NHTSA Complaint #10347843 — 2003 MINI COOPER S

POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER S STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY ON THE FREEWAY. THERE WERE NO SIGNS INDICATING AN IMMINENT PROBLEM; IT JUST CUT ASSISTANCE TO STEERING AND FAILED COMPLETELY. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DIFFICULT, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC TO GET A REPLACEMENT PS PUMP FOR $820. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE MINI BRAND SINCE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE REPORTING POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES EVEN AT 40KMILES (IN MY CASE, THE CAR HAD 95KMILES WHEN THE PUMP FAILED). THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP DOES POSE A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES EXTREMELY HEAVY AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. *TR