NHTSA Complaint #10247485 — 2004 MINI COOPER

I BOUGHT A USED 2004 MINI COOPER LAST YEAR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS ON A CURVY ROAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD GET VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL, ESPECIALLY IN A SHARP CURVE. WITH NO DEALERSHIPS WITHIN 150 MILES I PUT UP WITH IT. NOW IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND CANNOT BE DISCONNECTED WITHOUT TAKING THE BATTERY CABLE OFF THE BATTERY. IT RUINED 2 BATTERIES BEFORE I REALIZED IT WAS STAYING ON 24 HOURS A DAY. I BOUGHT THE REPAIR BOOK AND WIRING DIAGRAM CD'S TO FIND IT IS STRAIGHT WIRED FROM BATTERY TO INSIDE THE PUMP WHICH GLOWS BRIGHT RED AFTER RUNNING A FEW HOURS. IF I HAD ANY TYPE OF OIL LEAK, IT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE. I CONTACTED A REPAIR CENTER IN ATLANTA GA AND THEY CAN CHANGE IT OUT FOR ABOUT $1000+ FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE OPEN FACED FAN THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE IN THE PUMP. IT FAILED THE EXACT MONTH MY WARRANTY WAS OVER AND THEY SAID SORRY CHARLIE. CANNOT CURRENTLY PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED SO IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY YARD FOR ALMOST A YEAR. *TR