NHTSA Complaint #10381360 — 2005 MINI COOPER

THERE WAS A STRANGE NOISE (LIKE A FAN RUNNING) COMING FROM MY 2005 MINI COOPER WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IT CONTINUED TO MAKE THE NOISE UNTIL EVENTUALLY THE CAR BATTERY DIED. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE MY CAR IN FEAR OF LOSING THE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOT SURE WHY A 6 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 36,600 MILES WOULD NEED THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED OR WHY IT IS BROKEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WITH PARTS AND LABOR WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $1400. I HAD CONCERNS REGARDING THE REPAIR AND DECIDED TO RETURN HOME WITH MY CAR. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILING ON MINI COOPERS. I HAVE REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND ULTIMATELY MINI USA FOR THE REPAIR AS I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR