2005 MINI COOPER Steering Problems

GOING INTO A TURN ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF I-465 IN INDIANAPOLIS AND THE MINI COOPER'S POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I BRAKED HARD AND PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. *TR

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER BELIEVES THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE STEERING PUMP. I RESEARCHED IT ON THE NET AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED AND APPROACHING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING STIFFENED. THUS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE TURN SAFELY. INSTEAD OF COMPLETING A TIGHT TURN INTO THE CLOSES LANE, I MADE A WIDE TURN INTO LANE 2. ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, PARKED AND TURNED BACK ONE THE PROBLEM DID NOT PERSIST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT WOULD RESTART THE VEHICLE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE. I COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THOUGHT MY CAR HAD DIED, BUT IT HADN'T AND THEN ALL WAS FINE SO I THOUGHT MAYBE I IMAGINED IT. THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS ON 11/11/11. I WENT TO PICK UP MY GRAND-DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT I COULD NOT PULL OUT OF THE SCHOOL LINEUP. I WAITED UNTIL ALL OTHER CARS LEFT AND DROVE FORWARD USING ALL MY MIGHT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SO THAT I COULD PARK THE CAR WHILE I TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES AND THEN THE STEERING WORKED. I DROVE MY GRAND-DAUGHTER HOME, SAFELY, THANK GOD, RETURNED HOME AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. I'M NOW TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AND UPON DOING RESEARCH ONLINE...

RANDOM LOSS OF POWER TO POWER STEERING SYSTEM AT VARYING SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS. LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAN VARY IN TIMES FROM A FEW SECONDS TO A SEVERAL MINUTES. STEERING VEHICLE BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF POWER IN STEERING PUMP/SYSTEM. CONDITION SEEMS TO GO AWAY FOR A FEW HOURS TO A FEW DAYS. *TR

POWER ASSISTED STEERING WILL CEASE WORKING WHILE DRIVING, MAKING THE CAR VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER/CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY INTERMITTENT, BUT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN IT IS VERY SCARY. *TT

DRIVING OFF A PARKING LOT ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT ONTO TRAFFIC, CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING, TRY TO CORRECT DIRECTION BUT WEIGHT TONS TO STEER INTO RIGHT DIRECTION AND RUNS STRAIGHT INTO TRAFFIC. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEFT HAND TURN. THE CAR'S STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME SO HEAVY THAT I ALMOST DROVE INTO SOMEBODY'S YARD. SINCE THE ROAD WAS A 3 MILE STRAIGHT SHOT TO MY HOME, I DROVE IT THE REST OF THE WAY. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO COME AND GO TO VARYING DEGREES OVER THAT DISTANCE. I WILL NOT BE DRIVING IT AGAIN UNTIL REPAIRED. *TR

ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THE STEERING STARTED GETTING HARD TO STEER AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS BROKEN. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. ON 9/26/11 THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO STEER ALL OF THE TIME AND MY WIFE ALMOST GOT INTO A COLLISION WHEN SHE FOUND IT VERY HARD TO STEER. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. IN ADDITION, HE TOLD ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF POWER STEERING UNIT FAILURE WITH MY 2005 MINI COOPER. I CALLED MY LOCAL MINI COOPER DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AT ALL IN REGARDS TO THE POWER STEERING UNIT. SINCE MY WIFE AND I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR, I HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1055.00. *TR

AS REPORTED BY HUNDREDS OF OTHERS TO NHTSA AND BY THOUSANDS ON THE INTERNET, THE POWER STEERING PUMP IN OUR 2005 MINI COOPER WILL SIMPLY STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT BECOMES ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON-LINE AND WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A DEATH. IT IS MY OPINION THAT NHTSA MUST IMMEDIATELY MOVE TO ESCALATE THIS FROM ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO REQUIRE BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL 2005 & 2006 MODEL MINI COOPERS, IF NOT EARLIER MODELS AS THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ON-LINE GOING BACK TO 2002 WHEN THE MODEL WAS FIRST INTRODUCED TO THE US MARKET. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS UNIT IS THE BETTER PART OF $900, BUT WHAT''S THE COST OF A LIFE? MINI SHOULD HAVE LONG SINCE RECALLED THIS UNIT AND THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE...

THE FAILURE IN MY POWER STEERING PUMP OCCURRED AT 70,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS I WAS DRIVING WHILE CHANGING LANES. I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT A PUMP, IN THE PROCESS OF FAILING, CAUSES ANOTHER PROBLEM; THE PUMP MIGHT RANDOMLY START WORKING AGAIN, AND POSSIBLY IN THE PROCESS OF A TURN. THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME AND CAUSED AN OVER COMPENSATION WHEN TURNING A CORNER (ON 2 OCCASIONS) AND POTENTIALLY ENDANGERED THE OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD, AS WELL AS MYSELF! I FOUND THAT IT WILL COST ME $1000.00+ TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I AM CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS EXPENSE. IN THE MEAN TIME, MY BELOVED MINI SITS IN THE GARAGE UNTIL A RECALL OR UNTIL I HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR

POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN GO OUT ALL TOGETHER. POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. LASTED A YEAR. FAILED AGAIN, AND DEALER REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY BUT CHARGED LABOR. THIRD PUMP FAILING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO MERGE ONTO THE SHOULDER BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/18/11 UPDATED EVOQ 11/01/11.

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT USUALLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AGAIN IT IS FINE FOR A WHILE. I HAD POWER STEERING FLUID TOPPED UP BUT APPARENTLY IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT IS A POWER STEERING PUMP THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND COSTS APPROXIMATELY $1,000.00- 1,2000.00. TODAY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER ABOVE SAID ACTIONS. I READ THAT CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR IN THIS STATE CAN CAUSE BATTERY DRAINAGE/FAILURE, FAN PROBLEMS, AND/OR ELECTRICAL FIRES. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUAL STEERING FUNCTION WOULD ILLUMINATE WITHOUT ACTIVATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ORDERED THE PART THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

POWER STEERING TURNS ON AND OFF WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT DURING TURNS OR DRIVNG ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE, DRAINED BATTERY DUE TO POWER STEERING FAN CONTINUING TO RUN AFTER VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE LAST THURSDAY AND UPON EXITING THE POWER STEERING WENT. I WAS TERRIFIED. I AM JUST LUCKY I HAVE A STRAIGHT EXIT FROM THE INTERSTATE; IF THERE HAD BEEN A CURVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN INTO THE WALL OR OFF THE ROAD. MY PERSONAL FEELING IS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP AS FAILURE CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR, SOMEONE TO BE KILLED? I LIMPED MY MINI TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WILL COST $1257.00 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN. I AM NOW UNABLE TO DRIVE MY MINI AS IT IS UNSAFE. *TR

TRAVELING BACK HOME TO A SHORT DRIVE FROM A LOCAL STORE. WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. HAD MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER BEEN DRIVING THE CAR, I THINK IT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXERT THE NECESSARY FORCE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING AND THE CONTACT WOULD SEE AND SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. IT BEGAN TO RUN ALL THE TIME EVEN WITH THE KEY OFF. PLEASE NOTE LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AGO I FILED CLAIM # 10411560 PREDICTING THAT AFTER THE FAN HAD FAILED THE PUMP WOULD FAIL IN A SHORT TIME. IT DID. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. SEEMINGLY RESOLVES SPONTANEOUSLY. *TR

I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING. AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ONTO THE STREET, I DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REALLY HARD TO TURN. CONSEQUENTLY I ENDED UP ALL THE WAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET, AND IT TOOK GREAT EFFORT TO GET THE CAR INTO THE DIRECTION I INTENDED. FORTUNATELY THERE WASN'T ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN I WAS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET, OTHERWISE IT COULD BE DANGEROUS... I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET, CHECKED THAT EVERYTHING ELSE WAS OK EXCEPT POWER STEERING. SINCE I ONLY NEEDED TO TAKE LOCAL STREETS, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO WORK - IT JUST FELT LIKE MY VERY FIRST CAR THAT WAS MANUAL AND WITHOUT POWER STEERING!

WITHOUT WARNING, IN MARCH 2011, MY POWER STEERING FAILED. SERVICE DETERMINED THE COOLING FAN FOR THE ELECTROHYDRAULIC STEERING PUMP MOTOR IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED--INTAKE MANIFOLD AND FAN WITH PROTECTING GRILLE. NO MENTION WAS MADE THAT A FURTHER FAILURE, OF THE PUMP ITSELF, COULD OCCUR. IN JUNE 2011, THE ELECTROHYDRAULIC STEERING PUMP MOTOR FAILED WHILST I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. SERVICE REVEALED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT AND SAID PUMP WAS REPLACED. *KB

POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN - USUALLY AFTER GOING OVER A POTHOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. *TR

THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING AND BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE LACK OF CONTROL NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT SEEMS THE POWER STEERING WAS OKAY. IT KEEPS CUTTING OUT AND I HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THE CAR AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT EVENTUALLY IT WILL STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THEY RECOMMENDED HAVING THE DEALER RUN DIAGNOSTICS. DIAGNOSTIC AT THE DEALER IS EXPENSIVE AND IS NOT CREDITED TOWARDS THE REPAIRS SO I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE ISSUE ADDRESSED BY THE MINI DEALER. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 2005 MINI COOPER. REQUIRES STOPPING VEHICLE AND RESTARTING ENGINE. THE FREQUENCY OF FAILURE OR POWER ASSIST INCREASING. *TR

POWER STEERING COOLING FAN FAILED. POWER STEERING PUMP GOT VERY HOT AND ALL THE FLUID BOILED AWAY. PUMP DID NOT FAIL BUT IS PROBABLY DAMAGED AND FAILURE CAN BE EXPECTED. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP ON 2005 MINI FAILED. *TR

MY 2005 MINI COOPER STEERING IS GOING OUT EVERY TIME I TRY TO TURN I HAVE TO USE BOTH HANDS AND ALL MY POWER TO TURN IT. I JUST DROPPED IT OFF AT THE REPAIR SHOP AND WILL CALL HIM IN THE MORNING TO LET HIM KNOW THE PROBLEM SO HE CAN TRY AND FIX IT. *TR

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...

MINI COOPER 05 POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN 2005 MINI COOPER. 1. ON 06 APRIL 2011 AT 11:00, I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT THE GRAND RAPIDS, MI MINI COOPER DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE. DURING THE ROUTINE INSPECTION CONDUCTED ALONG WITH THE OIL CHANGE, IT WAS REPORTED TO ME THAT MY POWER STEERING FAN HAD FAILED. FORTUNATELY, AS REPORTED AT THAT POINT, MY POWER STEERING PUMP LOOKED FINE. I PAID TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING FAN REPLACED AT THAT POINT. I EXPERIENCED NO ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE'S STEERING UNTIL 11 JUNE 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30PM WHEN, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. THE RESULTING LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY CAUSED ME TO IMPACT A MOVABLE PARKING SIGN IN THE ADJACENT PARKING SPACE. HOURS LATER, AFTER COOLING DOWN, THE POWER STEERING CONTINUED TO FUNCTION, BUT HAS BEGUN TO FAIL AT RANDOM INTERVALS. I AM...

I WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, OUTSIDE AIR TEMP APPROX 65F. WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE TIRES AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CHECK FOR LEAKS OR BELT FAULTS. NOTHING, SO I CONTINUED 20 MILES TO MY DESTINATION WITHOUT THE STEERING ASSIST. AFTER I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, I RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. IT HAPPENED DURING A SLOW TURN, FORTUNATELY. IF I HAD BEEN IN ANY TIGHTER OF A TURN, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD. *TR

I OWN A 2005 MINI COOPER. MILEAGE IS 43,070. MY POWER STEERING PUMP RECENTLY MALFUNCTIONED. STEERING BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND CONTINUED RUNNING AFTER I TURNED OFF MY CAR. PART HAD TO BE REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND THAT A CLASS ACTION WAS FILED IN OCTOBER 2010 REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM WRITING TO LET THE NHTSA KNOW THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD RESEARCH THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 68,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY 2005 MINI COOPER VIN # [XXX] JUST LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE SIDE STREET, TRIED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART, IT WORKS BUT DECIDED TO JUST PARK IN THE GARAGE SINCE I WAS AFRAID TO GET INVOLVE IN A ACCIDENT. THEN SUDDENLY, A WEIRD SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LEFT IT OVERNIGHT , NEXT THING MY CAR BATTERY DIED AND COULD NOT START THE CAR. JUMPED START IT LET MY HUSBAND DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK AND EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE POWER STEERING BECAME STIFF AND VERY HARD TO MANEUVER EVEN JUST MAKING A 45 DEGREES ANGLE AND RETURNED TO A DRIVING POSITION. I JUST DECIDED TO JUST PARK IT AND WAIT UNTIL A POSSIBLE RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY MINI COOPER HAS BECOME HARD TO STEER ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. AT THE ONSET, I WAS GOING AT ABOUT 15 TO 20MPH AND TURNING RIGHT. THE STEERING GOT HARD TO TURN AND I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STAYING OUT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND HOOD UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING TO EXPLAIN WHAT WAS GOING ON. I WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANYTHING TO EXPLAIN THIS OCCURRENCE, SO I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL. SINCE THEN IT HAS DONE THIS ON AND OFF SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. I CALL THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THESE VEHICLES HAVE LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PUMP, COOLING FAN AND RELY SWITCH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED IT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST WOULD PREVENT THE WHEEL FROM BEING TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING OF A 2005 MINI COOPER. IT OCCURRED AT LEAST TWICE (3/14/2011 AND 4/8/2011). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND RESUMED OPERATION WITH THE STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. UPDATED 06/13/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF. THE CONTACT HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

FOR THE PAST WEEK, THE POWER STEERING ON MY CAR HAS FAILED TWICE. WHEN IT FAILS, I WILL SUDDENLY BE UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, E.G. WHILE MAKING AT TURN WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL STREETS, ON AN ON-RAMP TO A FREEWAY, AND ALSO WHILE PARKING, MAYBE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE WITHIN REASONABLE TIME. WHILE DRIVING LOCAL STREET, I HAVE HAD TO SLOW DOWN (FOR FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE THE TURN TRYING TO STEER THE VEHICLE WITH MY OWN ARMS) AND NEARLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. UPDATED 08/17/11*BF *TR UPDATED 02/02/2012 *LN *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE PERFORMING TURNS OR ACTIONS WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN OVER/UNDER STEERING. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE NOTICED THAT STEERING FELT "HEAVY", THEN AS I PROCEEDED FORWARD, ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST CEASED. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWO OR THREE TIMES (WITH NO WARNING) IN THE PAST, AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THE POWER STEERING OUTAGE MAY LAST A FEW MINUTES, OR A FEW DAYS. THE OUTAGE REPORTED HERE LASTED 10 DAYS. THE CAR CAN BE STEERED, BUT ONLY WITH GREAT EFFORT.. VERY DANGEROUS.

2005 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING FAILURE. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILING. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS NOT A "PROBLEM", BUT WILL PROBABLY NEED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. AFTER READING MULTIPLE POSTS, AND THE INVESTIGATION THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS STARTED...THIS IS LOOKING MORE LIKE A COVERUP ON MINI'S PART INSTEAD OF AN ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR, AND IT HAS PUT HER SAFETY AT RISK TWICE NOW WHEN IT FAILED WHILE MAKING A TURN. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 TO 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING OF THE VEHICLE FAILS, CAUSING THE CAR TO SWERVE DANGEROUSLY INTO OTHER LANES, AS IT REQUIRES A LOT OF STRENGTH TO KEEP THE CAR IN ITS LANE WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON A BEND IN THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A MONTH. AT OTHER TIMES, THE POWER STEERING PUMP DOES NOT EVEN TURN ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE STEERING WHEEL IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN LIKE THIS. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE STEERING PUMP OR FAN CAN BE HEARD CLEARLY STRUGGLING. THE CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THIS OCCURS USUALLY ONCE WEEKLY. I HAVE HEARD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MINI COOPER AND NOT ISOLATED TO ME AND TO FILE A COMPLAINT. NOTHING HAS YET BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR

ALTHOUGH IT DID NOT SEEM NOTICEABLE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTED TO FAIL I WAS USING EXTRA PRESSURE TO STAY IN MY LANE. THE PUMP WOULD THEN WORK AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH OFF TO THE SIDE I WAS FAVORING AND I ALMOST WENT INTO A GUARD RAIL. WHEN COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND NOT KNOWING THE PUMP WAS QUITTING AGAIN, I WOULD HAVE TO JUMP INTO EMERGENCY MODE TO NEGOTIATE THE TURN. *TR