2005 MINI Cooper Convertible problems
The 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible has 115 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (69%) concerns steering. After that come air bags (6%) and electrical system (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 115 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 69% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 68,000 miles 108 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 27 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 33 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 15 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 13 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 108 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 68,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 73,000 miles (74 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported.
It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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. She suffered 2nd degree burns on the right arm and the heel of the hand. The dealer was notified, and her case was escalated to the manufacturer. She has not received a response from the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were 75,000. Updated 3/8/10 updated 07/27/10
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. As a result of the failure, the contact lost complete control of the vehicle as the vehicle veered off the road and into a utility pole. The contact was unaware if the air bags deployed upon impact. The contact stated that he exited the vehicle, walked back to his home and took a nap.
While driving my 2005 mini cooper, my power steering went out. I was in the middle of a right turn from a very busy street when the steering went out in the middle of the turn. I nearly crashed head-on into oncoming traffic and the steering was so difficult, I pulled a shoulder and back muscle just trying to complete the turn. The power steering was out for the rest of my trip. Since then, the power steering has failed intermittently on a daily basis and comes with no warning.
Power steering stopped working. Power steering replacement, trunk repair and driver's side door repair. Updated 07/26/11
The car lost power steering intermittently lasting different length of times. The steering was extremely hard to move. This occurred as I was driving 35 MPH with no warning on a left hand turn. Mini diagnostics identified the power steering pump and fan needed to be replaced and said it was infact the same issue being investigated by NHTSA but declined to assist in repairs.. $1200.00... Standing only behind the 30,000mi/3 yr warranty expiration. Please recall the 2005 mini for this issue...