NHTSA Complaint #10364757 — 2005 MINI COOPER

THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED TWICE, ONCE WHEN I PARKED WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS AND ONCE WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. ON-LINE, I READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR MINIS PRODUCED BETWEEN 2001 AND 2007, BUT PRIMARILY THOSE FROM 2004-05 AND THAT IT IS RELATED TO THE HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE LACK OF HEAT SHIELDING OF THE PUMP ELECTRONICS PERMITS FLAKING OF CARBON, THAT SETTLES ON THE CONDUCTORS AND FORCES THE PUMP TO FAIL, UNTIL IT COOLS OFF OR UNTIL THE FLAKES MOVE ON. MINI USA IS NOT OFFERING ANY SOLUTIONS, NOR IS THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE, TWO MONTHS AGO.