Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 4.1× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
186Complaints
1Recalls
4Crashes
9Fires
7Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (34.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Air Bags complaints here are 4.1× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Air Bags
65 · 34.9%
Recalled
Recall 15V205000
Steering
48 · 25.8%
No official action
—
Electrical System
21 · 11.3%
No official action
—
Power Train
18 · 9.7%
No official action
—
Seats
15 · 8.1%
No official action
—
Engine And Engine Cooling
12 · 6.5%
No official action
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 186 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. DEALER AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP SAY THE SEAT SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT IS…”NHTSA complaint 10594110 — filed 05/26/2014 · AIR BAGS
“AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON... AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. 700.00 TO…”NHTSA complaint 10586604 — filed 05/05/2014 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS ILLUMINATED…”NHTSA complaint 10578294 — filed 04/08/2014 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mini Cooper S?
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 65 of 186 NHTSA complaints (34.9%), followed by steering (48), electrical system (21), power train (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2006 Mini Cooper S have?
186 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 4 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2006 Mini Cooper S have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 15V205000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2006 Mini Cooper S's reported problems?
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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