flames coming out of the hood scoop of my 2005 Mini Cooper S.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210908

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that there was water accumulated on the passenger's side front floorboard. The contact stated that the heater was causing some undisclosed issues. There were no warning lights illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250414

POWER TRAIN 3%

3% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 2%

2% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 372

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

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