NHTSA Complaint #10405726 — 2002 MINI COOPER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND HAD TO BE HELD WITH FORCE WITH BOTH HANDS IN ORDER TO TURN IT, OR KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALLED, AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 114,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO MAKE A HUMMING SOUND IN WHICH THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS RUNNING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. UPDATED 08/01/11