2005 MINI Cooper problems
NHTSA has received 440 complaints about the 2005 MINI Cooper, and 64% of them involve steering. Next are air bags (9%) and electrical system (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 440 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 64% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 13 and 13
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 70,000 miles 412 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 | 29 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 33 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 81 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 109 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 89 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 39 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 14 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 10 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 412 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 70,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 72,000 miles (267 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 13 complaints mention a crash; 13 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the MINI Cooper with enough data (129 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
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.
Following rear end impact, there was an engine compartment fire, which was later traced to the power steering pump. Terminals were burned off the pump, and alternator also failed as a result. Note: there was absolutely no collision damage to front end.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper. While parked outside of a retirement center, the contact was informed that his vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and unplugged the battery because it appeared to be an electrical fire. The vehicle is currently parked at the contact's residence. Through research, the contact discovered that the failure was due to the electrical power assist on his rack and pinion. The manufacturer was aware of the failure, but there were no recalls available.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 BMW mini cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH the steering column malfunctioned causing the wiring harness and engine harness to ignite. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who informed the contact that there was a short in the steering pump which caused the fire. . The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,209. The VIN was unavailable.
Was driving on nys thruway when I thought I'd gotten a flat tire due to sluggish steering now hours later and a little internet investigation I think it to be the power steering pump. This should be recalled asap before someone is killed.
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. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted.