NHTSA Complaint #10407347 — 2005 MINI COOPER

WE HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER. ON 16JUN11, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BACK FROM HER SHIFT AT THE HOSPITAL AT AROUND 9AM WHEN WHILE TAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HEAVY. SHE HAD TO MAKE THE CAR TURN WITH A LOT OF FORCE. THE NEXT DAY, 17JUN11, WHEN WE TRIED TO OPEN THE CAR, IT DIDN'T RESPOND TO THE KEY REMOTE, AND WE HAVE TO OPEN IT MANUALLY. THE CAR DIDN'T RESPOND, AND WOULDN'T START. TODAY, 18JUN11, WE CALLED AAA VA OUR INSURANCE, AND THEY CAME OVER JUMP STARTED THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MINI SERVICE CENTER (NEW COUNTRY BMW), AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK ON MONDAY, 20JUNE. THEY DID TAKE A QUICK LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, AND EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS SWITCHED OFF, A CYLINDER BEHIND THE BATTERY MAKES A CONTINUOUS HISSING SOUND. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BE RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP/ASSEMBLY. SO, WHEN IN ITS TURNED OFF STATE, THE PUMP SOMEHOW DRAINS THE BATTERY. I WILL TAKE MY CAR TO THEM IN A FEW DAYS AGAIN WHEN THEY ARE FREE, BUT MEANWHILE, WHEN I PARK, I PARK WITH THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS REMOVED, SO ATLEAST I DON'T HAVE TO ASK AAA TO JUMP START IT EVERYTIME. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND MINI WOULD BE TAKING CARE OF IT. BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE COSTS! *TR