WMWRE33445TD968052005 MINI Cooper

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that a software update was performed on the back over prevention camera. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 175,830.

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that there was water accumulated on the passenger's side front floorboard. The contact stated that the heater was causing some undisclosed issues. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the sunroof drain tubes were clogged, the drain tubes were cleared, and an undisclosed reprogramming was completed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 172,843.

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 117,300.

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Coop S Hardtop. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the vehicle alarm activated inadvertently and the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that he lifted the hood open and noticed fire coming from underneath the engine. The contact extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

The vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed me that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure is NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall.

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that she noticed a leak coming from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a power of steering hose leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact also stated that he was advised by the dealer that he had to pay out of pocket for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The transmission will cycle first through third and when it tries to go into 4th it slips and will not operate higher gears it caused me to lose my forward drive momentum as I was switching lanes and the car I was getting in front of almost ran into me.

My son drives this car and the power steering went out twice on him while driving. I need to get the pump replaced via the recall, but the nearest location is 200 miles from me. It is not safe to drive this car that far and I would have to drop it off and make another trip to pick it up. Towing that far would cost a small fortune. I called every number and was transferred to several people to help with this issue. They say they can not and won't help me till I get the car to a dealership to fix it. One person from Mini told me I might be able to go to a certified mechanic but when I asked the next person they said it had to be a dealership. I spent two days on the phone with several people from Mini and no one was willing to offer a solution. I drive this car to get the recall fixed and something happens and the car wrecks, or worse someone is killed, who would it be on then? No happy about this at all.

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering). The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed. The dealer was made aware of the recall but informed the contact that they do not service recall repairs. The nearest dealer that was able to service the recall repair was located 177 miles away. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

2005 Mini Cooper S has power steering whine, hard to steer the wheel. Very unsafe.

Driving at approximately 10-15 miles an hour entering a parking lot when I noticed flames coming out of the hood scoop of my 2005 Mini Cooper S. After brief inspection from my mechanic, it is believed to have been caused by the wiring harness for ABS or possibly the power steering unit since the fire originated from the rear/right hand side of the engine and those two components. I have a claim opened with USAA but during simple research, I have found tens, if not close to a hundred issues with similar characteristics. I know I am not the first R53 Mini Cooper (2002-2006 run) with this problem and this should be considered a hazard and public safety issue. I have included the link to many of the cases captured by the North American Motoring Association (a primarily North American Mini car association) which details 24 pages of these issues. https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/stock-problems-issues/73527-spontaneous-engine-bay-fires.html?ispreloading=1

POWER STEERING PUMP STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING TURNING IN A CITY STREET

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AFTER EXITING HIS DRIVEWAY, HE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, WALKED BACK TO HIS HOME AND TOOK A NAP. AN HOUR LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS AWOKEN BY A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WHO ASKED HIM QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INCIDENT WITH HIS VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT FILED AND THE CONTACT LATER WENT TO A DOCTOR WHERE HE WAS TREATED FOR INJURIES FOR HIS LOWER BACK WHICH INCLUDING A SLIPPED DISC AND A BRUISED VERTEBRAE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 ( STEERING) WHICH HE LINKED TO HIS VEHICLE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT THE MANUFACTURER WHERE HE WAS ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS VEHICLE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REFUSED TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND DECIDED TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS CAUSING A JERK REACTION IN THE VEHICLE AND THEN IT WILL RENEGADE CAUSING ANOTHER JERK REACTION IN THE VEHICLE AND MAKES GOING AND OR STOPPING UNPREDICTABLE. TURNING LEFT IS DANGEROUS AS THE CAR MAY NOT MOVE FORWARD AT A SPEED THAT IT SHOULD OR MAY JERK IN THE MIDDLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD A MACHANIC CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURERS WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND NOTHING THEY WOULD DO.

BATTERY LIGHT FLASHING, POWER STEERING CUTTING OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. ALTERNATOR AND SERPINTINE BELT REPLACED BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SEEMS TO BE DRAINING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE POWER STEERING CEASED WITHOUT WARNING UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) AS POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. MINI OF DES MOINES LOCATED AT (9900 HICKMAN RD, DES MOINES, IA 50325) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS ALL BUT STOPPED WORKING, WITH STEERING NOW DIFFICULT AT LOWER SPEED--ESPECIALLY WHEN I FIRST START THE ENGINE IN THE MORNING. THE CLUTCH DOESN'T RESPOND WELL AND THE VEHICLE NO LONGER GOES INTO SECOND GEAR. THE REAR LEFT BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED IN PLACE, NOT ALLOWING THE BRAKE PAD TO RETRACT COMPLETELY AND THEREFORE THE BRAKE PAD CONTINUOUSLY RUBBED AGAINST THE DISC, BUT WITHOUT NOISE. NOT UNTIL THE LEFT REAR BRAKE MADE NOISE BECAUSE OF THE METAL ON METAL BRAKING WAS THE SEIZED OEM CALIPER IDENTIFIED, WHEN I PUT ON A SET OF NEW BRAKE PADS. NONE OF THE OTHER THREE BRAKES HAD THE SEIZED OEM CALIPER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. ONCE RESTARTED, THE STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF MONTHS AND WAS GETTING WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, MINI OF MARIN (5880 PARADISE DR, CORTE MADERA, CA 94925, (415) 887-2194) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKS.

THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR MINI COOPER S VEHICLES (15V-XXX SAFETY RECALL) INVOLVING THE ELECTRIC-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE RECALL INCLUDES 2002-2005 MODELS, AND EXTENDS THE WARRANTY UP TO 13 YEARS OR UP TO 150,000 MILES. OUR VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THOSE REQUIREMENTS, AND IS A 2005 MODEL AND HAS 69,751 MILES, YET WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO EXISTING RECALLS FOR OUR VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH WE SUSPECT THAT THE INCIDENT WE HAD INVOLVES THE HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM.

THE POWER STEERING PUMP STOPS FUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING A STOP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY. MINI OF LOVELAND (4055 BYRD DR, LOVELAND, CO 80538, (970) 292-5020) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS NOT SCHEDULED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM: SI M32 02 15 (STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT). AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

WHEN ADJUSTING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I CONDUCTED TROUBLESHOOTING. I VERIFIED THAT THE WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS FOR THE AIRBAG SENSORS UNDER BOTH SEATS HAD COME LOOSE, AND CERTAIN WIRES DE-PINNED. THE CAR WAS RUNNING, AND PARKED WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILURE WORSENED SINCE DECEMBER OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONTINUED TO OPERATE. ALSO, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP SOMETIMES FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO, THE LOW BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ORLANDO MINI (350 LAKE DESTINY DRIVE, ORLANDO, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND LOST POWER. I PULLED TO SHOULDER AND BLACK SMOKE CAME THRU AIR VENTS. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS FIRE. MY CAR COMPLETELY BURNED UP. I NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE BELIEVED THE FIRE STARTED UNDER MY CAR.

WENT TO DINNER AND CAME OUT AND STARTED MY CAR AND IT WAS SUPER HARD TO STEER

STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF WHEN I'M DRIVING.

2005 MINI COOPER S WAS TRAVELING 50MPH WHEN IT HIT ICY BRIDGE SPUN AROUND AND ROLLED 3 TIMES DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND PASSENGER WAS NOT AND GOT EJECTED AND DIED.NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HWY 299.*DT *JS

TAKATA RECALL. DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE ME $1000 TO FIX THIS AIRBAG. STEERING ALSO STIFF AND AT TIME UNRESPONSIVE. NUMBER THREE MISFIRE IS A DESIGN FLAW. HORN DOES NOT WORK. LENS ON HEADLIGHTS MAKE LIGHT VERY DIM.

THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT WAS REPLACED BY RECALL ON 10/28/2016. ON 10/2018 I NOTICED THAT WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WITH THEIR SEAT BELT ON THE AIR BAG WAS OFF, IN 1 WEEKS TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE AIR BAG IS OFF ALL THE TIME WITH OR WITHOUT SOMEONE OCCUPING THE SEAT. REGUARDLESS IF THE CAR IS IDILING OR GOING DOWN THE RODE. AT LEAST BEFORE THE RECALLED MAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED THE SEAT MAT SENSOR WORKED MOST OF THE TIME. NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TESTED THE OC3 MAT (PASSENGER SIDE MAT SENSOR) AND SAID THERE ARE MULTIPLE CODES FOR THE OC3 MAT AND THEY FOUND INTERNAL FAULTS AND IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT AGAIN. THEY SAID THIS RECALL IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY AND I NEED TO PAY OVER 1500.00 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME TO HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY CAR IF WE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT THEIR AIRBAG WOULD NOT BE ON, THERE FOR THEY WOULD HAVE NO AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY TO TRY AND PROTECT THEM. HOW IS THIS MY FAULT? THEY REPLACED MY MAT SENSOR WITH ANOTHER FAULTY ONE THAT IS WORSE THEN THE FIRST ONE. HOW LONG ARE THE WARRENTIES FOR RECALLS AND THE PARTS REPLACED? I HAVE THE PAPERS FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATING WHAT I JUST REPORTED TO YOU.

AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. DEALERSHIP REPORTS $1200 TO REPLACE SENSOR FOR PASSENGER SEAT AND MAY IMPACT ALL AIRBAGS IF NOT FIXED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (IRVINE MINI, 9829 RESEARCH DR, IRVINE, CA 92618, (888) 238-7585), BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE POWER STEERING DUE TO A DISCREPANCY IN THE PART NUMBERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS REAR-ENDED FROM LOSING SPEED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THIS IS IN THE DESIGN OF THIS YEAR OF MINI COOPER AS I AM FINDING THAT IT IS ON THE INTERNET AS JUST A BAD DESIGN. I CAN'T GET ANYONE TO WORK ON IT FOR A REASONABLE PRICE. I'M HOPING THERE'S SOME HELP OUT THERE FOR UNSUSPECTING INNOCENT PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE GETTING A GOOD CAR AND NOW IT IS JUST UNSAFE AS I HAVE HAD TO TOW IT 3 TIMES NOW AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT SINCE MAY OF THIS YEAR 2018.

THE CAR STOPPED STEERING CORRECTLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEELS. THE POWER STEERING IS GONE. I STARTED NOTICING THE DIFFERENCE IN THE STEERING AND THEN THE STEERING PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK IF THERE SHOULD BE A CONCERN BECAUSE THE STEERING STARTED AFTER I HAD THE RECALL SERVICE ON THE SEAT WARMMER.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 90K AND FOR SOME REASON WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL PER MINI USA. MINI NEEDS TO REVIEW THE RECALL AND CORRECT ALL 2005 MINI COOPER'S WITH THIS DEFECT.

I GOT HOME FROM WORK PARKED CAR AND HEARD A WHINING NOISE UNDER HOOD I COULD SEE SMOKE AND BURING SMELL COMING FROM STEERING COOLING FAN THE FAN STAYED ON AND WENT INTO EXTREME HIGH SPEED AND CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND WIRING BURNING ,I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY WHICH STOPPED FAN AND ELECTRICAL BURNING I HAVE CAR PARKED IN DRIVE WAY AND CONTACTED MY INSURANCE TO FILE A CLAIM ,I AM AFRAID TO START CAR AND NEED TO HAVE CAR REPAIRED

WHILE DRIVING CAR MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HEAVY AND HARD TO STEER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MAG MINI DUBLIN IN COLUMBUS (5825 VENTURE DR, DUBLIN, OH 43017, (614) 389-6854) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

STEERING IS DIFFICULT AND REQUIRES EXERTION WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL. I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL RECALL 15V-XXX: ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING (EHPS) SYSTEM M32 02 15 IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL BUT BECAUSE MY CAR EXHIBITS THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS RECALLED ON CARS MADE IN THAT YEAR, I FEEL THAT THE LIMITS SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MY CAR AND OTHER CARS MANUFACTURED WHEN MINE WAS.

I AM A PROUD OWNER OF A 2005 MINI COOPER S WITH 108K MILES. RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED THE INFAMOUS EHPS PUMP FAILURE THAT THE PUMP WILL CONTINUE RUNNING AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE CAR. IT DRAINS THE BATTERY COMPLETELY SO I HOOKED UP MY BATTERY CHARGER TO IT OVERNIGHT. AFTER PERFORMING SOME GOOGLE RESEARCHING ON THIS SUBJECT MATTER, I REALIZED MINI HAD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE EHPS SYSTEM IN 2013 AND LATER SUPERSEDED BY THE RECALL 15V-660. UNFORTUNATELY MY PRODUCTION DATE (AUGUST OF 05) DOES NOT FALL IN THE RANGE OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL COVERS PRODUCTION BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2001 TO FEBRUARY 2005. FURTHER READING ON THIS ISSUE, MANY OWNERS EXPRESSED THAT THEY HAVE SUCCESS ON CLEANING THE DUST INSIDE THE PUMP TO SOLVE THE SHORTING ISSUE WITHIN THE PUMP. SO I DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, REMOVED THE PUMP FROM THE CAR AND START TAKING THE PUMP APART. AFTER REMOVING THE COVER, I REALIZED THE SHORT HAD ALREADY MELTED DOWN ONE OF THE BRUSH (THE GOLD COLOR PIECE IN IMG_9730) AND SOME OTHER COMPONENTS INSIDE THE PUMP. MY RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THIS PUMP IS THE EXACT SAME ONE THAT WAS USED AS THE RECALL ONE, BMW PART NUMBER 6769961-02 (IMG_9733). LATER ON THE PART NUMBER CHANGED TO 6769961-03. SO I WONDERED WHY MY CAR ISN'T PART OF THE US RECALL. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE TRANSPORT CANADA RECALL #2012029 DOES PROVIDE EXTENDED WARRANTY (12 YEARS / 200K KM) ON THE PUMP AND PUMP COOLING FAN FOR ALL 2002-2005 COOPER AND COOPER S IN CANADA. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD ISSUE FOR ALL AFFECTED PRODUCTION UNITS THAT IS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ALL MINI OWNERS AND PASSENGERS THAT UTILIZE THIS EHPS PUMP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER S IS ACTING UP/ FAULTY, MAKING A GROAN NOISE AND STEERING IS HARD AT TIMES.

THE POWER STEERING IN MY MINI COOPER 2005 HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT. THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY HARD TO TURN ALL OF A SUDDEN, PARTICULARLY AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN IT IS NEEDED THE MOST TO MAKE TURNS OR TO PARK. THERE ARE NO FAULT INDICATORS FOR THIS ISSUE ON THE DASHBOARD EITHER. THE VERY FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED IN MARCH 2011 WHEN MY CAR HAD LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE POWER STEERING BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. AT THAT TIME THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN MINI COOPER AND THAT THE PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT COST WAS TOO HIGH THOUGH, HENCE I CHOSE TO THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE HAVING IT REPLACED. LUCKILY, THE POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING AGAIN AND EVEN THOUGH STEERING BECAME A LITTLE HARD AT TIMES I GOT USED TO IT. BUT SINCE END OF APRIL 2017 THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE. STEERING GETS TOO HARD AT TIMES AND REQUIRES A LOT OF FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS. GETTING IN AND OUT A COMPACT PARKING SPOT IS EXCEPTIONALLY HARD. MAKING LEFT, RIGHT AND U TURNS ARE ALSO VERY HARD. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. OR IF THE RECALL IS ONGOING, WHY SHOULD IT TAKE SO LONG SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAS LOUD WHINE OR MOANING SOUND WITH ONLY 42,000 MILES ON IT. FLUID LEVEL IS GOOD AND SO FAR THE POWER STEERING IS STILL WORKING. IT DOES GET LOUDER WHILE TURNING BUT ALSO ANNOYING WHEN JUST IDLING.

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S WITH LESS THAN 85K MILES IT. THE POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT. BEFORE IT WENT OUT COMPLETELY, IT WOULD STOP OCCASIONALLY WITH OUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE PRIMARY IMPACT IS AS LOW SPEEDS, PARKING OR TURNING FOR EXAMPLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS RUN FLAT TIRES MAKING STEERING AN EVEN BIGGER CHALLENGE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND DUE TO THE HIGH COST TO REPLACE THIS FUNCTION AND SAFETY HAZARD IT IMPOSES,, THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR OVER A YEAR. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS SPECIFIC YEAR & MODEL OF VEHICLE FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE- HOWEVER IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY PARTICULAR VIN. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN ISSUE OF EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS AND WOULD ASK THAT THIS BE LOOKED INTO IF POSSIBLE. THE MINI COOPER S IS A GREAT LITTLE CAR, HOWEVER STEERING IS A VITAL AND A REQUIRED SAFETY MEASURE THAT I FEEL MINI/BMW SHOULD GLADLY COVER IN ALL VIN'S DURING THIS TIME FRAME.

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 2013. MECHANICS TELL ME THAT IT IS A WEIGHT-SENSING MAT ON THE SEAT. MINI RECALLED 2005 MINI'S BUT THIS ONE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR FOR THIS CAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FUNCTION FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRO HYDRO POWER STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY DOWNSHIFTS AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV REALLY HIGH. JOLTS A LOT ON THE SPEED CHANGES. HAVING SIGNS INDICATIVE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ABILITY HAD NOT RETURNED FOR ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRO HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING), BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS ERRATICALLY AND/OR SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT WHILE IN MOTION.

I REPORTED A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT MY POWER STEERING HAD FAILED. IT IS A 2005 MINI COOPER, AND SOME 2002-2005 MINI COOPERS WERE EFFECTED, BUT SUPPOSEDLY NOT MY MINI WITH MY VIN NUMBER. THE RECALL HAD ENDED IN FEBRUARY 2005 AND MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 2005. HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT BMW (MAKERS OF MINI COOPER) WERE USING FAULTY POWER STEERING UNITS AFTER FEBRUARY 2005. MY CAR HAS LOW MILES, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND I TAKE PRISTINE CARE OF MY MINI. AS A RESULT, I HIT A CURB AND HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CHANGED. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, NO RAIN AND MY TIRES ARE ALL JUST ABOUT BRAND NEW RUN FLAT TIRES. THE RANGE OF MINI COOPERS AFFECTED NEEDS TO INCREASED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM AND BMW (MAKERS OF MINI COOPER) SEEM TO NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. MY POWER STEERING IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP

POWER STEERING PUMP GOES OUT FROM TIME TO TIME, BROUGHT IT TO MINI DEALERSHIPS ONCE AND WAS WORKING FINE WHEN WE BROUGHT IT IN, AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND WAS SENT ON OUR WAY. NOW HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY TO REPLACE A PART, AND WHEN RECONNECTING THE BATTERY, POWER STEERING PUMPS RUNS AND WONT SHUT OFF. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. PLEASE HEP, AND THANK YOU.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

ABOUT A MONTH AGO VEHICLE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. VEHICLE HAS 117,650 MILES ON IT. DRIVING IS VERY DIFFICULT AS STEERING IS VERY HEAVY. *TR

POWER STEERING ISSUES: MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2005. THE FIRST EVIDENCE OF MY PROBLEM WAS WHEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED TO BE FAULTY. I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, AND THAT FIXED THE CAR FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. AT THAT POINT, I NOTICED A FAN RUNNING A LOT, AND THEN FOUND THE BATTERY DEAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. FINALLY, I FIGURED OUT THAT A FAN WAS CONTINUING TO RUN--AND I TRACED THE NOISE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, AND THEN DROVE TO THE SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. THIS WEEKEND, I PARALLEL PARKED IN A TIGHT SPACE WITH A SLIGHT DIP. I REALIZED WHILE PARKING THAT I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER STEERING, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE WAY I PARKED. IT DID NOT GET BETTER AS I LEFT. I MUSCLED THE CAR OUT OF THE SPACE, AND DROVE IT TO MY LOCAL SHOP, WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FAN STILL WORKED, THAT THE FUSES STILL WORKED, BUT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. HAD ALREADY READ EXTENSIVELY ABOUT POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE ISSUES WHEN I HEARD THE FAN RUNNING IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT... I THOUGHT AFTER A FEW MONTHS THAT I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID THE PUMP FAILURE--IN CATCHING THE FAN FIRST-- BUT IT SEEMS THAT MANY HERE HAVE DESCRIBED. EXACTLY THE SAME TRAJECTORY. I CALLED MINIUSA AND A LOCAL DEALER, AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP, BECAUSE MY CAR'S MANUFACTURE DATE IS A LITTLE UNDER TWO MONTHS PAST THE DATE INCLUDED IN THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE". THIS IS RIDICULOUS! IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, IN EVERY DETAIL, AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY I WAS NOT HURT BY IT. I FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT DIRECTLY WITH MINI USA. IF I FELT IT WERE FOR LACK OF MAINTENANCE, OR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, I COULD ACCEPT THAT, BUT THIS CAR HAS METICULOUS MAINTENANCE, AND RECORDS TO BACK IT UP.

MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED DIRECTLY AFTER DRIVING IT SIX MILES, SAVED BY FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND FIRE DEPARTMENT. CAUSE DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY POWER STEERING MODULE.

I HAVE HAD THE STEERING PUMP FAIL TWICE IN MY 2005 R53 MINI, THE 1ST TIME THE POWER STEERING WOULD CUT OUT AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING AND THE PUMP WOULD CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF (HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY FOR IT TO STOP). THIS WAS REPLACED IN 2013 AT A MINI DEALERSHIP UNDER AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" AT THE EXPENSE OF MINI. NOW 3 YEARS LATER I AM HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT ON WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN THE PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED THE CAR OFF (HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY). THE NEXT DAY THE STEERING PUMP ACTUALLY BURNT ITSELF OUT (SMOKED) WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY. I UNDERSTAND MINI HAS ISSUED A MORE EXTENSIVE RECALL HOWEVER SINCE MINE WAS "FIXED" ALREADY I AM NOT COVERED - IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE JUST AS FAULTY AS THOSE THEY HAVE REPLACED AND WILL MOST LIKELY EXPERIENCE THE SAME DANGEROUS FAILURE. *TR

TAKATA RECALL. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN AUTOMATIC. SPENT $5,600 TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. STILL HAVING INTERMITTENT ISSUES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING UNIT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAN AND STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000. ...UPDATED 01/05/17 *BF *TR

ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM RECALL. MINI COMPANY AND DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO TOW OUR CAR FOR REPAIR. WE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE OF STEERING "FREEZING UP" - SEVERELY LIMITED, ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH WAS SCARY AND DID NOT FEEL SAFE. ALL DEALERSHIPS REQUIRE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FROM OUR HOME. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT I DO NOT AGREE, HAVING EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM FIRST HAND. MINI REFUSES TO TOW BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. PLEASE NOTE: INCIDENT DATE IS AN ESTIMATE. WILL GET ACTUAL DATE ASAP. NOTE: THIS STEERING LIMITATION HAS ALSO HAPPENED LAST WINTER WHEN TRYING TO STEER THE CAR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL (1/16). CALLED DEALERSHIP, BUT DID NOT HAVE NEW PART IN STOCK YET AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. CAR DID NOT DO IT THE NEXT TIME (FEW DAYS LATER). DEALERSHIP NEVER CONTACTED US TO ALERT THE PART WAS AVAILABLE (AS IT NOW IS).

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

THE POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT. SOMETIMES IT STEERS PROPERLY AND SOMETIMES IT IS LIKE TURNING A TRUCK. HAPPENS BOTH WHILE STATIONARY AND WHEN MOVING.

FRONT DRIVER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY AS IT DOESN'T DETECT SOMETIMES WHEN THERE IS AN OCCUPANT. SECOND ISSUE IS THE CVT TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE. I GET A JERKING MOTION EVERY NOW AND THEN AND FOUND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT LINKED WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AFTER THIS LAWSUIT BUT APPARENTLY THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT AND FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE.

OVER THE PAST 9 MONTHS MY POWER STEERING WILL STOP WORKING, I WILL USUALLY NOTICE THIS WHEN I START MY CAR AND GO TO MOVE I AM ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, IF I TURN OFF MY CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON OCCASIONALLY IT WILL START MY POWER STEERING BACK UP THIS IS NOT A CONSTANT THING BUT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING FOR THE MINI COOPER BUT MY VIN NUMBER ISNT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I NEED HELP PLEASE

COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE ON MY WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING WHILE TURNING A CORNER FROM THE HIGHWAY TO CITY STREET. I FOUND AN OPEN SAFETY RECALL DEC 2015 FOR 2005 MODEL MINI COOPER S BUT MY 2005 VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. IT SEEMS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN LIKE THIS WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE OEM.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT, EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN, AND SEIZED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/03/16*LJ UPDATED 08/09/16.*JB *CN

THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. MINI COOPER HAS A RECALL ON THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR BUT SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. MECHANIC STATED POWER STEERING UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ UPDATED 07/14/16.*JB

ELECTRO/HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING UNIT FAILURE @ 87,000 MILES . UNIT WILL NOT SHUT OFF UNLESS THE BATTERY CABLE IS DISCONNECTED. MINI USA REFUSES TO COVER THE PART UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL.

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 60K MILES BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT'S MADE IT HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION. BMW HAS TO PAY FOR IT.

THERE IS A POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL FOR THIS MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000) BUT THE DATE CUTOFF IS FOR CARS PRODUCED BY FEBRUARY OF THE 2005 MODEL YEAR. MY CAR (2005 MINI COOPER S WITH 86,000 MILES) HAS A PRODUCTION DATE OF JUNE 2005 AND IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT AND MORE ERRATIC. STEERING NOW REQUIRES SUBSTANTIALLY MORE FORCE, SO MY WIFE IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT CONCERNS FOR HER OWN SAFETY. IF THE MANUFACTURER FEELS THAT THE PART THEY USED AFTER FEBRUARY 2005 WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS "GLITCH", THEN WHY IS THE PART MALFUNCTIONING IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE ADMITTEDLY FAULTY PART?

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V505000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN BACK FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUSED METAL FRAGMENTS TO ENTER THE RACK AND PINION, WHICH CAUSED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE OF THE TREAD ACT, THE MANUFACTURER WAS ONLY OBLIGATED TO REPAIR THE POWER STEERING PUMP UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,155.

MY SON WAS DRIVING THE MINI COOPER AND THE STEERING STOPPED WORKING, HE HAD CALLED MINI WHEN HE GOT IT IN NOV 2015 ABOUT RECALLS AND THEY SAID THAT THE MINI WAS RECALLED FOR THE STEERING AND THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG. WHEN WE CALLED THE LOCAL MINI DEALER THEY SAID ONLY THE AIR BAG. I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH A CASSANDRA FROM MINI AND SHE SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING FOR MINIS MADE BETWEEN MARCH 2005 AND FEBRUARY 2005 AND HIS CAR WAS ON THE TAIL END OF IT AND THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY IT TO BE FIXED. I BELIEVE THAT THESE CAR DEALERS KNOW ABOUT SAFETY PROBLEMS BUT DON'T WANT TO FIX THEM PROPERLY. MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF NOT FOR THE FACT THAT IT CAME BACK LONG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO GET THE CAR STOPPED. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN GET THIS RESOLVED SO THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAN FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND IT STAYS ON WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF. I WAS ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT HAPPENED. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY CABLE SO IT DOESN'T DRAIN THE BATTERY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TAKATA RECALL.I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST MY POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER BUT THE SLOWER I GOT THE HARDER IT WAS TO STEER THE CAR. I HAD TO BUY A NEW STEERING PUMP AND HAVE IT INSTALLED. MY STEERING FAILED FOR THE EXACT REASON MINI ISSUED THE RECALL BUT THEY WON'T REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS NOT WITHIN THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE. MINI INSTALLED THE DEFECTIVE STEERING PUMP BUT WON'T DO THE PROPER THING AND LET ME RECOVER MY COSTS OF $795.00. AGAIN MY STEERING PUMP FAILED FOR THE EXACT REASON MINI APPROVED THE RECALL. I HAD 103,383 MILES ON THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED AND ONLY RECENTLY DID MINI FINALLY APPROVE A RECALL ON THE PUMP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRIC FAN KEPT RUNNING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. WHEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ARRIVED, THE BATTERY WAS JUMPSTARTED AND THE FAN REMAINED ACTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE POWER STEERING FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

BATTERY DIED AND REPLACED. DROVE 2 DAYS AND BATTERY DIED AND AGAIN REPLACED. DROVE AND STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF. CHECKED FLUIDS AND NO POWER STEERING FLUID. HAPPENED AGAIN WITH BOTH BATTERY AND P/S FLUID. BECAME AWARE OF RECALL IN 04 AND 05 MINI COOPER'S AND TOOK TO DEALER. BAD POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN AS WELL AS 2 HOSES. WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL BECAUSE THE BUILD DATE IS MAY. WAS QUOTED $1300+ FOR REPAIRS.

ON 2/11/2016 I GOT HOME FROM WORK AND I PARKED MY 2005 MINI COOPER S (53,000 MILES) ON THE DRIVEWAY, TURN OFF CAR AND STAYED WITH MY KIDS & WIFE SINCE THEY WERE WAITING FOR ME OUTSIDE, MY WIFE NOTICE A SOUND & SMOKE COMING FROM THE CAR, THE SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I IMMEDIATELY OPEN THE HOOD & THERE WAS MORE SMOKE COMING OUT, THE HEADLIGHTS & ALL THE LIGHTS TURNED ON & STARED FLICKERING, ALSO THE WIPERS TURNED ON, COUPLE OF SECONDS LATER THE BOTOM OF THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MY WIFE RAN TO GET THE WATER HOSE & I WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WE WERE LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T WALK INSIDE THE HOUSE LIKE I ALWAYS DO, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY FOR ME, MY FAMILY AND EVEN OUR NEIGHBORS. THE NEXT DAY I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO AFTER AN INSPECTION FOUND OUT IF WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP THAT GOT ON FIRE AND DAMAGED ALL THE WIRES AROUND IT, SINCE HE IS A MINI SPECIALIST HE TOLD US ABOUT A RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC PART, BUT TO OUR DISAPPOINTMENT HE RAN OUR VIN # AND FOUND THAT OUR CAR IS EXCLUDED FROM THAT RECALL SINCE ITS A LATE 2005 PRODUCTION. THAT EXACTLY SAME THING HAPPEND TO US WITH THE ACTUATORS, ONE DAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS SHOPPING WITH MY KIDS, THEY JUST GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP, IT WAS A SUMMER DAY AND LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT THROUGH THE BACK TRUNK, WE CONTACTED MINI BECAUSE THERE IS ALSO A RECALL FOR THE ACTUATORS AND THEY ALSO EXCLUDED OUR CAR SAYING THAT IT WAS A LATE 2005 PRODUCTION AND WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THE RECALL. THE WAY WE SEE IT MINI IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS, IT IS NOT FAIR SINCE I HAVE NO WAY TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR WAS BUILD WITH NOT DEFECTIVE PARTS, OBVIOUSLY IT WAS. I AM TERRIFIED BY THE IDEA THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WORST SINCE WE R ALWAYS DRIVING WITH OUR KIDS. U NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS & MAKE MINI LIABLE FOR THESE SAFETY ISSUES.

TRANSMISSION PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT 48K MILES BY MANUFACTURER DUE TO NOISE. MY TRANSMISSION IS BROKEN. MY TIRES CHIRP EVERY TIME I PUSH ON THE GAS BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR TO BE IN DUE TO THE BAD BODY CONTROL VALVE. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE I CANNOT VERIFY HOW MUCH MECHANICAL DAMAGE HAS TAKEN PLACE DURING THE TIME THAT THE VALVE BODY HAS BEEN BROKEN. ONCE THE VALVE BODY BREAKS DOWN, THE MECHANICAL UNIT ALSO BEGINS TO BREAK DOWN. MINI NEEDS TO ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN TELLING THE DEALERS TO COMMENCE SERVICING THE AISIN TRANSMISSIONS EVERY 40K BY REPLACING THE FLUID. BMW/MINI'S TRANSMISSION FLUID IS NOT LIFETIME. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A SIMILAR BULLETIN A FEW YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT ALSO USES THE AISIN TRANSMISSION. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS MAY NOT REPLACE THE FLUID RIGHT BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS HARD TO DRAIN AND IN MANY CASES IF IT'S NOT DONE RIGHT, GREAT DAMAGE IS DONE THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER POWERED UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK, AND BUCK. THE VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO BREAK DOWN BECAUSE THE SHAVINGS FROM THE TRANSMISSION GEARS BEGAN TO CLOUD THE FLUID AND INHIBIT COMMUNICATION FROM THE VALVE BODY SOLENOIDS TO THE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS. UPDATED 03/23/16.*JB

POWER STEERING GOES OUT. VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. ITS LIKE HAVING NO STEERING AT ALL AT TIMES. I HAVE TWO MINI COOPERS. THIS ONE HAS NOT YET TO GET THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING PUMP. I HAVE A RECALL FOR THE OTHER MINI THAT I OWN BUT THAT ONE DOESNT HAVE A PROBLEM.

MY MINI COOPER S CONV, 2005, HAS BEEN HAVING STEEERING ISSUES FOR SOME TIME NOW. IT WILL RANDOMLY LOSE WHAT SEEMS LIKE THE POWER STEERING WHILE I AM DRIVING! I HAVE FOUND THAT BY TURNING THE CAR OFF (IF I AM STOPPED AND IN AREA WITH TIME TO TURN OFF MY CAR) THAT IT WORKS AGAIN FOR 10 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES. OTHER TIMES I CAN DRIVE FOR 45 MINUTES NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. HOWEVER, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THE STEERING GOES OUT IS NOT WORKING AS SOON AS I TURN THE CAR ON. I K NOW THAT I HAVE TO SELECT A DATE OF WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I AM PUTTING TODAY'S DATE SINCE IT HAPPENS DAILY. HOWEVER, I WANT IT NOTED IT IS NOT ONLY TODAY.

IN COLD WEATHER THE DRIVER SIDE PARKING BRAKE FREEZES/STICKS. ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES WAS THIS MORNING. IT WAS 27 DEGREES IN MY GARAGE AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITH NO PROBLEMS, I DROVE FOR A FEW MILES WITH THE CAR FULLY WARMED UP. I STOPPED FOR COFFEE AND LEFT THE CAR RUNNING (WIFE IN CAR) AND RETURNED NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES LATER. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT RELEASED ALL THE WAY. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE THE PASSENGER REAR BRAKE WAS COOL TO THE TOUCH BUT THE DRIVER SIDE WAS RADIATING HEAT AND SMELLED OF BURNING BRAKES. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE FLAW AND CAN BE DANGEROUS. THE REAR CALIPERS ARE RELATIVELY NEW AND THE BRAKE FLUID IS FLUSHED EVERY TWO YEARS. I ALSO HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER THAT DOES NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH PROVIDES NUMEROUS EXAMPLES ALL SEEM TO BE ISOLATED IN THE 2004-2005 YEARS AND IN COLD CLIMATES.

I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL (NO. 25V-205), AN AIR BAG PROBLEM, ISSUED LAST JUNE AND HAVE NOW RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL ((15V-660). THE FIRST RECALL HAS YET TO BE REPAIRED.THE AIR BAG "OFF" LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. I HAVE CONTACTED MINI AND THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOT A FIX YET. I THINK 6 MONTHS IS LONG ENOUGH FOR AN AIR BAG PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SECOND RECALL, A STEERING PROBLEM, BUT I ASSUME IT COULD HAPPEN. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE COMBINATION OF THESE TWO CREATES AN EXTRA DANGEROUS CONDITION. I ASKED MINI IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR A RENTAL WHEN I NEEDED TO HAVE A PASSENGER. THEY REFUSED. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE TO GET THE NOISE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF... UPDATED 05/03/18*JB

THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS HAS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY, OTHER TIMES IT JUST TAKES MORE OF AN EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL EACH OCCURANCE CAN LAST FROM A FEW SECONDS OR MUCH LONGER PERIODS OF TIME AND DOESN'T MATTER IF ITS LOW OR HIGH SPEEDS. ALSO WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE A LOW BATTERY LIGHT IS SOMTIMES ILUMINATED. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE IS COMPLETE UNPREDICTABLE.

I WAS LEAVING WORK LATE AT NIGHT WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE STEERING DISAPPEARED. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR AT THE MINI DEARLSHIP EARLIER IN THE WEEK TO REPLACE LIGHT BULBS SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHERE WHAT THIS COULD BE, WHERE I COULD CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVELS. THEY WERE NOT THAT HELPFUL. THEN LATER I LOOKED ONLINE AT ALL THE STEERING COMPLAINTS AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND MY CAR (VIN#) WOULD BE COVERED FOR 13 YEARS/150,000. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE ALL MINI'S WITH THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED. DEALERSHIPS SHOULD CHECK VEHICLES FOR RECALLS WHEN CUSTOMERS CALL WITH PROBLEMS. I LIKE MY DEALERSHIP BUT I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT I HAD TO RESEARCH THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM.

POWER STEERING FAILED AT LOW SPEED WHILE TURNING AT A STOP SIGN IN A SCHOOL ZONE. STEERING EFFORT INCREASED DRAMATICALLY THEN SHORTLY AFTER THE BATTERY LIGHT, THEN ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO JUST MAKE IT HOME. I LOOKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT MINI IS OFFERING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I CALLED MINI AND GAVE THEM MY VIN. THEY TOLD ME MY 2005 COOPER S IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. IT SEEMS THAT MINI IS NOT CAPTURING ALL THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER NOTIFYING ME OF THE ISSUE. LOT OF FORUMS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. SO GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HWY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

LOSS OF POWER STEERING. AND REGARDING THIS: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER :15V660 MANUFACTURER :BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC MAKE / MODEL YEARS :MINI / 2002-2005 SUBJECT : ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING LOSS I CAN TELL YOU THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE THE LOCATION OF THE COOLING FAN CAUSES IT TO BE CONTINUALLY BOMBARDED WITH ROAD SALT AND DEBRIS, SO IT FAILS, THEN THE PUMP BURNS OUT.

POWER STEERING PROBLEMS, AIR BAG OFF AND ON, CLUTCH WENT OUT NEAR ACCIDENT, ELECTRICAL ISSUES(MANY) WINDOWS UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN, EVER BRAKE NOT WORKING PROPERLY NUMEROUS ITEMS I HAVE THEM DETAILED ON PAPER

I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM MINI COOPER IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE BY MAIL AND CALLED TO TRY AND SCHEDULE A REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT SENSOR. I WAS TOLD THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST MIGHT BE CHARGED FOR THIS AND IT WOULD BE $150.00 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THIS IS FREAKING RIDICULOUS, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THEY TRY TO CASH OUT AT MY EXPENSE... NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: OPENS NEW WINDOW TAKES AWAY FROM VIN LOOKUP SECTION> 15V205 RECALL DATE: APRIL 3, 2015 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: NA

SOMETIME WHEN AM DRIVING ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEELS, IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS! HAPPEN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AT DIFFERENT TIMES. IF I TURN THE WHEELS TOO MUCH, I NOTICE IT HAPPEN TOO.

LOST POWER STEARING, HEAT AND AIR ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

THE WRITTEN "SAFETY RECALL NOTICE" THAT I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL YESTERDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2015, OF WHICH BMW/MINI LIKELY PROVIDED NHTSA A COPY IS BOTH FALSE AND MISLEADING. FOUR MONTHS AFTER BMW/MINI NOTIFIED ME NOT TO ALLOW AN ADULT-SIZE PERSON TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THIS FOUR-SEAT, TWO-DOOR AUTOMOBILE, THE CURRENT WRITTEN NOTICE INDICATES THAT BMW'S MINI DEALERS "ARE NOW READY" AND I SHOULD "SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR RECALL REPAIR SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE." IN USING THE WEBSITE PROVIDED IN THE NOTICE TO LOCATE THE NEAREST DEALER, I WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER HAD NO PARTS AND WOULD NOT EVEN SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO OCCUR IN THE FUTURE. A CALL TO THE BMW/MINI TOLL-FREE NUMBER INCLUDED IN THE NOTICE CAUSED THE BMW/MINI "CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES" REPRESENTATIVE TO ADMIT THAT THE NOTICE WAS FALSE AND THAT MANY DEALERS ARE NOT READY TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS FOR THIS SERVICE. THE NOTICE FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 15V-205 INDICATES THAT IT WAS SENT TO ME "IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT." DOES NHTSA REALLY CONDONE FALSE AND MISLEADING WRITTEN NOTICES PURPORTED TO BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL SAFETY LAW?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COPPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION IN JUNE OF 2015. HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WILL RECEIVE A CALL BACK WHEN THE PART WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/01/15*LJ UPDATED 4/9/18*JB (INVALID VIN) *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PAID FOR AN AIR BAG SENSOR TWO YEARS. UPDATED 12/15/15. *JB

NOTIFIED THAT MINI WOULD RECALL DUE TO FAULTY SENSOR FOR AIRBAG ON MAY 1. NOW 4 MONTHS LATER, AND STILL NO RECALL. MINI SAYS THEY ARE GATHERING DATA ON THE AFFECTED CARS, NO INFO ON WHEN RECALL AND REPAIR WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.

ON APRIL 20, 2015, I TOOK MY 2005 MINI S CONVERTIBLE TO MINI OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN DARIEN, CT BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I RECEIVED A VERBAL QUOTE OF APPROXIMATELY $1200 TO REPAIR. LATER THAT DAY I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE SHOP FOREMAN STATING THAT MINI WAS AWARE OF AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR AND THAT MINI WAS LOOKING INTO A COURSE OF ACTION. A FEW DAYS LATER THE PRESS REPORTED THAT A RECALL WAS BEING DONE FOR THIS ISSUE AND I CALLED AGAIN, WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT A LETTER WOULD COME FROM MINI WITH DETAILS. SOMETIME BETWEEN THEN AND JUNE 15, I RECEIVED A LETTER (DATED "JUNE 2015") STATING THAT A RECALL WAS GOING TO BE ISSUED, AND I SHOULD NOT CARRY PASSENGERS IF THE LIGHT WAS ON (IT HAD BEEN ON SINCE APRIL), AND AGAIN CALLED MINI OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, WHERE THEY REITERATED THE INFO IN THE LETTER THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR YET ANOTHER LETTER. I CALLED MINI CUSTOMER CARE BOTH ON JUNE 15 AND AUGUST 25 TO REQUEST INFORMATION ON THE TIMING, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION BEYOND WHAT THE DEALER TOLD ME. IT IS NOW AUGUST 25, AND OVER FOUR MONTHS THAT I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO SAFELY CARRY A PASSENGER IN THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS MEETS THE STANDARD NOTED IN THE RECALL LETTER "IF YOUR MINI DEALER IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE DEFECT WITHOUT CHARGE OR WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME", ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS GIVEN A VERBAL QUOTE IN APRIL TO FIX THE ISSUE. MINI HAS ALSO DECLINED TO PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE WHILE MINE IS DISABLED. I REQUEST THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE WHETHER MINI INTENDS TO PROPERLY CARRY OUT THIS RECALL (15V-205).

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000. MA 10/14 *CN

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO THE CURRENT RECALL CAMPAIGN 15V-205; FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER IS DELINQUENT IN MAKING THIS CRITICAL SAFETY UPDATE. THE PART 573 REPORT INDICATED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION DATE OF MAY 01 -- JUNE 01; THE NOTIFICATION CAME IN LATE JUNE. THE LETTER FROM THE USDOT OF APRIL 17, 2015 INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 1. AS IT IS NOW AUGUST, I WOULD ASK THE AGENCY CONTINUE PUTTING APPROPRIATE PRESSURE ON THE MANUFACTURER. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST SURFACED YEARS AGO, THE DEALER DID NOT SEEM TO INDICATE THERE WOULD BE ANY TROUBLE GETTING THOSE PARTS---BUT THEY WANTED ALMOST $1500 TO REPAIR. I APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED EFFORTS IN GETTING MY CAR REPAIRED.

WHILE BACKING MY CAR OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE THIS MORNING I WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND IT SEEMED STUCK I THEN REALIZED I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I HAD PARKED THE CAR THE NIGHT BEFORE AND HAD NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. AS I BACKED THE CAR OUT WITHOUT POWER STEERING I ALMOST HIT TWO CARS TRYING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, I WAS ABLE TO PARK THE CAR WITHOUT INCIDENT. THERE HAS SO FAR BEEN NO RECALL ON THE STEERING AND APPARENTLY I'M NOT THE FIRST PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO.

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER FAILED SUDDENLY AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. IT TOOK ALL MY EFFORT TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE. THE MINI DEALER INITIALLY TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS COVERED DUE TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON 2002 ? 2005 MINI COOPERS WHICH EXTENDS THE WARRANTY ON THE POWER STEERING MOTOR TO 13 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES. I WAS CALLED BACK LATER TO BE INFORMED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED AS IT WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER THE FEB. 2005 CUTOFF DATE. MY MINI COOPER WAS MANUFACTORED IN JUNE 2005. GLOBAL MINI IN CHAMBLEE, GA CHARGED ME $899.78 FOR REPLACING THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. MY SUDDEN POWER STEERING FAILURE AT 83,025 MILES WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE POWER STEERING EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED BY MINI USA FOR THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE WARRANTY, IN EFFECT, IS SAYING THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD LAST FOR 150,000 MILES. WHILE MINI USA HAS EXTENDED THE COVERAGE TO SOME 2005 MINIS, COVERAGE TO MY MINI COOPER HAS BEEN DENIED FAILING AT ONLY 83,000 MILES EVEN THOUGH IT EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF FAILURE.UPDATE 9/15/15*CW UPDATED 11/28/2017*CN

IN THE MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE OF 2015, MY POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP PROVIDING POWER ASSIST. IT HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING NOW. MAKES IT CHALLENGING TO MAKE EMERGENCY MANEUVERS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER :15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

AFTER AN HOURS DRIVE, I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE TALKING W/ THE CAR OFF. ALL OF SUDDEN SMOKE STARTS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I QUICKLY OPENED THE HOOD TO HEAR SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL FAN/PUMP SOUND & SMOKE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM/REAR SIDE OF THE MOTOR. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE BATTERY TERMINAL & THE NOISE/SMOKE STOPPED. I THEN SEARCHED ONLINE & FOUND THE KNOWN ISSUES OF THE ELECTRICAL ASSISTED POWER STEERING. I FOUND THE FUSE FOR THE CIRCUIT, A 100 AMP FUSE HIDDEN ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE FUSE BOX THAT HAD NOT POPPED EVEN THOUGH THE PUMP WAS BURNING ITSELF UP. I HAD ENOUGH TOOLS W/ ME TO PULL THE FUSE, GET THE CAR STARTED & MAKE MY WAY HOME W/O THE POWER STEERING ASSIST.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,629. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 11/07/2017*CN

I HAVE HAD A NEW PROBLEM EVERY WEEK WITH THIS CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE CAR WASH JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS ON BOTH SIDES, AT THE 1ST BEND. THE WATER WAS DRIPPING AT A FAST PACE. I HAD THE TOP CHECKED OUT FOR ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO PURCHASING AT WHICH I WAS TOLD NOTHING APPEARED TO BE NEEDED. THE WEATHER STRIPPING AND TOP HAD NO CRACKS ARE SIGN OF WEAR. JUST ANOTHER HEADACHE WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE.

POWER STEERING FAILED. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT IT. AFTER THE CAR AS TURNED OFF AND THEN COOLED: 30 MINUTES LATER THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS: ALL ON DAYS WITH THE TEMPERATURE IN THE 90S. I CALLED THE MINI SERVICE BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY WON'T FIX IT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE POWER STEERING PUMPS (150K MILES, 13 YEARS) UNLESS ITS FAILED WHILE THEY HAVE IT. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS WAY WITH UNEXPECTED FAILURES: ESPECIALLY FOR MY WIFE WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FORCE IT THROUGH TURNS WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS POWER STEERING SYSTEM.

2005 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE ELECTRONIC FAILURE. CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER VEHICLE COMPLAINT LISTED IN ARTEMIS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WITH HIS VEHICLE WAS A COMPUTER TEST CALLED COMPREHENSIVE COMPONENT KEPT READING INCOMPLETE. THE DEALER FOUND AN INTERNAL SHORT INSIDE THE ENGINE BASIC CONTROL COMPUTER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE COST TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC HARDWARE WAS $1968 WHICH WAS EXCESSIVE. *JB

THE STEERING HAS STARTED TO BECOME EXTREMELY UNRELIABLE AND THE CAR STARTS TO LOSE CONTROL AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. AT FIRST THE PROBLEM WAS SLIGHT BUT IT IS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS SITUATION SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO A COMPLAINT THAT HAS LED TO A CLASS ACTION SUIT AND THE RECALL OF SOME MINI COOPERS. UNFORTUNATELY OUR VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST, ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS THAT MINI COOPERS FROM 2002-2009 HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.

MINI HAS ANNOUNCED RECALL NO. 15V-205 REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR ON MINI COOPER. MY MINI HAS THIS DEFECT AND IN ORDER TO VALIDATE THIS AIR BAG RELATED DEFECT, MINI REQUIRED ME TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. NOW, MINI IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE DIAGNOSTIC FEE NEEDED TO DETERMINE THAT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT SEAT DETECTION MAT SENSOR. THIS FEE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED SINCE MINI ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A DEFECT FOR THE FRONT SEAT MAT SENSOR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

REPORTED TO MINI OF DALLAS : ITEM C : CLIENT STATES THE DASH AIRBAG LIGHT AND OFF AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON RANDOMLY WHILE AN ADULT IS SITTING AND NOT SITTING IS PASSENGER SEAT. THIS LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND OFF . 12/16/2014 REPORTED SAME THING TO PARKER MINI OF LITTLE ROCK, ADVISED REPAIR WOULD COST $1236.88. THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANY MORE. ASKED FOR A TRADE IN PRICE, THOROUGHLY INSULTED BY AMOUNT OFFERED, DUE TO AIRBAG PROBLEM. 1/22/2015 MINI OF LITTLE ROCK GOT PARTS IN AND FAULT WAS RESOLVED AT OWNERS EXPENSE OF $ 1236.88 INVOICE # 1MCS11292. PLEASE NOTE : THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM 2/9/2009 THRU 1/22/2015 WITH A PASSENGER AIRBAG THAT WAS NOT WORKING, THE VEHICLE BEING ILLEGALLY DRIVEN, NOT TO MENTION IF WE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DURING THAT TIME. WE WERE FORCED FOR OUR OWN SAFETY TO SPEND $1236.88 WHICH WE FEEL SHOULD BE REIMBURSED UNDER THIS RECALL. [XXX] [XXX] HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, AR 71909 [XXX] [XXX]@SBCGLOBAL.NET INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

PLEASE NOTE THAT BOTH MINI COOPER USA AND NW MINI (FIFE WASHINGTON) ARE DENYING THAT RECALL 15V205000 EXISTS. BOTH HAVE REFUSED TO HONOR THIS RECALL. I SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AT 866-825-1525 AND HE INDICATED THAT MINI VIEWS THIS AS "MEDIA HYPE" AND THAT THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ABOUT AN ACTUAL RECALL.

MY PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS BEEN INACTIVE FOR OVER TWO YEARS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT SENSOR. I RECENTLY SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT ACCORDING TO MY VIN MY VEHICLE HAS NO OPEN RECALLS SO IT WOULD SEEM I'M NOT COVERED BY THE CURRENT RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE ISSUE. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND LET ME KNOW AS I WOULD LOVE TO GET THIS FAULTY SAFETY FEATURE REPAIRED!

PARKED AT SHOPPING MALL AND NOT RUNNING FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, COME OUT TO MINI COOPER ON FIRE. SMOKE COMING OUT OF ENGINE AREA, HIGH PITCH FAN WHIRLING, ELECTRICAL SMELL. POWER STEERING FAILED, SHORTED OUT, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS NOT EVEN ON AND PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR FAILURE MANY OTHERS OWNING A MINI COOPER HAVE EXPERIENCED. BMW/MINI COOPER OF USA DID NOTHING FOR US AND PUT IT ALL ON OUR AND MY INSURANCES SHOULDERS. AMAZED SO MANY CASES OF THIS SAME ISSUE HAVE HAPPENED YET THEY DO NOTHING AND SEEM TO EXPECT EVERYONE ELSE TO FOOT THE BILL. GOT THE RUN AROUND BY BMW AND UNLESS IT WAS FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY, THE MINI WOULD HAVE BEEN SCRAPPED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1900. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,200. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN UPDATED 07/09/15*JB

I WAS DRIVING WHEN I SUDDENLY LOSS MY POWER STEERING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. *TR

DRIVING UP A RESIDENTIAL STREET ON MY RETURN FROM WORK, STEERING VERY ABRUPTLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. APPARENT POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *TR

PASSENGER BAG SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED FOR OVER TWO YEARS. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR TURNS OFF EVEN THOUGH A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE LATEST RECALL NOTICE BUT MINI USA HAS NOT INCLUDED MY VEHICLE. *TR

THE PASSENGER DETECTOR ON MY PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN MINI COOPERS AND BMWS OF THIS AGE. THE FIX IS COMPLETE $1500 SEAT REPLACEMENT AT THE DEALER. BMW HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE PARTS FOR ALL THE BMWS WHERE THIS OCCURS, BUT NOT THE MINIS. *TR

ON THE FIRST DAY OF OCCURRENCE, THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING. VERY DIFFICULT AND HARD STEERING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. MANAGED TO PARK SAFELY. STOPPED CAR AND TURNED OFF IGNITION. WAITED A FEW MINUTES. TURNED ON IGNITION AND NORMAL POWER STEERING RESUMED. OCCURRED ONE MORE TIME ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER. OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE COMING DAYS. IF IGNITION IS SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON, IT WILL RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULT STEERING AND MAINTAINING OF LANE ESPECIALLY ON CURVED ROADS AND TURNS. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED TO TURN OFF WITH VEHICLE. RESULTED IN BATTERY BEING DRAINED AND ULTIMATELY LOSS OF POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN, AND FLUID HAD TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF FAN BECOMING SEIZED, PUMP OVERHEATING AND FAILING. *TR

DASH LIGHT INDICATING A PASSENGER AIRBAG PROBLEM LIGHTS UP. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR/MAT FAILS WHICH RESULTS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG BEING DISABLED. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY FOR THE PASSENGER IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT COSTS OVER $1300 TO FIX BUT MINI WILL NOT ISSUE A WARRANTY CLAIM FOR IT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT MINI WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL ISSUED BY BMW (NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V564000). *TR

ABOUT 1 WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER AND THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION SIGN COMES ON THE DASH. IN THE MANUAL IT SAYS :IN THE EVENT OF A MALFUNCTION, HAVE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CHECKED IMMEDIATELY. OTHERWISE, THERE IS A RISK THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED IN RESPONSE TO A SEVERE IMPACT OCCURRING WITHIN THE SYSTEM'S NORMAL TRIGGERING RANGE. I HAVE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY BUT THEY TOLD ME IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE TO PAY 100 TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OKAY. BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THAT. *TR

PASSENGER SAFETY INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON. CALLED LOCAL MINI SERVICE CENTER AFTER READING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND THEY STATED THEY (MINI USA) HAVE/WILL NOT SERVICE/REPAIR THE FAULTY SEAT MODULE. THIS MUST BE CONSIDERED AS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE PASSENGER AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR RECALL. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2002-2005 COOPERS, BUT FOR SOME REASON OUR VIN IS NOT COVERED, WHY? OBVIOUSLY THE RECALL CAME LONG AFTER THE CARS WERE DELIVERED, DOES OUR REALLY HAVE A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER OF PUMP? WHY ISN'T OUR COVERED BY THE RECALL? *TR

MY 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE NEEDS THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. MY CAR HAS ONLY 92,000 MILES AND IT IS UNFAIR THAT ALREADY IT HAS TO BE REPLACE AT A RIDICULOUS COST. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT WITH BMW/MINI FOR THE TRANSMISSION THAT WENT WRONG. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE BESIDES MYSELF WHO WHERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS AND WERE LEFT OUT. MINI COOPER SHOULD RECALL THE TRANSMISSIONS .THERE ARE MANY FORUMS OF MINI COOPER OWNERS WHO ARE OUTRAGED AND HAVE SIMILAR SITUATIONS. PLEASE CONSIDER AND MAKE THIS COMPANY RECALL THE TRANSMISSIONS. THANK YOU *TR

ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE, MY BACK BUMPER WAS HIT BY SOMEONE,NOTHING TOO SERIOUS JUST THE TAIL LIGHT BROKEN. THEIR INSURANCE HAD MY CAR FIXED AT WORLD TOYOTA COLLISION CENTER IN ATLANTA GEORGIA. ON SATURDAY MORNING, I PICKED UP MY CAR. I NOTICED CLICKING NOISE COMING OUT FROM INSIDE THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMING RIGID AS SOON AS I STARTED DRIVING. I PULLED TO THE CLOSEST GAS STATION (WAS IN NEED OF GAS AS WELL). WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE FRONT RIGHT AFTER I PARKED. MY HUSBAND LIFTED UP THE HOOD TRYING TO SEE WHERE THE SMOKE IS FROM. NOT EVEN TWO MINUTES LATER, THERE WAS FLAME, YES, ACTUAL FIRE UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE TWO OFFICERS NEXT TO US AT THAT TIME SO THEY USED FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO TAKE THE FIRE DOWN. I'M EXTREMELY FRIGHTENED AND DISAPPOINTED AT MINI COOPER. VERY DANGEROUS CAR. *TR

MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN LEAKING FLUID FOR MONTHS AND HAD A SLIGHT STEERING RESISTANCE A MONTH OR SO BUT WAS RANDOM AND DIDN'T CONTINUE. NOW, IT REMAINS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT ALL TIMES. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT, NOTING THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF, REMAINS ON EVEN WITH A PASSENGER PRESENT. WITH NO PASSENGER PRESENT IN THE SEAT, IT STILL REMAINS ON, TELLING ME THE AIRBAG IS INACTIVE. THERE IS A WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THAT TRIGGERS THIS LIGHT, AND IT APPEARS THIS SENSOR IS FAULTY. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOW HAS REMAINED ON FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX FOR A VERY CHEAP PART, AND THAT THE REPAIR MUST ONLY BE DONE BY THE DEALER. I FEEL THAT MINI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS FIX, AS IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE ON THE CAR, AND IT HAS AFFECTED MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS, WITH CARS BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2005. *TR

AIRBAG SENSOR MAT IS FAULTY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. FOR ONE THING, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE PART; INTERNET FORUMS AND THE DEALERSHIP INDICATE THERE IS A BACKLOG FOR THIS PART. THIS SUGGESTS THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. ALSO, THE PART IS $900.00. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES $1,348.00 FOR LABOR. NO WONDER BMW/MINI ARE NOT INTERESTED IN EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO COVER AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. CAN YOU FOLLOW UP ON THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM? *TR

POWER STEERING WHINE *JS

RED AIR BAG LIGHT ON CENTER DASH AND YELLOW AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT JUST RECENTLY THE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE RESULTING IN HARD TO STEER SITUATION. *TR

POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE CORNERING CAUSING DRIVER TO USE HEAVY MANUAL FORCE TO CORNER THE VEHICLE THRU A TRICKY VIADUCT TRAIN BRIDGE PASSAGEWAY. WHILE MIDWAY INTO THE TURN, THE POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY "KICKED BACK ON" CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN VIOLENTLY ACROSS LANE AND NEARLY INTO CORNER OF CEMENT WALL HOLDING UP OVERHEAD TRAIN BRIDGE. OTHER CARS WERE MISSED, AND DRIVER STOPPED CAR WITH FRONT BUMPER SLIGHTLY TOUCHING VIADUCT CEMENT WALL. WIFE AND 7 YEAR OLD CHILD WERE ON THE IMPACT SIDE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHICH NOTED THE EHPS POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAILING. HE CLEANED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND INSTALLED A NEW COOLING FAN ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE PUMP WAS OVERHEATED AND PACKED WITH METAL DEBRIS. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO RETURN TO MINI AS POTENTIAL RECALL ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED BUT REFUTED BY MINI. POWER STEERING PUMP STILL HAS SIGNIFICANT NOISE AND IS SCHEDULED FOR REVIEW BY A MINI DEALER. *TR

A "POP" WAS HEARD WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON I95. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE CONSIDERING WHEN THE "POP" OCCURRED, MY MINI LOST POWER. AS I WAS PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. *TR

AROUND THIS TIME MY AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS DURING MY SERVICE VISIT (OCT 2009) AND I WAS TOLD THAT TO INVESTIGATE THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WOULD BE OVER $100 IN LABOR AS IT WOULD REQUIRE REMOVING THE SEAT. I DECLINED THE SERVICE. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON PERMANENTLY EVEN WITH PASSENGERS IN THE SEAT. I'VE RECENTLY DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF MINI RELATED TO A FAILURE OF THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MODEL YEARS OF BMW HAS RECENTLY RESULTED IN A RECALL. AS THIS IS LIKELY THE SAME PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING, AND AS THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, I AM REPORTING THIS TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE AIRBAG AND OCCUPANCY SENSOR ISSUE FOR MINI COOPER. *TR

POWER STEERING SYSTEM FIRE. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. FORTUNATELY I WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM IN A MINI AND THAT MINI IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS PART IS READILY AVAILABLE IN ALL DEALERSHIPS AND PARTS STORE INVENTORIES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THROUGH READING DISCUSSION ON THE INTERNET THAT MINI HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY IN 2002 TO 2005 MINIS UP TO 13 YEARS AND 100,000 MILES. MINE IS NOT COVERED AND I INCURRED A COST OF ALMOST $1,300 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE NEVER IN MY 50 YEARS OF DRIVING HAD A POWER STEERING FAILURE UNTIL THIS INCIDENT. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE MAY HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. SINCE THIS IS A FAIRLY LOW VOLUME VEHICLE THE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE AS QUICKLY NOTICED BY YOUR DEPARTMENT AS IF IT WERE A FORD FOCUS OR HONDA CIVIC. .I HAVE GREAT CONCERN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.. *TR

LOUD WHINE FROM POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT TURN AT 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

MY PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHTS GOES ON AND OFF. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF A PERSON IS IN THE SEAT. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS WILL WORK OR NOT. MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SUGGEST THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MININ PASSENGER WEIGHT SENSOR SIMILAR TO THE ONES IN BMWS. *TR

SAW ON THE WEB THAT MINI RECALLED AND THEN EXTENDED WARRANTY RECALL ON AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. THE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW DAYS AGO, BUT I CAN NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUTH IN THAT STATEMENT. SUPPOSEDLY 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR, HOWEVER, MINI STATES THAT MY VIN IS NOT COVERED (POSSIBLY BECAUSE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WHILE STATIONED WITH THE ARMY IN GERMANY). THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MINIUSA'S RESPONSE TO DATE. *TR

AT THE BEGINNING, THE STEERING PUMP MAKES SOME NOISES AND A FEW WEEKS LATER, MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT, REALLY HEARD TO STEER ESPECIALLY AT THE LOWER SPEED AND AT THE CORNER. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT (TYPICALLY ONLY ON WHEN SOMEONE UNDER-WEIGHT IE. CAR SEAT IS PRESENT) REMAINS ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT OR NOT. *TR

STEERING EFFORT INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY DURING LOW SPEED DRIVING AND AT ANY SPEED DURING TURNING. POWER STEERING APPEARS TO BE INOPERATIVE. *TR

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENT. UPON REVIEW OF THIS SITE WARRANTY EXTENSION ON POWER-ASSIST STEERING PUMP AND COOLING FAN PUMP WAS ISSUED. DESPITE THE EXTENSION OF WARRANTY AND LACK OF DEALER OR AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITY IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, MINI REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY UNLESS CUSTOMER TOWED VEHICLE, AT CUSTOMER'S EXPENSE, TO NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 80 MILES AWAY. LEAVING WARRANTY EXTENSION ON KNOWN PROBABLE DEFECTIVE CONDITION WORTHLESS. BELIEVE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE IF RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED RELATING TO POWER ASSIST STEERING PUMP FAILURES. *TR

WHEN PASSENGER EXITED VEHICLE, LIGHT AIRBAG OFF NOTIFICATION CAME ON. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME SOMEONE EXITS THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALSO AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT & SEATBELT NOT BUCKLED LIGHT COME ON. *TR

PULLED2005 MINI COOPER S IN GARAGE, BRAKES WORKED FINE. NEXT DAY, BACKED CAR OUT THE GARAGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES AT ALL! NO FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR SO I REFILLED IT BUT STILL NO BRAKES AT ALL. HAD CAR FLAT BEDDED TO WALSH'S GARAGE 7 MILE RD REDFORD,MI 313-532-2823 REAR BRAKE LINES WERE TOTALLY RUSTED THRU WHERE THE BRAKE LINES ARE HELD UP TO THE FRAME. LINES WERE RUSTED THRU UNDER THE BRACKET THAT IS TACKED TO THE FRAME. I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR IN THE WINTER AND HARDLY EVER IN THE RAIN SO I CAN JUST IMAGINE WHAT THE BRAKE LINES WOULD LIKE IF I DROVE IT IN THE WINTER IN MICHIGAN?? I CONTACTED MINI USA AND THEY DID NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT MY BRAKE FAILURE?? THE REP STATED: " WHAT DO U WANT MINI TO DO ABOUT IT? *TR

SRS LIGHT CAME ON...PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR ISSUE. *TR

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND SAYS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND IT IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS THAT THERE IS CONFLICTING INFORMATION NOT THERE AS TO WEATHER THE AIR BAGS WILL WORK OR NOT IN THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER FIX COST BETWEEN 1000 AND 1200 DOLLARS TO FIX. THESE SAFETY ITEMS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR AND NOT COST THIS MUCH TO REPAIR. WHY ISN'T BMW RECALLING THIS CAR AND FIXING AN OBVIOUS DEFECT? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE FAILURE WAS 60,000.

WAS DRIVING AT 45MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS DIFFERENT WITH THE STEERING. SLOWED DOWN AND TURNED AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION AND IT WAS LIKE DRIVING A TANK. COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING FASTER. *JS

MY PROBLEM IS WITH A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHY IS THEIR NOT A RECALL ON THE WATER PUMP? IT HAS BEEN KNOW FOR GOING OUT PREMATURE AND BMW HAS REDESIGNED THE NEW PUMPS WITH A METAL IMPELLER INSTEAD OF PREVIOUS PLASTIC. TALKING TO THE DEALER, THEY MADE ME FEEL FORTUNATE THAT MY WATER PUMP MADE IT TO 50,000 MILES STATING THEY REPLACE MANY WATER PUMPS IN THE 1ST GENERATION SERIES AROUND 20,000 MILES. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS DANGEROUS, AS THE FAILURE CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND REQUIRES YOU TO SHUT OFF THE CAR, AND SIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CARS ARE NOT MADE TO OVER HEAT. THIS GREATLY INCREASES THE CHANCE OF A FIRE. BMW KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT IS NOT RECALLING THE WATER PUMPS UNTIL 2006-2011. I THINK THE 1ST GENERATION MINIS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME RECALL AS MOST MINIS INCLUDING MINE HAS/HAD A WATER PUMP ISSUE AND WOULD LIKE OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I HAVE CAUGHT MINE EARLY BUT ONLY BECAUSE I JACK UP MY MINI TO CLEAN THE UNDERBODY ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. MINI COOPERS ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR WATER PUMPS, THERMOSTATS, AND POWER STEERING, FAILING. I AM 18 YEARS OLD AND WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS CAR TO TRAVEL FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO WISCONSIN IN THE FUTURE, YET IF MY COOLANT SYSTEM (WATER PUMP OR THERMOSTAT) COULD GO OUT AGAIN AT ANY TIME AND COST A FORTUNE TO REPLACE AND LEAVE ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY. I WILL BE TAKING A PLANE EVERY TIME I TRAVEL A FEW HUNDRED MILES AND RENT A CAR. THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED! I JUST PAID 1200 FOR MINI TO REPLACE A WATER PUMP THAT SHOULD HAVE HAD AT THE LEAST 30-50 THOUSAND MILES MORE. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS REMAIN ON WITH OR WITHOUT SOMEONE IN THE SEAT. CAUSES CONCERN IF AIRBAGS WILL OPERATE IN A CRASH. *TR

DRIVING APPROX. 15 MILES - MOSTLY INTERSTATE - TO ATTEND A FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY DINNER. WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. I PROCEEDED TO A PARKING SPACE AND SAW SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I RELEASED THE HOOD I COULD SEE AN ORANGE GLOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE (NIGHT TIME). WITHIN 30 SECONDS IT BURST INTO FLAMES. A 911 CALL TO LOCAL FIRE FIGHTERS WAS PLACED WHO RESPONDED WITHIN 15 MINUTES. SINCE THERE WERE TWO RESTAURANTS IN THE COMPLEX, EMPLOYEES OF EACH ONE HAD COME OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY WORK PLACE, FROM MY WORK PLACE TO ANOTHER CITY FOR REPAIRS. ONLY THE ACTUAL REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE TOWING OR RENTALS. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND A WEEK AFTER PICKING MY CAR UP, I HAD OTHER THINGS TO GO OUT ON THE CAR CAUSED BY THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE. (DOMINO EFFECT). THE CAR HAD TO GO BACK INTO A SHOP WHERE IT TOOK MORE THAN 3 WEEKS TO GET ALL PARTS IN AND REPAIRS MADE, WHILE I INCURRED YET MORE EXPENSE OF A RENTAL CAR. I AM NOW IN DEBT ALMOST $3,000.00 AS A DIRECTLY RESULT OF THIS FAULTY SYSTEM. *TR

STARTED OUT BEING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM,WHERE IT WOULD SEEM THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT OFF THEN COME BACK ON, MAKING HARD TO JUDGE IF YOU COULD JUST RELAX TO STEER OR NOT, NOW ITS MORE OFF THAN ON. CALLED THE MINI ASSISTANCE NUMBER BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS ISSUE, WAS TOLD THERE WAS BUT MY VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR IT, AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS FOR VEHICLES 2002-2005, MINES A 2005 AND MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED. DON'T UNDERSTAND. *TR

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED AND OVERHEAD LIGHT SIGNALED PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" EVEN THOUGH AN ADULT MALE (168 POUNDS) WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. MULTIPLE EXPERIENCES OVER SEVERAL DAYS. NO MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WHEN THE SEAT WAS EMPTY, ONLY WHEN OCCUPIED BY A BONAFIDE ADULT. *TR

I GOT IN MY VEHICLE AND SHUT THE DOOR. I TURN THE KEY TO ON, THE LOCKS WENT DOWN (LOCKS USUALLY GO DOWN WHEN CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING) I TURNED THE KEY FURTHER TO START THE ENGINE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN, THE SUN ROOF WOULD NOT OPEN, THE FOB WOULD NOT WORK, AT THAT POINT I WAS LOCKED IN MY CAR. I HAD TO KICK OUT THE WINDOW TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. WHEN I DID GET OUT, I RE ENTERED THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD AND JIGGLED THE BATTERY CONNECTION. I SHUT THE HOOD AND TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT STARTED. I NOTICED AS I WAS DRIVING IT HOME THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE STEERING COLLUM WERE NOT WORKING AND THAT WHEN I PARKED IT AT HOME THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER AND JUST LOST THE POWER STEERING. A COUPLE TIMES RECENTLY IT WAS HARD TO STEER WHILE PARALLEL PARKING, BUT OK ON THE ROAD. THIS MORNING IT COMPLETELY FAILED ON THE WAY TO THE HIGHWAY. THE WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN AND JUST MANAGED TO GET IT BACK TO THE HOUSE, WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY. I SEE ON THE INTERNET NOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING PUMP SINCE 2011 THAT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT BEFORE. WHY ARE OWNERS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS? I COULD HAVE HAD A BAD ACCIDENT IF THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT THAT WARNS OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BEING TURNED OFF COMES ON SOMETIMES WHEN NOBODY IS IN THE SEAT AND SOMETIMES WHEN A FULL SIZED ADULT IS IN THE SEAT. *TR FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS MEANS THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND THE AIRBAG COULD EITHER FAIL TO WORK OR DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD NOT. I HAVE LEARNED THAT BMW ISSUED RECALLS FOR MANY OF THEIR CARS BUILT WITH THIS PARTICULAR SEAT SENSOR BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO WITH THE MINI. ARE YOU AWARE OF A RECALL FOR THE MINI? WE ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT USING THIS CAR TO CARRY A PASSENGER BUT WE HAVE TO DO SO EVERY DAY. YOUR HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

WAS DRIVING NORMALLY ON 4/8/14 , TURNED NORMALLY UNTIL I TOOK A SLIGHT CURVE AND STEERING WHEEL GOT VERY STIFF & HARD TO TURN FROM THEN ON . UNTIL NOW IT REMAINS VERY HARD TO DRIVE . *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL CURVY HIGHWAY AT APPROX 35MPH WHEN MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT GOING AROUND A CURVE. I ALMOST DROVE INTO THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP MAKING NOISE WHEN CAR IS OFF, DRAINING BATTERY. EMINENT FAILURE. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE CAR SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES OFF, OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WHENEVER THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THE PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT HAS NO RELIABLE AIRBAG PROTECTION. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER THREE YEARS IN MY CAR. ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS ON 5/31/11. STILL NO ACTION. EMAILED MINI USA AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO HELP. THIS WAS DONE ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE START DYING BEFORE THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS FIXED BY MINI? I AM NOT THE ONLY MINI OWNER HAVING THIS PROBLEM. BMW HAS RECALLED CARS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY DEEMED THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHY SHOULDN'T MINI? CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

SUDDEN FAILURE OF POWER STEERING RESULTING IN VERY HIGH STEERING EFFORT, TRACED BY DEALER TO A WELL-KNOWN FAILURE MODE IN ELECTROHYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP. PUMP AND ASSOCIATED FAN WERE REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER SPECIAL ("SECRET") WARRANTY COVERAGE, DUE TO COMMON INCIDENCE OF THIS FAILURE. EXISTENCE OF THIS SPECIAL WARRANTY WAS FOUND ONLY AFTER SEARCH AND LOCATION OF MANY IDENTICAL FAILURES ON THE INTERNET. THE VEHICLE BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE COMPLETELY DISCHARGED UPON ARRIVAL AT DEALERSHIP. ONCE A SHOP BATTERY WAS CONNECTED, THE PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IGNITION WAS IN THE FULL OFF POSITION. ALSO, THE ALTERNATOR WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE STRESS IMPOSED BY THE DEFECTIVE PUMP ON THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. COST OF ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS KNOWN FAILURE MODE IS BELIEVED TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY DEFECT. FORMAL RECALL OF AFFECTED VEHICLES BY NHTSA IS WARRANTED, SINCE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SPEED CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. *JS

FAILURE TO POWERSTEERING STARTED ACTING UP IN JANUARY OF 2014 AFTER I GOT MY O2 SENOR REPLACED. WAS TOLD TO CONTINUED TO DRIVE CAR BECAUSE THE O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO RECALIBRATE ITSELF. SO NOW IN APRIL 9TH 2014, WHILE GETTING READY TO TAKE OFF FOR WORK,I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR, CALLED AAA TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THIS IS WHEN I WAS INFORMED IT WAS IN FACT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME 1700 TO REPLACE, IM OUTRAGED. *JS

POWER STEERING WENT OUT ABRUPTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. *JS

MY AIR BAG LITE CAME ON.WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING.I HAD MY SYSTEM CHECKED. I FOUND THAT THE SEAT HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 2000 $.BMW HAS RECALL ON ALL 3,5,7 SERIES.BUT NOT ON MINI. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER S FAILED, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE CAR. A SERVICE SHOP INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE MINI'S. MY IS OUT OF THE WARANTEE, HOWVERE IT ONLY HAS 45K MILES. WHEN I CALLED BMW/ MINI NORTH AMERICA TO DISCUSS A REMEDY BUT THEY TOLD ME THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY CAR WAS NOT ONE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM, WHILE MY CAR IS A 2005 WITH VERY LOW MILAGE THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER TO HELP ME REPLACE THE PART AS MY CARS PRODUCTION DATE IS JUNE 2005, WHICH IS PAST THE PRODUCTION DATE FOR CARS GETTING THE EXTENDED WARANTEE ON P/S PUMPS. IT SEAMS UNSCROPLOUS TO HIDE FROM RESPONSABILITY OF FAULTY PARTS, ALSO POTENTIAL SAFTY ISSUE. WHILE MY CAR MAY BE PRODUCED A FEW MONHS AFTER THE PRODUCTION DATE FROM THE CARS THEY ARE WILLING TO WARANTEE, IT APPERARS I AM SUFFERING FROM SAME ISSUES AS THE OTHERES THEY ARE WARANTEEING. VERRY DISCURAGING BMW/MINI. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON! PASSENGER LIGHT TURNS OFF AND ON WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. PASSENGER WARNING LIGHT GOES OFF WITH OUT PASSENGER IN SEAT. I LOOKED ON SEVERAL INTERNET FORMS AND THIS SEAMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MINI HAS HAD FOR SOME TIME WITHOUT A RECALL. THE FIX FOR MOST PROBLEMS IS AN EXPENSIVE 1200.0 TO 1400.00 SEAT SENSOR . I FILL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WHICH MINI SHOULD ADDRESS . *TR

MY POWER STEERING JUST TOTALLY WENT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A CORNER AND I CAME WITHIN INCHES OF PLOWING THROUGH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THIS SOON. POWERS STEERING WILL NOW COME ON INTERMITTENT. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE BY MINI USA. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND UNSAFE AS THE TRANSMISSION COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME, STRANDING THE DRIVER OR CAUSING A FIRE. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP STOPPED WORKING THE FIRST TIME WHEN I STOPPED TO GET A SANDWICH. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR TO DRIVE OFF THE STEERING WAS VERY HEAVY. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF ONCE AGAIN SO I COULD LOOK UNDER THE HOOD TO CHECK THINGS OUT BUT EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE SO I RESTARTED THE ENGINE TO TRY TO DRIVE OFF AGAIN AND THE STEERING STILL WAS VERY HEAVY. NO POWER ASSIST. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES SINCE, ONE TIME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR

POWER STEERING, PERIODICALLY STOPS WORKING. IT USUALLY DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE CAR STARTS UP AND WILL THEN START WORKING. IT HAS NOW STOPS WORKING AT UNEXPECTED TIMES AND SEEMS TO COME BACK ON AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I WAS ONLY TWO HOUSES FROM MY HOME GOING AROUND SMALL CURVE THOUGHT MY CAR HAD CUT OFF THEN REALIZED ONLY THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT VERY HARD TO STEER IF HAD BEEN ON HWY AT MED RATE OF SPEED COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE CAR AND POSSIBLE WRECK. *TR

MY CAR STARTED WITH A LOW HUM AND AS TIME HAS GONE BY THE SOUND HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND EVER SINCE THE SOUND HAS BEEN THERE THE POWER STEERING HAS INTERMITTENTLY GONE OUT, BUT NOW IS OUT ALMOST ALL THE TIME. MY WIFE DRIVES THE VEHICLE THE MOST BUT WE WERE PLANNING ON GIVING IT TO OUR 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER FOR HER GRADUATION PRESENT BUT NOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AN ALL THE TIME THING WE WILL HAVE TO GO PURCHASE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE FOR HER. IT IS JUST FRUSTRATING THAT AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND THEM BEING THE SAME IT ALMOST SEEMS USELESS TO FILE A COMPLAINT DUE TO MINI NOT WANTING THEIR VEHICLES TO BE GOOD. ALSO ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT IS ALWAYS LIT. *TR

AFTER I TURNED MY CAR OFF, A NOISE LIKE A FAN KEPT RUNNING. IT DRAINED THE BATTERY CAUSING ME TO GET MY CAR JUMPED. THEN POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AND WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AFTER STRUGGLING TO TURN VEHICLE AND OPERATE SAFELY, THE FAN DID IT AGAIN, AFTER 5 MINUTES BATTERY WAS DEAD. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR OF MINI I HAVE FOUND AFTER RESEARCHING TONIGHT, AND I AM VERY DISPLEASED TO SEE THAT CANADA HAS RECALLED THIS ISSUE AND THE USA HAS NOT! PEOPLE COULD GET SERIOUSLY INJURED. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON AS TO WHY, OR WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS BMW IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY IN US AS THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO IN CANADA!!! I AM A YOUNG, FEMALE COLLEGE STUDENT AND IT WAS VERY SCARY BEING STUCK AND THEN NOT TO HAVE STEERING EITHER. *TR

AROUND JUNE 2008 MY MINI COOPER S 2005 BEGAN EXHIBITING WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENT SPEED WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT RPM. I EXPERIENCED SLOW, OR SLUGGISH ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON SPORADICALLY. I TOOK MY MINI, WHICH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY IN FOR SERVICE TO BMW/MINI OF SAN ANTONIO AND WAS REASSURED THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING NORMAL SHIFTING MECHANICS. THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DETECT WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. I EXPERIENCED THESE IDIOSYNCRATIC ISSUES CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND BEGAN TO NOTICE THE CAR JUMPING HIGHER AND LOWER IN SPEED DURING ACCELERATION IN MORE REGULAR INTERVALS. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010 THE ENGINE WOULD LURCH INTO GEAR, SECONDS AFTER FAILING TO CHANGE GEARS EFFECTIVELY. AT TIMES, THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY DROP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. I BEGAN TAKING MY CAR INTO A BMW/MINI CERTIFIED SHOP IN AUSTIN, TX. AFTER MUCH TIME, MONEY, AND TROUBLE, PLUS MANY VISITS TO THE MECHANIC, MY MINI COOPER'S CONDITION DETERIORATED COMPLETELY. WHILE IN BUSY TRAFFIC MY MINI LURCHED FORWARD AND STALLED COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE DRIVING BEFORE I COULD GET IT OFF THE BUSY ROADWAY. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY VEHICLES BEHIND MINE, THESE DRIVERS HAD TO MAKE EXTREME EVASIVE MANEUVERS IN ORDER NOT TO HIT ME, THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM, OR BE REAR ENDED THEMSELVES. THIS UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS INCIDENT ENDANGERED MY LIFE, AND WAS THE LAST FOR MY MINI, RESULTING IN COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN JULY 2011. I SOUGHT OPINIONS ON MY OPTIONS, SHOP QUOTES TO FIX MY VEHICLE, ALL AROUND $10,000. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED OR ALTERED, IT STANDS AS IT DID THE DAY OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT WAS TOWED FROM THE SHOP TO STORAGE. MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCE DOCUMENTED. WHY WAS THERE NO RECALL? CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS IN CALIFORNIA AND NEW JERSEY. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER S FAILED, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE CAR SAFELY IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A SERVICE SHOP AND LATER DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I CALLED MINI, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY CAR WAS NOT ONE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS A MODEL YEAR 2005. THEY OFFERED NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER TO HELP ME REPLACE THE PART. A NEW PART WAS QUOTED AS 1300 DOLLARS, AND THAT WAS ASIDE FROM THE LABOR. FOR COST REASONS, IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO INSTALL A REFURBISHED PART INSTEAD, WHICH GIVES ME CONCERNS ABOUT FUTURE FAILURES. *TR

CAME HOME ON TUESDAY NIGHT FROM MY GIRLFRIENDS HOUSE THEN IN THE MORNING MY BATTERY WAS DEAD. AS CONFUSED AS I WAS SINCE I KNEW I DIDNT LEAAVE ANY LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ON WENT AHEAD AND DECIDED TO JUMP THE CAR AND AS SOON AS I CONNECTED THE CABLES I HEARD A NOISE ALMOST LIKE A FAN NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. I THEN PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE HOOD AND SEE OR TRY AND HEAR WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. DECIDED TO LIFT THE CAR UP AND GET UNDERNEATH TO SEE WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS FROM INSIDE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. CHECKED FLUIDS AND WAS OK BUT FOR SOME ODD REASON THE PUMP JUST STAYS ON WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF SO TO PREVENT BATTERY DRAINAGE I HAVE TO DISCONNECT A BATTERY TERMINAL EVERY TIME I NEED TO USE THE CAR. IM REQUESTING THAT MINIUSA TAKE CARE OF THIS BEING THAT THERE IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY DAUGHTER'S CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ABOUT THREE (3) WEEKS AGO WHILE SHE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LUCKILY SHE THOUGHT ENOUGH AND TURNED THE CAR OFF SO THE DAMAGE WAS ONLY TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND WIRING HARNESS . ONCE WE DISCOVERED WHAT HAD CAUGHT FIRE WE DID RESEARCH ON HOW TO MAKE THE REPAIR(S) AND CAME ACROSS THE RECALL FOR 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLES POWER STEERING PUMPS, THEY ARE RECALLING THEM BECAUSE THEY FAIL AND SOMETIMES CATCH FIRE. THE RECALL IS FOR CARS PRODUCED UNTIL FEBRUARY 2005 AND MINE, ACCORDING TO THE DOOR STICKER, WAS PRODUCED IN MARCH 2005 SO MINI WILL NOT MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY 'FIXED' THE ISSUE. ONCE WE GOT UNDER THE CAR AND PULLED THE POWER STEERING PUMP OFF YOU COULD CLEARLY SEE IT WAS BURNED, THE LARGER POWER STEERING PUMP CONNECTOR WAS COMPLETELY BURNED AND MELTED TOGETHER, WE COULDN'T EVEN REMOVE THE PUMP WITHOUT CUTTING THE WIRING HARNESS. WHEN WE GOT THE PUMP OFF YOU COULD SEE THE PUMP WAS BURNED ON THE INSIDE AS WELL SO APPARENTLY THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMPS FAILING AND CATCHING FIRE. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH MINI NORTH AMERICA AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUED BECAUSE WELL, THERE'S NOT AN ISSUE, AGAIN ACCORDING TO THEM. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE SO I WILL RESEARCHING THAT AVENUE. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER S AND MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF A CURVE! I FORTUNATELY MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND LIMP TO THE PARKING LOT TO PULL OVER. THEN, I TURNED THE CAR OFF TO GET OUT, AND DISCOVERED MY POWER STEERING PUMP WAS STILL RUNNING EVEN WITH THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF!? I WAS AFRAID THAT THIS WOULD CAUSE A MELTDOWN OR FIRE, SO I QUICKLY CALLED A MINI DEALER TO ASK HOW TO SHUT THE PUMP OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED! THE BATTERY HAD TO REMAIN DISCONNECTED WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF OR THE PUMP WOULD RUN CONTINUOUSLY. I DID NOT FEEL THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. MY POWER STEERING WAS NOW UNPREDICTABLY INTERMITTENT WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING. THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY FAIL AND THEN SUDDENLY COME BACK ON, CAUSING A JERK-AND-SWERVE REACTION IN THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ME WHILE DRIVING. SO I CALLED MINI USA TO REPORT THE PROBLEM, AND I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A MINI DEALER. THE MINI DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE KNOWN POWER STEERING FAILURE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ASSOCIATED PUMP COOLING FAN FOR MODEL YEARS 2002-2005 FOR UP TO 13 YEARS/150,000 MILES. BUT MINI USA DENIED COVERAGE DESPITE MY CAR ONLY HAVING APPROX 70,000 MILES, CLAIMING THAT THEY STOPPED COVERAGE AFTER FEB 2005 BECAUSE THE NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE INSTALLED AFTER FEB 2005. MY CAR WAS BUILT IN MAY 2005 AND WAS PROVEN BY THE MINI DEALER TO HAVE THE ORIGINAL FAULTY POWER STEERING PARTS, NOT THE NEWLY DESIGNED PARTS. I AM REPORTING THIS AS A KNOWN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD INSTEAD BE A SAFETY RECALL, RATHER THAN THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT MINI USA DOES NOT PROPERLY ADVERTISE OR HONOR, SO THAT ALL MINI OWNERS WILL GET THEIR STEERING CHECKED BEFORE ANYTHING BAD HAPPENS. *TR

IN AN OFFSET FRONTAL ACCIDENT, BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EVEN WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNOCCUPIED. BASED UPON INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOUT THIS VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM. THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE SUFFERED A SERIOUS SECOND DEGREE BURN APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER TO THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT WRIST. THE LONG SLEEVE SWEATER DRIVER WAS WEARING HAD A LARGE HOLE BURNED THRU IT IN THE LOCATION OF THE BURN TO THE WRIST. THIS BURN WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR BAG HOT GAS DISCHARGE. HANDS WERE BETWEEN THE 9 & 10 AND 2 & 3 O'CLOCK POSITIONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER WAS SITTING CORRECTLY POSITIONED RELATIVE TO STEERING WHEEL AND WAS PROPERLY WEARING THE SEAT BELT. *TR

OCCUPANT SEAT SENSOR FAILURE IN PASSENGER SEAT, AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STOPS AIRBAG OPERATION. I BELIEVE MINI/BMW IS LIABLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD FIX IT UNDER RECALL. SEVERAL PASSENGERS HAVE REFUSED TO RIDE IN MY CAR FOR FEAR OF SAFETY. PART IS $1200 PLUS INSTALLATION AND REPROGRAMMING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON KNOWN ISSUE. MINI/BMW'S NEGLIGENCE ON THIS ISSUE IS ASTONISHING. *TR

WHEN MY MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE ONLY HAD AROUND 85,000 MILE ON SPEEDOMETER MY TRANSMISSION WOULD SUDDENLY HAVE DIFFICULTY GOING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR AND STALL WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED BY CARS BEHIND ME NOT EXPECTING ME TO STALL. UPON RESEARCHING WEB THERE ARE MANY SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL VEHICLE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MINI USA DID NOT AGREE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A RECALL BEFORE SOME ONE IS KILLED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 35 MPH STEERING THROUGH A CURVE WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT REQUIRED MAJOR EFFORT TO KEEP THE CAR TURNING THROUGH THE CURVE TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON OCCURRENCE ON FIRST GENERATION MINI COOPERS AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO TYPICALLY DRIVES THE CAR HAD BEEN AT THE WHEEL AT THE TIME THIS COULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC RESULTS BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE STEERING OF THE CAR. A CAR SHOULDN'T BE AT RISK OF HAVING MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURES WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED I OR MY HUSBAND HAVE LOST POWER STEERING IN OUR 2005 MINI COOPER S. THIS ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEER PUMP & FAN HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING PROBLEM IN THESE MINIS. (THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE RECALL IN CANADA.) THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE AS IT IS A SUDDEN ONSET. IT IS PROBLEMATIC AT SLOW OR FAST SPEEDS. I CAN BARELY STEER THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IN/OUT OF OUR GARAGE OR IN/OUT OF PARKING SPACES. I HAVE HAD TO FIND PARKING IN STRATEGIC AREAS MOST OFTEN WHERE I COULD PULL STRAIGHT IN A SPOT AND PULL STRAIGHT OUT. IT IS ALSO SCARY ON RAMPS OR INTERSTATE AS INSTEAD OF HAVING A RESPONSIVE SPORTY CAR IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING A TANK THAT YOU CANNOT CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN LAST 10-12 MONTHS. IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT IN LAST FEW MONTHS. WE RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR "WARRANTY EXTENSION/ REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT" AND CALLED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BUT WERE TOLD MINI HAD BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE PARTS. WE CALLED AND THEY NOW SAY THEY HAVE THE PARTS SO WE DROVE NEARLY 1 HOUR TO DEALERSHIP AND NOW THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE THE PART HAS NOT FAILED. THEY STATE THEY DROVE IT AND THERE HAS BEEN NO FAILURE. I WOULD GUESS IT HAS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT ABOUT AVERAGE 1X/WEEK BUT MORE FREQUENT AS TIME PROGRESSES. THE FAILURE MAY END UP BEING ME... IN A CASKET! *TR

LAST DECEMBER MY STEERING WENT OUT ON MY CAR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS IN THE PROCESS. I CALLED MINI NORTH AMERICA TO DISCUSS MY FINDINGS AND TO SEE IF A RECALL WAS IN THE WORKS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT STATED SHE WASN'T AWARE OF ANY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER AND HAD TO HAVE 4,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. WATER PUMP, SUPER CHARGER AND SEVERAL BEARINGS. I THEN GET A LETTER IN EARLY JUNE OF 2013 STATING THAT A RECALL WAS IN THE WORKS AND TO SEND ALL MY INFORMATION IN FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT I QUALIFY AND THAT A CHECK WAS GOING TO BE CUT AND SENT OUT BY THE END OF JUNE OR EARLY AUGUST. WHEN THE CHECK DIDN'T ARRIVE, I CONTINUED TO CALL MINI NORTH AMERICA AND I KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND. I WAS TOLD IT WAS GOING TO BE LATE SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER. I JUST CALLED AGAIN TODAY AND NOW I'M TOLD IT WILL BE CUT BEFORE THE NEW YEAR. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE PUT SOMEONE'S HAND ON THE FIRE AND GET THIS RESOLVED? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAULTY COOLING FAN, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT AND EXPOSE MELTED WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,057.

MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE WHEN HE SMELLED WIRES BURNING AND SMOKE, WENT TO PULL OVER AND THE CAR WAS HARD TO CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE POWER STEER PUMPS ELECTRONICS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THE ADJACENT PARTS. UPON CONTACT RAULPH SCHOMP MINI COOPER DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CARS BEING REPLACED FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE CAR JUST HAD MAJOR WORK DONE TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM A YEAR AND HALF AGO BY THE SAME DEALER. SPOKE WITH THE MINI USA REP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT BEING COVERED. *TR

THE AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSION JUST DOWN SHIFTED AND NOW WON'T GO INTO HIGH GEAR. THIS WILL HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY AND WILL SHIFT AND CLUNK INTO GEAR. BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION BUT WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *JS

WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY CUT OFF COMPLETELY. LUCKILY, I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, BUT IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PARALLEL PARK MY CAR. THE NEXT DAY, THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. *JS

THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTS AND STOPS WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. YOU CAN BE DRIVING AND THE PUMP STOPS AND THE STEERING GETS VERY HARD. THE PUMP ALSO RUNS AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE PROBLEM BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT FOR TWO MONTHS UNTIL PARTS CAME IN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN AND THEN WHEN THEY RAN THE VIN THEY SAID THE CUTOFF WAS IN FEB AND MY CAR WAS BUILT IN APRIL SO IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.I CALLED MINI AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WORKED EXTENSIVELY WITH YOU TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YEARS HAD THE BAD PARTS. WHEN I LOOK ON LINE I SEE MANY PROBLEMS NOTED FOR 2005 AND EVEN 2006 AND IT LOOKS LIKE CANADA MADE THEM RECALL THE CARS. WOULD YOU REVISIT AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE 2005 MODELS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THANK YOU *TR

I WAS DRIVING AND LOST ALL POWER IN MY STEERING. VERY HARD TO TURN, NEARLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT CROSSING THE YELLOW LINE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. RECOVERED AND DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. *JB

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT IS ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINIS AND CERTAIN BMWS. MINI HAS VOLUNTARILY REPAIRED THE DEFECT IN SOME VEHICLES BUT IS REFUSING TO REPAIR OTHERS. MINI TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER, PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY'D THINK ABOUT A REPAIR. I HAVE NO FAITH IN THEIR WILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE A REPAIR SINCE ETHER HAVE REFUSED THE REPAIR REPEATEDLY TO OTHER CONSUMERS. THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE, AND APPEARS TO CLEARLY BE A DEFECT RATHER THAN AN EXPECTED WEARING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TT

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THIS 2005 MINI COOPER STAYS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. DEALER ADVISED ON 8/19/2011 THAT THIS WOULD COST $1229.88 TO REPLACE THE SEAT MAT SENSOR BUT TOLD OWNER THAT THE AIRBAG WAS WORKING, IT WAS JUST THE SENSOR/LIGHT THAT DIDN'T WORK. MANY, MANY COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH THE 2005 MINI MODELS ARE ON THE INTERNET. DEALERS REFUSE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE LIGHT IS ON AND THE REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE, PASSENGERS TAKE A RISK THAT THE AIRBAG WON'T WORK AT ALL. *TR

AIR BAG INDICATOR CAME ON, AND THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" INDICATOR CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. CALLED MINI COOPER OF PENSACOLA, FL AND THEY SAID THE CAR WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THE BAG WOULD DEPLOY IF THEIR WAS AN ACCIDENT AT FULL FORCE. I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY GRAND DAUGHTER AND FEEL THE AIR BAGS SHOULD BE ACTIVE AND OPERABLE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I FEEL BMW IS NEGLIGENT IN NOT RECALLING THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTING A MAJOR FLAW, AND INHERENT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

MY COOLING FAN BURNED OUT CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN MY MODEL YEAR AND THAT THE WARRANTY ON THAT PART HAD BEEN EXTENDED. HOWEVER, MINI CLAIMS THAT THEY STARTED PUTTING NEW PUMPS IN FEB OF 2005. MY CAR WAS MADE IN MAR OF 2005 AND THUS THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. I WENT THE EXTRA STEP AND HAD THE DEALER DO A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH FOUND THAT MY CAR HAS THE SAME PART WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. STILL MINI WILL NOT COVER IT. ONE OF THE REPS TRIED TO COVER IT UP BY TELLING ME THAT THERE IS CONFUSION ON THE PART NUMBER MATCHING BECAUSE THEY USED THE SAME PART NUMBER WHEN THEY CHANGED THE OEM PART. THAT DOES NOT COMPUTE BECAUSE IF THAT WERE TRUE, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO ACCURATELY DISTINGUISH THE GOOD PARTS FROM THE BAD ONES. THERE 222 OTHER STEERING COMPLAINTS AT NTSB SO I'M NOT ONLY ONE. I'M CALLING A LAWYER BECAUSE THIS IS RIDICULOUS. HOW CAN MINI LET CARS THAT HAVE A KNOWN SAFETY RISK CONTINUE TO BE ON THE ROADS? *TR

POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY. SINCE THIS DATE THE POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH ON A ONE LANE STREET, I TRIED TO NEGOTIATE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAR RAN OFF THE ROADWAY AND COLLIDED WITH SOME SHRUBBERY. *TR

I HAD A TEMPORARY LOST OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. I DROVE TO A FEW BLOCKS TO STOP. THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A MONTH EARLIER OR SO. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, I HAD A VERY HARD TIME TO STEER THE CAR AND FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PARK. *TR

THE FIRST OF MULTIPLE STEERING FAILURES OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT, THANKFULLY. NONE HAS YET TO HAPPEN ON INTERSTATE OR AT A DEADLY RATE OF SPEED, WHICH THAT WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE VERY FAST IF A CHILD RIDING ON THEIR BIKE UNEXPECTEDLY DARTED IN FRONT OF YOU. IF THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AT THAT MOMENT IT WOULD BE OVER FOR THE KID. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A KNOWN, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, ISSUED GOES UNADDRESSED. I'M BEWILDERED. *TR

IN SEPTEMBER 2012 I NOTICED A LOUD FAN NOISE THAT WOULDN'T TURN OFF. THE CAR WAS ALSO OVERHEATING. I NOTICED THAT IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER THE CAR, BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS DUE TO THE OVERHEATING. MECHANIC DETERMINED FAILED CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IN 11/2012. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. IN 11/2012 THE WATER PUMP WAS ALSO REPLACED. IN 12/2012 THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN 06/2013 THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT THESE ISSUES ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE ASSOCIATED FAN FAILING, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO OVERHEAT AND THE BATTERY TO FAIL. PLEASE SEE NHTSA COMPLAINTS 10453158, 10444328, 10379750, 10442431,10379459 FOR SIMILAR CASES OF THESE SAME ISSUES RELATED TO THE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING AND THE ASSOCIATED PUMP. *TR

MY WIFE BOUGHT A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE AND IT DROVE FINE FOR LIKE ONE DAY, THEN AFTER THAT IT STOPPED SHIFTING GEARS. WE NOTICED IT WOULD GO AROUND 35MPH THEN THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT. AFTER AWHILE IT WOULDN'T EVEN GO OVER 15MPH. AFTER TAKING IT TO GET DIAGNOSED FOR SOME REASON IT RAN 40 MPH FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES THEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. *TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH MY STEERING GAVE OUT AND LOCKED UP, ALMOST SLAMMING ME INTO THE GUARD RAIL. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO STOP BEFORE TRAGEDY. UNFORTUNATELY I WAS BLOCKING A LANE OF TRAFFIC UNTIL I COULD FORCE MY WAY OF THE ROADWAY. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED AS I WAS TURNING INTO MY OWN DRIVEWAY. THE STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN CAUSING ME TO MISS MY DRIVEWAY AND CRASH INTO THE DITCH. THE OTHER SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY CAR IS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING AT RANDOM AND THE REVERSE AND TAIL LIGHTS WILL FAIL AT RANDOM. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE CODES READ EMISSIONS FAILURE. WHEN I TALK TO MINI COOPER CUSTOMER RELATIONS THEY GAVE ME AN EXTENDED 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE POWER STEERING AND EMISSIONS. MINI COOPER CLAIMS THEY CAN'T DO THE SAFETY REPAIRS DUE TO A PART SHORTAGE. THEY EXTENDED MY ALREADY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 150,000 MILES AND ARE WANTING TO CHARGE ME FOR DIAGNOSTICS ON THESE EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUES. THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY RESOLUTION AND CLAIM IT IS MY PROBLEM AS A CONSUMER AND CLAIM THE POWER STEERING ISSUES ARE NOT SAFETY RELATED. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL LIGHTING ISSUES THEY REPLIED WITH THAT'S NOT MINI COOPERS PROBLEM. *TR

THE MANUFACTURER HAS RECENTLY STATED THEY ARE GOING TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE WARRANTY FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP FOR MODELS RANGING FROM THE YEARS 2002-2005 AND SOME 2005 MINI CONVERTIBLES. I HAVE A 2005 MINI CONVERTIBLE, AND HAVE THE FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP THAT THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY LIFE FOR. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A WAITING LIST TO GET THE WORK DONE. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PARTS ARE ENTIRELY UNAVAILABLE, AND I CAN EXPECT TO WAIT UP TO A MONTH BEFORE I CAN EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO GET MY CAR FIXED. TILL THEN HOWEVER I CANNOT GET MY CARS INSPECTION RENEWED AS IN MY STATE A CAR CANNOT PASS WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I HAVE BEEN LEFT WITHOUT ANY FEASIBLE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, AND UPON BEGGING MINI TO HELP WITH MY PROBLEM WHICH THEY HAVE CREATED I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS LEAVES ME WITH EITHER HAVING TO BREAK TEXAS STATE LAW AND DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT CURRENT INSPECTION, OR DROP OUT OF SCHOOL AS I WILL HAVE NO WAY OF GETTING THERE UNTIL THE MINI FIXES THE PROBLEM. *TR

CAR WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE. TOOK IT TO SHOP WHO IDENTIFIED IT AS A FAILING POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN, AND REPLACED IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH AND ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT USED TO GO ON AND OFF WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. STARTING IN 2011, IT CONTINUES TO STAY ON, MEANING THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG SENSORS WERE BAD AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATE OF $1,000. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT CONFIRM THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD OR WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF THE CAR FACED IMPACT AND SOMEONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NO FAULT OF THE CAR OWNER. PLEASE RECALL THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR DIES. *TR

OCCUPANT SEAT SENSOR FAILURE IN PASSENGER SEAT, AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STOPS AIRBAG OPERATION. I SEE THAT NHTSA HAS CONTACTED BMW FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FOR THIS MODEL YEAR; HOWEVER, BMW/MINI WON'T TAKE BLAME FOR AIRBAG FAILURE. BMW TAKES IRRESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE THAT EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES, SAFETY IS MY PROBLEM, NOT THIERS. AS A SIDE NOTE, DEALER SAYS PART IS $1200 PLUS INSTALLATION AND REPROGRAMMING. BMW, THE ULTIMATE DRIVING (AND KILLING) MACHINE. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER 2-DOOR CONVERTIBLE: THE LEFT REAR UPPER AND LOWER (ORIGINAL/FACTORY) CONTROL ARMS (METAL STRUT) FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD; WARNING SIGN WAS A SLIGHT NOISE FROM THE REAR LEFT TIRE, WHICH WENT AWAY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY LEFT, THEN CAME BACK WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. (SOUNDED LIKE INTERMITTENT RUBBING/ TIRE ISSUE.) THE CAR WAS DRIVING NORMALLY AND THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. WHILE TURNING OFF MAIN ROAD TO INVESTIGATE, SECOND CONTROL ARM FAILED AND CAR CAME DOWN TO REST ON REAR TIRE AND WOULD NOT ROLL FORWARD. UNEXPECTED AND COMPLETE FAILURE WITH CLEAN FRACTURE TO BOTH CONTROL ARMS. NO COLLISION OCCURRED TO THE VEHICLE/PART. VEHICLE NOT RUSTED. GOOGLE SEARCH BRINGS UP MANY OTHER MINI COOPER POSTS OF THIS CONTROL ARM FAILING UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY (THAT THEY HAD RECENTLY EXITED). OTHERS POSTING ONLINE HAVE EXPERIENCED 'UNCONTROLLED 180 SPINS' WHEN THEIRS FAILED. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT THE ORIGINAL FACTORY CONTROL ARMS ON OTHER SIDE MAY EXHIBIT SAME UNEXPECTED FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. NOT CLEAR IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW OR MATERIALS/PARTS BAD BATCH. MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE MENTIONED THE SAME FAILURE (TO HIS PERSONAL CAR) WITH NO WARNING RECENTLY. ONLINE POSTS OF CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME UNEXPECTED FAILURE: HTTP://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/FIRST-GENERATION-FAULTS-FIXES/80969-REAR-SUSPENSION-FAILURE.HTML HTTP://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/FIRST-GENERATION-FAULTS-FIXES/108796-REAR-CONTROL-ARM-ISSUES.HTML HTTP://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/FIRST-GENERATION-FAULTS-FIXES/69981-BROKEN-PART-UNDERSIDE-WHATS-CALLED.HTML HTTP://WWW.PSMINI.ORG/FORUM/EXPENSIVE-REPAIR-CONTROL-ARM-BUSHINGS-AND-STRUTS_TOPIC6569.HTML

AFTER THE CAR WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE SEAT BELT SENSOR (BEEPER) STOPPED WORKING. MINI WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS TO BE REPLACED. SAID IF THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING, THE AIRBAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY. VERY COSTLY REPAIR (COMPUTER SYSTEM REPLACEMENT). SHOULDN'T SAFETY FEATURES (REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT) BE FIXED, WITHOUT CHARGE, FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE? *TR

POWER STEERING FAN BURNED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE PUMP TO FAIL. SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. THE PLACEMENT OF THE FAN IS REALLY BAD BECAUSE IT'S SUBJECT TO CONSTANT ROAD GRIME, SALT, ETC. COST ME OVER $1,200 TO FIX. :( *TR

I WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING ABOUT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. BASICALLY THE COMPUTER FAILED AND I HAD A CRACK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 32,000 MILES AND WAS MOSTLY DRIVEN WITH NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WITH SUCH MINIMAL USE.: REPLACE MRS MODULE AND PROGRAM,ENCODE (MRS MODULE FAILURE, INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT) FAIL $774.06 REPLACE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT (PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT HAS MICRO CRACK ON MAT FAULT 0071)FAIL $874.55. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH AN OCCUPANT POSITIONED IN THE SEAT. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR EVEN WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS NOT PRESENT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE ILLUMINATION NO LONGER CONTINUED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *TR

PROBLEM OF POWER ASSIST FAILING CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME DIFFICULT. ONLY HAPPENS AFTER BEEN ON HIGHWAY FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES. VERY SIMILAR TO OTHER REPORTS ON 2004-2005 MINI COOPER S'S REPORTING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. THIS HAS RENDERED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERABLE . THE SEAT WAS RARELY USED AS MY WIFE USES THE CAR AS A SUMMER CAR. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ON. MINI DEALER SAYS IT IS A BROKEN SENSOR IN THE SEAT. I CHECKED ONLINE FORUMS AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM LOTS OF COMPLAINTS. MINI WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNLESS I PAY. IT SEEMS AS IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. I WOULD THINK BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR FOR AIRBAG ACTIVATION FAILED. DUE TO THIS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ONLY FIX IS A $2000 REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

I HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING IN MY CAR GOING IN AND OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM I WOULD JUST TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. NOW, HOWEVER, THE POWER STEERING IS ALWAYS OFF. I HAVE MANAGED TO DRIVE JUST FINE FOR MONTHS WITHOUT, BECAUSE I SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THE SYSTEM REPLACED. IT HAS FINALLY COME TO THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN I HAVE TO GET MY INSPECTION RENEWED, AND I HAVE NOW LEARNED THAT THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN MY STATE BECAUSE OF ITS LACK OF POWER STEERING. IF THE CAR CANNOT PASS A STATE INSPECTION WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING, HOW IS IT THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL MADE BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE? THERE IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. IT IS ENTIRELY UNFAIR THAT NOT ONLY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL MADE FORCING BMW TO FIX THIS DESIGN FLAW, BUT THERE IS ALSO LAWS IN PLACE THAT FORCE ME TO EITHER STOP DRIVING, GET A NEW CAR, OR SPEND MONEY I DON'T HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2005 MINI COOPER (R50) WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED THUS CAUSING A VERY FRIGHTENING AND POSSIBLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVY ROAD THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND IS VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING. IT IS A COMBINATION ELECTRO/HYDRAULIC PUMP. ELECTRICAL BURN SMELL WAS EVIDENT. I ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT, AND LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CAR IN THE OTHER LANE OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. CANADA HAS MADE BMW MINI RECALL THESE AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL STOPS TURNING WHILE MID-TURN. I TOOK THE CAR TO MINI OF SAN FRANCISCO AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE STEERING CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM, HAPPENING RANDOMLY WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED UP. *TR

HELLO, OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER CUTS OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. THE WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND IT OCCURS WITH NO WARNING. IT APPEARS THAT THE STEERING PUMP FAILS WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP. I HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL MAKING THE SAME COMPLAINT IN ONLINE FORUMS. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

LOSS OF POWER STEERING..NEARLY A COLLISION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TWO AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED STATING THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE OFF DESPITE A PASSENGER BEING IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP COMES ON A SHORT TIME AFTER PARKED AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. HAVE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY IN ORDER TO AVOID DRAINING POWER. POWER STEERING WHINE PRONOUNCED, POWER STEERING BEGINNING TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MODEL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 18 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO OVERHEATED AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. *TR

PARKED THE CAR TO GO IN A STORE, IN THE STORE FOR 10 MINUTES. CAME OUT TO START THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STIFF AND DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. CUT THE CAR OFF AND WAS LOOKING INTO WAYS TO GET THE CAR TOWED. I TRIED TO START THE CAR BACK UP MAYBE 15-20 MINUTES LATER AND IT WAS WORKING JUST FINE. EVER SENSE THEN, THE CAR'S POWER STEERING WOULD STOP FUNCTIONING AND THEN RESET ITSELF ONCE THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND IDLE. YOU CAN NEVER PREDICT WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN OR WHEN IT WON'T. THE POWER STEERING ISSUES HAVE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH LONGER INTERVALS OF WAIT TIME BEFORE THE POWER STEERING STARTS FUNCTIONING AGAIN. THE WHEEL WHEN THE POWER STEERING STOPS FUNCTIONING IS VIRTUALLY IMMOVABLE IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE TURNS UNLESS THEY ARE WIDE ONES. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. *TR

WAS DRIVING ON NYS THRUWAY WHEN I THOUGHT I'D GOTTEN A FLAT TIRE DUE TO SLUGGISH STEERING NOW HOURS LATER AND A LITTLE INTERNET INVESTIGATION I THINK IT TO BE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON STRAIGHT ROAD THEN INTO CURVE...NOTICED THE STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN....WENT IN & OUT FOR A DAY THEN TOTALLY OUT...NO POWER STEERING...HAVE REPLACED THIS AND NOW IT'S OUT AGAIN!!!! *TR

THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SEARCHING, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 30 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR/SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, MY TRANSMISSION WOULD REV UP THE RPMS AND MY CAR NO LONGER ACCELERATES. IT WENT FROM ABOUT 2 TO 5.5 RPMS, EVEN AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE IT FINALLY DOES SHIFT, IT LURCHES THE CAR FORWARD VIOLENTLY. IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO START ACTING UP, BUT ONCE THE CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP, IT SEEMS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE IT NOT HAPPEN. IT'S EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING AND FRIGHTENING BECAUSE I DO ALL CITY DRIVING, WHERE I SLOW DOWN AND SPEED UP SO I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO GET WITHIN THE 30MPH RANGE. MY CAR STOPS ACCELERATING SO I AM AFRAID OF MY TRANSMISSION DYING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC OR SLOWING DOWN SO MUCH THAT IS CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. BOTTOM LINE: MY CAR DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND POTENTIALLY ENDANGERS ME, SO I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE 2 WAY (1 PER DIRECTION) RURAL ROAD VERY WINDY ON MY DAILY COMMUTE INTO MY OFFICE I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ON A STRAIGHTAWAY AND LUCKILY NOT IN A CURVE BECAUSE THE STEERING INSTANTLY BECAME TIGHT AND AT LOW SPEEDS IS ALMOST UNABLE TO STEER. I SAY ALMOST BECAUSE I I AM ABLE TO DRIVE WITH GREAT EFFORT AND ATTENTION HOWEVER ANY EVASIVE MOVEMENT FOR AN EMERGENCY MAY CAUSE ME TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEEN MIMI HAD A RECALL FOR THE EXACT ISSUE IN CANADA BUT HAS NOT HAD A RECALL IN THE USA WHILE WE ARE HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEMS. MINI ALSO CHANGED THE STEERING PUMP/FAN/WIRING IN THE 2006 MODELS WHICH IS THE LAST YEAR OF PRODUCTION ON THE EXACT MODEL I OWN. OBVIOUSLY THEY (MINI) IS AWARE AND TRIED TO FIX THE ISSUE ON THEIR END WITHOUT A RECALL.

PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON 2005 MINI COOPER S. NEEDS REPLACEMENT $8000+. ONLY 90K MILES. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE REGARDING CVT TRANSMISSION DEFECT. MINI COOPER/ BMW NOT ADMITTING PROBLEM TO PUBLIC. *TR

DURING THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN, SUDDENLY THE STEERING HAD A HARD RESISTANT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DO A RIGHT TURN. I HAD TO MUSCLE THE WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP FROM VEERING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO DO AN UNDER THE HOOD INSPECTION AND CHECK THE STEERING FLUID LEVEL, I SAW NOTHING THAT INDICATE DAMAGE. ONCE I RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT SEEM TO CORRECT ITSELF. I THOUGH WAS IT WAS MAYBE A FLUKE. LATER ON, MY WIFE INDICATED SHE HEARD A WHINING NOISE THAT CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND ASK ME TO LOOK INTO IT. AFTER LOOKING IT OVER, I ADD SOME BELT DRESSING, BECAUSE I THOUGHT COULD HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM. IN THE MEANTIME I MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN TEMPE, AZ. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THIS NOISE COULD BE SEVERAL INDICATORS, SUCH AS AN AGING STEERING PUMP, A MIXTURE OF NON-RECOMMENDED FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR OR THE PUMP COULD BE GOING OUT. I DISMISSED THE MIX FLUID INDICATOR, BECAUSE THE LEVELS WERE ALWAYS WITHIN RANGE AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE WAS NEVER TAMPERED WITH OR TOPPED OFF. AS SEVERAL MONTHS WENT BY, THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITHOUT INCIDENT, OTHER THAN THE WHINING NOISE, WHICH WAS HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FOR THE FIRST TIME OF THE DAY, OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING IN IDLE. RECENTLY, MY WIFE CALL ME FROM WORK AND INDICATED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING TO WORK FOR THE 2ND TIME, THE STEERING SEEM TO LOCK AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. SHE MANAGE TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT INJURY TO HERSELF OR OTHERS. THAT SAME DAY, WHEN I LOOKED OVER THE VEHICLE FOR LEAKS, DAMAGE OR FLUID LEVELS AND THE VEHICLE STEERING AGAIN LOCKED IN PLACE. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 2004 AND 2005 MINI COOPERS, WHICH HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY MINI OF CANADA WHO ISSUED A RECALL. ON THE FLIP SIDE, MINI CORP IN THE US AND LOCAL DEALERS DO NOT. PLEASE ADVISE WITH A REPLY. *TR

I AM THE CURRENT OWNER OF A 2005 MINI COOPER S. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2006 FROM MINI OF IRVINE WITH 3,000 MILES. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. THE CAR JERKS WHEN CHANGING GEARS AT ANY SPEED, AS WELL AS WHEN SWITCHING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MINI OF SAN DIEGO TO BE DIAGNOSED AND HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $8,000. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 73,000 MILES AND FIND IT COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING SO EARLY ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED AS THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY NEEDED TO TURN THE WHEEL INCREASED. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AS IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE FUNCTION PROPERLY UNTIL THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,600. RETURNED BY USPS ON 4/8/2013. 2ND ATTEMPT ON 4/9/2013. *KB

THE POWER STEERING IN MY CAR HAS FAILED CONTINUOUSLY. WE HAD THE ENTIRE RACK REPLACED IN 2011 - THE STEERING FLUID CONSTANTLY LEAKS, OR BURNS DRY - FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE POWER STEERING PUMP DOES NOT STOP RUNNING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED - REQUIRING FOR THE BATTERY TO BE DISCONNECTED AT EVERY STOP, OR RISK A DEAD BATTERY. *TR

INTERMITTENTLY ON COLD START THE POWER STEERING IS INOPERATIVE. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN WILL USUALLY RESULT IN THE POWER STEERING BECOMING OPERATIVE AGAIN. DEALERSHIP SAYS PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I MADE A LEFT TURN AT A LIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. THE STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY AND I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE FLUID AND THE LEVEL WAS CORRECT. I CONTINUED DRIVING AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. *TR

INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURES WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. ONE MINUTE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONS, NEXT MINUTE, NO PS AT ALL. POWER STEERING PUMP CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN WHEN ENGINE IS OFF AND KEY OUT OF IGNITION. AFTER RETURNING TO VEHICLE, BATTERY IS DEAD AS A RESULT OF CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING PUMP OR FAN. *TR

AROUND 2 YEARS AGO, WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING THAT THE CAR'S PASSENGER AIRBAG MIGHT NOT BE WORKING, PARTICULARLY WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN REPORTED ON OTHER FORUMS TO BE LINKED TO A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE CAR SEAT, AND A NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN (ID NUMBER: 10043927) HAS BEEN FILED. I HOPE THAT NHTSA CAN CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO WHETHER A RECALL SHOULD OCCUR, GIVEN THE SAFETY CONCERN OF POTENTIALLY NOT HAVING A PASSENGER AIRBAG GO OFF IF A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

-MY DEPENDENT DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH DURING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS WHEN POWER STEERING ASSIST TURNED OFF. STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. FOLLOW-ON OCCURRENCES WERE REGULARLY REPEATED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 - 15 MILES. DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS CEASED UNTIL REPAIRS MADE THEREFORE WAS UNABLE TO COMMUTE TO / FROM SCHOOL OF HIGHER EDUCATION. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO LOCAL REPAIR STATION AND A FAULTY POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE. SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS TOTALLY 934.00 USD APPEAR TO HAVE FIXED PROBLEM. THE FACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CONDITION, AND CHOSE TO PUT MY DAUGHTER AT RISK OR HARMS WAY IS SHAMEFUL. *TR

BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FEB. 2012 A FEW MONTHS LATER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS 15-20 TIMES, TO DATE. I HAVE LOST FULL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, NO STEERING CAPABILITY. SEVERAL TIME HAS BEEN WHILE TURNING OR EXITING THE FREEWAY, VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO CAUSING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" ALARM LIGHTS CAME ON ON BOTH THE SPEEDOMETER PANEL AND THE LIGHT ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. WHILE I'D HAD AN ADULT PASSENGER EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED AT THE TIME. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF, TO TEST THE BAG, OR TO DO MUCH OF ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I SEE BY DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPERS FOR QUITE SOME TIME. SEE NHTSA BULLETIN NUMBERS SI M-65-02-0 AND 720106. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY MINI COOPER USA RATHER THAN PAID FOR BY THE CONSUMER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

WHILE TURNING INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL OR COMPLETE THE TURN. THANK GOD I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED AND PEDISTRIANS WERE NOT NEAR BY. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WHEN I WAS LEAVING TO RETURN HOME AND TWO MORE TIMES AFTER THAT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ,INNOCENT LIVES ARE AT RISK. *TR

AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CAR COULD STILL BE TURNED, BUT ONLY WITH GREAT EFFORT AND HAD THERE BEEN ANY NEED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PEDESTRIAN, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE. AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTRARTING, THE POWER STEERING RESUMED WORKING. THE SAME FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS BUT IS ONLY INTERMITTENT. *TR

THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING IN AND OUT FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. TURNING TOOK A LARGE AMOUNT OF EFFORT. AFTER ARRIVING AT HOME AND TAKING IT OUT THE NEXT DAY IT WORKED FINE AND THEN WENT OUT AGAIN WHILE GOING 35 MPH AND TRYING TO MAKE A CURVE IN THE ROAD. WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN WORKED FINE BUT THE POWER STEERING WAS INTERMITTENT WHEN DRIVEN. A POWER CONNECTOR FOR THE PUMP WAS REPAIRED AND THE NEXT DAY THE CAR STARTING LOSING THE POWER STEERING AGAIN. IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURIES. I'VE READ TOO MANY STORIES ONLINE FOR THIS TO BE A FAULT WITH THE DESIGN. *TR

AFTER DRIVING AROUND TOWN FOR 15 MINUTES POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND HAD TO STRUGGLE TO TURN A CORNER. HAD TO MAKE A WIDE TURN. IF ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD BEEN APPROACHING, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION. VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THIS VEHICLE WHEN POWER STEERING FAILS. THIS LOSS OF POWER STEERING HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WITHIN LAST TWO WEEKS. RESEARCH ON INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE MORE THAN A COMMON PROBLEM; IT SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD. THIS MUCH I DO KNOW: IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME AND IS DANGEROUS. IF BMW DOESN'T VOLUNTARILY FIX THE PROBLEM, THEN THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FORCE A RECALL ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIES. *TR

THE MINI COOPER WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE. MY FAMILY NOTICED A DISTINCT BURNING SMELL. WE DID NOT KNOW WHERE IS WAS COMING FROM. THE BURNING SMELL WAS TRACED TO THE GARAGE, BUT STILL DID NOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE. THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. UPON INSPECTION AND REMOVAL OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, ALL THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE UNIT WERE MELTED. THE POWER STEERING UNIT AND THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO THE UNIT ARE DAMAGED AND MUST BE REPLACED. IN CONCLUSION THE UNIT DREW POWER WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF AND FRIED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER S. FORTUNATELY FOR ME (ALTHOUGH THIS EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGICALLY UNFORTUNATE FOR SOMEONE ELSE) THIS HAPPENED IN A SCHOOL ZONE, WHICH MEANS I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY. BUT WITH LITTLE CHILDREN AROUND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I FIND THIS SUDDEN POWER STEERING FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON EARLY MINI COOPERS. THE PUMP HAS BEEN RECALLED IN CANADA, BUT WHY NOT IN THE U.S.A? CAN YOU TELL ME WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL ITEM HERE? *TR

2005 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CATASTROPHIC ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY, RAPIDLY MOVING TRAFFIC, THE ELECTRIC STEERING FAILED. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR HAD STOPPED, QUITE LIKELY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE AUXILIARY FAN. THE CONSUMER WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $ 1100 FOR THE PARTS ALONE.

POWER STEERING FAILED AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM ONE STREET TO ANOTHER. WHILE 1/2 WAY INTO THE TURN THE STEERING NO LONGER RESPONDED AND STARTED TO GO STRAIGHT INTO ONCOMING OPPOSING TRAFFIC. IT TOOK QUITE A BIT OF EFFORT TO YANK THE STEERING WHEEL AND AVOID A CRASH (MUCH MORE EFFORT THAN STEERING MY 54 CHEVY PICK UP TRUCK). HAD CAR TOWED TO BMW/MINI DEALER - DIAGNOSED AS "POWER STEERING PUMP SHORTING". COST OF REPAIRS TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP (INCLUDING NEW P/S HOSES): $1977.62. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING PUMP STOPPED WORKING . *TR

DROVE 8 MILES TO WORK. PARKED CAR AND TURNED IT OFF. SOMETHING KEPT RUNNING UNDER HOOD. I COULD HEAR IT. SOUNDED LIKE A FAN. WHEN LEFT WORK AT END OF DAY, BATTERY WAS DRAINED. HAD TO USE KEY MANUALLY TO GET INTO CAR. CAR WOULD NOT START. CALLED AAA. AAA TRIED TO JUMP START THE CAR. THE GUY GOT IT STARTED, BUT THEN IT SHUT DOWN WHILE HE STILL HAD THE JUMPER CABLES ON IT. HE SAID THAT WASN'T GOOD AND CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, EVEN IF IT COULD BE STARTED. CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. AND THE NEXT DAY CAR WAS TOWED TO MINI DEALERSHIP. MINI SERVICE DIAGNOSED AND FOUND THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD SHORTED OUT. MINI SERVICE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AT A TOTAL COST TO ME OF $1,162.77. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED AT FREEWAY SPEED. DRIVER NARROWLY ESCAPED ACCIDENT AT FREEWAY SPEED. POWER STEERING PUMP TOTAL FAILURE. SOMEONE WILL DIE UNLESS THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED. *TR

WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AND CAME UP ON A TURN WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP. PUT ALL OF MY WEIGHT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP FROM JUMPING THE MEDIAN. SCARED THE LIFE OUT OF ME. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON AND IT SEEMED FINE. THEN GETTING ON THE FREEWAY, I WAS ON THE CLOVER-LEAF AND IT LOCKED UP AGAIN SO I PUT ALL OF MY WEIGHT INTO IT AGAIN, THEN IT SUDDENLY RELEASED. WITH THE SUDDEN JERK/MOVEMENT (AND IT HAS DONE THIS A FEW TIMES) SOMEDAY I KNOW IT WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO FLIP. THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO WORK IN PHASES: IT WILL BE FINE FOR A COUPLE DAYS, THEN ITS INTERMITTENT/GONE FOR A WEEK OR 2. THE PAST FEW DAYS, IT HAS SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE FAN WAS ENGAGED EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT BEEN FOR A STRENUOUS DRIVE. I THINK IT WAS ACTUALLY THE PUMP NOT TURNING OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THIS MORNING I GOT TO MY CAR TO FIND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED... AN APPARENT SHORT IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP (AND/OR FAN) KILLED IT. *TR

NO POWER STEERING. HARD TO STEER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11005 (STEERING) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY MINI COOPER S '05, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING, WHICH MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I FEEL THREATENED DRIVING MY CAR. *TR

AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY IN DASH AND PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" ILLUMINATES ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. WHEN SOME SITS IN THE SEAT IT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN YOU CHECK THE CONNECTORS UNDER THE SEAT IT GOES OFF WITH WIGGLING. DIAGNOSED BY MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP AS "CRACKED SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR" INSIDE THE SEAT. NOT REPAIRABLE ONLY REPLACEABLE. AIRBAG WILL NOT GO OFF IF PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. MINI COOPER HAS COVERED THIS FOR OTHER MODELS, BUT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. INCURRING ME A $1600 QUOTE FOR MAKE MY CAR SAFE FOR PASSENGERS. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ON. DEALER WANTS $1800 TO FIX DEFECTIVE SYSTEM. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

DRIVING TO WORK IN THE AM. I SMELL SOMETHING IN THE CAR. WHEN I LOOK AT MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT I SAW SMOKE. PULL OVER AND GOT A BETTER LOOK AT IT. I HAVE A HOLES IN MY CAR SEAT AND THE TWO VEST THAT I PLACE ON THE SEAT. IT APPEARS THE HEATED SEAT HAD A ELECTRICAL FAILURE. TOOK CAR TO MINI DEALER. THEY SAID IT REAL ODD THIS HAPPEN. THEY ALSO NICE TO SAY I WOULD HAVE TO PAID TO FIX IT. LOOK AT MANY SITE ON INTERNET AND SEEN BMW/MINI AND OTHER COMPANY HAVE ISSUES WITH HEATED SEATS. IT DO NOT SEEM TO ODD TO ME. I DID NOT EVEN HAD THE HEATED SEAT ON BECAUSE NO ONE WAS SEATING THERE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,895. UPDATED 1/29/13 *CN UPDATED 2/7/2013 *JS

INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. AFTER LONG DRIVE ~150 A LOUD BUZZING UNDER CAR CONTINUED AFTER CAR ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL MADE THE BUZZING CHANGE SOUNDS. STARTING AND SHUTTING THE CAR'S ENGINE DID NOT RESOLVE THE BUZZING. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO AVOID BATTERY FAILURE. *TR

TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH. FINGER WAS CUT 2MM DEEP BY DEFECTIVE PEELING/FLAKING CHROME ACCENT ON MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT KNOB. AS A RESULT, FINGER WAS BLEEDING AND EXPERIENCED A SHOCK FROM THE AFFECTED NERVE THROUGHOUT THE BODY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ATTENTION TO THE ROAD WAS LOST FOR A MOMENT CAUSING ME TO NEARLY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR LIGHTS STAY ON AT ALL TIMES, WHETHER THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. SEAT MAT SENSOR DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS FULLY AWARE OF. REPAIR COST IS IN EXCESS OF $1,300 FOR A VERY SIMPLE PART. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LAMP TURNS ON AND REMAINS ON RANDOMLY. DIAGNOSTIC INDICATES PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. THE PASSENGER SEAT IS USED INFREQUENTLY AND LOOKS LIKE NEW. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN EITHER THE AIR BAG FAILING TO DEPLOY OR DEPLOYING WITH TOO GREAT OF FORCE. THE COST OF REPAIR IS PROHIBITIVE AND YET THE ISSUE MAKES THE VEHICLE ALMOST UN SALEABLIMPOSSIBLE TO SELL WITHOUT THE REPAIR. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG, FRONT SEAT, SENSOR HAS A FAULT OR SHORT IN IT. INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE ADULT PASSENGER IS IN SEAT, THE WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON, AND PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON--THUS SHUTTING OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2005 AND 2006 MINI COOPERS AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IN THIS PAST MONTH THE FREQUENCY HAS INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 99% WHERE THE PASSENGER HAS NO SAFETY PROTECTION AS AIR BAG IS SHUT OFF. TO DATE MINI IS NOT WARRANTYING THIS DEFECT AND IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I THINK A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED ASAP. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT ON CENTER DISPLAY AS WELL AS YELLOW AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ON OVERHEAD CONSOLE INTERMITTENTLY APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON. MINI WANT OVER $1500 TO REPLACE A SEAT BOTTOM PAD SENSOR. *TR

STARTED VEHICLE IN THE MORNING OF 11/14/2012. THE SHIFT INDICATOR ON THE DASH SHOWS EP MODE INSTEAD OF D,R,N,ETC. THE CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE BUT THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SHIFTER ELECTRONICS. THE CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT DRIVE MODE IS IN. PUTTING THE AUTO MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTO SPORTS MODE DOES NOT CHANGE THE SHIFT INDICATOR ON THE DASH. IN SPORTS MODES IT STILL SHOWED EP. IN EP MODE THE CAR DOES NOT REV BEYOND 3000RPM AND DRIVES ROUGH AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH A TRANSMISSION SENSOR, OR THE SHIFTER ELECTRONICS. *TR

SON RETURNED FROM TOWN, A 10 MINUTE DRIVE, PARKED CAR IN GARAGE. NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE COMING FROM THE CAR. OPENED THE HOOD AND THE SMELL OF FIRE WAS OVERWHELMING. TOP OF STEERING FLUID PUMP APPEARED TO BE CHARRED. FAMILY AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR TO DEALER, SOME 35 MILES AWAY. AFTER STARTING CAR, ELECTRICAL FIRE SMELL RETURNS. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE "AIR BAG" OFF LIGHT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME AND THUS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT BE DEPLOYED IN AN COLLISION. HAVE HAD SENSOR WORKED ON, SYSTEM FLASHED BY BMW, ETC TO RESOLVE ISSUE. BMW UNABLE TO RESOLVE WITHOUT EXTENSIVE COST. *TR

ON MY DRIVE TO WORK ON THE THIRD OF DECEMBER THE STEERING ASSIST WENT OUT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND TRYING TO EXIT ONTO AN OFF-RAMP. THE TURN WAS VERY SHARP AND I NEARLY DIDN'T MAKE IT. THANK GOODNESS IT WAS A SLOW TIME IN THE DAY FOR IF IT WASN'T I MAY HAVE HIT SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS A LARGE SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVING READ THAT THIS COMPLAINT IS BECOMING WIDE SPREAD I WOULD HATE TO SEE ANYONE GET HURT. THE STEERING IS STILL AN ISSUE AND I MADE SURE TO TAKE PRECAUTION ON MY DRIVE HOME NOT TO TAKE ANY ROUTE THAT WOULD PRODUCE A SHARP TURN IN FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE IT QUICK ENOUGH. THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, AND I STRESS EXTREMELY AS IF YOU ARE WORKING AGAINST THE CAR TO TRY TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE AND THE CAR WILL NOT TAKE SHARP CORNERS AS IT ONCE DID, BUT RATHER MUST TAKE LONG SHALLOW TURNS, WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,500.

AT LOW MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. NO FORE WARNING JUST GONE. I'M TRYING TO DRIVE AND AT 10 MPH I'M REVVING AT UP TO 3000 RPM'S. THIS SHOULD DEF NOT BE HAPPENING! I'M FUMING BEING THAT I HAVE TO NOW REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I HAVE NOT BEATEN ON IT OR ANYTHING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. SO FAR MY EXPERIENCE WITH BMW HAS NOT BEEN GOOD. I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER BUYING ANYTHING ELSE. *TR

I HAD A LITTLE WHINING SOUND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE CLUTCH. EVERYTHING WORKED FINE EVEN WITH THE WHINING SOUND. I STARTED DRIVING TO THE MECHANICS AND MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE TRANSMISSION CAME COMPLETELY APART. ALL THE TEETH ARE GONE FROM THE SECOND GEAR WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT 2000.00, NOW I WILL HAVE TO EITHER SPEND ANOTHER 3000.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, OR TRADE IN MY CAR AT A HORRIBLE LOSS AND I WILL BE UPSIDE DOWN ON THE NEXT CAR. I READ THAT THERE WERE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST MINI/BMW OVER THE TRANSMISSIONS. I WAS HOPING THAT I WOULD FIND A RECALL ON HERE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THE VEHICLE WOULD WARM UP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,500.

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT AND PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND MANEUVER, AS IF THE POWER STEERING FEATURE HAD BEEN DISABLED. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE SURFACE OF THE ROAD MAKING HANDLING OF THE CAR DIFFICULT, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST EVEN AFTER I EXITED THE FREEWAY. WHILE PERFORMING LEFT-TURNS AND RIGHT-TURNS ON THE SIDE STREETS, I HAD TO EXERT TREMENDOUS LABOR TO COMPLETE THE TURN, AND ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS I ALMOST HIT ADJACENT CARS ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULDN'T FORCIBLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, I TURNED OFF MY ENGINE, RE-STARTED IT, AND TO MY RELIEF AND AMAZEMENT, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EASY TO MANEUVER AGAIN, WITHOUT A TRACE OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS THAT HAD JUST OCCURRED. *TR

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. CAR DID NOT HIT OR COME IN CONTACT WITH ANYTHING WHEN POWER STEERING WAS LOST. FULL POWER STEERING AND FAN HAD TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2005 MINI HAD BEEN SLIPPING BUT WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO VARIOUS LOCAL SHOPPING PLAZAS APPLYING FOR JOBS. SHE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DRIVING OVER 45 MPH BECAUSE THAT WAS THE MAXIMUM SPEED ONE COULD DRIVE WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A WHIRRING SOUND AND SMOKE. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND SAFELY PARKED. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR HOME AND IT NOW SITS IN OUR GARAGE WHILE WE CONTINUE TO PAY FOR IT AND INSURE IT. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BACK FROM COLLEGE AND THE POWER ON THE STEERING WENT OUT ON HER. IT STARTED COMING BACK ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND SHE WAS ABLE TO STEER IT SLOWLY BACK HOME FROM THERE. *TR

HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES WAS GOING WEST ON A BUSY FOUR LANE CITY STREET, PREPARING TO TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I COULD HARDLY TURN THE MINI INTO THE SIDE STREET AND CAME CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER CAR TURNING BESIDE ME. WAS ABLE TO PARK AND AN HOUR LATER TRIED TO DRIVE HOME, POWER STEERING WORKED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THEN QUITE AGAIN. DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS CLOSE SEVERAL TIMES. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO STEER THE CAR AT SLOW SPEEDS AND I AM 6'2 AND 205 POUNDS A WOMAN WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT IN ALL PROBABILITY. *TR

THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING THE CAR VERY HARD TO STEER. THE FIRST TIME WAS JANUARY 2012, RANDOMLY OFF AND ON SINCE. I HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING RETURN AFTER SIMPLY TURNING THE CAR OFF THEN ON, OTHER TIMES AFTER A WEEK. IT APPEARS THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS DECIDED TO QUIT ALTOGETHER AT THIS POINT. *TR

IN 2009, THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY WORK, USUALLY RESTARTING RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. INCREASINGLY WORSENED. P PULLING OUT FROM THE BUSINESS TO A RESIDENTIAL STREET, VERY BUSY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC. I HURRIEDLY TURNED RIGHT ONTO THE STREET, THEN LEFT AT THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL. WHILE MAKING THE LEFT MY POWER STEERING DECIDED TO STOP COMING TOO CLOSE TO RUNNING STRAIGHT INTO A LIGHT STANDARD ON THE OPPOSITE CORNER. HITTING THE CURB VERY HARD AND STEERING WITH NO POWER, I CORRECTED MY DIRECTION TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES, HIT THE CURB AGAIN, FOUND THE FIRST POSSIBLE PARKING LOT AND PULLED OFF AND THANK GOD I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. MAY 2012 NO POW STEERING WED, OCTOBER 3, 2012 @ 117K MILEAGE, BELT BROKE, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, OVERHEATED. MINIUSA TAKES PRIDE IN BEING RESPONSIBLE AND CARING ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. THEIR JOVIAL, FREETHINKING, CLEAVER BANTER IS SO FALSELY REPRESENTED SINCE I CAN'T EVEN GET SOME ONE AT MINI TO TALK TO ME. NOW, I'M WAITING ON FINDING THE RIGHT REPAIR SHOP THAT WON'T COST ME MY RETIREMENT. IN 2007, I LOCKED MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT SINCE I HAD JUST PICKED UP THE $2500 ENGAGEMENT RING MY SON HAD BEEN PAYING ON SO HE COULD PROPOSE TO HIS GIRLFRIEND. WHEN I GOT HOME THE GLOVE BOX WOULDN'T COME UNLOCKED, OTHER THAN FORCING IT AND RISK BREAKING SOMETHING I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED, THE CAR, HOPING THEY MIGHT HAVE A KNOWN WAYS, SECRET SOLUTION. UNFORTUNATELY, A $80 SERVICE FEE FROM JUST DRIVING ONTO THE LOT, PLUS $350 FOR A NEW GLOVE BOX! JUST BECAUSE I LOCKED IT FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR SAFETY . NOW UNDRIVABLE, I SHUDDER A THE THOUGHT OF REPAIR BILLS FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S FAILING NOW, I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ONLY ONE. NOT SO FUNNY NOW MINI COOPER! *TR

I HAD JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND FLEW TO NEW JERSEY TO GET IT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT AND HE WAS NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I DROVE IT BACK TO FLORIDA AND DID NOT HAVE POWER STEERING THE WHOLE WAY. IN APRIL 2010, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. I CONTINUED TO HAVE POWER STEERING AND THEN IN OCTOBER 2010, IT WENT OUT AGAIN FOR TWO DAYS. THEN IT CAME BACK. THEN IN 2011, IT WENT OUT AGAIN FOR TWO DAYS DURING THE YEAR. AND NOW IT HAS BEEN OUT SINCE APRIL OF THIS YEAR. I HAD BEEN ON DISABILITY FROM JANUARY TILL JULY, SO I WAS NOT DRIVING MY CAR THAT MUCH. I HAVE NOT WORRIED ABOUT FIXING IT. ALSO, WHEN I PICKED MY CAR UP IN NJ, THEY HAD WRITTEN ON MY RECEIPT THAT THEY WOULD PAY $500 TOWARDS THE REPAIR OF MY POWER STEERING. I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO ASK MY ATTORNEY IF THAT WOULD STILL BE VALID OR NOT. BUT IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF THE MINI'S ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS WONDERING IF MINI WILL BE RECALLING THE POWER STEERING AND I CAN HAVE MY CAR FIXED? *TR

THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULTY TO CONTROL, BUT EVENTUALLY THE STEERING STARTED WORKING AGAIN. IN AUGUST THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ONLY THIS TIME FOR AN HOUR. THIS MADE THE VEHICLE ALMOST USELESS. TODAY 10/2/2012 THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE MY WIFE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WAS PHYSICALLY TIRING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THIS TINY CAR. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS AND WE NO LONGER FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING MALFUNCTION RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN AND OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THERE WAS A CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11005 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING: HESITATION, WHEELS SKIDDING, ROUGH ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AFTER 2 TRIPS TO MINI COOPER IN WHICH THE CAR'S COMPUTER WAS "RESET" BECAUSE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION WERE FOUND. THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE PERSISTS, BUT THERE WAS ALSO ONE EPISODE WHERE THE CAR DID NOT START AND LATER TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A CONGESTED NYC ROAD. *TR

AFTER DRIVING ONE EVENING A SHORT DISTANCE TO THE STORE AND FEELING A STRANGE PULLING OF THE CAR BUT NOT REALLY MOVING AS FAST AS IT SHOULD, I TOOK IT TO BE CHECKED OUT AT THE MINI OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION BUT THAT I COULD STILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT SHORT DISTANCES. THIS COST $138. SO AFTER A COUPLE OF SHORT TRIPS TO WORK, I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH WHEN IT STARTED TO "SHUT DOWN", IT WAS REVVING VERY LOUDLY BUT ONLY MOVING AT ABOUT 20MPH AT THE MOST. I HAD TO PULL OVER MANY TIMES DUE TO ANXIETY, FEAR AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO FIND A BACK WAY HOME BECAUSE I COULD NO LONGER DRIVE ON ANY OF THE MAIN ROADS SINCE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT I WAS GOING TO GET HIT FROM BEHIND! *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP STOPS OPERATING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES TO DATE: THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT LOW SPEED IN A PARKING STRUCTURE; THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEED; THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A SURFACE STREET WHILE DECELERATING TO A STOP. IN EACH CASE, CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED BUT WAS VERY DIFFICULT. THE PUMP FUNCTION WAS RESTORED BY STOPPING AND CYCLING THE VEHICLE IGNITION TO OFF AND THEN RESTARTING THE ENGINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL AREA, THE WHEEL OF THE CAR BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP (EHPS) WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE FAN OF THE EHPS WAS NOT DISENGAGING WHEN THE CAR IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, THEREFORE RUNNING DOWN THE BATTERY AND CAUSING THE EHPS TO NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THE NEXT DAY, WITH THE SAME EHPS, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING FINE. *TR

DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH FOR ABOUT 15 MINS. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, I REALIZED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. FORTUNATELY, I WAS COMING TO A TRAFFIC JUNCTION AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND PULL ASIDE WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET, THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP THAT CAUSES THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT CAN EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS ALSO A WHINING NOISE THAT I HEAR COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WHICH I FOUND IS ALSO RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP PROBLEM. *TR

WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, THE FAN WON'T TURN OFF AND KEEPS RUNNING. IT DRAINS THE BATTERY VERY QUICKLY. I TOOK IT TO AUTO SHOP AND THE REPORT SAYS STEERING PUMP INTERNAL FAILURE. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR STOP WORKING. AS A RESULT MY VEHICLE DISPLAYS A WARNING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS ARE OFF. MY DRIVER SIDE FOG LIGHT HOUSING MELTED AND CRACK APART. I USED STOCK 55W HALOGEN BULBS. MY PASSENGER SIDE FOG LIGHT HOUSING HAS ALSO BEGUN TO MELT. MY POWER STEERING IS NOT LEAKING NOW. BUT IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. *TR

I WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE AND THE RAMP CURVED TO THE RIGHT, AS I BEGAN TO NEGOTIATE THE CURVE I NOTICED I HAD NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. I REACHED MY DESTINATION ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER AND HAD NO POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE AT ALL THE ENTIRE TIME. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT USE IT AGAIN UNTIL 9/3/12 AND THE STEERING APPEARED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY AGAIN. IN READING THE INVESTIGATIVE STUDY I NOTED THAT IT MAY BE DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE INTERNAL ELECTRONICS AND MAY ALSO RESULT IN A CONTINUOUS RUNNING OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. LAST YEAR ALMOST TO THE DAY, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER AND HAD WHAT SEEMED LIKE POWER SURGE AND AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY THE CAR CONTINUED TO MAKE A CLICKING SOUND AND THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN BY THEMSELVES. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO RESTART AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY,WHICH I DID, I NOW WONDER IF THAT WAS A RELATED INCIDENT. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED, CALLED DEALER TWICE AND BMW COMPANY TWICE, KNEW ABOUT PROBLEMS, BUT SENT ME IN A CIRCLE. DEALER SAID TO GO TO COMPANY FOR HELP AND INFO, COMPANY SAID TO GO TO DEALER, VERY DECEPTIVE PRACTICES. *TR

RIGHT AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SUDDENLY VERY STIFF AS I WAS MAKING A STANDARD 90 TURN. I ALMOST HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME BUT DIDN'T AS I MANAGED TO HIT THE BRAKES. I FINISHED THE CURVE ON THE VERY LAST LANE ON THE RIGHT. IF A CAR HAD BEEN ON MY WAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NONE. MINI DIAGNOSED A POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. BROWSING ON THE WEB, I CAME ACROSS PAGES OF PEOPLE HAVING HAD THE SAME ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR'S MODEL (MINI COOPER S 2005). CANADIAN AUTHORITIES EVEN ORDERED A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME FAILURE. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT NHTSA IS CURRENTLY STUDYING THIS ISSUE; COULD YOU PLEASE CONFIRM THIS IS TRUE ANY IDEA HOW LONG IS THE PROCESS TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT A RECALL WILL BE DECIDED IF A RECALL WAS DECIDED, WOULD WE GET REIMBURSE NOT MATTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE IN A MINI DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE ? THANK YOU *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *TR

GENERALLY, I LOVE THE MINI COOPER HAVING PURCHASED IT IN THE AFTER MARKET. HOWEVER, NOT LONG AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, I HAD PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS WITH MY STEERING WHEEL SEIZING UP BUT AN INCIDENT IN FEBRUARY 2012 STICKS OUT MOST IN MY MIND SINCE I WAS ON I-95 IN THE RAIN AND COULD NOT ADEQUATELY STEER THE CAR TO TAKE AN EXIT. MY 11 YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS WITH ME AT THE TIME. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND RESUME DRIVING. FINANCIALLY, I COULD NOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER BUT THE CONDITION AND WORK AROUND CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW WEEKS WHEN I COULD AFFORD THE REPAIR. IN EARLY MAY 2012, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND IT COST OVER $1300 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE COOLING FAN ALSO NEEDED REPAIR FOR ANOTHER $720 -- I JUST DIDN'T HAVE IT. TODAY, MY 2-YR OLD BATTERY FAILED APPARENTLY DUE TO DRAINING FROM THE FAN. FOR NOW, I REPLACED THE BATTERY FOR $249. I WILL BE INCREMENTALLY GETTING REPAIRS DONE, HOWEVER, IN READING SOME PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE STEERING PUMP, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE SOME RELEVANCE BETWEEN THE PUMP GOING BAD AND AN IMPACT ON THE FAN. I'D APPRECIATE ANY INSIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE ON THAT POSSIBILITY. I AM REPORTING THIS NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT FOR OTHERS WHO ALSO MAY BE IMPACTED BY THE PUMP DEFECT THAT I AM LEARNING IS SOMEWHAT COMMON. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OUTCOME OF YOUR ENGINEERING ANALYSIS. THANK YOU. *TR

MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO AVOID HITTING THE CURB AND PULLED OVER AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN. IT FELT LIKE DRIVING WITH FOUR FLAT TIRES. AFTER RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. IN BOTH CASES, THIS HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER STARTING UP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. ..UPDATED 11/29/12 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD COME ON PERIODICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND WOULD RUN, UNTIL THE BATTERY DRAINED. UPDATED 12/03/12

WAS DRIVING ON AN OVERPASS BETWEEN FREEWAYS WHEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS BEGINNING MY TURN, AND COULD NOT CONTROL OR MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIT THE RAILING. CARS HAD TO DODGE QUICKLY TO NOT HIT ME. TURNED OFF IGNITION AND TURNED BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE - BUT WAS REALLY SHOOK UP. CONTINUED DRIVING TO WORK 3 MILES LATER AND IT DID IT AGAIN PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT. LATER THAT DAY, STARTED THE CAR AND ONCE AGAIN NO POWER STEERING. HAD IT TOWED HOME, AND CHECKED IT THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, WITHOUT SUCCESS (TO GET IT TO A GARAGE) THEN THIS MORNING IT STARTED WORKING. DROVE 1/2 MILE TO GARAGE, AND IT DID IT AGAIN. CALLED BMW SERVICE AND THE MANAGER ACTED LIKE THIS WAS UNUSUAL AND SAID TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. CALLED ANOTHER BMW AND THE SAME STORY. CHECKED WITH MY GERMAN MECHANIC DOWN THE STREET AND HE SAID THAT IS THE #1 REASON HE SEES MINI'S 2005 IN THE STOP. 2ND WAS MY CONVERTIBLE TOP, WHICH QUITE IRONICALLY BROKE THE SAME DAY AS MY POWER STEERING. THE PASSENGER SIDE WON'T DISENGAGE. I'M LOOKING AT OVER $3000 TO FIX A CAR WITH ONLY 42K MILES ON IT. SHOULDN'T THESE PARTS BE RECALLED? I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT! *TR

DAUGHTER/CO-OWNER WAS DRIVING CAR. SHIFTING FROM 1ST IN TO 2ND GEAR. LOUD CLUNK OR RATTLE/CLICKING FROM UNSIDE. CAR LOST POWER STEERING, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK. *TR

I CANNOT REMEMBER EXACT DATES AS THIS PART HAS BEEN BAD FOR SO LONG. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHINES VERY LOUDLY. A COUPLE TIMES THE POWER HAS GONE OUT AND THE CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE PROBLEM IS VERY INTERMITTENT AND ONLY LASTED A FEW SECONDS EACH TIME. *TR

JUST GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY CAUSE THE STEERING STARTED TO GET VERY DIFFICULT. AFTER WE LOOKED IN THE MANUAL AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING ABOUT POWER STEERING FLUID LEVELS WE HEADED TOWARDS OUR DESTINATION ABOUT 10 OR SO MINS. LATER. STEERING WAS FINE AFTER THAT, THEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO WE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, THANKFULLY WE WERE ON A LOCAL ROAD AND IT LASTED ABOUT 3 MINS. THEN STEERING BECAME NORMAL AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,207. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TO SACRAMENTO, CA FROM ALAMEDA, CA, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, MY RED DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE ROOF-MOUNTED YELLOW PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT BOTH CAME ON. THE ROOF-MOUNTED YELLOW LIGHT THEN WENT OUT AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, BUT THE RED DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON EVERY TIME THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON. *TR

THE FIRST TIME MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT I WAS AT A STOP SIGN. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND HAD DIFFICULTY MAKING THE TURN. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN ANOTHER TIME WHEN I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN. I WAS FORTUNATE THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND. TODAY, 8/20/2012 IS THE MOST RECENT DAY THAT IT WENT OUT. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS OUT. I HAVE FIGURED OUT THAT IF I TURN OFF MY CAR IT COMES BACK ON. LUCKILY I HAD TO STOP BEFORE GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY SO I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL MY CAR AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THEN.

THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AT 66K MILES - AS I AM RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I CAN SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITH THEIR MINI COOPER AND BMW HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE COST TO US WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $10,000 TO REPAIR. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR ACTIVATES, SAYING THAT THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WHEN ONE IS NOT PRESENT. IT OFTEN REMINDS THIS "PASSENGER" TO BUCKLE THEIR SEAT BELT. OTHER TIMES IT IS SILENT BUT STILL INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN THERE TRULY IS A PASSENGER. *TR

THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS FAILED. THIS CAUSES THE AIRBAGS TO BE UNARMED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE. I HAVE CONTACTED MINI ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY COVERED THE REPAIR ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, BUT NOT MINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED ON ALL VEHICLES THAT IT HAS OCCURRED ON, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. THE REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE, AND SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR

RIGHT INSIDE DOOR RELEASE FAILED SO THAT PASSENGER COULD NOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. PASSENGER WOULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. MINI DEALER REPAIRED BY REPLACING ROTARY LATCH LOCK AT COST OF $447. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN PARKING THE CAR. *TR

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, THEN FAILED. CONTACTED LOCAL MINI DEALER (MIDWESTERN AUTO GROUP), WHO ADVISED THAT I BRING IT IN TO "CONFIRM" AT THE DIAGNOSTIC COST OF $140. WHEN I INQUIRED AS TO WHY I SHOULD PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE WHEN I HAD I IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM, MAG SERVICE MANAGER STATED AT THAT TIME THAT A FULL/PARTIAL REPAIR BY MINI USA WAS "HIGHLY LIKELY" IF I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR DEALER SERVICE AND PAID THE FEE. AFTER NEARLY A MONTH OF BACK-AND-FORTH BETWEEN MINI USA, MAG, AND MYSELF NEITHER MINI USA NOR MAG WOULD OFFER ANY REPAIR ASSISTANCE. NEITHER MINI USA NOR MAG WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION, THE RECALL IN CANADA, OR THE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS WELL-DOCUMENTED ISSUE. BOTTOM LINE: I EXPERIENCED A "SHAKE DOWN" FROM MAG AND MINI USA IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. DEPLORABLE PRACTICE. *TR

WHILE PROCEEDING DOWN A NORMAL DRY ROAD I MANUALLY SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION (USING MANUAL MODE ON THE CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR. THE SHIFT NORMALLY WOULD BE SMOOTH HOWEVER ON THIS OCCURRENCE THE ENGINE IDLED EXTREMELY HIGH AND THE GEAR KICKED IN AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS WITH A LOUD BANGING SOUND WHEN THE GEAR FINALLY TOOK HOLD. THE CAR BEHAVED ITSELF FOR A WHILE BUT THIS EVENT STARTED HAPPENING MORE AND MORE UNTIL IT BECAME A REGULAR OCCURRENCE. MOST OF THE TIME THERE WAS NO LOUD NOISE BUT THE 4TH GEAR WOULD NOT CATCH AND I ADJUSTED MY DRIVING SO THAT I WOULD SHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR TO 5TH GEAR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID THE OVER REVVING. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP. THEY LOOKED IT OVER AND ADVISED ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY OF REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT ENTIRELY. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING TO LOCATE A NEW TRANSMISSION AS DURING THE LAST OCCURRENCE (JULY 21, 2012) THE CAR DID NOT GO INTO 4TH GEAR AND I WAS STUCK ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO MOVE, I.E. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. AFTER PULLING OVER TO SAFETY I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR UP TO 3RD GEAR AND RETURN HOME. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY UNUSABLE. I AM NOT WORKING WITH THE MANUFACTURER / DEALER AS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN ME THAT THEY ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND FINANCIAL GAIN IS THERE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE. IN ADDITION ALL THE INTERNET BLOGS THAT I HAVE REVIEWED, AND JOINED / COMMENTED ON HAS SHOWN ME THAT BMW / MINI DOES NOT WORK WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS TO RECTIFY THIS BAD, UNSAFE PRODUCT. I AM HOPING THAT BMW / MINI WILL WORK WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS WHO ARE STUCK WITH HIS BAD PRODUCT AND I AM ON A LIST TO SUPPORT A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHICH HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,916 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,960.

EARLIER IN THE DAY I TOOK THE CAR ON A DAY TRIP TO LAKE TAHOE DRIVING A COMBINATION OF INTERSTATE AND MOUNTAIN PASS ROAD. 3 HOURS LATER, MY WIFE HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO RUN AN ERRAND AND CAME HOME AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE COMPLETELY OFF AND LOCKED. 10-15 MINUTES LATER WE HEAR THE CAR ALARM GOING OFF. WE OPENED THE DOOR TO THE GARAGE AND SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS HIGH PITCHED WINING ALSO. WHEN I OPENED UP THE DOOR THE PUT IN NEUTRAL, THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANELS WERE ALL ON WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. OPENED THE GARAGE AND MOVED THE CAR TO THE DRIVEWAY AND AWAY FROM THE HOUSE. CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND I USED AN EXTINGUISHER UNDERNEATH WHERE ORANGE GLOW WAS VISIBLE. THE GLOW OF THE FLAMES WERE TOWARD THE BACK PART OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LOW. SAW NO VISIBLE FLAMES IN THE MAIN COMPARTMENT WHEN THE HOOD WAS POPPED OPEN WHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP THEY USED A GARDEN HOSE TO COOL ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SUGGESTED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHICH I DID. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MINI DEALER IN RENO, NV. *TR UPDATED 8/8/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS THAT SEEMED TO HAVE CAUSED AND WERE DAMAGED IN THE INCIDENT WERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, POWER STEERING COOLING FAN, AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS ALL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF A 2005 MINI COOPER S. UPDATED 08/14/2012 *JS

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER AND WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT AND ENTER A SHOPPING CENTER, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REALLY HARD, THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND I FELT VERY UNSECURE AND IN DANGER. I TOOK MY CAR TO AN AUTO PARTS SHOP AND CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT WAS OK. I TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND DROVE AWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WHEEL WAS OK. 3 DAYS LATER I NOTICED A BUZZING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE, IT WOULD NOT STOP EVEN WHEN I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND REMOVED THE KEYS. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. I AM RELUCTANT TO ENTER THE FREEWAY, I FEEL THE CAR MIGHT FAIL AND I CAN GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

DEFECTIVE CVT TRANSMISSION! THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS NO FAULT OF OURS THAT WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT DUE TO THE WAY THIS TRANSMISSION WAS DESIGNED!!!!!!!! *TR

INTERMITTENTLY AND RARELY, WHEN THE CAR FIRST STARTS, THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL, AND THERE IS NO APPARENT EFFECT ON THE WHEELS OF THE CAR. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, I HAVE IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED. RESTARTING THE IGNITION HAS BEEN ENOUGH TO REGAIN THE POWER STEERING. AFTER THIS HAPPENED BETWEEN 5 AND 10 TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR, I REALIZED IT WAS A PATTERN AND DECIDED TO LODGE A COMPLAINT. I ALSO REALIZED THAT THE LOUDER-THAN-ORDINARY STEERING FAN NOISE MIGHT BE ANOTHER SYMPTOM OF PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. IN MID-SEPTEMBER 2011, THE CAR BATTERY DIED. THE STEERING FAN WAS VERY LOUD. I NOW WONDER IF THE BATTERY FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE STEERING FAN, ALTHOUGH NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP COMMENTED ON THE VERY LOUD FAN THAT WAS EXTREMELY NOTICEABLE WHEN THEY RESTARTED THE CAR. *TR

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS REPEATEDLY. SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO STOP CAR AND RESTARTED ENGINE; SEEMS TO RESET PUMP ELECTRONICS. THIS INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE HAS HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES IN THE 3 YEARS WE'VE OWNED THE CAR AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF DRIVER IS NOT AWARE OF THE CHANGE IN STEERING ABILITY. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE PUMP I BELIEVE AND WITH ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I FEEL MINI/BMW SHOULD VIEW THIS AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND COVER UNDER WARRANTY -- IT IS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS PART AND POOR DESIGN. *TR

THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING OUT FOR SOME TIME. OFTEN IT WILL RESET IF I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RESTART, BUT RECENTLY IT HASN'T BEEN RESETTING RIGHT AWAY AND OFTEN WILL BE OUT FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE RESETTING. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN STRANGE CREAKING/GROANING SOUNDS EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL RECENTLY, AS WELL AS A WHIRRING SOUND THAT GOES ON AND OFF WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE STEERING WILL GO OUT WHEN I START THE CAR OR WHEN I'M DRIVING. IT'S WORRYING TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WHERE YOU CAN NEVER BE SURE IF A LIGHT TURN OF THE WHEEL WILL DO THE TRICK TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE OR IF IT WILL REQUIRE ALL THE STRENGTH I HAVE--IF I MISJUDGE THIS BY EITHER APPLYING TOO MUCH FORCE OR TOO LITTLE, AN ACCIDENT IS VERY LIKELY. *TR

INTERMEDIATE POWER STEERING FAILURE , RAN OFF THE ROAD HIT A FENCE TO AVOID ON COMING CAR,THANK GOD I WAS NOT HURT ,WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, AFTER 8 HRS AT WORK GOT IN IT STEERING WAS WORKIN ALMOST TO MY DRIVE WENT OUT AGAIN NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN BUT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN LATELY COME DRIVE IT WILL SCARE YOUR PANTS OFF. *TR

ALL BULBS ARE GOOD BUT YET I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS ARE TURNING SIGNALS TOP BRAKE LIGHT IS ALL I HAVE WHEN I TURN ON SIGNALS WINDOWS GO DOWN SUNROOF OPENS. *TR

HINGE ON REAR HATCH BEGAN BENDING UNTIL DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE AT ALL. FINALLY, THE HINGE FRACTURED AND THE WHOLE DOOR NEARLY FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE, LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE CONDITION BECAUSE THE HATCH WAS NOW HANGING OVER THE REAR BUMPER BY ONLY ONE HINGE. THESE EVENTS OCCURRED OVER THE COURSE OF TWO DAYS AND WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING. *TR

I SLOWED DOWN FROM APPROXIMATELY 40MPH TO 35MPH AS I ENTERED A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT FROM THE MAIN STREET WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP OR SHUT OFF. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND COASTED TO A SAFE STOP BARELY MISSING PARKED CARS. SIMILAR SITUATIONS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND SPORADICALLY WITH NO RECOGNIZABLE PATTERN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. I MENTIONED THE STEERING LOSS AT THE SERVICE APPOINTMENTS, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SITUATIONS. THE MINI SERVICE AT THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED ANY PROBLEMS TO ME SO I ASSUMED IT WAS JUST AN ELECTRONIC GLITCH. MOST RECENTLY THE BATTERY WAS RUN DOWN AND WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE. WHILE PURCHASING A NEW BATTERY THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS STUCK OR STAYING ON AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF THUS RUNNING DOWN THE NEW BATTERY. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE PRICE OF A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP ONLINE I FOUND SITES WITH COMPLAINTS THAT WERE VERY SIMILAR, IF NOT EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE PROBLEMS I HAD EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST WITH STEERING POWER LOSS. THE MINI DEALER THAT INSTALLED THE NEW POWER STEERING PUMP WAS NOT WILLING TO OBLIGE ME DUE TO MY MINI BEING 8,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE, AND I FEEL THAT MINI SHOULD REFUND ME THE MONEY SPENT REPLACING THIS DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. *JS

DRIVING AROUND A CORNER, POWER STEERING DROPPED OUT. RESTARTING SOLVED THE PROBLEM. HAS OCCURRED OCCASIONALLY SINCE THEN. ALSO, OCCASIONALLY THE PUMP CONTINUES AFTER THE CAR STOPS. SEEMS RELATED TO EA11005. *JS

THE CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING, HOWEVER, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED US TODAY THAT THE CVT (TRANSMISSION) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $7000. WE ARE AWARE THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON LINE REGARDING MINI COOPER CVT POWER TRAINS IN 2002 - 2006 MINI'S AND THAT THERE ARE APPARENTLY CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS IN CALIFORNIA AND NEW JERSEY AS MINI COOPER APPARENTLY IS REFUSING TO ISSUE A RECALL. IT DOES NOT SEEM WITHIN REASON THAT A CAR WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES SHOULD HAVE THE TRANSMISSION GO OUT. ALSO, IN THAT THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS AND CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS PENDING, THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT MINI COOPER SHOULD ADMIT THAT ITS CVT POWER TRAIN IS FAULTY AND ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH AN OCCUPANT POSITIONED IN THE SEAT. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR EVEN WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS NOT PRESENT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE ILLUMINATION NO LONGER CONTINUED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON DUE TO FAULTY OC SENSORS, AND FAULTY OC SENSOR CONNECTORS. MINI USA REFUSED EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SENSOR, OR RECALL WHILE PASSENGER SAFETY IS IN JEOPARDY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR PAD WAS FAULTY AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM IN WHICH THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER AS A WARRANTY ISSUE AS I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE CURRENT SITUATION BUT DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND STILL HAVE IT. PART FAILED IS A SEAT SENSOR. DEALER WANTS CLOSE TO $2K TO REPLACE IT, BUT IT FAILED A LONG, LONG, LONG TIME AGO. I WOULD THINK IT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 2 OR 3 YEARS. CAN FIND TONS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS AT HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/STOCK-PROBLEMS-ISSUES-9-2.HTML *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR WITH A KEY FOB FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ONLY ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR BY OPENING THE WINDOW AND USING THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,816.

I WAS TURNING THE CORNER TO PULL INTO MY STREET AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I BARELY MANAGED TO TURN THE VEHICLE INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THEN TURNED IT OFF. WHEN I WENT TO TRY IT AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER, I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

MY POWER STEERING UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. STEERING FLUID LEVEL IS FINE AND WHEN I LEFT WORK IT WAS BACK ON. IT IS CONTINUING TO STOP AND START WORKING AT UNEXPECTED TIMES AND WITHOUT WARNING WHICH MAKES STEERING HARD WHEN IT GOES OUT. *TR

WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME STIFF. I WAS DRIVING UP A CURVY MOUNTAIN ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE SURE I COULD NAVIGATE THE TURNS. THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED 8-10 TIMES SINCE - SOMETIMES WITH A COMPLETELY COLD CAR, OTHER TIMES AFTER DRIVING 25-30 MILES, TURNING OFF THE CAR AND THEN TURNING IT BACK ON AGAIN. IF, WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON, THE POWER STEERING ISN'T WORKING, I TURN THE CAR OFF, LET IT SIT FOR 10 SECONDS OR SO AND RESTART IT. THIS PROCESS FAILED ONCE, BUT AFTER TURNING IT OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE POWER STEERING FAILING WHILE DRIVING SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. HOWEVER, MY PARTNER HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM TWICE WHILE DRIVING. I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT THE MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DENVER, CO REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND HE DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ANY PROBLEMS OR INVESTIGATIONS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND WHILE AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000.

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK. THE STEERING IS DIFFICULT AND JERKY. *TR

PARKED CAR ON CITY STREET AND TURNED OFF CAR. HEARD HIGH-PITCHED NOISE LIKE SOMETHING WAS STILL RUNNING. TURNED CAR ON AND BACK OFF AGAIN. STILL HEARD NOISE. SAW GRAY, ACRID SMOKE BILLOWING FROM BENEATH HOOD. CAR STARTED BUT POWER STEERING WAS OUT. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. HIGH-PITCHED NOISE WAS POWER STEERING PUMP FAN WHICH DIDN'T TURN OFF WHEN CAR WAS TURNED OFF WHICH BURNT OUT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WIRES, HARNESS AND OTHER RELATED PARTS. $2000 REPAIR MADE AT MINI/BMW DEALER IN SAN FRANCISCO. *TR

SINCE I HAD THE CAR IN 2009 I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING THAT IT HAS A FAILURE. BMW NO RESPONSE FOR THIS ITS A PUMP THAT ITS NOT DESIGN CORRECTLY. LOST OF MINIS HAS THIS PROBLEMS. HARD TO STEER AND ALMOST GOT INTO A CRASH. *TT

INITIALLY WE WERE PARKED WITH A LARGE ADULT WHO WEIGHS ~200LBS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. SHIFTING AROUND AND UNBUCKLING-REBUCKLING SEATBELT CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO GO OFF FOR A BIT. WE BEGAN TO DRIVE ANYWAY, THE TERRAIN WAS MOUNTAINOUS, AND EVENTUALLY THE LIGHTS WENT OFF. THAT NIGHT. IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS AND MONTHS, IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, SOMETIMES UPON GETTING SEATED AND STARTING TO DRIVE, OTHER TIMES ONCE WE WERE IN MOTION, VERY UNPREDICTABLE. THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES RESOLVED BY SHIFTING HIS WEIGHT OR FUSSING WITH THE SEATBELT TO GET THE LIGHTS OFF, BUT FOR THE PAST MONTH IT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM. *TR

THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRENTY IN 2009. THE SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN IN 2011. THE DEALER SAID THEY DO NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRENTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE AND THE PART WERE PAST THE WARRENTY PERIOD. THEY WANTED OVER $1000 TO FIX IT. I CONVEYED TO THEM THAT THEY HAVE A SAFETY PROBLEM RELATED TO THIS SENSOR AND APPARENTLY THEY HAVE NOT CORRECTED IT YET, SO WHY WOULD I PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED BY A PART THAT WILL MALFUNCTION AGAIN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW/MINI ARE IGNORING!

I STARTED THE CAR COLD BEFORE HEADING OUT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY OUT. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN, ALTHOUGH NOT WITH THE FULL ASSIST. SINCE THIS TIME, EVERY TIME I START UP THE CAR, I HAVE A VARYING DEGREE OF ASSIST FOR THE FIRST COUPLE MINUTES OF DRIVING IT. *JS

LAST THURSDAY MAY 10, 2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME AND SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, I LOST THE STEERING POWER FUNCTION; THE STEERING WHEEL GOT TOTALLY RIGID AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MANIPULATE; WITH A HUGE EFFORT AND VERY CAREFULLY, I COULD ARRIVE AT HOME. I AM LUCKY THAT I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER. AFTER SWITCHING OFF AND ON THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING FINE AGAIN. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THEN; WE ARE DEALING WITH MINI COOPER AND ITS AUTHORIZED DEALER RIGHT NOW TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED BUT SO FAR THE EXPERIENCE WITH THEM HAS BEEN TRAUMATIZING. I RESEARCHED IN INTERNET AND I FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR THE MINI COOPER MODELS BETWEEN 2002-2007; I CONTACTED MINI COOPER AND MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER THIS MORNING BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO ASSIST US WITH THIS LIFE- THREATENING ISSUE; THE CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN AWFUL HERE AND UNCONSIDERED. *JS

SEAT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG CHILD DISABLING FEATURE FAILED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE SEAT. DEALER ESTIMATE WAS $1300 FOR THE REPLACEMENT SEAT AND LABOR. DEALER ADMITTED THAT IT HAS BEEN A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN SEVERAL BMW MODELS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 32000 MILES ON IT. NO WARRANTY COVERAGE WAS OFFERED. *TR

POWER STEERING CUTS OUT INTERMITTENTLY. POWER STEERING COMES BACK AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE. THEN FAILS LATER AGAIN. *TR

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE I WAS IN A TURN AT 30 MPH. STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY AND NEARLY CAUSED THE CAR TO LEAVE THE ROAD DUE TO GREATLY INCREASED REQUIRED STEERING EFFORT. SHUT CAR OFF AND CHECKED FLUID LEVEL. FLUID LEVEL FOUND TO BE FULL. RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE WITH MINI'S. ADDITIONALLY, TRANSPORT CANADA HAS ISSUED A RECALL ALREADY ON THESE POWER STEERING PUMPS DUE TO CONTINUED FAILURES. *TR

MY 2005 MINI COOPER S OUT OF NO WHERE BURIED THE NEEDLE ON THE THERMOSTAT AND WAS COMPLETELY OVERHEATED. UNABLE TO DRIVE ANY FURTHER AS I SMELT SMOKE AND POSSIBLY A SWEET SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HAVE NOW SEEN THAT THIS IS AN ITEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON ALL MINI COOPERS S FROM 2006 TO 2011, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE 2005 DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BOARD ETC. AS THOSE AND I FEEL THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE ALSO RECALLED FOR THIS ITEM. OBVIOUSLY, I CAN NOT DRIVE IT AND THE PRICE IS OUTRAGEOUS TO FIX IT. *TR

I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS. IT CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL AND MAKES THE CAR UNDRIVABLE AND THERE IS NO WARNING. I PULL OVER AND RESTART IT AND IT HAS POWER STEERING AGAIN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

THE CAR HAD BEEN PERFORMING NORMALLY AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE IT WAS SUDDENLY EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. AFTER COMING OUT OF THE STORE THE CAR RESUMED STEERING CORRECTLY. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED-IT WAS TERRIBLY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE VEHICLE. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO SUGGESTED CHECKING THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL. I WAS UNABLE TO FIND IN MY OWNERS MANUAL WHERE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS LOCATED. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE FLUID THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND FOUND THE LEVEL TO BE NORMAL. HE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING IN OTHER CARS OF MY TYPE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE EVERYTHING REPLACED-PUMP, FAN AND RESERVOIR AT A COST FOR PARTS ALONE AT $1033. I FEEL THAT IF THIS PROBLEM WAS KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURING COMPANY THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALLED ITEM FOR SAFETY SAKE. THE RECALL EXTENDED ONLY TO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004. MY VEHICLE WAS MADE IN FEBRUARY 2005. *TR

VEHICLE FIRE 5/2/2012. CAR PARKED FOR 4 HRS. RETURNED TO CAR & DROVE IT <50 YARDS FOR ~2 MINUTES (MOVED IT FROM STREET TO PARKING LOT). TURNED IT OFF AND WENT IN STORE. RETURNED ~4 MINUTES LATER, NOTICED SMOKE/EXHAUST SMELL; PRESUMED IT WAS ADJACENT CAR. UNLOCKED CAR. CAR WOULD'T START (NO LIGHTS/ELECTRICAL AT ALL). I THEN NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD. OPENED HOOD THEN NOTICED FLAME/FIRE INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WENT IN STORE, GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT FIRE OUT. INVOICE WAS >$3500 FROM MINI DEALER. THE DEALER'S ASSESSMENT: "VERIFIED POWER STEERING PUMP HAS OVERHEATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS BURNED UP INTERNALLY AS WELL AS EXTERNALLY (MELTING ALL THREE CONNECTORS AND THE WIRING LEADING TO THEM). INSPECTED POWER STEERING COOLING FAN AND VERIFIED COOLING FAN IS SEIZING UP WHICH VERY LIKELY LED TO THE OVERHEATING AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. REMOVED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSE BOX TO EXAMINE MEGAFUSE POWERING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FUSE IS INTACT AND DID NOT BURN UP. INSPECTED POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE AND IT APPEARS THE RUBBER SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE WAS SUBJECTED TO THE HEAT/MELTING OF THE MAIN POWER CONNECTOR (IT'S IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CONNECTOR) AND IT APPEARS THE HOSE HAS TAKEN A LEVEL OF DAMAGE FROM THE HEAT. RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF POWER STEERING PUMP, THE WIRING SECTION/CONNECTOR PIGTAIL FROM THE FUSE BOX (THIS IS THE MAIN POWER CONNECTOR), THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS (CONTAINS TWO OTHER ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO THE PUMP WHICH RECEIVED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE), THE POWER STEERING FAN (LIKELY CAUSE OF FAILURE), POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE (HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC LINE WHICH HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THE MAIN CONNECTOR MELTING AND SUBSEQUENT HEAT), AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE COMPONENTS (O-RINGS, CRUSH RINGS, HOSE CLAMPS ECT...)" *TR

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, HAS NOT COME BACK. *JS

ENGINE COOLING FAN LOW SPEED STAGE FAILURE. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF COOLING FAN FOR THE SAME MODEL UP TO MODEL YEAR 2004. BUT MY 2005 MINI COOPER S HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THUS, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE MODEL YEAR 2005. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE CONTROLLED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURVE AND PUNCTURED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. IN ADDITION, THE WAS AN ABNORMAL HUMMING HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AND THE BATTERY FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS IN THE POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITH CAUTION AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS CURRENTLY THERE AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA11005 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: PUMP). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER ON TUESDAY, THE STEERING FELT ODD. WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE THE CAR THE FOLLOWING DAY THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. I FELT I DIDN'T HAVE CONTROL. WHEN MAKING A TURN I HAD TO PHYSICALLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET THE CAR TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. IT WAS FRIGHTENING. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO HIM BY OTHER MINI OWNERS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND ALOT OF INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET FROM OTHER 2005 MINI COOPER OWNERS. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE SITUATION CHECKED OUT AT MY MINI DEALER IN FREEPORT,NY. ON MONDAY. WHEN INFORMING THEM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT MY MECHANIC AND THE INTERNET HAVE STATED, I WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF SUCH PROBLEMS AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $130 JUST TO GET A DIAGNOSIS FROM THEM. I THEN CALLED MINI USA TO REPORT IT TO THEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF SUCH PROBLEMS AND THAT I SHOULD CALL THEM FROM THE MINI DEALER AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS IS PERFORMED AND THEY WILL LET ME KNOW IF THEY CAN HELP ME. *JS

PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT, ILLUMINATES 3-4 SECONDS AFTER ENGINE START, ALONG WITH THE RED AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT, ON THE MAIN SPEEDOMETER. THIS OCCURS, WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, OR NOT, DUE TO THIS SAFETY DEFECT. MINI COOPER DEALERS, DENY THIS IS A PROBLEM, HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND OVER 40 OTHER COMPLAINTS REGISTERED ON THIS EXACT DEFECT !!! MAJOR REPAIR COST FROM THE DEALER, TO CHANGE THE WHOLE BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SENSOR, THAT SEPARATES FROM THE SEAT CUSHION, AFTER A SHORT TIME! *JS

BOTH AIRBAG WARNIG LIGHTS COME ON WHEN SOMEONE SITS IN FRONT PASS SEAT. WHEN THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP" IS ON THAT MEANS NO ONE IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT WHILE IT'S ON AND THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY B/C THE CAR THINKS SOMEONE ISN'T IN THE SEAT. *JS

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN IGNITION IS POWERED. SEAT CAN BE EITHER OCCUPIED OR UNOCCUPIED. INITIAL PROBLEM INTERMITTENT, WITHIN 1 MONTH PROBLEM CONSTANT, BOTH AIRBAG LIGHTS REMAIN ON. THERE ARE (2) AIRBAG LIGHTS IN THIS VEHICLE, ONE RED LAMP THAT IS IN THE DASH, THE SECOND A YELLOW LAMP LOCATED NEAR THE INSIDE CENTER REAR VIEW MIRROR. FEEDBACK APPEARS THAT THE ISSUE IS THE AIRBAG SENSOR LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM AFTER STUDYING SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS COMMENTED ON A MINI OWNERS WEBSITE. THIS IS ALSO A KNOWN PROBLEM OCCURRING ON BMW VEHICLES THAT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JS

AT RANDOM TIMES, THE POWER STEERING FAILS, MOSTLY AT START-UP, BUT SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. I ALWAYS NEED TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, AND RESTART THE CAR, WHICH SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY RE-ENGAGE THE POWER ASSIST STEERING.

I HAD RETURNED HOME TO CALIFORNIA AFTER LIVING IN HAWAII FOR A FEW MONTHS. I GOT IN MY CAR, DROVE IT FOR A FEW DAYS, ONLY TO FIND THAT WHILE ON ONE OF THOSE DRIVES MY AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. NOT ONE PERSON HAD DRIVEN MY CAR SINCE I HAD BEEN GONE. I TOOK MY CAR INTO BMW AND AFTER PAYING $180 FOR JUST A DIAGNOSTIC FEE, I AM NOW TOLD THAT MY "PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MAT SENSOR" HAS GONE BAD AND WILL NEED REPLACING FOR $1,600. THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE SEAT FOR THIS. BMW HAS, SUPPOSEDLY, RECOGNIZED THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE IN OTHER BMW MODELS ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR SIDE AND IS INDEED A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND HAS RECALLED BMWS ACCORDINGLY. HOWEVER, WITH THE MINIS, THEY HAVE NOT FESSED UP TO THIS BEING A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THE DEALER NOW WANTS $1,600 FROM ME. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY ZERO MOTIVATION TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT DID NOT BREAK UNDER MY WATCH, AND SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. MY CAR WAS SITTING IN A GARAGE UNDER A CAR COVER FOR 3 MONTHS, AND THERE IS NO WAY WITH JUST 50,000 MILES ON MY CAR THAT THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING. BECAUSE I REFUSE TO GIVE THEM $1,600, MY PASSENGERS ARE NOW AT RISK FOR AN AIRBAG EITHER A) GOING OFF WHEN NOT SUPPOSED TO, OR B) NOT WORKING AT ALL. I PAY TOP DOLLAR FOR THIS CAR AND IT IS AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE THAT BMW WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ABOVE ALL. I AM REALLY HOPING THAT SOMEONE WILL NOT HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE OVER THIS FAULTY AIRBAG THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE CUSTOMERS PAY FOR. I EXPECT TOP SERVICE FROM A TOP BRAND LIKE MINI AND BMW, AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS CLEARLY THEIR FAULT. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON DUE TO FAULTY OC SENSORS, AND FAULTY OC SENSOR CONNECTORS. MINI USA REFUSES EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SENSOR, OR RECALL WHILE PASSENGER SAFETY IS IN JEOPARDY. *TR

RIGHT REAR LOWER TRAILING ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WITH ANY OBJECT, IT BROKE ON ITS OWN. *TR

LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER S. ALL OF A SUDDEN, HAVE NO POWER STEERING. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE. THANK GOD I WAS NOT IN A PLACE THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I NOTE THAT I CAN TURN OFF THE MOTOR, THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND THE STEERING IS OK FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN GOES OUT AGAIN. I LOVE MY MINI COOPER, BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW, IF I CAN'T COUNT ON THE STEERING TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. *TR

WAS TRAVELING AT NEIGHBORHOOD SPEED, TURNED INTO DRIVEWAY AND POWER ASSIST ON THE STEERING FAILED. HAD I BEEN AT SPEED THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN HITTING A TREE NEXT TOT HE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS ESSENTIALLY UNSTEERABLE WITHOUT TREMENDOUS FORCE, A CONDITION COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED. AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING IT, THE PROBLEM WAS NO LONGER THERE, SO OBVIOUSLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT A MONTH LATER WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE AS I DID NOT NOTICE IT UNTIL DECELERATING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAMP, IT AGAIN BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER. AFTER TURNING IT OFF AND BACK ON, THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. THIS HAS RECURRED ON AND OFF EVER SINCE. A LOCAL BMW/MINI SPECIALIST MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NOT AN INFREQUENT PROBLEM WITH 2005 MINI'S. HE INDICATED THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONS FINE EXCEPT FOR INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE IT TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW COME BACK AND IS VERY FREQUENT. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLESOME AT LOW SPEEDS, AND WHILE PARKING. I FEEL THERE IS SUFFICIENT INSTANCE OF THIS TO WARRANT A RECALL AS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THE DESIGN OR ENGINEERING OF THE POWER STEERING IN FAR MORE CASES THAT JUST MY VEHICLE. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR/MAT FAILED CAUSING AIRBAG "OFF" WARNING LIGHT AND POSSIBLY (CONFLICTING INFO FROM PUBLICLY-AVAILABLE SOURCES) TURNING OFF PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG TRIGGERING FUNCTION. THE COST OF REPLACING THIS COMPONENT IS SUCH A LARGE PORTION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM PURCHASE PRICE AND THE FACT THAT IT MAY ALSO BE ESSENTIAL FOR THE SYSTEM'S PROPER FUNCTIONING, MAKE IT SEEM REASONABLE THAT IT SHOULD BE WARRANTIED FOR THE LIFE OF THE (AIRBAG) SYSTEM ITSELF, OR A "FIX" ENGINEERED AND INSTALLED AT NO COST TO A VEHICLE OWNER. *TR

THE POWER STEERING FAILED DURING DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO ACCESS HOW MUCH CONTROL I STILL HAD. THE CAR CONTINUED TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER BUT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. *JS

ON DATE OF INCIDENT, WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP (BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE). I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR INTO A SPOT AND CALLED FOR TOW ASSISTANCE. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED AS A POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AND HAD TO REPLACE THAT AND OTHER AFFILIATED COMPONENTS (COOLING FAN, ETC.). APPROXIMATELY 4 DAYS BEFORE THE FAILURE, THE POWER STEERING FAN WAS UNCHARACTERISTICALLY WHINNY, BUT WENT AWAY AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND WAS NOT HEARD AGAIN BEFORE THE FAILURE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MINI, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ONCE THE VEHICLE COOLS OFF, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. *TR I HAVE CONTACTED THE MINI DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO SEE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS ISSUED, WHICH THERE HAVE NOT. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED IT AS WELL. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY A "RECALL" HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED?

POWER STEERING STARTED FAILING APPROX. 3000 MILE AGO, AT LOWER SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. NEEDED TO RESTART THE CAR TO HAVE POWER WORK AGAIN. FINALLY THE POWER STEERING FAN WOULD STAY ON WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. TOOK THE CAR TO MINI DEALERSHIP, TECHNICIAN WAS APPROX. 30 FEET FROM CAR AND HE HAD A DIAGNOSIS . POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED AND SO DID THE POWER STEERING FAN UNIT. SINCE THE CAR DID NOT PROPERLY SHUT DOWN I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. I HAD CONTACTED MINI USA WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE COULD REPLICATE THE ISSUE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILING. THIS WENT NOWHERE FAST. WHEN PUMP AND FAN FINALLY AGAIN THEY STILL WOULD NOTHING FOR ME AND WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN STRAIGHT ROAD STEERING BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY "TIGHTEN UP" AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANAGE. ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. NEXT MORNING POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ALMOST HIT A FENCE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN GARAGED ALL NIGHT AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. POWER STEERING UNEXPECTEDLY RETURNED TWO MILES LATER, CAUSING DRIVER TO OVER-CORRECT BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN RETURN OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE INTERMITTENT NATURE OF THIS FAILURE IS THE MOST CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE THAT EFFORT REQUIRED TO CHANGE LANES OR NAVIGATE A TURN MAY CHANGE DRASTICALLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. OVER-CORRECTION IN TRAFFIC IS FRIGHTENING. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECTED TO UNUSUAL OR EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

THE CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THE TRANSITION FROM POWER STEERING ASSIST TO MANUAL STEERING. I HOPE THIS ASSISTS THE INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR

POWER STEERING INTERMITTENT. GENERALLY, IT WILL GO OUT AFTER DRIVING 20-30 MINUTES, HOWEVER, IT HAS FAILED TO TURN ON WHEN STARTING IN THE MORNING ON OCCASION. IN BOTH CASES, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING BRINGS THE POWER STEERING BACK ON. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS RELATED TO INVESTIGATION EA11005. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. IT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE, WHERE I WILL BE DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MILES WITH THE POWER STEERING INTACT, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES OUT MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO TURN AND CONTROL. LATER THE POWER STEERING RETURNS. I HAD THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY THE MINI DEALER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY MECHANIC, AND MY PERSONAL MECHANIC. NONE OF THEM WERE ABLE TO NOTICE ANY DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING. THE FLUID LEVEL IS INTACT AS WELL AS THE PUMP. THE MINI DEALER STATED THAT THEY'VE "SEEN A LOT OF THIS" ISSUE, BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR OPEN CAMPAIGNS. THE DEALER BELIEVES THE ISSUE IS DUE TO AN INTERNAL ELECTRONICS FAILURE AND WILL NOT AGREE TO FIX IT IN GOOD FAITH. IN CALLING MINI USA, THERE ARE NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS OR RECALLS FOR THE ISSUE EITHER, DESPITE OVER ~50,000 CARS OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR REPORTEDLY HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND FRUSTRATING SITUATION WITH THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO AN UNPREDICTABLE LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER STEERING FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,774.

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN THAN A CAR THAT HAS NO POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT WAS WORKING ONE MOMENT, THEN AFTER A SHORT DRIVING FOR A SHORT PERIOD IT JUST CEASED TO WORK. CHECKED POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE FLUID LEVEL WAS OK. AFTER RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE POWER STEERING WILL JUST QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING. YOU ARE GIVEN NO WARNING THAT IT IS NO LONGER WORKING, UNTIL YOU ATTEMPT TO TURN AND THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND. *JS

HAVE BEEN NOTICING MY MINI'S FAN HAS BEEN SOUNDING LOUDER THAN NORMAL THOUGHT MAYBE A COOLING ISSUE GOING ON HOWEVER LAST WEEK THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY WENT OUT IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND TRIED TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT, POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. I THOUGHT IT WAS A WEIRD FLUKE AND CHECKED ALL MY ENGINE FLUID LEVELS WHEN I GOT HOME. ALL FLUIDS WERE AT NORMAL LEVEL AND THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. TODAY AGAIN POWER STEERING QUIT THIS TIME EARLY IN THE MORNING AS I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR WORK (CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE PREVIOUS NIGHT). I HAD TO DRIVE INTO WORK WITH NO POWER STEERING AS I COULD NOT CALL OUT AND SAME THING DRIVING HOME TODAY POWER STEERING WAS STILL OUT. I STARTED SEARCHING ONLINE AND SAW THERE HAD BEEN SUPPOSEDLY A "SAFETY RECALL" ON 2005 MINI COOPER'S FOR "CAMPAIGN - POWER STEERING FAN RELAY WIRING MODIFICATION -NOTES :SI M32 03 04" STATING: "SERVICE ACTION: CORRECT THE WIRING FOR THE POWER STEERING FAN RELAY". I JUST CALLED MY LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP (BOSTON) GAVE THEM THE LAST 7 OF MY VIN FOR THEM TO LOOK UP IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR, THEY STATED MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST DESPITE THIS RECALL WAS SUPPOSEDLY ON MODELS R50 AND R53 (MY MODEL IS R50). I CANNOT DRIVE THIS CAR NOW WITHOUT PERFORMING THIS REPAIR, MY CAR HAS JUST TURNED 60,000 MILES (STILL CONSIDERABLY LOW I THINK FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS). IN MY SEARCHING I HAVE FOUND THERE ARE 14 OTHER COMPLAINTS LITERALLY JUST LIKE MINE SINCE JUST JANUARY OF THIS YEAR!!! HOW IS THIS NOT ON A RECALL LIST ? I LOVED MY CAR UP UNTIL NOW, I FEEL LIKE MINI HAS A HUGE PROBLEM THEY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT AND ARE STICKING THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH PAYING A BILL FOR SOMETHING THEY PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGED AS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THEIR CARS. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGE ON THE REAR HATCH FRACTURED AND THE ENTIRE REAR HATCH WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT CLOSE DUE TO THE BROKEN HINGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 62,000 MILES DUE TO FAILURE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER FAILED AND I HAD TROUBLE TURNING THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE CONTINUED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I LET THE CAR TO COOL DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR BEFORE RESTARTING IT AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE THE REST OF THE TRIP HOME. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME I EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE, BUT DID NOT RECORD THE DATE, ETC. OF THE FIRST INCIDENT SO AM UNABLE TO ACCURATELY REPORT THAT. BOTH TIMES THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED, IT WAS ONLY DUE TO MY DRIVING VIGILANCE AND ARM STRENGTH THAT I WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE LOCAL MINI DEALER CANNOT LOOK AT MY CAR FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR FEARING ANOTHER FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING. *TR

POWER STEERING RANDOMLY COMPLETELY FAILS AT LOWER SPEEDS/ NO ASSIST AT ALL. *TR

OVER HEATING CONSTANTLY NO TECHNICAL PERSON KNOWS OF A REMEDY. OVERFLOW TANK BLOWS OUT WHEN CAR OVERHEATS CONSTANTLY .THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM SINCE THE BEGINNING NO MATTER WHAT YEAR THE CAR WAS BUILT AND NEVER REMEDIED. WHY NOT A RECALL? NOT KNOWING WHAT OTHER DAMAGE THIS CAUSES TO THE ENGINE. THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL FOR THE COMPANY TO FIX IT IS A HIT AND MISS FIX??? THIS IS A COSTLY PROCESS AND EVEN IN THE FORUMS ON MINI IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE. FRONT END FAILS ALL AT THE SAME TIME. (CONTROL ARMS, CV JOINTS) STEERING BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL. MINI HELP *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF YEARS LATER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON BOTH OCCASIONS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,800. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED ONE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 01-SEP-2009 WITH 37800 FAILURE MILEAGE AND AGAIN ON 16-FEB-2012 AT 53827 UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 03/15/12 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY LASTING DIFFERENT LENGTH OF TIMES. THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO MOVE. THIS OCCURRED AS I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WITH NO WARNING ON A LEFT HAND TURN. MINI DIAGNOSTICS IDENTIFIED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND SAID IT WAS INFACT THE SAME ISSUE BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA BUT DECLINED TO ASSIST IN REPAIRS.. $1200.00... STANDING ONLY BEHIND THE 30,000MI/3 YR WARRANTY EXPIRATION. PLEASE RECALL THE 2005 MINI FOR THIS ISSUE... *TR

WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 95 WHEN POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. PULLED OFF ROAD, CHECKED FLUID LEVELS AND COULDN'T FIND ANY OBVIOUS PROBLEMS. POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON WHEN RESTARTED CAR. POWER STEERING STAYED ON FOR REST OF DRIVE, BUT HAS GONE OUT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. ALWAYS COMES BACK IF TURN OFF CAR AND RESTART. *TR

VEHICLE DARTING AROUND ON ROAD LIKE STEERING STOPS THEN STARTS BACK UP,ACCELERATION DARTS LEFT , DECELERATION DARTS RIGHT. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER TO BACK UP OR DRIVE. AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING CAR TWICE THE POWER STEERING IS WORKING AGAIN. CAR IS UNSAFE IF POWER STEERING FAILS AT ANY SPEED. COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT SAYING THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF HAS BEEN TURNING OFF AND ON FOR A WHILE. PROBABLY SEVERAL YEARS. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE SEAT BELT SIGNAL WILL ACTIVATE EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT USUALLY HAPPENS RIGHT AFTER THE PASSENGER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO BUCKLE THE SEAT. THEN THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ON THE DASHBOARD WILL TURN ON AS WELL AS THE "AIRBAG LIGHT IS OFF" SIGNAL. SOMETIMES BOTH STAY ON FOR A WHILE. THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN AND IF THE AIRBAGS ARE ACTUALLY WORKING WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY CAR, WHICH IS FRIGHTENING TO ME. I HAD MY MECHANIC RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND HE FOUND THAT THERE'S A TSB FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM ON 2005 MINIS. IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR MAT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR TO VERIFY WHETHER SUCH A KEY SAFETY COMPONENT OF THE CAR SHOULDN'T BE UNDER SOME EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD NO IT WASN'T. THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR THE ISSUE IS TO REPLACE THE BOTTOM SEAT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH I WAS TOLD WOULD COST $650 + LABOR OF $400 OR SO. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF I ORDERED THE NEW SEAT AND HAD IT REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC AND THAT DIDN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THEY WOULD NOT TAKE BACK THE SEAT. THE ONLY WAY IT WOULD BE COVERED IS IF I HAD THEM RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC FOR $95. I THINK IT'S OUTRAGEOUS THAT WITH SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME KEY SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THEIR CAR THAT THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH NOT EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO THIS MODEL OR ELSE RECALLING THE ITEM. AND WHAT'S WORSE, THERE IS NO WAY TO BE ASSURED THAT EVEN WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE NOT ON, THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL ACTUALLY DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,192.

THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT DOES NOT CORRECTLY DETECT A PERSON SITTING IN IT. WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT, THE AIRBAG SENSOR STAYS "OFF". *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED ON LOW AND HIGH SPEED. HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP,KEY OFF AND REKEY SEVERAL TIMES TO GET POWER STEERING TO RETURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE THE FIRST TIME. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND WITH NO NOTICE. BY LOOKING AT THIS WEBSITE AND ONLINE FORUMS I SEE THIS IS A ONGOING CONCERN,AND THAT THIS CONCERN RESULTED IN A RECALL IN CANADA. I WOULD HOPE THAT NHTSA WOULD ADOPT THE SAME RECAL AS CANADA,AS THIS DEFECT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE CONSUMER. THE APPX COST OF A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE 1200.00 TO 2000.00 DOLLAR RANGE THAT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE CONSUMER SEEMS GROSSLY UNFAIR. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN OFF AND ON SINCE THEN. FAILURE IS USUALLY DURING IN TOWN DRIVING. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKS UP AND CAN'T BE TURNED. ON TOP OF THAT, IT'S COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS TAKING A RIGHT TURN OUT OF A ROUNDABOUT, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN COMPLETELY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH THAT I COULD BRAKE SO THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A CAR WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT. IT WAS EXTREMELY SCARY. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND AS I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN,I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND I HAD TO FIND THE STRENGTH TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE I RAN INTO THE BUILDING ON THE NAVY BASE WHERE I WORK. I HAD A POWER STEERING PUMP PUT ON. IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN A YEAR AND ALREADY I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. I DO NOT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP EVERY YEAR. *TR

VERY DISAPPOINTED TO FIND OUT THAT A VEHICLE I HAVE TAKEN EXCEPTIONAL CARE OF TO AVOID COSTLY REPAIRS HAS ALSO HAD THE OCCUPANCY MAT GO BAD OUT OF THE BLUE.... I WASN'T EVEN DRIVING THE CAR! I HELD OUT HOPE THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND WAS TOLD OFF THE RECORD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS HE RECEIVES AND IN HIS OPINION HAS COST MINI A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF REPEAT BUSINESS. IT IS VERY HARD TO SWALLOW THE $1400 REPAIR WHEN IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURES PROBLEM WHICH WILL COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE ONE DAY; MAYBE THEN THEY WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THEIR PROBLEMS. LIKE TOYOTA; IT TOOK PEOPLE DYING FOR THEM TO ADDRESS THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM. SAD, VERY SAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN ON WHEN THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,020.

AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY LOST POWER (NO NOISE OR OTHER INDICATIONS). THE WHEEL BECAME EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, BUT THE STEERING WOULD NOT HAVE RESPONDED TO A SMALLER/WEAKER DRIVER. *TR

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THE SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT IS BAD. BMW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND ISSUED A 10 YEAR 150,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND RECALL FOR APPROXIMATELY 150,000 VEHICLES OVER MODEL YEARS 2004 - 2006. FOR SOME REASON THEY REFUSE TO INCLUDE THE 2005 MINI COOPER S IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WANT ~$2,000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT BOTTOM FOR THE DEFECTIVE SENSOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY A KNOWN AND ADMITTED DEFECTIVE PART. MINI SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SENSOR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AS THEIR PARENT COMPANY BMW HAS DONE FOR VARIOUS MODELS AFFECTED BY THE SAME DEFECT. *TR

FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS, THE POWER STEERING ON OUR MINI WOULD GO OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY (AT SPEEDS OF 60-70MPH) AND DRIVING AROUND TOWN (SPEEDS OF 10-35). IT WOULD GO OUT RANDOMLY WITH NO WARNING. MY WIFE COULD BARELY STEER THE CAR AND ALMOST GOT INTO A CRASH TRYING TO TURN RIGHT ONE DAY. LAST WEEKEND, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT FOR GOOD. WE ARE TAKING IT IN ON MONDAY FOR MINI TO LOOK AT. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS ARTICLES OF THIS PROBLEM AND WANTED TO REPORT IT HAPPENING IN OUR VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS EMITTING A NOISE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,800. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

ON THREE OCCASIONS, MY 2005 MINI COOPER HAS HAD POWER STEERING FAILURE. EACH TIME, I WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35-45MPH AND HAS PUT ME IN DANGEROUS POSITIONS WHERE I WAS UNABLE TO STEER MYSELF OUT OF MAJOR MATERIALS AND ONTO A SAFER ROAD. I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO EASILY OVERPOWER MY VEHICLE'S STEERING. MY FIRST EXPERIENCE HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING 35MPH ON A BUSY ROAD AT PEAK HOUR. I WAS ON A FOUR LANE ROAD, TWO IN EACH DIRECTION. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE COMING UP TO MY APT WHEN MY STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE RIGHT LANE TO PULL OVER DUE TO THE SHEER STRENGTH NEEDED AND HIGH TRAFFIC VOLUMES. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY HAZARDS ON TO ALERT MOTORISTS AND SLOWED DOWN MY SPEED. I WAS LEFT STRANDED BEFORE A MAJOR CURVE IN THE ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE MY CAR IN EITHER DIRECTION. A SECOND EXPERIENCE OCCURRED PRIOR TO A CURVE AS I WAS EXITING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. AS I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE WHEEL I NOTICED THE WHEEL WAS STIFF/RIGID. I COULD NOT MAKE THE CURVED EXIT RAMP AND BLOCKED TREMENDOUSLY HIGH SPEEDING EXITING TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO DRIVERS. PRIOR TO EACH INCIDENT, THERE WERE NO WARNINGS/LIGHTS INDICATING ISSUES OF ANY KIND. I WOULD SUGGEST AN INVESTIGATION, AS I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY RECALLS FROM MINIUSA. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND MANY FORUMS (USA & UK) OF MINI OWNERS DISCUSSING EACH OF THEIR INCIDENTS CAUSED BY POWER STEERING FAILURES. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND COULD CAUSE GREAT HARM TO OWNERS. IT IS COMMON THAT ONCE AN ACCIDENT/DEATH HAS OCCURRED DUE TO FAULTY PARTS, A RECALL IS MADE. AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. POWER STEERING FAN FAILURE AND ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. POWER STEERING HOSES LEAKING AND ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL IS LEAKING, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THESE REPAIRS COST ME APPROXIMATELY $1000! I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT POWER STEERING FAILURES IN THE 2004-2005 MINI. PLEASE MAKE BMW PAY FOR THIS! *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RESISTANT TO STARTING ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE ELECTRONIC WATER PUMP. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SHORT CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN . THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. HAD TO REPLACE THE PUMP. *TT

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (I-684) AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST APPROX. 30 MILES FROM MY HOME. THIS MADE THE CAR DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, ESPECIALLY WHEN TAKING TURNS IN AND OFF OF EXITS. MUCH FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND STEERING THE VEHICLE FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP HOME. I WILL REPORT THIS TO MINI ON MONDAY. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILS DURING DRIVING. SEEMS TO BE AFTER ENGINE GETS HOT. HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

WHEN TURNING INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AT 10-15MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS IN POWER AND THE STEERING BECAME STIFF. I DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF TILL I PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO OUR GARAGE AND TURNED IT OFF. AT THIS TIME THE COOLING FAN AND POWER STEERING REMAINED ACTIVE, CREATING LOUD WHINING NOISES. I LET IT RUN FOR 30 MINUTES BUT THE ISSUE REMAINED. ONLY THING THAT RESOLVED THE ISSUE WAS DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. EVEN RECONNECTING THE BATTERY THE POWERSTEERING FAN RE-ENGAGED. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SRS FLOOR MAT SENSOR IS DAMAGED AND MAY CAUSE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AND CAR BECOME VERY HARD TO TURN. ALMOST CRASHED INTO A CURB TAKE A 90 DEGREE SHARP TURN. ALL FUSES RELATED TO PUMP DID NOT FAIL. STEERING FLUID LEVEL IS AT PROPER AMOUNT. I JACKED UP THE CAR FRONT THE FRONT AND IT WAS A LITTLE BETTER WITHOUT ANY LOAD ON THE FROM END BUT FELT VERY NOTCHY ABOUT EVERY 20% OF A FULL TURN OF THE WHEEL. ELECTRIC COOLING FAN THAT COOLS THE PUMP IS NOT BLOCKED AND I CAN SPIN IT FREELY. MANY MINI COOPER OWNERS ARE COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS. MY POWER STEERING PUMP DOES NOT KEEP RUNNING AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT DOWN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT APPLYING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FAN AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

AFTER IGNITING MY CAR, SOMETIMES POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK. ALL I CAN DO AT THIS MOMENT IS THAT I TURN OFF AND RESTART MY CAR AGAIN. AND MOST OF TIMES IF I RESTART MY CAR, POWER STEERING WORKS FINE. ALSO POWER STEERING ONCE IN A WHILE STOPS TO WORK WHEN I DRIVE SLOWLY, E.G WHEN I DRIVE LOCAL. I HAVE TO RESTART MY CAR IN THIS CASE TOO. UNTIL A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, I FELT THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENED WHEN I IGNITED MY CAR OR DROVE LOCAL, SO I THOUGHT THIS IS A MINOR ISSUE AS LONG AS I CAN RESTART MY CAR SAFELY. BUT THE MOST DANGEROUS MOMENT OCCURRED TWO DAYS AGO WHEN I WAS MAKING A TURN TO EXIT ON PARKWAY. SUDDENLY IT WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR ON HIGHWAY, AND I HAD TO STOP AT SIDE ROAD AND RESTART. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HAD HIM EXAMINE IT YESTERDAY. HE SAID POWER STEERING WHEEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TT

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE RELAY FOR THE COOLING FAN REMAINED IN THE CLOSED POSITION CAUSING THE BATTERY TO FAIL. I HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND BATTERY. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

SOMETIME IN LATE SUMMER OF LAST YEAR, MY CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A "HONKING" SOUND. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CLUTCH THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ON BOTH OF OUR 2005 MINI COOPERS UNDER WARRANTY (ANOTHER POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE?) BUT THE CLUTCHING SEEMED OK. UP UNTIL THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP TO GET LOOKED AT, I NOTICED A PUDDLE IN THE GARAGE, AND I ALSO NOTICED IT WAS GETTING HARDER TO STEER. THE SHOP DETERMINED THAT MY STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED, WHICH WE DID. NOW, JUST OVER 1 YEAR LATER, THE CAR IS ALREADY EXHIBITING THE SAME BEHAVIORS EXACTLY. SOMETHING IN THE VEHICLE IS CAUSING THE RACK TO MALFUNCTION AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. *TR

I HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AS IT HAD FAILED. IT FIRST FAILED WHILE I WAS ON A HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP AND NEARLY CRASHED. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE POWER STEERING FAN SEIZING AND THEREFORE IT WAS NOT COOLING THE POWER STEERING PUMP. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION OF MY OWN, I FOUND OUT THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS THE LOW FAN SPEED RESISTOR FAILED ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. THE POWER STEERING FAN WILL ONLY ACTIVATE ONCE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN IS RUNNING. IF THE LOW FAN SPEED RELAY FAILS, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN WILL ONLY TURN ON AT 233F (HIGH SPEED FAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE). ONCE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN TURNS ON AT 233F, THE POWER STEERING FAN WILL TURN ON TO COOL THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE POWER STEERING FAN WILL BE TOO HOT AT THIS POINT AND WILL OVERHEAT ITSELF AND SEIZE. THE POWER STEERING FAN FAILURE THEN CAUSES THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND FAIL. IF THE POWER STEERING FAN IS NOT REPLACED BEFORE THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILS, THIS CAUSES THE ENTIRE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FOR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM TO FAIL AS WELL AND LEAK HYDRAULIC FLUID. IF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILS, THIS CAN CAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO ULTIMATELY CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO IT OVERHEATING FROM LOW LEVELS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF PARTS ALONE FOR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IS $1,296.35. THIS SYSTEM IS REQUIRED FOR DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED AS IT IS A "POWER ASSISTED STEERING" SYSTEM, THUS MAKING IT VERY HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. IF YOU VISIT ANY MINI FORUM (I.E. WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM OR WWW.MOTORINGALLIANCE.COM) YOU CAN FIND HUNDREDS OF POSTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILING IN MINIS. I REPLACED THE PUMP AND FAN ($876.46 PARTS COST), THEN HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM ($1296.35 PARTS COST) WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE LOW SPEED ENGINE FAN RESISTOR FAILING AND CAUSING THE ENTIRE PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE POWER STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT OUT THUS MAKING THE STEERING EXTREMELY HEAVY. IT CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE. COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVERS IF FAILURE OCCURS ON A TURN. POWER STEERING SHOULD NOT FAIL. *TR

AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS IN THE MORNING I PARKED MY CAR IN MY SPOT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. WHEN I WALKED AWAY THE CAR WAS SILENT. TWO HOURS LATER MY NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON MY DOOR TO LET ME KNOW THAT MY CAR (WHICH HAD BEEN OFF AND PARKED FOR TWO HOURS) WAS MAKING A LOUD WHINING NOISE. I WENT OUTSIDE TO CHECK IT OUT, AND DETERMINED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM MY CAR WHILE IT WAS OFF. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR, WHICH WAS DRIVING WELL AT THE TIME, TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMEND THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE MINI DEALERSHIP THEY IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR BACK. I WAS TOLD THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FAILING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING FAN TO KEEP RUNNING WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS TIME TO TIME, AND IF I HAD CONTINUED DRIVING THE CAR IT MAY OF CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE TECHNICAL WORDS ON THE WORK ORDER FROM THE MINI MECHANIC WERE, "SCANNED CAR FOR FAULTS, AFTER CHECKING CARS FAULT MEMORY IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A CURRENT FAULT FOR AN OPEN CIRCUIT ON THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP." BOTH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I USE MY MINI COOPER THE NIGHT BEFORE PARKING IT AT AROUND 10:00PM THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 22ND, 2011. THE NEXT MORNING WENT TO WORK AS USUAL BY MASS TRANSIT. AT AROUND 8:00AM I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY NEIGHBOR TELLING ME THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF MY BUILDING HAD SEEN THE CAR SMOKING AND BY THE TIME HE CAME BACK TO GRAB AN EXTINGUISHER THE CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OF IN SHORT TIME AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSURED THE FIRE WAS OFF SPREADING FIRE RETARDANT, A POWDER TALC LIKE OVER THE AREA THAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS OVER THE RIGHT SIDE GRILLE BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND HOOD. THE ESTIMATE OF RECORD PREPARED BY GEICO ADJUSTER DESCRIBES DAMAGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, DASH PAD CROSSMEMBER, SUPERCHARGER, AIR GRILLE AND MUCH MORE PARTS. THE CAR HAS BEEN CONSIDERED TOTAL LOSS BY GEICO AND CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS TO TRY TO SETTLE BUT HAVEN'T BECAUSE THE ESTIMATE THEY GAVE ME FOR THE VALUE OF THE CAR IS VERY LOW COMPARED TO WHAT I PAID FOR IT AND THE LOW MILEAGE OF IT. THIS IS TERRIBLE SINCE I HAVE NOT FINISH PAYING THE CAR, I'M SHOCKED A CAR CAN CATCH FIRE BY ITSELF I WOULD APPRECIATE IF SOMEONE CAN HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEM OF MINI COOPERS CATCHING WHILE PARKED A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET TODAY JAN 17TH, 2012. OR GUIDE ME IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL DO SOMETHING REGARDING THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THE MODEL OR YEAR MY CAR WAS MADE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11005 (STEERING STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

WHILE DRIVING 2005 MINI COOPER, I WENT AROUND A CORNER AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND WHEN I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE POWER STEERING HAD QUIT WORKING. IT ALMOST PUT ME IN THE DITCH ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD. JUST THANKFUL OF NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

MY 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AFTER A SHORT TRIP, NOT RUNNING. I CAME OUT OF A STORE AND SAW SMOKE POURING OUT FROM ALL AROUND THE HOOD AREA. I RAISED THE HOOD AND THE SMOKE BEGAN TO SUBSIDE. SMELLED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING OF ANY KIND. THE REPAIRS INCLUDE THE ALTERNATOR, POWER STEERING PUMP, RESERVOIR, POWER STEERING PUMP FAN. AT A TOTAL OUT OF POCKET OF $1900.00. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING 1 TO 5 TIMES PER WEEK. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY PATTERN TO IT, IT HAS HAPPENED AT COLD START, AFTER WARM START, HOT/COLD/WET/DRY WEATHER, LEVEL/SLOPED PARKING, WHILE DRIVING & STATIONARY, ETC. I'VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH IT AS AN ANNOYANCE, UNTIL I RECENTLY HAD A VERY FRIGHTENING FAILURE THAT VERY NEARLY HAD *FATAL* CONSEQUENCES. I WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY 25 MPH, THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, WHEN A YOUNG CHILD (I ESTIMATE 4-5 YEARS OLD) RAN INTO THE STREET FROM BETWEEN TWO PARKED CARS 5 OR 6 CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES (ABS FULLY ENGAGED) AND ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE INTO THE ONCOMING [EMPTY] LANE AT AVOID... BUT MY STEERING PUMP WAS OUT AND I COULD NOT ALTER MY COURSE SUFFICIENTLY. I CAME TO A STOP WITH THE CHILD BARELY THREE FEET OFF MY FRONT BUMPER! SO NO DAMAGE OR INJURY, BUT... THIS FAILURE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN MUCH, MUCH WORSE! *TR

MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN TURNED OFF. SHE RE-STARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE AFTER THAT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS ALSO BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT LAST NIGHT. I AM AFRAID THIS COULD BECOME A BIG ISSUE IF THIS HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC THUS THE REPORT. FROM AN INTERNET SEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE SO THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WHICH MINI NEEDS TO FIX BEFORE THIS ENDS TRAGICALLY FOR SOMEONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT ENGINE START UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED.THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MERGE TO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. ONCE RESTARTED, THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF POWER STEERING BEGINNING AT APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES, WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AND DURATION UNTIL COMPLETE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES, DESPITE FULL POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR AT ALL TIMES. MINI DEALER ADVISES NEW POWER STEERING PUMP REQUIRED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND THAT HE SHOULD BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,781.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING COMPONENT HAD MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION FOR THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,260. UPDATED 12/20/11*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE POWER STEERING UNIT HAD SUFFERED A COMPLETE MELT DOWN WHICH SPREAD TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND WIRING HARNESS. UPDATED 01/20/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THEN CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

I RECENTLY BOUGHT MY 2005 MINI COOPER, AFTER MOVING TO TACOMA, WA. ONLY AFTER A WEEK OF DRIVING I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. I HAVE NOT EVEN MADE A PAYMENT ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED UKMINI AND MY INFORMATION WAS FORWARD TO BMW HEAD OFFICE IN GERMANY. MINIUSA CONTACTED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO A LOCAL DEALER TO VERIFY THE FAULT. THEY DIDN'T SAY THEY WOULD COVER THE COST. BUT BEING IN THE MILITARY I WILL ENSURE THAT SOLDIERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS THEY MAY FACE WITH THIS COMPANY. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT ABOUT 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS GOING AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING FAILED THAT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WITHOUT NOTICE THE CAR REVERTED TO "RACK-AND-PINION" MODE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT TIME TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND DID NOT GO OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR HIT ANOTHER CAR. I DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THEN TOOK IT TO A FEW MECHANICS FOR AN ESTIMATE. DEALER SAYS REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP AT $1200 BUT THEY WILL NOT HONOR ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE STEERING PUMP OR THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO THE COOLING FAN FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING FAN QUITS THEN THE PUMP GETS HOT AND SHUTS OFF. I CALLED MINI USA TODAY AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT ASSIST ME IN PAYING FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MY PUMP FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT SUGGESTING THAT THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL AND ON POINT FOR A RECALL ON 2004 MINI COOPERS. MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2004, BUT IS THE 1707 CAR OUTSIDE THEIR "OFFICIAL" RECALL RANGE. MINI/BMW SENT A "MR. DRIVER" LETTER OUT ON 12/2004 FOR THIS "RECALL." MY CAR HAD NOT BEEN PURCHASED YET. THE DEALER SAYS THAT REPLACING THE STEERING PUMP WILL SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. APPARENTLY, THE NEW STEERING PUMP HAS A DESIGN FEATURE THAT ELIMINATES THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE PROBLEM (DEFECT CODE: 0032630100 & LABOR CODE: 0055719). THE MORE THE PUMP OVERHEATS BECAUSE OF THE FAN NON-OPERATION PROBLEM, THE PUMP WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, IT WILL BE BURNT OUT. ONE THING IS SURE, I HAVE A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE STEERING PUMP MAKING MY CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT. NOR DO I BELIEVE, I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANUFACTURES DESIGN FAILURE. THE CAR IS NOT FIT TO DRIVE AS INTENDED. WHY IS BMW GETTING AWAY WITH THIS? MANY THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DRIVERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE POWER STEERING BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER 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 NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,776. UPDATED 01/18/12*LJ THE STATED SHE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING AS SHE ROUNDED A CURVE. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING FORCED HER OFF THE ROAD AND NEARLY INTO A DITCH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $1400 TO REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP. UPDATED 02/28/12

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE SUDDENLY FAILED ON A TURN, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO GO INTO A DITCH. MY MINI DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY THE POWER STEERING PUMP & WOULD COST $1400 TO REPLACE. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET & FOUND THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MINI COOPER & THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS TAKING PLACE INTO THE DEFECTIVE PUMP & THAT A RECALL MIGHT BE FORTHCOMING. I CALLED MINI USA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. THEIR REP TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE & THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO OFFER "GOODWILL" ASSISTANCE IN GETTING IT REPLACED IF I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER FOR VERIFICATION THAT IT WAS A PUMP FAILURE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THAT THE PUMP NEEDED REPLACED. THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS HAD BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM & THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE COMPLAINTS MADE ABOUT THE PUMP GOING BAD. I CALLED MINI USA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE, SPOKE TO A SUPERVISOR WHO TOLD ME SHE'D GET BACK TO ME. A WEEK LATER, SHE CALLED & TOLD ME THAT MY REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN DENIED & THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT, IN LIGHT OF THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BMW/MINI SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS REPLACEMENT. $1400 IS AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE BAD IN THE FIRST PLACE. THERE ARE NO LOCAL MECHANICS WHO CAN TAKE REPAIR THIS SO MINI USA/BMW HAS US RIGHT WHERE THEY WANT US - POWERLESS TO FIGHT A BIG COMPANY & HELPLESS BECAUSE WE NEED OUR VEHICLES. I WOULD HAVE NEVER EXPECTED THIS TO HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT. SUDDENLY LOSING ONE'S POWER STEERING CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I ENCOURAGE NHTSA TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING PUMP DEFECT & ISSUE A RECALL TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE'S DRIVERS, PASSENGERS & ANYONE WHO COULD BE INJURED DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF ITS POWER STEERING. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR PAD WAS FAULTY AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM IN WHICH THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

POWER STEERING FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO ONLY WORKS A FRACTION OF THE TIME. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT OUT WAS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. LAST WEEKEND IT STOPPED WORKING AND DIDN'T WORK AGAIN FOR A FULL WEEK. VERY HARD TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT GOES OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. *KB

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

IN THE EARLY FALL, SEPTEMBER 2011, I ENCOUNTERED ISSUES WITH MY CAR NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. IT'S AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SO I KNOW THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD BE DOING TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND DRIVEN WITH CARE WHILE IN MY POSSESSION(I'M THE SECOND OWNER. NO SIMILAR ISSUES ON CARFAX REPORT). WHILE THE ENGINE IS COOL AND NOT YET AT ITS OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE THE DRIVE IS FINE AND YOU MAY NOT EVEN NOTICE A PROBLEM; HOWEVER, EVERY RIDE, ONCE WARMED UP THE CAR BEGINS TO SHIFT INCREDIBLY VIOLENTLY AS IT IS OBVIOUSLY STRUGGLING TO SWITCH GEARS. THIS OCCURS ALSO WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR IS DOWNSHIFTING CREATING AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE "SLUNG" INTO A CAR FROM BEHIND(THIS HAPPENED IN THE MID SUMMER OF 2011). AFTER DROPPING THIS CAR OFF SEPTEMBER 15TH TO THE LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP, I DID NOT HEAR FROM THEM FOR ALMOST THREE WEEKS. IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER I WAS CONTACTED AND TOLD IT LOOKS LIKE MY CAR IS VERY EASILY FIXABLE AND SHOULD BE READY SHORTLY. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT A SEAL HAD BROKEN ON THE TRANSMISSION LEAKING FLUID ONTO IT CAUSING THIS SHIFTING MALFUNCTION. WHEN THEY FINALLY TOLD ME I CAN PICK UP MY CAR(APPROXIMATELY OCTOBER 18TH) THEY REGRETTED TO INFORM ME THE PROBLEM WAS NOT ABLE TO BE FIXED AND I WOULD HAVE TO BRING IT ELSEWHERE AS THEY DO NOT REBUILD TRANSMISSIONS. NOW IT IS BACK IN MY POSSESSION WHERE I AM FORCED TO COMMUTE IN IT DAILY, DRIVING WORSE THAN IT WAS BEFORE I DROPPED IT OFF. IT NOW DISPLAYS "PE" FOR ITS CURRENT GEAR FROM TIME TO TIME. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY COMPLAINT I HAVE FILED FOR THIS CAR MATCHING OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. I AM A VICTIM OF THEIR FAILED POWER STEERING AS WELL. *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 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS WITH AND WITHOUT PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A WIRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500.

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.

4/10/2008 AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY - MINI DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM 9/23/2008 AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND STAYED LIT - MINI DEALER FOUND MICRO-CRACKS IN OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT CODE FC71 STORED IN MR55K CHECKED FAULTS REPLACED OC3 SEAT MAT INSTALLED SEAT AND ENABLE SEAT MAT WITH GT1 CLEARED FAULTS SUMMER 2011 - AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY OCTOBER 2011 - AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND STAYED LIT 11/15/2011 - MINI DEALER REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THIS COMPONENT HAVING A HISTORY OF BEING DEFECTIVE. *TR

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

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 I REALIZE THAT I AM FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE WITH COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A VERY, VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. BEING UNABLE TO STEER PUTS NOT ONLY ME AND MY PASSENGERS IN DANGER BUT MANY OTHERS ON THE ROAD AS WELL..

I WAS DRIVING DOWN BROOKWOOD STREET AND WENT TO MAKE A CURVE WHEN I REALIZED THAT I COULDN'T TURN THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PULL HARDER ON THE WHEEL AND MAKE THE CURVE. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF TO LOOK THINGS OVER,CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID WHICH WAS FULL. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WORKED AGAIN.I FINISHED DRIVING TO WORK WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHEN I CAME OUT OF WORK I AGAIN HAD NO POWER STEERING AND HAD THE CAR TOWED INTO A SHOP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED AND IT WAS GOING TO COST OVER $1300 TO FIX. I HAD THE REPAIR DONE BUT AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AS THEY TOLD ME IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN EVEN WITH THE NEW PART. *TR

AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 77,000 MILES. CAR STOPPED WHEN GOING DOWN INTERSTATE, PRESSING GAS, NOTHING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY, TURNED IT OFF, RESTARTED IT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND EP (TRANSMISSION) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON.MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP SAYS MIN IS VERY AWARE OF THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AND STOPPED PUTTING THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS IN, APPARENTLY IT WAS EXPERIMENTAL. CANNOT REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, AND MINI ESTIMATES $7100 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, AND WILL ONLY GIVE ME $2500 ON IT AS A TRADE IN DUE TO THE KNOWN TRANSMISSION ISSUE. *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

TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS, I STOPPED TO FILL UP AT A GAS STATION. I THEN STARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN TO DRIVE OUT OF THE GAS STATION. I SOON NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, OPENED THE HOOD, AND PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WAS FULL. I RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. THIS TEMPORARY POWER STEERING LOSS HAS OCCURRED 3 MORE TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH SINCE THE INITIAL INCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE. DURING THE LAST OCCURRENCE, I DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE BACK TO MY HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT, NEARLY UNDRIVEABLE AROUND SLOW SPEED TURNS. THE STEERING EFFORT WAS MUCH MORE THAN MANUAL STEERING CARS I'VE OWNED IN THE PAST. *TR

MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING HER MINI COOPER, NEARLY CAUSING A COLLISION WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. I DROVE THE CAR AFTERWARD AND COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW HARD IT WAS TO STEER THE CAR (COMPARED TO A MANUAL STEERING VEHICLE). I CALLED MINI AT THEIR TOLL FREE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO RECALL NOTICE FROM THE NHTSA, THEREFORE THEY HAD NO OBLIGATION TO FIX THIS INCREDIBLE DEFECT. I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE A BODY COUNT FOR THE NHTSA TO RECALL THE 223,000 MINI'S EFFECTED BY THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT. *KB

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT READS "OFF" AND CENTER CONSOLE ALERT IS LIT. GETTING VARIOUS DIAGNOSES FROM SHOPS, BUT NO ONE REALLY KNOWS HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NO ONE WILL DEFINITIVELY SAY, "YES, YOUR PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF" OR "ON." THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MINIS AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR

POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS. *TR

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND AT RANDOM TIMES, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER S WILL STOP WORKING. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT PLAGUES ALMOST EVERY MINI SOLD SINCE 2002. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER :EA11005, AS IT APPLIES TO MY PARTICULAR ISSUE. *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

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION. SENSOR DOESN'T WORK THEREFORE CAUSING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TO BE DISENGAGED. THIS IS A NONE PROBLEM AND WELL DOCUMENTED WITH THIS YEAR, HOWEVER, MINI DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL. THE ONLY RECALL IS FOR AFTER THIS YEAR MODEL. *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 2002 BUT THEY HAVE CLEARLY IGNORED COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT INSTEAD CLAIMING THEY ''WORK CLOSELY WITH NHTSA ON ALL COMPLAINTS'' (THEY''RE REQUIRED TO DO SO BY LAW SO THEIR STATEMENT DOESN''T HOLD MUCH WEIGHT). AS THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT AN UNPREDICTABLE HOW CAN I ALLOW MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WHO IS PREPARING TO LEARN TO DRIVE TO DRIVE EITHER OF OUR MINI COOPERS UNTIL IT''S REPLACED? MINI SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

NOTICED LEVEL OF POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW. NO APPARENT LEAK ON GROUND. NOTICED THE BOOTS ON RACK AND PINION ARE PRESSURIZED AND REALIZED THAT IS WHERE THE FLUID IS LEAKING INTO. *TT

UNEXPECTEDLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. I'VE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING ON THE WEB. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS SERVICED YET. IT IS NOT COVERED BY MINI'S WARRANTY. *TT

THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. OFTEN THIS OCCURS MIDWAY THROUGH A TURN. SOMETIMES TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RE-STARTING WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT. REPORTED THE ISSUE TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND BEFORE I COULD FINISH THE SENTENCE THE TWO SERVICE WRITERS SAID THERE WAS NOT ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP! WITHOUT THE POWER ASSIST THE STEERING IS VERY HEAVY. AS A STRONG, EXPERIENCED DRIVER I KNEW WHAT TO DO WHEN THE POWER ASSIST FAILED, BUT THIS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR AN OLDER OR LESS PHYSICAL DRIVER SINCE THE ASSIST FAILURE IS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING. AS A DRIVER YOU GO FROM BEING ABLE TO CASUALLY STEER WITH MINIMAL INPUT TO INSTANTLY NEEDING TO FORCEFULLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR!!!! THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 40,011 MILES AND CONTINUES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

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

I STARTED TO HEAR THIS WINDING OR LOUD HUMMING SOUND, DID NOT KNOW WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM..IT WAS EXAMINED BY A MECHANIC,,AND IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILING, AND THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN FAILING. READ ABOUT MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS STEERING PUMP ON 2005 MINI'S. THE COST WAS $1226.00 TO REPLACE. EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT LOST POWER STEERING, IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ANYTIME. *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

MY POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER S FAILED AT 45 MPH IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSES IN WHICH THEY INFORMED ME THE REPAIR WOULD BE OVER $1K. I DECLINED THE REPAIR AS I HAVE LOCATED A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND AM NOW TAKING IT UP WITH MINI HQ. *TT

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 STOPPED WORKING NEAR THE END OF A 15 MILE DRIVE TO WORK. POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY ON THE DRIVE HOME 9 HOURS LATER. *KB

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.

INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING, USUALLY WHEN MAKING A TURN - EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION - HAVE ALMOST HAD TWO ACCIDENTS WHEN STEERING WENT OUT. IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND AS OF MAY, 2011 THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY "OUT" - HOWEVER AS OF AUGUST 22, 2011 IT RETURNED TO FULL WORKING ORDER - AND LASTED FOR APPROX. 9 DAYS AND THEN STARTED TO POP IN AND OUT INTERMITTENTLY AFTER STARTING AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. AS OF APPROX. SEPT. 8, 2011 THE POWER STEERING IS COMPLETELY OUT. *TR

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

BOUGHT MY DREAM CAR, AN '05 MINI COOPER S MONDAY, LABOR DAY, AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING RANDOMLY CUTTING IN AND OUT. NOT AWESOME! EACH TIME, TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON HAS RESOLVED THE ISSUE, HOWEVER IT WOULD SEEM THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING, LIKE, AT ALL, LET ALONG HAVING TO 'CYCLE' THE ENGINE EACH TIME. *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

PARKED THE VEHICLE AFTER A SHORT TRIP OF APPROX. 10 MILES. LEFT CAR FOR APPROX 5 TO 7 MINUTES. RETURNED TO FIND SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY CABLE. GOT THE BATTERY UNHOOKED AND SMOKE DIMINISHED. TRIED RESTARTING CAR, RESTARTED FINE, BUT NO POWER STEERING. ASSUMING THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT UP IN SMOKE. FORTUNATELY, DAMAGE SEEMS TO BE LIMITED TO PS PUMP... NOT SURE YET IF SMOLDERING/SMOKE INDICATES ANY OTHER DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD OR NOT. *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 STEARING WENT OUT ON 2005 MINI COOPER WHILE DRIVING ON LOTS OF CURVES ALONG COLUMBIA RIVER, SEEMS TO BE A THING WITH THESE CARS AFTER LOOKING ON LINE. JUST GLAD I'M NOT SWIMMING WITH THE FISHES DUE TO HAVING TO MUSCLE THE CAR ON THE ROAD. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE HAD A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPORTEDLY CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF MY CAR. I HAD NO PROBLEM STEERING THE CAR UP TO THAT POINT. I GOT OUT AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. MY WIFE CAME INSIDE AND TOLD ME MY CAR SMELLED FUNNY AND WAS SMOKING (LIGHT) UNDER THE HOOD. I RAISED THE HOOD AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HEAT SHIELD IN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE, WHICH IS BELOW THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR AND ABOVE THE PS PUMP. I COULD HEAR SIZZLING, WHICH I INTERPRETED AS WATER. I WENT INSIDE TO CALL A MECHANIC FRIEND AND THEN REALIZED IT WASN'T A GOOD IDEA TO LEAVE A SMOKING CAR ALONE. WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE AGAIN, THE SMOKE HAD TURNED DARK AND HEAVIER. WHEN I REACHED THE CAR, I COULD SEE A RAGING FIRE BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD. I RAN INTO MY GARAGE AND RETURNED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHICH I USED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER THAT THE PUMP CAUSED THE FIRE AND THEY WOULD ONLY REIMBURSE FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING PUMP, NOT FOR THE PUMP ITSELF. I WAS TOLD THAT PS FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MINI COOPERS OF MY YEAR (AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS) AND MODEL. AFTER CHECKING THE INTERNET, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A MFGR.'S RECALL AND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A NHTSA INVESTIGATION. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY CATASTROPHIC! *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE WITH 65K MILES. ORIGINAL OWNER. YESTERDAY MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I DROVE HOME FROM WORK. NO WARNING SIGN AND IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MANEUVER THE CAR. I WAS GLAD IT WAS ME DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE. SCARY EXPERIENCE WHEN DRIVING AT 65MPH+ ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

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!

2005 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A WINDING 2 LANE RURAL ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. HAD THIS BEEN A HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAY, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT. WHEN IT HAPPENED, IT TOOK A LITTLE TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AND I FOUND MYSELF IN THE ONCOMING LANE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER. *TT

2005 MINI COOPER S - ENGINE FIRE A FEW DAYS AGO (7/27/2011) MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CAUGHT FIRE IN THE LOWER REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN A BUSINESS PARKING LOT. IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE (ABOUT 6 MILES) THREE HOURS PRIOR WITH NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE CAR IGNITION WAS OFF AND THERE WAS NO KEY PRESENT IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, A CO-WORKER SPOTTED THE CAR BILLOWING SMOKE FROM BENEATH THE HOOD AND WE WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BEFORE ANY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE OR SURROUNDING PROPERTY. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND SUBSEQUENT ELECTRICAL FIRE - THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY AN OVERHEATING AND EVENTUAL IGNITION OF AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS CAUSED BY A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I MUST EMPHASIZE THAT PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WAS NO INDICATION IN THE VEHICLE (WARNING SYSTEM) OR BY THE VEHICLES PERFORMANCE THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE PUMP OR HANDLING. IT FAILED COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING! WHILE PARKED AND UNATTENDED! THANKFULLY, THE CAR WAS NOT PARKED IN MY GARAGE AT NIGHT WHERE THE FIRE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY GOTTEN A LOT WORSE BEFORE BEING DISCOVERED AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN DEVASTATING TO MY PROPERTY AND FAMILY. AS IT STANDS THE CAR IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF NEARLY 1000.00, POSSIBLY MORE AS WE DO NOT YET KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE CAUSED TO ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE BY THE PUMPS FAILURE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND WAS RECENTLY MECHANICALLY INSPECTED LAST MARCH. NO ISSUES WERE FOUND WITH THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF IT'S LAST MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION. *KB

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

I HAVE A JANUARY 2005 BUILT MINI COOPER S (R53) WITH APPROXIMATELY 21,000 MILES ON IT. ON FEBRUARY 12, 2011 I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A WINDING ROAD IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH SPEED TURN. THE UNEXPECTED POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE MADE THE STEERING COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND NEARLY HIT A TREE (I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WASN'T KILLED!). AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT UNWARRANTED POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES ARE QUITE COMMON WITH THE EARLIER MINI COOPER MODELS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE VIA A MANDATORY SAFETY RECALL. AFTER THE INITIAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE PUMP WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY IN THAT IT WOULD RUN FINE FOR A WHILE AND THEN FAIL AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING A SHORT TIME LATER MAKING THE CAR EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. AT TIMES, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NOT SWITCH OFF AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR'S IGNITION AND THE CAR'S BATTERY WOULD ULTIMATELY GO FLAT LEAVING US STRANDED. WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE MINI DEALERSHIP ON 2/17//2011 AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR AS HAVING A BAD BATTERY (CLAIMING THAT THE BATTERY WAS SO LOW THAT THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY SHUTTING DOWN THE POWER STEERING IN ORDER TO STAY RUNNING). THEY CHARGED US $160 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS. WE THEN REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH AN OEM BATTER FROM THE DEALERSHIP ($130) AND IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. WE ALSO CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER (MINI USA) DIRECTLY AND THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP CLAIMING THAT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. ULTIMATELY, ON JULY 26, 2011 (AT 21,385 MILES) WE REPLACED THE FAILED POWER STEERING PUMP (PART # 32-41-6-778-425) AT A COST OF $735.29 (PLUS LABOR). THE MINI DEALERSHIP WANTED WELL OVER $1,000 TO PERFORM THE WORK AND SO WE PURCHASE A REMPLACEMENT PUMP FROM THE MINI DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT INSTALLED OURSELVES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER POWERING OFF THE IGNITION, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND CUT THE BATTERY LINE. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,746 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,540. UPDATED 9/13/11 *CN THE CONSUMER REPALCD THE PUMP, FLUID AND OTHER SMALL PARTS. UPDATED 01/23/12

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

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. DOOR WOULD ONLY OPEN MANUALLY WITH A KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. I HAD TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. *TT

TRUNK DOOR OPENED WHILE DRIVING AROUND 50MPH. ITEMS IN TRUNK FLEW OUT. ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED UP ALONGSIDE ME TO NOTIFY ME OF THE SITUATION. *TT

UNEXPECTED AND PERMANENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. *KB

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE ON 2005 MINI COOPER LEADS TO DANGEROUS DRIVING *KB

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES WHILE MOVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE RELAY IN THE AUXILIARY ENGINE FAN HAD FAILED LIKELY AS A RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING FAN FAILING. BOTH THE AUXILIARY ENGINE FAN AND THE POWER STEERING FAN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS AND LABOR WAS $1060.14.

WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. ALSO, THE LIGHT WHICH INDICATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS OFF COMES ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I USED THE SAME WRITE-UP ON A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT AS THE SYMPTOMS ARE ACCURATE FOR MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, WITH APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES. *TR

POWER STEERING IS INTERMITTENT MAKING CAR DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I'M THE SECOND OWNER OF CAR. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES.

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

2005 MINI COOPER WARNING LIGHTS INDICATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TURNED OFF WHILE AN ADULT PASSENGER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ISSUE STARTED DURING A COLD NY WINTER AFTER 5 YRS OF FAULT FREE OPERATION. NORMALLY THE PASSENGER SEAT WILL SENSE THE WEIGHT OF A PASSENGER AND AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST THE FORCE OF A DEPLOYING AIRBAG. DEALER REPORTED FAULTY SEAT MAT SENSOR WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF $1300 WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. AFTER EXTENSIVE INTERNET SEARCH FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS, THESE SENSOR MATS FAIL AT A REGULAR RATE, AND ARE NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL. DUE TO THE HIGH COST AND REPEATED FAILURE THESE REPAIRS ARE NOT BEING PERFORMED. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *KB

POWER STEERING PUMP ON 2005 MINI FAILED. *TR

AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROX 2 HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, POWER STEERING FAILED. NOTICED UPON EXITING HIGHWAY - NO ACCIDENT, BUT STEERING REQUIRED UNEXPECTEDLY SIGNIFICANT FORCE. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TURNING OFF HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO AN ADJACENT CAR BECAUSE I HAD TO MUSCLE THE CAR INTO A CORNER. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME LATER IN THE WEEK WHILE I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. A WOMAN MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO MUSCLE THE CAR CORRECTLY THUS CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I OWN A 05 MINI COOPER S THAT HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS..THE STEERING WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING 75MPH..SINCE THEN THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WILL NOT SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN AND THE BATTERY MUST BE DISCONNECTED WHICH IS ANOTHER ISSUE ALTOGETHER...I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT SAFE...IT STARTED AS AN INTEMITTENT PROBLEM AND NOW IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM...I ONLY OWN THIS VEHICLE AS WAS HOPING MINI WOULD STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THIS... *TT

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 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

2005 MINI COOPER S. POWER STEERING FAILURE: I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I REACHED MY DESTINATION (WITHOUT POWER STEERING), THE CAR SAT FOR APPROX 3 HOURS, WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WORKED. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS ON TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2011. ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, THIS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. AGAIN, AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR A FEW HOURS, THE POWER STEERING RESUMED WORKING. MY CAR HAS APPROX 56K MILES ON IT, AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF *TR UPDATED 3/16/12 *CN

MINI COOPER 05 POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER S THROUGH A CROWDED PARKING LOT, MY POWER STEERING JUST SUDDENLY WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF THE SUDDEN FAILURE AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET MY MINI INTO A PARKING SPOT AWAY FROM PEDESTRIANS. *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 CURRENTLY AWAITING AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $1500. 2. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE FAILURE HAVE BEEN HEIGHTENED CONCERN WHILE DRIVING, AND A DYNAMIC COST OF $1500 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE BAY BRIDGE. ALMOST KILLED ME AND GOD ONLY KNOWS WHO ELSE WAS ON THE BRIDGE! HOW CAN THE PEOPLE AT BMW SLEEP AT NIGHT KNOWING THERE ARE MINIS OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM! DO THE RESEARCH AND YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY TERRIFIED MINI OWNERS ARE OUT THERE! THANK GOD I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE SO I COULD PULL THE CAR OVER AND COAST THE REST OF THE WAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MINISF, WHO TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. I REPLACED THE PUMP, BUT FOR SOME REASON THE PROBLEM CONTINUES INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAN RUNS ALL THE TIME, EVEN WHEN DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AND, WHAT'S WORSE IS THE THOUGHT OF SELLING THIS CAR TO SOMEONE WHO MIGHT EXPERIENCE THE SAME TERROR I DID. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR CRASHES. THANK GOD FOR THAT. *TR

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

POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND CONTINUES TO RUN WHILE THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF. HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT HAS GONE OUT ON THE EXPRESS WAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST. THE COST WOULD BE $1000 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD GIVE HER A RETURN CALL IF THEY REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. UPDATED 07/29/11

THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. ALSO, THE LIGHT WHICH INDICATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS OFF COMES ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. CERTAINLY, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WE BELIEVE BMW/MINI SHOULD FIX THIS AT NO CHARGE. *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

POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL CAR IS CYCLED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. *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 POWER STEERING BEGAN TO STOP WORKING AS I RODE. I WOULD PARK THE CAR, SWITCH THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD COME BACK. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BOTH IN BACK ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. FINALLY LAST MONTH IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND NOW IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND REALLY A DANGER TO BE ON THE ROAD WITH. *TR

BOUGHT MINI COOPER USED FROM DEALER JUST PRIOR TO GOING TO FLORIDA FOR 2 WKS. WHEN ALMOST HOME FROM FLORIDA POWER STEERING WENT OUT. MY 3000 MILE USED CAR WARRANTY HAD JUST RAN OUT SO CHECKED ON RECALLS, FOUND NONE. BUT I DID FIND OUT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS. CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY AND FOUND THE STEERING SOMETIMES WORKED AND AGAIN WOULD CUT OUT WITH NO WARNING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN NOT EXPECTED. THEN ONE DAY I CAME HOME AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BUT THE STEERING PUMP WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO GET IT TO STOP. WHEN I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY IT WOULD START RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN. THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED I NEEDED TO BITE THE BULLET AND TAKE IT IN TO BE FIXED. I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND DROVE IT TO A MINI COOPER DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE STEERING PUMP THAT WAS BAD, THAT IT HAD INTERNAL ELECTRONICS THAT FAIL. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT FOR A TOTAL COST OF $1072.38 AND THAT CAME WITH A 2 YR WARRANTY. PLEASE NOTE ~ THE VEHICLE HAD A WHIRRING NOISE WHEN I BOUGHT IT THAT I THOUGHT WAS FROM THE TURBO. I FOUND OUT LATER IT WAS THE STEERING PUMP MAKING THE NOISE. WHEN THE NEW PUMP WAS INSTALLED IT WAS A LOT QUIETER. *TR

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

MY 2005 MINI COOPER S HAS POWER STEERING WHEEL FAILURE. IT STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE CAR HIT 50,000 MILES WHICH I THINK IT'S STILL TOO LOW FOR ANY CARS. I FIRST ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A MAIN RD. THE STEERING WAS SO DIFFICULT TO TURN EVEN WITH BOTH HANDS THAT I HAD TO COME TO HALT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD HAVE HIT THE BUILDING IF I KEPT ON GOING AT FULL SPEED WHICH IS 30 MILES. SO GLAD THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME. ENCOUNTERED A FEW MORE TIMES AFTER THIS. MY CAR IS NOW PARKED AT MY CONDO LOT AS IT COST OVER $1300 TO GET IT FIXED. IT WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS IS THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY. A FEW OF MY FRIENDS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE OR LIFE WILL BE LOST. BMW/MINI NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE--PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WON'T GO OUT. ACCORDING TO WEB-FORUMS, PART FAILED IS A SEAT SENSOR. DEALER WANTS CLOSE TO $2K TO REPLACE IT, BUT IT FAILED A LONG LONG LONG TIME AGO. I WOULD THINK IT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 2 OR 3 YEARS. CAN FIND TONS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS AT HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/STOCK-PROBLEMS-ISSUES-9-2.HTML. *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.

POWER STEERING HAS BEEN FAILING TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. IT OCCURS MAINLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING AWAY FROM A STOP. STOPPING AND RESTARTING CLEARS THE PROBLEM. IT DID HAPPEN ONCE AT FREEWAY SPEED ON A LEFT HAND OFF RAMP. IT MADE THE STEERING VERY HEAVY AND HARD TO TURN AND COULD HAVE LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL HAD THE PAVEMENT BEEN SLIPPERY. THE POWER STEERING DID RETURN AFTER SLOWING AND COMPLETING THE TURN. *TR

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

VIN: [XXX], DELIVERED SEPT. 2004. CURRENT MILEAGE 49,940 THIS CAR WAS ORDERED VIA MINI.COM. THE ONLY DRIVERS ARE A 63 YR FEMALE AND A 63 YR MALE. NO CHILDREN HAVE EVER DRIVEN THIS CAR, NOR HAS IT BEEN RACED, DRIVEN HARD, SIMPLY DRIVEN TO WORK AND BACK LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, A 11 MILE TRIP MAX SPEED ON A 55 MPH HIGHWAY. THE FRONT END MADE A HUGE NOISE, THE CAR SHOOK, AND I STOPPED. I HAD TO CALL A TOWING SERVICE, AS I FELT THE CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE. THE SERVICE TOWED THE CAR TO MINI OF NASHVILLE, WHERE I WAS TOLD THE "HARMONIC BALANCER" BROKE, AND IT THEN BROKE THE FRONT AXLE. WHAT? I ASKED, IS A HARMONIC BALANCER" AND WHAT DOES IT DO?, AFTER A LENGTHY CONVERSATION, I FIND OUT THAT IF THE CAR IS TOO OLD, THE RUBBER DRIES OUT AND THIS CAN HAPPEN. FOR A PART TO WEAR OUT, I AM STUCK WITH $2,000 REPAIR BILL. THIS CAR IS NOT TOO OLD, IT HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ALWAYS GARAGED. IF THE PARTS MINI USES ON A CAR AND IF MINI KNOWS THAT THEY WEAR OUT THEN MINI SHOULD FULLY DISCLOSE THIS, AS CONSUMERS CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS WHEN MAKING DECISIONS ON CAR PURCHASES. THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECT FROM A MINI, THIS CAR WAS GENTLY DRIVEN, WELL TAKEN CARE OF. YOUR "HARMONIC BALANCER" IS DEFECTIVE, YOU SHOULD MAKE THE BUYERS OF YOUR CARS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, PUT YOURSELF IN POSITIONS TO MAKE IT RIGHT. THIS CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE, I COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT HIGH SPEED IF A BROKEN AXLE OCCURRED WHILE ON A LONG TRIP, LET ALONE THE INCONVENIENCE OF REPAIRS, HOTEL STAYS, AND OTHER INTERRUPTIONS. I AM EXPECTING MINI MAKE THIS REPAIR AS A WARRANTIED ITEM, COVERING THE COST, LABOR TO REPAIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE INVOICE IS DATED 29 APRIL 2011, MINI OF NASHVILLE, I AM CUSTOMER # 31442. THE INVOICE READS AS FOLLOWS: THE DRIVER STATES WHILE DRIVING IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FELL OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE MINI. 11 - REPLACED DAMPNER. 1035 C THERE ARE MANY INCIDENTS OF THIS ON THE WEB. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS THE RESULT OF USING INFERIOR PARTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

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

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND HAPPENS EVERY FEW DAYS. SIMPLY CYCLING THE IGNITION GETS IT WORKING AGAIN BUT IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN IN MY BOOK. *TR

MY POWER STEERING FAILED AS I WAS MAKING A TURN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND A LITTLE UNNERVING. I AM STRONG ENOUGH TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT THE POWER ASSIST, BUT THIS IS NOT TRUE OF MY WIFE. IF THE PROBLEM WERE TO OCCUR WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING SHE MIGHT LOSE CONTROL.

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.

THE CAR ( 2005 MINI COOPER) WAS COMPLETELY DEAD OVERNIGHT. WE CHARGED THE BATTERY AND A FAN WOULDN'T TURN OFF WHICH MUST HAVE CAUSED THE DRAIN. WE HAD IT FIXED. IT WAS A FAULTY RELAY IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WHICH HAD ALSO BEEN LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS VERY ISSUE. WE SPENT $1,000 TO FIX THIS ON A CAR WITH 40,000 MILES! *TR

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

EXPERIENCED ABRUPT AND COMPLETE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM SIMULTANEOUS WITH AN IMMEDIATE AND SHARP DECREASE IN POWER. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AT 75 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, CAR IN MIDDLE LANE. VERY NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISION WITH A TRUCK WHEN MOVING VEHICLE TO FULL STOP IN EMERGENCY LANE. VEHICLE CURRENTLY NOT IN USE AS WE FEEL IT IS A ROAD HAZARD AND UNSAFE TO OPERATE IN CURRENT CONDITION. ALSO AWAITING FOR RESPONSE FROM MINI DEALER.

I HAVE NOTICED FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN LURCHING. IN JUST THE LAST WEEK I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I GET TO ABOUT 55-65 MPH, MY RPM'S ARE AROUND 4000. I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE RPM'S INCREASED. I HAD SOME MINOR WORK DONE ON THE AUTO-SEQUENTIAL TRANSMISSION IN 2010. I HAD BROKEN THE LINE AND HAS BEEN WELDED BACK IN AND HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS ASIDE FROM THE LURCHING UNTIL RECENTLY. ALL FACTORY PARTS ARE STILL ON THE CAR. TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. I AM OUTSIDE MY WARRANTY. *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

THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN FAILING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF A PARALLEL PARKING SPOT. UPON TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT, THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. IT MOST OFTEN HAPPENED WHEN MANEUVERING OUT OF PARALLEL PARKED SPOTS. SOMETIMES IT WOULD HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE DAY AND THEN NOT AGAIN FOR A FEW MONTHS. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING I FELT THE POWER STEERING LOCK UP AND HAVE HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR TO SAFELY AND RESTART THE STEERING. I TOOK IT IN TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT SOUNDED LIKE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND GIVEN A QUOTE OF $895 TO GET IT REPLACED. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT THAT PROMPTED THE LIGHT TO COME ON. APPARENTLY, MINIS PRODUCED THREE MONTHS AFTER THIS VEHICLE ARE INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR "EXTENDED WARRANTY" BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHTS, BUT NOT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. BASED ON DISCUSSIONS WITH DEALER SERVICE, IT COULD BE A VERY COSTLY REPAIR, ESTIMATED AT $1200. IT SEEMS VERY STRANGE THAT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED SO CLOSE TO THE COVERED TIME PERIOD ARE ALSO HAVING ISSUES. PERHAPS MINI NEEDS TO CONSIDER EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE AIRBAG SENSOR EXTENDED WARRANTY.

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

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *TR

ON TUESDAY, 5 APRIL 2011, I DROVE MY 2005 MINI COOPER S ABOUT 20 - 25 MILES HEADING FOR WORK - I MADE A BRIEF STOP FOR COFFEE. THE CAR OPERATED PROPERLY DURING THIS DRIVE, HOWEVER, WHEN I LEFT THE COFFEE SHOP I NOTICE A VERY ACRID SMELL IN THE AREA. WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AND STARTED IT THE "BATTERY" INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. I CHECK THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND IT SAID THIS INDICATED THE BATTERY WAS NOT BEING CHARGED. AS THE CAR WAS RUNNING I DECIDED I COULD DRIVE IT TO WORK AND THEN ADDRESS THE CHARGING ISSUE. WHEN I BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT I REALIZED I HAD ALSO LOST MY POWER STEERING. I WAS CONCERNED THAT MY CAR MIGHT NOT BE COOLING AS WELL, SO MOVED THE CAR TO A SPOT FURTHER OUT IN THE PARKING LOT TO ALLOW FOR A TOW TRUCK TO PICK IT UP. I REALIZED THE ACRID SMOKE SMELL WAS STILL WITH ME AND DECIDED TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I LIFTED THE HOOD I FOUND THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FORTUNATELY I CARRIED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT - THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ALSO RESPONDED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO SANDIA MINI COOPER IN ALBUQUERQUE NM AND I HAVE SINCE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. FROM SOME RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON LINE IT APPEARS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE ISOLATED TO MY VEHICLE, BUT THAT IT WAS OCCURRED IN A NUMBER OF CASES. *TR

MY 2005 MINI COOPER S HAD A SUDDEN POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE APPROACHING A HIGHWAY OFF RAMP. I WENT TO TURN INTO IT AND THE CAR HAD BECOME A TANK. AFTER SOME PANIC BRAKING AND ALL THE UPPER BODY STRENGTH I COULD MUSTER ON THE STEERING WHEEL... I DID NOT FLY INTO THE DITCH, BUT HAD THE ROAD BEEN WET OR ICY I HAVE NO DOUBT THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT. CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS ESTIMATED $1200 FOR THE REPAIR OF A KNOWN FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. FAILURE HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE PARKING AND TWICE UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN. MAKES CAR HARD TO MANEUVER AND UNSAFE BECAUSE OF THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF THE FAILURE. *TR

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP & FAN FAILURE DURING LEFT TURN. SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF MINI COPPERS IN THE UK HAVE HAD SIMILAR RECALLS. IN FACT I DID FIND A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAN FOR FAULTY WIRES. I COULD FALL UNDER THE SAME RECALL, BUT BMW MINI DEALERS ARE STATING THAT IT WILL COST ME JUST FOR DIAGNOSTICS (ROUGHLY $90), THEY ALSO STATES THEY KNEW ABOUT A FILED COMPLAINT BUT SAID THEY COULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE FAN WITHOUT CHARGING ME. I DID FIND AFTER DAYS AND DAYS OF INTERNET SEARCHES THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL # ISSUED FOR THE FAN BUT COULD NOT LOCATE IT AGAIN. WEBSITE CITING BBC ARTICLE. WWW.NEWMINI.WORDPRESS.COM/?S=MINI+COOPER+POWER+STEERING+FAILURE. EVERYDAY I FEEL LESS AND LESS SAFE DRIVING MY MINI. THANKS. *TR

WE PURCHASED OUR 2005 MINI COOPER LESS THAN A WEEK AGO. IT HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. I TRIED TO TAKE AN OFF RAMP TO THE RIGHT TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH AND REALIZED THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP. I SLOWLY DROVE THE CAR TO A GAS STATION WHERE I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE FAN CONTINUED TO RUN. I WAITED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. 2 DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN ONLY 10 MINUTES AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING IN FREEZING RAIN...THANK GOODNESS I WAS IN TOWN. IF THE STEERING HAD FAILED ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THESE WEATHER CONDITIONS THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I AM TAKING MY MINI INTO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE MINI COOPER WE THOUGHT WE WERE BUYING A SAFE AND DEPENDABLE CAR..NOW IT LOOKS LIKE AN UNSAFE MONEY PIT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT WHICH HE FOUND TO BE FRACTURED. LATER, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE FAILURES WITH THE REAR BRAKES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AND LATER, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE AN ABNORMAL RATTLING FROM THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER THEN ADVISED THAT THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10025903- POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION) REGARDING REPLACING THE CLUTCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,800.

POWER STEERING VERY SUDDENLY FAILED! NEARLY CAUSED A SEROUS ACCIDENT WHEN NEGOCIATING A ROUNDABOUT. THE CAR IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO MANOEUVER, ESPECIALLY AT A DEAD STOP, OR ROUNDING CORNERS. STEERING IS VERY HARD TO RETURN TO "MIDDLE" POSITION. *TR

STARTED NOTICING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN, USUALLY RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING WOULD RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. INITIALLY IT WOULD OCCUR EVERY 2 TO 3 MONTHES, BUT AS TIME WENT ON IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT AFTER IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN ONE DAY - TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO PULL TO THE SIDE OFTHE ROAD AND SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE CAR IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO EASILY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ONLY AFTER GETTING THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED WAS I INFORMED OF THE THE FREQUENCY OF ISSUES LIKE THIS WITH OTHER CARS. THE DEALER DID FIX THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $900.

POWER STEERING HAS FAILED TWICE. ONCE WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND THE OTHER WAS IN MID-DAY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO HANDLE. THE FIRST TIME, I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR ONLY HAS 53,000 MILES AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE - PENDING A SECOND REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP/COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY DUE TO FAILURE - THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED 18 MONTHS AGO AND THE REPLACEMENT FAN HAS ALREADY STOPPED RUNNING, CAUSING A SEVERE LEAK OF PS FLUID (TWICE FOUND COMPLETELY EMPTY) AND RESULTANT POWER STEERING FAILURE. FIRST FAILURE SUMMER 2008, REPEAT FAILURE WINTER 2010. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY RESISTANT. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN TURNING AND ONCE THE TURN WAS COMPLETE, THE STEERING WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE STEERING PUMP MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

LOST POWER STEERING AND ABILITY TO MAKE TURN EASILY

POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING A LOUD WHINING NOISE AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS STARTED, AND WOULD "WIND DOWN" A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THE PUMP AND FAN WERE BOTH REPLACED THANKFULLY BEFORE THE SYSTEM FAILED. *TR

LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. SIGNIFICANT FORCE WAS NEEDED TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM LASTED FOR ONE DAY. THE POWER STEERING RETURNED THE FOLLOWING DAY, BUT THE MOTOR STAYED ON AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND THE FAN. *TR

POWER STEERING UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF PS MOTOR FAILING SUDDENLY AND WITH NO WARNING. FIRST OCCURRENCE NEARLY CAUSED CRASH BECAUSE PS FAILED WHILE NEGOTIATING INTERSECTION. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAS LOSS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DUE TO POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THUS REQUIRING INCREASED FORCE TO STEER AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE. STEERING HAS BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND HAS MADE MANOEUVRING THIS CAR FAR HARDER AND DANGEROUS. THE CAR HAS SPOTTY ELECTRICAL FAILURES; EXAMPLE THE WINDOW JUST DOESN'T WANT TO ROLL UP; NO, WAIT, IT DOES. NO, WAIT, IT DOESN'T. THE STEREO JUST GIVES UP; NO SOUND ANYMORE,THEN IT PLAYS AGAIN. THE SAME WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR YOU COULD HERE IT UNLOCK AND RE-LOCK, BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THEN IT WOULD. ALSO BOTH OF MY KEYS TO OPEN THE DOOR BOTH TURNED OFF AT THE SAME TIME AND I HAD TO HAVE THE KEYS RE-CALIBRATED AT A MINI DEALERSHIP TO REOPEN THE VEHICLE.

POWER STEERING FAILURE ON MY 05 MINI COOPER-S. POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE ROAD IN REGULAR TRAFFIC, WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT FROM A 5 LANE ROAD WHEN IT QUIT WORKING, WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL ENOUGH TO SAFELY MAKE IT INTO THE PARKING LOT AND AVOID A CRASH. APPARENTLY AS OF NOW IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE POWER STEERING MIGHT COME BACK ON; TERRIBLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM TO HAVE ON A PART ON A CAR THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. REPAIR ESTIMATES ARE AROUND $800-1300, AND IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM W/ THESE CARS. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S WITH MILEAGE OF ABOUT 72K. THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON AND OFF FOR A WEEK AND WAS COMPLETELY GONE ON MAR 5. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. UPDATED 08/19/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND THE STEERING PUMP STAYED ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF CAUSING THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

WHEN I GOT IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE TO COME TO WORK TODAY, I FOUND THAT I DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES TO A GAS STATION AND FILLED UP THE TANK. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WORKED PERFECTLY. AFTER I GOT TO WORK, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS AND THERE WERE MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO HAD DEALT WITH THIS AND ACCORDING TO A FEW NEWS SOURCES, THIS COULD BE CLOSE TO A RECALL SITUATION. THE FIX FOR THIS IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE ACCORDING TO THE SITES THAT I VISITED, BUT THE SAFETY OF THE SITUATION IS THE OVER RIDING FACTOR. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH MY MOTHER OR WITH MY WIFE DRIVING, I'M NOT SURE IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. *TR

POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. POWER STEERING REPLACEMENT, TRUNK REPAIR AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR REPAIR. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF *TR

I HAD TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF LOSING POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I WAS DRIVING AND MADE A RIGHT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL FELT VERY HEAVY AND IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE THE TURN - COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED FOR ANY TURN ON THE WAY HOME. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR, THE STEERING SEEMED FINE, AND CONTINUED TO SEEM FINE UNTIL YESTERDAY AFTERNOON (MARCH 8, 2011). ONCE AGAIN, I MADE A RIGHT TURN AND FOUND THAT I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I NEEDED TO STOP FOR GAS, SO AFTER SOME RATHER TRICKY MANEUVERS TO GET PARKED BY A GAS PUMP, AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF, THE POWER STEERING SEEMED OK AGAIN. I HAVE SEEN WHERE THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS, SO I WANTED TO ADD MY INCIDENT TO YOUR DATABASE. *TR

MY 2005 MINI COOPER S HAD THE POWER STEERING FAIL WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE MAINTENANCE DONE ON IT LAST WEEK AND WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS "SEEPING" BUT WAS NOT OF IMMEDIATE CONCERN AND I COULD WAIT ON FIXING/REPLACING IT. TODAY THERE IS ALMOST NO FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AND I AM UNABLE TO PURCHASE AT ANY LOCAL AUTO PART STORE AS NO ONE CARRIES (CHS 11S) APPARENTLY A TYPE OF MINERAL SPIRIT. IN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION IS INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE SO I WANTED TO ADD MY VOICE. I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED IN A SLIGHT CORNER AT THE TIME AND YET STILL HAD A VERY HARD TIME MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE CAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, THIS COULD REALLY LEAD TO A TRAGEDY. *TR

OUR 2005 MINI COOPER S HAS INTERMITTENT STEERING ISSUES. THE POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES. WHEN RESEARCHING THE FIX, I FOUND THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THERE IS EVEN A GUY ON EBAY SELLING REMANUFACTURED POWER STEERING PUMPS AT AN AVERAGE OF ONE EVERY THREE DAYS. (BASED ON EBAY FEED BACK). *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES TURNING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND HAZARDOUS AND HAPPENS AT WHAT SEEMS TO BE 'RANDOM' TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE MINI DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME $125 TO TELL ME THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FINE, BUT SHORTED OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES CAUSING THE DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE $1060 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. FROM WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT EFFECTS 223,000 MINI DRIVERS AND YET THERE IS NO RECALL YET. *TR

I OWN A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE & NOTICED MY POWER STEERING STARTING TO MAKE NOISE ABOUT A WEEK AGO. NOW IT IS WORKING VERY INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE NOTICED IN DOING SOME RESEARCH THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AN THEY WANT TO REPLACE MY POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH IS GOING TO BE VERY COSTLY. I AM TO SAY THE LEAST A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT A CAR WITH THE BMW NAME ON IT IS HAVING THIS MANY COMPLAINTS. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS DEFECTIVE. I HAD A LOCAL FIRESTONE CAR REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSE AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT INTENSIFIED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THEY NOTED THE DEFECTIVE STEERING PUMP AND THAT IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $1,223.39 TO REPLACE. THEY SAID IF I DID NOT REPLACE IT, I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AT ANY POINT WHILE MAKING A TURN. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE STEERING PUMP. THE ONES WHO LEFT THE ISSUE UNRESOLVED ENDED UP LOSING CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE MID-TURN WHEN EITHER THE PUMP RANDOMLY SHUT OFF, OR IF IT HAD ALREADY FAILED, RANDOMLY TURNED BACK ON MID-TURN. THESE SITUATIONS ARE DANGEROUS ENOUGH, BUT THERE WERE ALSO REPORTS OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS CATCHING FIRE. IN LIGHT OF THIS, I COULD NOT RISK THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY OR MYSELF, AND TOOK IT INTO A LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE PUMP WAS FAILING AND THAT IT WAS GOOD THAT I BROUGHT IT IN BEFORE IT FAILED. THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPLACEMENT COST WAS $1,417.49. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND WERE AWAITING THE RESULTS OF THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION BEFORE COMMITTING TO REFUND THE COST OF THE DEFECTIVE PART(S). THANKFULLY, THANKS TO ALL THE REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, I WAS ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ANYONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS PARKING THE CAR, MINI COOPER S 2005 MODEL YEAR. THERE WAS NO SERVICE LIGHT OR ANY OTHER WARNING BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED.

THE FIRST TIME I HAD A PROBLEM, I WAS DRIVING AND MAINTAINING SPEED WHEN SUDDENLY THE POWER-STEERING FAILED. I JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL AND TURNED IT WITH FORCE, AND THEN THE POWER-STEERING RETURNED. ANOTHER TIME, THE POWER-STEERING FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND REMAINED OFF UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND THEN TURNED THE IGNITION BACK ON.

POWER STEERING QUIT UNEXPECTEDLY. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, JUST STARTED THE CAR, AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. I DROVE IT A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD TO A GAS STATION, TURNED IT OFF, AND WHEN TURNED BACK ON AGAIN IT WORKED FINE. ORIGINALLY HAPPENED ON 2/12/11 AND HAS NOT RECURRED AS OF 2/22/11. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES IN MY MINI COOPER. THE CAR BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO DRIVE WHEN IT FAILS (MUCH HARDER THAN AN OLD CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING-ITS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILS). SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE MAKING A TURN. IF I TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT THE POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK FOR A WHILE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! *TR

NOTICED A WHIRRING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT LIKELY DUE TO POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. LOOKED UP POSSIBLE ISSUES ON LINE AND NOTICED THAT OTHER FOLKS HAD VERY SIMILAR EXPERIENCES.

POWER STEERING BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY FAILING ON OUR 2005 MINI COOPER AT APPROX. 88,000 MILES. STEERING WOULD BECOME VERY STIFF MAKING MANEUVERING THE CAR QUITE DIFFICULT. USUALLY WOULD GO OUT AFTER TRAVELING SOME DISTANCE ON THE HIGHWAY. VERY NOTICEABLE ONCE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION AND TRYING TO TURN TO NEW DIRECTION. DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 10 TIMES NOW IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS. FAILED ON WAY TO MINI DEALER TODAY. MINI DEALER HAS INDICATED THE FAILURE OF THE MODULE IN THE POWERSTEERING PUMP. WILL REPLACE PUMP FOR $1,100.00 PLUS. HAVING THIS REPAIR DONE AS I WRITE. NO OFFER TO DISCOUNT EVEN THOUGH NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE OF THIS PART. *TR

POWER STEERING APPEARS TO NOT BE WORKING. POWER IN THE VEHICLE IS INTERRUPTED AT LOW SPEEDS AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. SYMPTOMS OF THIS BEGAN OCCURRING OVER THREE MONTHS AGO WITH THE BATTERY OF THE CAR BEING DRAINED AFTER SITTING FOR A PERIOD OF 4 DAYS OR MORE. ALL RELAYS AND FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN INOPERATIVE AND WAS REMOVED, CLEANED AND REINSTALLED APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO.

2005 MINI COOPER 'S' CONVERTIBLE. THE POWER STEERING WILL OCCASIONALLY STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. IF YOU SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART THE CAR IT RESETS AND WORKS AGAIN. IT NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING FOR A STOP OR MAKING A TURN, WHICH YOU DON'T NOTICE UNTIL YOU START MOVING AND FIND YOU ARE UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR. LUCKILY I HAVEN'T PULLED OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE PUMP AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY $680. *TR

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

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND HAVE HAD A CREAK IN MY STEERING COLUMN THAT IS GETTING WORSE. LAST MONTH, I FIRST EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LACK OF POWER STEERING. THE CAR CORRECTED ITSELF AND WORKED PROPERLY UNTIL A FEW INTERMITTENT OCCASIONS THIS WEEK. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON SEEM TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE LACK OF POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, IT IS VERY TEMPORARY. WHILE DRIVING, I CAN FEEL THE STEERING RESPONSE CHANGE ON/OFF DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING CONTROL. WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILS, THE WHEEL IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT FEELS LIKE A 1961 CHEVY TRUCK WITH A 350 V8. IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR FROM A DEAD STOP MAKING PARKING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I AM BEING FORCED TO DRIVE BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT TO LIMIT MY LIABILITY IN CORNERS AND TURNS, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE. I AM SETTING UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL MINI DEALER TO ADDRESS AND CORRECT THE FAILURE. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA, BUT I CANNOT WAIT TO HAVE THE REPAIR. I AM BEWILDERED AS TO WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL YET. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A VEHICLE'S STEERING SYSTEM CAN FAIL AFTER VERY LITTLE MILES. MINI NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

SAME ISSUE AS COMPLAINTS 10378962 AND 10380308, RELATED TO INVESTIGATION 10-038. POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ALL POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND COMPLETED THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,648 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE STEERING BEING DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ON HER BEHALF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SPEAK WITH THE REGIONAL MANAGER ON HER BEHALF AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR 1 MONTH AGO FOR OUR 16 YEAR OLD TWINS TO LEARN TO DRIVE ON. TWICE WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING HAS LOCKED UP TO THE POINT THEY ARE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. BOTH TIMES THEY CALLED ME FROM THEIR CELL PHONES AND I INSTRUCTED THEM TO TURN ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND TRY AND GET TO A SAFE PLACE. THEY COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE SO I INSTRUCTED THEM TO STOP PUTTHE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF AND TRY TO RE-START. EACH TIMES THIS SEEMED TO HELP BUT WHEN WE HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT THERE SEEMS TO BE NO PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAD ONLY 27,982 MILES A MONTH AGO WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. *LN

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED SUDDENLY AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR. *TR UPDATED 08/24/11 *BF UPDATED 08/29/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THE CONTACT UNPLUGGED THE BATTERY, WHICH STOPPED THE LOUD NOISE THAT SHE WAS HEARING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,998.

MY 2005 MINI COOPER S SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AS I WAS DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I'VE NOT HAD IT IN FOR REPAIRS YET, BUT RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET IT SEEMS MANY CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE EVEN READ OF THOSE WHOSE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND AM FEARFUL OF THE SAME HAPPENING TO ME NOT TO MENTION THE EXTREMELY HIGH COST OF REPAIR. MINI SHOULD RECALL THE 2005 AND FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE AN 05 MINI COOPER S AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS DEFECTIVE ALONG WITH 80,000+ OTHERS. I AM ROUGHLY AROUND 90,000 MILES AND THE PUMP HAS JUST RECENTLY STARED GOING OUT DUE TO WHAT THE DEALERSHIP CALLED A "DEFECTIVE LEAK ON THE ACTUALLY BODY OF THE PUMP". I ASKED THEM WHAT I SHOULD DO AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $1100 TO "FIX IT" BUT SAID THAT IT COULD GO OUT AND FAIL AT ANYTIME WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE BECAUSE MY WIFE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR IF IT COULD GO OUT AT ANYTIME? THEY ALSO SAID THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN 04/05 MINI COOPERS. I REALLY WISH SOMEBODY WOULD MAKE THEM RECALL THIS POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING US $1100 FOR THEIR MISTAKE IN DESIGNING/INSTALLING THE POWER STEERING PUMPS??? *TR

SUDDEN STEERING FAILURE. *LN

SAME ISSUE AS COMPLAINT 10378962, RELATED TO INVESTIGATION 10-038. POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES ALL BEGAN TO POINT TO ZERO. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST POWER STEERING AND THE ENGINE RPMS BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY, AS WELL AS THE WARNING LIGHTS. THE AIR CONDITIONER ALSO SHUT OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND AS HE EXITED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, POWER STEERING GASKET, PRESSURE HOSE AND GASKET, FAN AND MOTOR, VALVE COVER, ENGINE HARNESS, AND THERMOSTAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER REPAIRS BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,900.

MULTIPLE POWER STEERING FAILURES. INITIALLY WHEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 1 HOUR, NOW (JAN. 2011) OFTEN GOES OUT WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 10 MINUTES. SOMETIMES COMES/GOES DURING A TURN. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE WHEN CORNERING IN THE CITY OR PARALLEL PARKING.

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER I JUST HIT 55K MILES AND MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED. MY BATTERY IS NOW DEAD, ALTERNATOR IS FRIED. IT WAS RUNNING FINE ONE DAY AND THE NEXT IT TURNED ON AND I COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF MY GARAGE AND THEN THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND AN EXPENSIVE COST THAT IS THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT IN THE UK THEY ARE PAYING FOR PARTS BUT IN THE US IT IS A MINOR ISSUE. *TR

HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER WITH INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING, DRIVING ALONG AND OCCASIONALLY THE POWER STEERING JUST GOES. REQUIRES INCREASED FORCE TO STEER AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. STOP THE CAR RESTART AND ALL APPEARS OKAY AGAIN. *TR

ON 1/14/11 WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON A HIGHWAY MY STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED UP AND MADE STEERING IMPOSSIBLE. I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL 1/16/11 AND THEN 1/20/11, ALL WHILE DRIVING MY CAR AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, ALSO WHILE TRYING TO BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY. IT HAPPENS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION FROM THE MINI COMPUTER SYSTEM HAS ALERTED ME. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN CORNER. FAILURE CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL MILES/HOURS AND THEN BEGAN WORKING AGAIN AFTER A PERIOD OF INACTIVITY

I JUST BOUGHT A 2005 MINI COOPER AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED THIS MORNING. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND THAT THE NHTSA WAS LOOKING INTO THESE ISSUES ALREADY. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE ONE DAY, I DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT WHETHER THE POWER STEERING FAILURE COMES AND GOES OR WHEN IT IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR. THIS MORNING IT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING, MY WIFE HAD TO EXERT STRENGTH TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO SAFE PLACE WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT (REPORTING THIS AS WE ARE NOT SURE IF IT IS RELATED) OUR 2005 MINI REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAN (AT COST OF $245.60) ON 8/21/2009, TO FIX A LOUD NOISE. ON 1/12/2011 WE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. MINI AGREED TO CHARGE ME ONLY 1/2 THE WARRANTY PART COST AND REDUCED LABOR (TOTAL JOB COST ME $443 VERSUS ALMOST $1200 UNTIL I COMPLAINED). GIVEN THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS (AND I READ OF SIMILAR CONCERNS IN BRITAIN), THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THIS SYSTEM AND I SHOULD GET A REFUND OF WHAT I PAID FOR THE PUMP AND THE FAN I HAD REPLACED IN 2009. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE REPLACED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AT A LABOR AND PARTS COST OF $767.24. AGAIN, NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. OUR CAR ONLY HAS 46,500 MILES, SO THESE FAILURES SEEM UNUSUAL FOR A CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A RIGHT TURN FROM A VERY BUSY STREET WHEN THE STEERING WENT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. I NEARLY CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE STEERING WAS SO DIFFICULT, I PULLED A SHOULDER AND BACK MUSCLE JUST TRYING TO COMPLETE THE TURN. THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT FOR THE REST OF MY TRIP. SINCE THEN, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY ON A DAILY BASIS AND COMES WITH NO WARNING. IT WILL DRIVE FOR SEVERAL MILES WITH NO PROBLEM AND THEN SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ALL SPEEDS. UPDATED VIN. 02/22/11. *TR

AFTER STARTING UP MY CAR I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, BUT THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND TRIED DRIVING AGAIN. IT STILL DIDN'T WORK. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF TRYING THIS IT FINALLY STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY THIS HAPPENED AGAIN BOTH IN THE MORNING AND AGAIN AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 3+ HOURS. LATER THAT NIGHT WHEN I DROVE MY CAR IT WORKED FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, BUT THE MECHANIC CAN NEVER DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT NOR FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT AND ABOUT 55,000 MILES THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP AND PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LAMP ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AT 58,000 MILES IT HAS STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC AND HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE WEIGHT SENSOR PAD IN THE SEAT CUSHION IS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD REQUIRE THE CAR TO GO TO THE DEALER TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE DEALER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT MINIUSA BY EMAIL AND HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER A WEEK FOR A RESPONSE. *LN

INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING LOSS RESULTING IN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO DEALER. DEALER PROVIDED NO WORKING RESOLUTION. POWER STEERING LOSS IN THIS VEHICLE MADE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT AND RESULTED IN EXCESSIVELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. POWER PUMP FINALLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,954. UPDATED 3/7/11 *CN UPDATED 03/14/11

MY DAUGHTER IS 18 YEARS OLD SHE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK 2AM RAINING OUT SIDE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE STARTED HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS REAL BAD THANK GOD HER BRAKES WORKED. COME TO FIND OUT HER POWER STEERING BOX WENT OUT AND HER FAN SHE HAS A 2005 MINI COOPER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE DUE TO THE BODEN CABLE GUIDE BECOMING DISLODGED FROM ITS RETENTION CLIP. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN UPDATE BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT SAY WHEN THE DESIGN UPDATE HAD TAKEN PLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AGAIN AND STATED THAT ALL PROBLEMS AND QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER. NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT WITHOUT NOTICE AT ALL SPEEDS. IT WILL RESET IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, HOWEVER THE INTERVAL TO THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE IS UNPREDICTABLE. IT OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME, AND THEN DIDN'T REOCCUR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THEN WHEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED IT DID THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS, THEN DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR ANOTHER MONTH. IT HAS NO BEEN A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. HAVE ALSO HAD EXPERIENCES WHERE MAKING A TURN, THE POWER ASSIST WILL GO OUT, AND THEN RETURN, WHICH HAS ME PUTTING EXTRA EXERTION INTO MAKING THE TURN, ONLY TO HAVE IT COME BACK ON RESULTING IN OVERSTEER.

THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER S AS I WAS ABOUT TO TURN RIGHT ONTO A HIGHWAY ON RAMP. I FELT THE LACK OF POWER AND CONTINUED STRAIGHT SO I COULD PULL INTO A SERVICE STATION UP AHEAD. THE POWER STEERING WAS INTERMITTENT FOR A BIT THEN TOTALLY OUT, LEAVING ME WITH A 45 MINUTE DRIVE DOWN THE MOUNTAINS TO HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF THE POWER STEERING FAN RUNNING AFTER THE CAR WAS OFF. NOW IT LOOKS AS IF THE FAN IS NO LONGER COOLING THE PUMP CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT WHICH COULD START A FIRE. I AM PLANNING TO TRY TO REPLACE THE FAN SOON BUT I AM JUST A BROKE COLLEGE STUDENT SO I REALLY HOPE THIS RECALL GOES THROUGH. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S. INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF POWER STEERING UNDER VARIED DRIVING CONDITIONS. ALTHOUGH NHTSA HAS OPENED INVESTIGATION, BMW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL YET. LOCAL MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL CHANGE THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR AT ABOUT $1000, BUT IS UNAWARE OF THE REASON FOR THE FAILURES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND TRYING TO MAKE A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

THE POWER STEERING FAILED DURING A LEFT TURN, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HEAD STRAIGHT INTO OPPOSING TRAFFIC WAITING AT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL OPPOSITE ME. I MANAGED TO PULL THE WHEEL HARD ENOUGH TO GET IT TO THE CURB. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS FINE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN MONTHS LATER ON A CANYON ROAD AND FINALLY ON A 2 HOUR ROAD TRIP WHERE I WAS FREEWAY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN I FELT THE WHEEL TIGHTEN. AS I WAS ON STRAIGHTAWAY, IT WASN'T OBVIOUS UNTIL I HAD TO EXIT. AGAIN, I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT IN ON 11/30/2010 AND HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. NOW I HAVE TO GO IN BECAUSE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT COMING THROUGH MY STEERING WHEEL. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL THAT ARE NOT LIFE THREATENING BUT HAVE BEEN AN UNNECESSARY EXPENSE. WITHOUT QUICK REFLEXES AND, QUITE FRANKLY, A BIT OF STRENGTH, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

2005 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN A TWO YEAR PERIOD THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE PUMP. THE RESULT IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND DEGRADATION OF THE BATTERY. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER STEERING, THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND RENDERS THE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON AN ELEVATED EXIT RAMP AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO STRIKE THE SAFETY WALL. AFTER A DRASTIC SLOW DOWN I WAS ABLE TO STRONG ARM THE VEHICLE BACK ON COURSE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE - MOST DANGEROUS WHEN IT CUTS OUT AND THE RANDOMLY COMES BACK ON CAUSING SEVERE OVER-STEERING. *LN

DROVE CAR TO WORK - SOMEONE CAME IN A FEW MINUTES AFTER I ARRIVED AT WORK AND TOLD ME MY CAR WAS SMOKING. WENT OUT AND LOOKED BUT SMOKE HAD STOPPED BY TIME GOT BONNET OPEN. CAME FROM FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN STARTED CAR TO LEAVE WORK - HAD WARNING LIGHT AND POWER STEERING WOULD NOT WORK. MINI MANUAL SAID TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL GERMAN REPAIR SHOP AND THE SAID POWER STEERING MOTOR HAD BURNED UP AND MELTED ALL THE ADJACENT WIRING. HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR AND WIRING. *LN

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER (APPROX 48,000 MILES) OUR POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY SEEMED TO CUT OUT MAKING THE STEERING EXTREMELY HEAVY AND UNRESPONSIVE. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY IT MADE DRIVING DIFFICULT, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE. HOWEVER, ON ARRIVING IN TOWN WE WERE UNABLE TO MAKE A TURN WITHOUT ENDING UP IN THE LANE OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC! LUCKILY THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC AROUND WHEN WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SEEMED TO RESTORE OUR POWER STEERING LONG ENOUGH TO GET TO OUR FINAL DESTINATION. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AROUND 50,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1400.00. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR OF MINI COOPER S. DEALSHIPS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND MINI/BMW NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DUE TO DEFECT IN DESIGN POWER STEERING COOLING FAN FAILS, CAUSING PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND RELAY GETS FRIED. MINI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM, AND FIX. COST FOR REPLACEMENT OF PUMP, FAN, LABOR IS $1300-$1400. VEHICLE HAS 59000 MILES. CURIOUSLY THEY HAVE REDESIGNED FAN WITH COVER TO PROTECT IT AND PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REDESIGNED. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FOUND NEED MORE TURNING OF STEERING WHEEL AT TRAFFIC LIGHT INTO THE CROSS STREET, THEN PARKED THE CAR, TURNED OFF ENGINE BUT STILL FOUND SOMETHING RUNNING IN ENGINE BAY. THOUGHT IT WAS THE FAN TO COOL THE ENGINE OFF, SO DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION. AT LUNCH, COME BACK TO PICK UP THE CAR, AND FOUND ITS BATTERY WAS DRAINED ALMOST TOTALLY. JUMPED THE CAR WITHOUT ISSUE AND DROVE BACK HOME WITHOUT ISSUE. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND STILL HEAR THE NOISE OF SOMETHING RUNNING IN THE ENGINE BAY. PULLED ALL FUSES TO SEE IF CAN IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, DOESN'T HELP, SOMETHING STILL RUN WITH LOAD NOISE. SEARCHED INTERNET, FOUND OTHER OWNERS ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME AND IS THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE, SOME EVEN FOUND FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO MONTHS, I LOST POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER. THE SECOND TIME HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE-84,OUTSIDE HARTFORD, IN CONNECTICUT. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS! MY MECHANIC SAYS I HAVE A LEAK IN MY POWER STEERING ELECTRIC PUMP, AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR ALMOST $600 FOR A PUMP. HE SAYS THE MINI COOPERS HE'S WORKED ON ALL HAVE NEEDED THIS REPAIR. HOW CAN A COMMON POWER STEERING PROBLEM NOT BE DANGEROUS AND WARRANT A RECALL? *TRW

SEAT WARMER FAILED TO SHUT OFF AD BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND IN MY JACKET. MAY HAVE STARTED A FIRE IF I HAD NOT SHUT IT OFF. THIS CAR HAD BEEN IN FLA FOR MOST OF ITS YEARS AND ALSO HAD LOW MILEAGE - CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER 2 DOOR STANDARD VEHICLE HAS A POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT STARTED 2 MONTHS AGO WITH AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING AT ANY GIVEN TIME OF THE VEHICLE IN USE. 60% OF THE TIME THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER OR TURN CORNERS. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND IS VERY SCARY AS THE DRIVE HANDLING IS IMMEDIATELY CHANGED AND THE MANEUVERING TO THE END OF THE CURVE CHANGES DRASTICALLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOW INCREASED AS OF LATE TO THE POWER STEERING NOT TURNING OFF, EVEN AFTER THE KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR HUMS AND WHINES LOUDLY AS THE CAR SITS PARKED AND WITH NO KEY INSERTED. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF. I CALLED CONCORD, CA. MINI (BMW), AND AFTER HAVING EXPLAINED TO THEM THE ABOVE MENTIONED PROBLEMS, THEY STATE THAT THERE ARE NO BULLETIN CLAIMS FOR THIS AND MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THEY FURTHER STATE THAT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WILL COST ME AT LEAST $1200. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND 225,000 OTHER FOLKS WITH THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I AM HOPING THAT THIS FORUM AND MY ADDED COMPLAINT WILL GENERATE ENOUGH CONCERN FOR DRIVER SAFETY AND BRING ABOUT A RECALL OR SOME LEVEL OF OWNERSHIP ON MINI TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. FOR NOW I WILL KEEP MY MINI COOPER OFF THE STREET AND BATTERY DISCONNECTED AS IT IS A DANGER TO THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING; IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND COOLING FAN. THE COOLING FAN WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,306.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS AND ENGINE HARNESS TO IGNITE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE STEERING PUMP WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. . THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,209. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ON THE CENTER DASHBOARD AND "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TURN ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE CAR. IT APPEARS AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS FAILING TO PROPERLY DETECT THE PASSENGER'S WEIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPERS S. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING BEGIN TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HER PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,528 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER AND TOOK A SWEEPING RIGHT TURN ONTO A FREEWAY ON RAMP. DURING THE TURN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND IT TOOK AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF FORCE ON THE WHEEL FOR ME TO AVOID HITTING THE SIDE OF THE OVERPASS AS THE CAR WANTED TO CONTINUE GOING STRAIGHT.. IT PROCEEDED TO CUT OUT AGAIN AS I TRIED TO GET IT HOME. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL IT AND PARK IT. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF THE PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN AND DRAINED THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START IN THE MORNING. *TR

THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I GOT THE CAR AND I READ THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH PUTTING BAGS ON THE SEAT. I LATER DISCOVERED THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THERE IS A BAG, A PERSON OR AN EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

THE RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IN THE SPEEDOMETER AREA CAME ON AT APPROXIMATELY 99,450 MILES. IT CAME ON AFTER DRIVING ACROSS A CITY RAILROAD CROSSING AT LOW SPEED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND ASKED ABOUT THE LIGHT, AND THEY INDICATED THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION BUT COULD BE A FAULTY SEAT SENSOR WHICH WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1250 TO REPLACE. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT THEY WERE NOT SURE WHETHER OR NOT THE AIRBAGS WOULD DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS MODEL AND YEAR MAY ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTIONS, AND THAT ONLY THE DEALER CAN RESET THE WARNING LIGHT. AS OF DECEMBER 2 2010 THE VEHICLE HAS 113,000 MILES ON IT AND THE WARNING LIGHT IS STILL ON. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER AS A WARRANTY ISSUE AS I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE CURRENT SITUATION BUT DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND STILL HAVE IT. THANKS. *TR

I OWN A 2005 MINI COOPER. IT HAS A POWER STEERING PUMP FAN THAT HAS GONE OUT, AND IS CAUSING UNSAFE STEERING ISSUES. I UNDERSTAND NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING FAILURE, WHILE TURNING POWER STEERING FAILED, NO LEAKS, AND FLUID RESERVOIR FULL. RESEARCHED POSSIBLE PROBLEMS AND FOUND AN ARTICLE ON HTTP://NEW MINI.WORD PRESS.COM REPORT PUBLISHED ON HTTP://WWW.BBC.CO.UK/WATCHDOG TALKS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM EFFECTED 175,000 MINI'S BETWEEN 2001-2007. THIS SEEMS PRETTY SERIOUS AND WITH THAT MANY VEHICLES I SHOULDN'T INCUR ANY COSTS FOR REPAIR. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILS . POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTANTLY

MINI COOPER 2005 CALIFORNIA USA. LOSS OF POWER STEERING PROBLEM - CURRENTLY, INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING, EITHER FROM COLD-START, OR WHILE DRIVING ON SHORT OR LONG DISTANCES. CAN HAPPEN FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS OR REMAIN FOR MINUTES. ONCE THE POWER LOSS IS REALIZED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SWITCH ENGINE OFF THEN ON AGAIN TO REGAIN POWER - SOMETIMES - BUT PROBLEM CAN RETURN AFTER MINUTES OR HOURS. IT IS VERY SCARY TO BE DRIVING ON BUSY ROADS WHEN CORNERING IS REQUIRED, LACKING FAITH WHETHER ONE WILL BE ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PATH OF OTHER ROAD-USERS... INTERNET SEARCHES SHOW OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS BUT DEALERS AND MANUFACTURERS ARE IGNORING OR SIDE-STEPPING THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

MY 2005 MINI COOPER S APPEARS TO HAVE LOST ITS POWER STEERING. JUST HAPPENED TODAY (11/22/10) AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. IT JUST BECAME EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. *TR

AFTER ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER, I ENCOUNTERED SUDDEN AND INTERMITTENT DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING WHEREIN THE POWER STEERING WOULD ABRUPTLY FAIL. THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED ~3-4 MONTHS AGO, BOTH DIRECTLY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND PULLING OUT OF PARKING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITHIN THE PAST 6 WEEKS, RANDOMLY DURING THE FIRST 40 MILES OF MY COMMUTE. AFTER EACH INCIDENT, I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN FULL CONTROL OF THE STEERING BY PULLING OVER AND SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND THEN REENGAGING IT. THERE HAVE NOW BEEN A TOTAL OF 6 INCIDENTS. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, A FEW DAYS AGO, OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A WINDING HIGHWAY AND WAS MAKING A TURN. WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CORRECT THE ANGLE/SPEED OF THE VEHICLE'S TURN AND A CRASH INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE SEEMED EXTREMELY LIKELY. AFTER CAUTIOUS BRAKING AND RELYING ON THE REMAINING MANUAL STEERING, USING VERY FIRM AND SWIFT HAND-OVER-HAND MOTION ON THE STEERING WHEEL, I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN SOME CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS. THEN, ENGAGING THE VEHICLE'S HAZARD LIGHTS, I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO PULL OVER AT THE NEXT AVAILABLE HIGHWAY'S SHOULDER, BUT IT WAS AN EXTREME AWKWARD MANEUVER REQUIRING SOME OF THE DRIVERS OF VEHICLES AROUND ME TO ADJUST THEIR OWN SPEEDS AND TURNS. I HAVE SINCE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE CENTER AND AM AWAITING THE RESULTS OF THE VEHICLE INSPECTION IN RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINTS. I DO NOT INTEND TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN UNTIL THE ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING IS COMPLETELY RESOLVED, FOR MY OWN SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS. A CRASH IN THE FUTURE WOULD SEEM INEVITABLE, OTHERWISE, WITH INCONSISTENT POWER OVER THE STEERING DURING ANY COMMUTE THAT INVOLVES MANY WINDING TURNS. (IF THE POWER STEERING COULD BE COMPLETELY DISENGAGED, ALLOWING ONLY MANUAL STEERING, IT WOULD SEEM FAR SAFER THAN FOR IT TO RANDOMLY TURN OFF IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING). *TR

AFTER MY 2005 MINI COOPER PASSED THE 60,000 MILE MARK, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT A HALF-HOUR, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SIMPLY STOP WORKING AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. PULLING OVER, SHUTTING DOWN AND RESTARTING THE CAR WOULD TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM. MY LOCAL BMW DEALER REPEATEDLY CHECKED THE CAR AND WAS NEVER ABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEM. A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY COOLING FAN ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN OK SINCE. *TR UPDATED 08/03/11 *BF UPDATED 12/05/11

FOLLOWING REAR END IMPACT, THERE WAS AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, WHICH WAS LATER TRACED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. TERMINALS WERE BURNED OFF THE PUMP, AND ALTERNATOR ALSO FAILED AS A RESULT. NOTE: THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO COLLISION DAMAGE TO FRONT END. *TR

OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO "STICK" IN THAT I COULD NOT STEER RIGHT OR LEFT WITHOUT PHYSICALLY FORCING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, USING ALL MY STRENGTH TO DO IT. I THOUGHT I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS A TERRIFYING EVENT. THEN IT WOULD GO BACK TO "NORMAL" THE NEXT DAY, BUT THEN "STICK" AGAIN ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS WITH NO RHYME OR REASON; THERE WAS NO PATTERN AS TO WHEN IT WOULD OCCUR. BUT IT DID HAPPEN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD "STICK" NO MATTER IF THE CAR WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, OR WHILE DRIVING. AFTER CHECKING WITH LOCAL GARAGES, THEY SUGGESTED TO HAVE MY MINI DEALERSHIP REPAIR IT AS NO ONE COULD FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MINI DIAGNOSED THE FAILED POWER STEERING, AND INSTALLED A FAN WITH PROTECTING "GRI" (PART # 32-41-6-781-742 @ $222.43) AND INSTALLED A REPAIR KIT, LOWER "SECT" (PART # 32-30-6-763-722 @ $186.63). MINI SERVICE FOUND THE STEERING SHAFT KNUCKLE SEIZED UP, MAKING IT HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. MINI REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT, AND ALSO FOUND THE POWER STEERING FAN TO BE SEIZED, SO THEY ALSO REPLACED THE STEERING FAN. INCLUDED IN THIS DIAGNOSIS, MINI FOUND THE CONTROL ARM BRACKETS, WHICH ARE PART OF THE STEERING OF THE CAR, NEEDS REPAIR IN THE NEAR FUTURE TOO. *TR

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THERE ISN'T A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THE LIGHT ALSO STAYS ON IF THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. I AM NOT SURE IF THE AIRBAG WOULD WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER INDICATED I NEEDED A NEW SEAT AT MY COST. TO ME THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT BMW SHOULD FIX. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING. I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE STEERING WAS ABOUT TO GO.

MY POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR ALL 01-07 MINI COOPERS AND BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED BMW MINI NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND REPLACE THIS FAULTY PART. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE STEERING STARTED TO LOCKUP ON THE HIGHWAY, I THEN PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR THEN RESTARTED AND THE STEERING WORKED JUST FINE. TWO DAYS LATER I WAS PULLING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AGAIN AND THE STEERING STARTED TO LOCK UP ONCE MORE. I BARELY MADE IT TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT STRONG-ARMING THE CAR WITH EACH TURN. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND TURNED OFF THE CAR ONCE AGAIN. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR THE STEERING STILL WOULD NOT WORK, I EVEN LET IT COOL DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES TO TRY ONCE MORE. STILL UNABLE TO STEER. HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED AND HAD TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN ON CAR. THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD AND THE POWER STEERING SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. AT TIMES, THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF AFTER BEING TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP AND COOLING FAN FAILURE. UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND SAFETY HAZARD. POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN WITH REGARDS TO PLACEMENT OF PUMP / FAN AND ELECTRICAL LOAD. DEFECTIVE (REBUILT AND NOT NEW) PARTS FROM MINI DEALERSHIP REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY ONE TIME. MINI DOES NOT STAND BY ITS PRODUCTS OR ENGINEERING. REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 5 YEARS AND LESS THAN 65,000. *TR UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF UPDATED 2/29/12 *CN

I OWN A 2005 MINI COOPER. AS I WAS DRIVING IT, I SUFFERED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I HAVE HAD LITTLE TO NO PROBLEM WITH MY MINI BEFORE THIS, BUT COMPLETELY LOST ABILITY TO STEER. LUCKILY I WAS IN AN ALLEY AT THE TIME AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHO WAS UNAWARE OF ANY INVESTIGATION INTO MINICOOPER. *TR

I DRIVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S, WITH APPROXIMATELY 49,000 MILES DRIVEN. ON OCTOBER 22, 2010, THE POWER STEERING ON THE CAR COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, LEAVING BARELY ENOUGH CONTROL OVER THE CAR TO DRIVE VERY CAUTIOUSLY. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO MECHANICS, ONE A REPUTABLE NEW ENGLAND CHAIN AND THE OTHER AN EXPERT MINI COOPER FACILITY, AND BOTH DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, RACK AND FAN HAD ALL FAILED ON THE CAR. EVEN USING REFURBISHED PARTS, THE REPAIR IS COSTING $1,100; WITH NEW PARTS, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN UPWARDS OF $2,000. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT NHTSA IS ALREADY INVESTIGATING FREQUENT POWER STEERING ISSUES FOR MINIS IN THIS DATE RANGE. THE MINI SHOP DOING THE WORK FOR ME CERTAINLY CONFIRMS THE STORIES I'VE READ ABOUT OTHER SHOPS AROUND THE COUNTRY - THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY'RE DOING ABOUT 6-7 POWER STEERING JOBS PER MONTH ON THESE CARS. HOPEFULLY THE ADDITION OF MY SITUATION TO THE DATABASE CAN HELP JUSTIFY A RECALL - IT CERTAINLY SEEMS WARRANTED BASED ON THE VOLUME OF PROBLEMS THAT MINI OWNERS HAVE HAD. *TR

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.

2005 MINI COOPER S, 50,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, LOSES POWER STEERING WHICH CAUSES SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE CAR WILL STILL STEER AT FASTER SPEEDS, BUT WITH VERY HEAVY, UNPREDICTABLE RESPONSE. THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH AN INCREASED DRONING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION WHICH WOULD DIMINISH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, AND THEREFORE, I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO A LOW FLUID LEVEL ISSUE. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PURCHASED "SPECIAL" STEERING FLUID, AND NO MENTION WAS MADE TO ME ABOUT ANY STEERING PUMP DEFECT. I INSTALLED THE FLUID TO THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL WITH NO CHANGE IN RESPONSE. I TELEPHONED THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE PERSON WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE SAID HE KNEW THE PROBLEM, AND THAT I NEEDED A NEW STEERING PUMP, COOLING FAN, HOSES, AND RESERVOIR, AND THE COST OF THE WORK WAS $1600.00. I THEN DID INTERNET RESEARCH AND LEARNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCED IN 2004 AND 2005 MINI COOPER MODELS. I THEN TELEPHONED MINI COOPER'S CORPORATE COMPLAIN DEPARTMENT AND I WAS TOLD TO SPEND THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM IS UNDOUBTEDLY A PERSISTENT DEFECT, AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF RECALL REPAIR PROGRAM. *TR

I OWN A 2005 MINI COOPER S 2 DOOR HARD TOP WITH CURRENTLY 90,000 MILES. JUST RECENTLY A SEMI LOUD WHIRRING SOUND STARTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AS SOON AS THE ENGINE IS STARTED. IMMEDIATELY I CAN NOTICE THAT THE PITCH OF THE NOISE SUBTLY CHANGES WHEN YOU GO TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. I HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR AND HE CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAILING. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE MINI COOPER THE STEERING WILL INTERMITTENTLY BEGIN TO GET A LITTLE HARDER TO STEER. THE PUMP IS ON THE WAY TO COMPLETE FAILURE AND HARD STEERING WILL END UP BEING THE RESULT. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE VIA THE WEB AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILING POWER STEERING UNIT IN MINI COOPERS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW BUT I HAVE YET TO FIND ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHAT THEY ARE DOING ABOUT IT. ASIDE FROM SPEED, STEERING A MOTOR VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN IN OPERATION. *TR

1 NORMAL DRIVING ALL THE SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD TO MOVE , THEN IT LOOSENED UP AND THEN CAUSED OVERSTEER 2 POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE PUT CAR INTO DITCH DAMAGED 2 TIRES/RIMS 3 REPLACED THE FAN UNIT ONCE THEN THE ENTIRE PUMP THE SECOND TIME IT IS CURRENTLY OUT FOR THE THIRD TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASINGLY TIGHT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OIL LEAK ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, STEERING HOSE, PRESSURE HOSE, RETURN HOSE, AND THE SUCTION HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,400.

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE - R52. THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK WELL. IT STARTED BEING PROBLEMATIC ABOUT A YEAR AGO RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING THE POWERSTEERING GOES VERY STIFF. IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING OFF A HIGHWAY WHILE THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING, IT COMES BACK ON, AND I END UP OVERSTEERING OFF THE ROAD AND THEN BACK ON TO THE ROAD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY DURING THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. I WAS TOLD BY MINI THAT THIS IS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT MY RESEARCH SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THERE ARE 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF MINI OWNERS FROM 2002 TO 2006 WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. OTTOS MINI IN WEST CHESTER PA QUOTED ME OVER $1000 DO REPAIR IT...AND THEY DO NOT SEEM TO SEE THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM. I AM CONSIDERING BUYING THE NEW PARTS (FAN, MOTOR AND CIRCUIT BOARD) AND INSTALLING MY SELF. I JUST CANNOT SPEND 1000-1500 BUCKS TO FIX THIS. THE PARTS ARE ABOUT $500 BUCKS AND THE INSTALL HOPEFULLY IS PRETTY EASY FROM WHAT I HAVE READ. I HOPE THAT YOUR TESTING DOES PROVE THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BY A RECALL. IT APPEARS THAT THEY MADE A DESIGN CHANGE THAT HAS ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM IN THE 2006 OR 7 MODEL YEAR. THAT ALONE IS ENOUGH FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT, WHILE I LOVE MY MINI, I AM DRIVING A TIME BOMB, THAT WILL CAUSE AND ACCIDENT DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING. PLEASE HELP ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ABNORMALLY STIFF MAKING CAUSING LIMITED CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING YET NO FAILURE CODES WERE GENERATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MODULE WOULD POSSIBLY NEED REPLACING. THE STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED YET WITHIN SIX MONTHS, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER REGARDING THE STEERING FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED BY BOTH PARTIES THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING STEERING FAILURES WITHIN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE STEERING FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS NO LONGER DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

MINI COOPER 2005: AT 60,000 PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. LIGHT STAYS ON NO MATTER IF SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT. MINI SERVICE SAYS IT WILL COST $1,000 PLUS TO REPAIR SENSOR, AND THAT THE BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH AND TURNING RIGHT, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

I HAVE LOST THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER ABOUT SIX TIMES. THIS HAS BECOME A BIG, FRUSTRATING, AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

COMPLAINT IN ASSOCIATION WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10038 2005 MINI COOPER S - POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. I OWN A 2005 MINI COOPER S WITH APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES ON THE CLOCK. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING A CORNER, THE STEERING ON THE CAR BECAME INSTANTLY HEAVY CAUSING ME TO TEMPORARILY VEER IN TO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. FORTUNATELY AT THE TIME THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND I WAS ABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND CORRECT THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR. THE SITUATION REMAINED FOR THE DURATION OF MY JOURNEY, BUT I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY NAVIGATE THE CAR HOME. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THIS APPEARED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DURING THE NEXT 2 CAR TRIPS SIMILAR FAILURES OCCURRED (FORTUNATELY I WAS PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY AND SO DID NOT END UP IN THE OPPOSING TRAFFIC LANE). THE MINI DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THIS AS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, A PROBLEM WHICH I UNDERSTAND TO BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECENTLY OPENED NHTSA INVESTIGATION (PE 10038). PERSONALLY I BELIEVE THIS SITUATION TO BE POTENTIALLY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS GOING TO FAIL, AND WHEN IT DID, THE IMPACT WAS IMMEDIATE AND CAUSED ME TO STEER IN TO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC (AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN THE CORNER AT THE REQUIRED ANGLE). DUE TO THE IMMEDIATE NATURE OF THE FAILURE I WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM SAFELY IN TIME. I AM WRITING THIS REPORT TO BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING NHTSA INVESTIGATION (PE 10038). *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER S BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING ON 8-9-2010. WHILE GOING LEFT ON A MIXMASTER, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HIT THE SIDE OF THE BRIDGE AND PERHAPS DRIVE OFF OF THE SIDE OF THE BRIDGE. THE PASSENGER IN MY CAR HELPED ME STEER (WITH FORCE) TO THE LEFT AND DRIVE TO THE STRAIGHTAWAY. THE POWER STEERING IS INTERMITTENT, WORKING FIVE PERCENT OF THE TIME. MY CAR WAS SERVICED IN JUNE OF 2010 DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TENSION BELT, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO HAVE A BURNING SMELL AND NO AIR CONDITIONING. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT IS ON TEN PERCENT OF THE TIME AND THE "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE" LIGHT IS ON OFTEN, THOUGH I NO LONGER HAVE RUN-FLAT TIRES. MY CAR IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DUE TO THE LACK OF POWER STEERING. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S. COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE. SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTING CORRECTED PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN PROBLEM RESUMED. HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. *TR

THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON AND WOULDN'T GO OUT. THE DEALER CHECKED IT AND SAID THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT IS DEFECTIVE AND IT WAS A HARD FAULT WHICH PREVENTS THE AIR BAG FROM WORKING. THE LIGHT SOMETIMES GOES OUT BUT USUALLY STAYS ON. THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY THIS AND WANTED $1330 TO REPAIR IT. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS PROBABLY ONLY BEEN SAT IN 10% OF THE TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT OFF. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY, SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE POWER STEERING IN OUR 2005 MINI COOPER HAS A RECENT HISTORY (WITHIN THE PAST YEAR) OF INTERMITTENTLY FAILING, MAKING THE CAR DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, FOR OUR SMALL-SIZED DRIVERS (ABOUT 100 LBS.) TO MANEUVER. THIS HAS PROVED DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD, BUT INJURIES HAVE SO FAR BEEN AVOIDED, JUST WHEN WE WERE GOING TO GET IT FIXED, THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO SELF-CORRECT. THIS WEEK, HOWEVER, THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START OR TAKE A CHARGE TO A ONE-YEAR-OLD BATTERY. OUR RELIABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY MECHANIC CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WE ARE WONDERING IF THERE MAY BE A DRAIN ON THE BATTERY FROM THIS POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE PICKING MY GRANDSON FROM SCHOOL ON OCT 18 2010 AT 2:30 PM I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE ONTO THE HIGHWAY , HALF STILL IN PARKING SPACE AND HALF ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR STOPPED--- IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD --- COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULD NOT TURN--THE MOTOR RUNNING ALL THE TIME --I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND ON TWICE BEFORE THE CAR WOULD MOVE .ONLY REASON WE WERE NOT HIT BY TRAFFIC IS BECAUSE WE WERE IN A SCHOOL ZONE AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOW AT THAT TIME. I CALLED MY MINI DEALER IN BATON ROUGE AND ASKED IF THEY HAD OTHER PEOPLE WITH TROUBLE WITH THEIR MINI THEY SAID NO-- ASKED THEY TO CHECK IF MINI HAD ANYTHING GOING ON WITH MINI S THEY WOULD NOT CHECK THEY JUST SAYING THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED AND OFFICIAL NOTICE THEY SAID I COULD BRING IT IN AND IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT 800.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. *TR

THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER HAS GONE OUT. IT STARTED FAILING INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THEN AS OF SEPTEMBER 2010 HAS FAILED COMPLETELY. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND TURN THE CAR. I TOOK IT IN TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHEN IT WAS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE IT. NOTHING HAS BEEN CHANGED/FIXED AT THIS TIME. *TR

TWICE, WHILE PARALLEL PARKING MY 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE, I LOST POWER STEERING. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AND RESTORES WHEN I RESTART MY CAR. DEALER SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE MY POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AROUND 66,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG AND BOTH DOOR SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BATTERY CABLE AT A COST OF $4000.00. SOUNDS AS IF BMW STILL HAS REAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THEIR CARS AND ARE STICKING IT TO CONSUMERS TO FIX IT INSTEAD OF FIXING THESE PROBLEMS THEMSELVES. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER ASSIST LOCKED UP AND HE LOST POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED 15% OFF FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,389. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,370.

THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN SAFELY WITHIN A NORMAL TURN. I HAD TO TURN VERY HARD AND WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. *TR

ON SEPTEMBER 12TH I WAS MAKING MY COMMUTE HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER S. UPON MY RETURN HOME, MY BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON. I PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WENT TO RUN ERRANDS THE POWER STEERING WAS NON-EXISTENT. I HAD HE CAR TOWED TO THE BMW/MINI DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY GAVE ME A DIAGNOSIS OF A FAILING POWER STEERING PUMP AND A BAD ALTERNATOR. *TR UPDATED 09/08/11 *BF

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING AND INTERMITTENT STEERING SYSTEM DEGRADATION PRIOR TO TOTAL FAILURE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE 2005 MINI WHEN STEERING STARTED FAILING. PULLED OVER AND WAS TOWED TO GARAGE FOR REPAIRS. POOR DESIGN AND NO ACCOMMODATION FOR SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR

I JUST BOUGHT A 2005 MINI COOPER WHICH IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION UPON BUYING. AFTER A WEEK, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON A TURN THAT I COULD BARELY MAKE. I COULDN'T MAKE ANY OF THE TURNS ALL THE WAY HOME! I THOUGHT MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE THE KEY WASN'T IN THE IGNITION RIGHT. I TOOK OUT THE KEY AND RE-STARTED MY CAR. IT WORKED AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON! WELL, A COUPLE DAYS LATER THIS ISSUE HAS NOW BECOME A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I WOULD MAKE A RIGHT TURN OFF A MAIN ROAD AND I WAS SHOCKED THAT MY CAR WOULDN'T TURN. TO MAKE THINGS EVEN WORSE, THERE WAS A SCHOOL BUS I ALMOST HIT! I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND TRY TO MAKE THIS IMPOSSIBLE TURN. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME I HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR. ITS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT! IT GOES OUT ALL THE TIME AND I'M NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR SHORT DISTANCES. I HAVE BEEN KEEPING TRACK OF HOW MANY TIMES THIS HAS OCCURRED, I'M NOW AT 31 TIMES! MANY OF THOSE TIMES, I WAS VERY CLOSE TO HITTING MANY PEOPLE! I'M AM VERY LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD!! *TR UPDATED 08/17/11*BF UPDATED 1/27/2012 *LN *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER WITH 28,000 MILES SOMETIMES FUNCTIONS AND OTHER TIMES DOES NOT-MOSTLY THOUGH IT DOES NOT FUNCTION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE MARCH, 2010. ON RARE OCCASIONS, I WILL START THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WILL FUNCTION AS NORMAL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER TODAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AROUND SHARP TURNS AT SLOWER SPEEDS. I HAVE NOT YET CORRECTED THE FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECOME TIGHT AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,304. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED ON OCTOBER 15, 2010. UPDATED 03/28/11 UPDATED 03/28/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED IT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 15000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO MAKE A TURN, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL OCCASIONALLY. HE WOULD CONTINUE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. UPDATED 01/06/11 *BF UPDATED 03/30/11

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S. LAST YEAR THE POWER STEERING PUMP RANDOMLY STOPPED WORKING ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL. I DID NOT CRASH OR ANYTHING BUT IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER MY CAR. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE PUMP BECAUSE HONESTLY I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO AND I BELIEVE THE PUMP COSTS NEARLY $1000. THE PUMP ON MY CAR STILL WORKS FINE MOST OF THE TIME. NOW EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE ON SHARP CORNERS THE PUMP WILL GIVE OUT AND IF I PULL OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON THE PUMP WILL WORK AGAIN. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY EITHER A DEFECT WITH THE PUMP ITSELF OR THE ELECTRONICS WHICH RUN THE PUMP. THE FACT THAT SHUTTING MY CAR OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON MAKES ME THINK IT IS MOSTLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, POSSIBLY INSIDE THE PUMP ITSELF. *TR

STEERING ON MY MINI COOPER 2005 FAILED THIS MORNING, RESULTING IN A NEAR ACCIDENT IN A PARKING GARAGE. IT FELT LIKE THE POWER STEERING WAS FAILING. IT CAME BACK BRIEFLY ON THE WAY TO THE REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE TECH CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. IT IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED, BUT IT IS LIKELY THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE AT FIRST INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE AND NOW COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, I ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER CAR. NOW I AM NOT DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. *TR

MY 2005 MINI COOPER S HAS HAD THE POWER STEERING GO OUT SEVERAL TIMES. THIS HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING AND HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. AS I WAS CHANGING LANES ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL AND ALMOST WENT INTO A CONCRETE WALL. IT ALSO WENT OUT WHILE ON A TRIP IN THE MOUNTAINS, I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT GOING OFF THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN ROAD. THIS POWER STEERING PUMP ALSO HAS STAYED RUNNING AND KILLED MY BATTERY LEAVING ME TO FIND A JUMP. THE ISSUE IS THAT IT TURNS OFF AND ON AT RANDOM TIMES AND WITH NO WARNING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO MOVE OUT A PARKING LOT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED UP. THE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

PER THE MINI COOPER POWER STEERING PUMP INVESTIGATION - ON MARCH 24, 2010 I PAID TO HAVE MY POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AFTER HAVING MY BATTERY DIE FOR A SECOND TIME. THE MINI DEALERSHIP FAILED THE FIRST TIME TO FIND THE PROBLEM BUT UPON THE SECOND BATTERY DYING THEY REPORTED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REMAINING ON AND DRAWING POWER FROM THE BATTERY EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THIS ALSO EXPLAINED WHY I HAD BEEN NOTICING THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. *TR

MY POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT. UPON MY OWN INVESTIGATION I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SHOULD SUCH A VITAL PIECE TO HAVING CONTROL OF THE CAR BE A PROBLEM? NO. COST OF REPAIR IS $1,070 AS QUOTED FROM MY DEALER. *TR

MY 2005 MINI COOPER LOST POWERSTEERING FUNCTIONALITY DURING A SHORT INTERSTATE DRIVE (INDIANA INTERSTATE 65 FROM EXIT 64 TO EXIT 68) ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2010 AT 11:20AM. PARKING LOT MANEUVERING AND INTERSTATE ON-RAMP DRIVING WAS NORMAL, INTERSTATE OFF-RAMP AND SUBSEQUENT IN-TOWN DRIVING WAS WITH NO POWERSTEERING ASSIST, AND THEREFORE REQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN WAS LATER DETERMINED TO HAVE COMPLETELY SEIZED, PRESUMABLY CAUSING THERMAL SHUTDOWN OF THE POWERSTEERING PUMP. MY ANALYSIS OF THE FAILURE OF THE COOLING FAN LEADS ME TO CONCLUDE THAT THE SPAL BRAND FAN USED WAS IMPROPERLY APPLIED TO THE APPLICATION. THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE FAN INTO THE MINI CAUSES WATER AND FOREIGN MATERIAL TO POOL INTO THE BLADE HOUSING AND CAUSE CORROSION OF THE STEEL FAN MOTOR HOUSING AND EVENTUAL SEAL DAMAGE RESULTING IN MOTOR FAILURE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES: THE ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS SHOW NUMEROUS SIMILAR FAILURES. I AM WAITING ON A NEW COOLING FAN TO ARRIVE TO FIX THE FAILURE. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING GOES OUT TYPICALLY WITHIN THE 1ST HOUR OF DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE IS NOT CONSISTENT, BUT I FIND IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN HOT WEATHER WHEN I HAVE THE A/C ON "AUTO" OR FULL BLAST. (???) THE A/C ALSO AFFECTS THE RADIO RECEPTION, SO PERHAPS IT DRAINS TOO MUCH POWER. AT TIMES I NEED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DRIVE AS IF I HAVE MANUAL STEERING. I TURN OFF THE ENGINE, LET IT REST FOR 30 SECONDS THEN START IT UP AGAIN. THE POWER STEERING GOES BACK TO NORMAL. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN THE MINI IN FOR SERVICE, AS IT IS NOT CONSISTENT AND WE DO NOT LIKE THE DEALERSHIP AS THEY SEEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR AUTOMOTIVE IGNORANCE AND CHARGE AN ARM AND A LEG. *TR UPDATED 08/17/11*BF UPDATED 1/27/2012 *LN *TR

ON SEPT. 19, 2010, MY 2005 MINI COOPER S HAD BEEN PARKED IN A GARAGE FOR ABOUT 10 HOURS. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE, I FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL AND I HAD TO REALLY MUSCLE IT TO DRIVE IT. I'D NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT BEFORE. BECAUSE I HAD TO GET TO WHERE I WAS GOING, I DROVE IT VERY CAREFULLY. AFTER ABOUT FORTY MINUTES, I STOPPED AT A SERVICE AREA TO USE THE RESTROOM. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT AND STARTED MY CAR UP, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. SINCE THEN, I'VE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH IT. I HAD PLANNED ON MENTIONING THIS TO MY MECHANIC WHEN I GO IN TO HAVE MY BRAKES DONE IN THE NEXT WEEK. BUT THEN MY HUSBAND FORWARDED ME A NEWS STORY ABOUT THE POWER STEERING ISSUE AND I FIGURED THAT I SHOULD REPORT MINE. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE SUDDENLY DISAPPEARING FROM TIME TO TIME, AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. SO FAR I AVOIDED ACCIDENT BUT THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS. I HEARD IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF MINIS, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ALL STEERING FUNCTIONALITY WAS SUDDENLY LOST, MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT TO TURN. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS COMMON AND WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 47,000. UPDATED 05/25/11 *BF UPDATED 05/31/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND AT OTHER SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAN BECAME INOPERABLE AND POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE POWER STEERING FAN WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

DEAR SIR/MADAM, TODAY (9/29/2010) I SAW A NEWS ITEM, "(CNNMONEY.COM) -- THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS OPENED AN INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE POWER STEERING FAILURES IN MINI COOPER CARS" AND FELT COMPELLED TO ADD TO THE EXISTING COMPLAINS REGARDING THE DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING ELECTROHYDRAULIC PUMP IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY, AVERAGE SPEED OF 25 TO 35 MPH, THE POWER ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE POWER STEERING WENT DOWN TO ZERO, TOTALLY UNASSISTED, WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS WARNING WHATSOEVER, MAKING THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, WHILE GOING AROUND A ROUNDABOUT (TRAFFIC CIRCLE) AT NO MORE THAN 25 MPH. CONSEQUENTIALLY I WAS UNABLE TO STEER FIRST RIGHT AND THE LEFT AROUND THE CIRCLE, MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL STRIKING THE RIGHT SIDE CURB AT THE POINT THAT I NEEDED TO TURN LEFT, DAMAGING BOTH THE WHEEL AND THE TIRE, AND POSSIBLY THE SUSPENSION (MACPHERSON STRUT). AND I ASK YOU, WHAT IF I HAD TO STEER TO AVOID A MOTHER PUSHING A BABY STROLLER, OR EVEN AN ERRANT DOG OR CAT AT THE MOMENT THE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE DECIDED TO QUIT? WHAT IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT A HIGHER SPEED WHILE MERGING ON A FREEWAY? I CONSIDER BMW/MINI TO BE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DEATHS OR INJURIES AND PROPERTY DAMAGES RELATED TO THEIR NEGLIGENT FAILURE TO ENGINEER A PROPERLY WORKING POWER STEERING PUMP (AN KNOWN PROBLEM AS THE NEWER MODELS HAVE DONE AWAY WITH THE ELECTROHYDRAULIC PUMP IN FAVOR OF A TOTALLY ELECTRICAL ASSISTED STEERING). I ALSO URGE YOU TO LOOK INTO THE FAILURE RATE OF THE POWER STEERING FAN DUE TO ITS ABSURD LOCATION (UNDER THE CAR UNPROTECTED FROM THE DIRT, WATER, STONES,ETC. 5-6 INCHES FROM THE ROAD) AN AFTERTHOUGHT OF A SOLUTION THAT BMW/MINI USED TO RESOLVE THE PREVIOUSLY KNOWN TO THEM POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. MY CAR HAS 27,000 MILES, AND IS DEALER MAINTAINED SINCE NEW. I URGE YOU TO TAKE ACTION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMETHING MORE TRAGIC HAPPENS. THANK YOU. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED; AFTER THE RESTART, THE STEERING CAPABILITIES RETURNED. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND BECAME WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

MINI COOPER , POWER STEERING FROZE UP AND CAME BACK WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING STARTED AT 55,000 MILES. DURING RIGHT HAND TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 30MI/HR HAD NEAR HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN THE LEFT HAND LANE DO TO THE UNEXPECTED POWER STEERING OUTAGE. REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY (5,000 MILES OVER) COST ESTIMATE AT $1,200. CAR IS SAFER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. PREDICTABLE, BUT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. *TR

LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES IN A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. NO WARNING AND INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCE. SOMETIMES WOULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND SOME TIMES WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING CAR ON. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND HE COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. NO COMPUTER DAMAGE, NO CODES PRESENT TO INDICATE THAT ANY THING UNUSUAL HAD OCCURRED. I TRADED THE CAR IN FOR A DIFFERENT MAKER AND MODEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 51,000.

2005 MINI COOPER - SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. DEALER STATED POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE & NOT UNCOMMON IN 5 YEAR OLD CAR. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY OVER SNOQUALMIE PASS. SINCE IT IS A WINDY ROAD, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. *TR

TRANSAXLE ON THE MINI COOPER FAILED. UNIT CONTAINS SEALED BEARINGS (SO I'M TOLD), THAT ARE NOT SERVICEABLE. THEREFORE, I HAD TO BUY A COMPLETE NEW UNIT AT A COST OF $3,000 ()INCLUDED $900 LABOR). I UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON FAILURE FOR MINIS, AND THAT MINI AND BMW ARE REFUSING TO WORK WITH CONSUMERS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE APPARENTLY CHANGED THE DESIGN, RECOGNIZING THE POOR DESIGN OF THE ORIGINAL UNIT. *TR

ELECTRIC FAN THAT COOLS THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON OUR 2005 MINI COOPER FAILED. OUR MECHANIC SAYS HAD WE DRIVEN VERY FAR, OUR POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD HAVE FAILED. HE TELLS US THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINIS, AND A FULL 50% OF HIS MINI CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCE FAN FAILURE, PUMP FAILURE, OR BOTH. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S (BMW) POWER STEERING UNIT FAILURE - VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER PASSENGER LIGHT COMES ON WITH OR WITHOUT ANY PASSENGER SITTING. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE GOES AWAY. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND STARTED AGAIN, THE PASSENGER LIGHT STAYS ON AGAIN. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I HAVE SEEN OTHER RECALLS FOR DIFFERENT YEARS, WHY 2005 IS NOT A RECALL? *TR

I WAS TRAVEL AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH, WHEN MY VEHICLE LOST POWER IMMEDIATELY DOWN TO 15 MPH. THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF, BUT I COULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 15 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC FLOW WAS SPACED SO I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS MALFUNCTION WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS SAID TO GONE INTO "LIMP MODE". THE ELECTRONIC BELT WAS REPLACED THAT APPARENTLY CONTROLS THE VEHICLE FUNCTION AT A COST OF $3400.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED WITH NORMAL FUNCTIONING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE PROGRESSED TO WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION AT ANY SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

I NOTICED A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. *TR

I STARTED MY CAR AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS, TO FIND THAT MY POWER STEERING HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. THE CAR WAS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE - BUT I HAD TO MOVE IT TO AVOID IT BEING TOWED. WHILE ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, THIS UNPREDICTABLE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, OR IN A DENSELY POPULATED AREA REQUIRING QUICK STEERING REACTIONS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ENDEMIC PROBLEM. SEE THIS THREAD ON THE MINI NORTH AMERICAN MOTORING DISCUSSION PAGES: HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/STOCK-PROBLEMS-ISSUES/74213-THE-GREAT-POWER-STEERING-PUMP-FAILURE-PROBLEMS-THREAD-22.HTML. *TR

ON 2005 MINI COOPER S WITH 13,000 MILES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. MINI DIAGNOSED REASON AS FAILURE OF THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE $1100 REPAIR. MINI WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MINI DID NOT STATE WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL OR WILL NOT FUNCTION. PASSENGER SEAT HAS RARELY BEEN USED. MINI DENIES RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY TURNED ON AND OFF DURING THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THE CAR THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE TEN MONTHS AGO. THE ACTUAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP OCCURRED ON 8/16/2010 WHEN THE RELAY WITHIN THE UNIT FAILED AND WOULD NOT TURN THE PUMP OFF EVEN WHEN THE CARS ENGINE WAS OFF. THE RESULT WAS A DRAINED BATTERY AND THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE JUMP STARTED BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP TURNED ON AND CONTINUED TO DRAIN POWER AS SOON AS IT WAS CONNECTED TO POWER EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEN THE PUMP SHUTS DOWN AND ALL THREE OCCURRENCES WERE WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH. ALSO WHEN THE CAR IS OFF THE COOLING FAN IS ALSO OFF AND THE PUMP HEATS UP TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS A VERY REAL RISK OF ENGINE FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE COOLING FAN REPLACED. THE WORK IS NOT YET COMPLETED BUT THE ESTIMATED COST IS 1,700 USD. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPERS AS THE NUMBER OF FORUMS DEVOTED TO AND PERSONS REPORTING THIS ISSUE ON THE FORUMS ARE ASTOUNDING. *TR

PULLED INTO A BOOKSTORE CAME BACK 30MIN LATER, TRIED TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. MY WIFE ISN'T QUITE STRONG ENOUGH - SO I HAD TO DRIVE IT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. VERY SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING, COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *TR

THERE WERE NO "EVENTS" LEADING UP TO THIS. SUDDEN FAILURE OF POWER STEERING PUMP AS I TURNED OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO A CITY SIDE STREET - NO NOTICE, JUST COMPLETE FAILURE OF COMPONENT. THE FAILURE LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH NO POWER STEERING - ONLY MANUAL "ARM STRONG" STEERING UNTIL REPAIRED. PERSONALLY REPLACED THE PUMP WITH NEW PART - NO SUPPORT FROM DEALER OR MANUFACTURE. *TR

MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT IN MY 2005 MINI COOPER WHILE COMING AROUND A TURN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN A MAJOR CITY. I WAS AWAY FROM HOME AND SCARED TO DEATH. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINI MODELS 01-06. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. CURRENTLY I AM FIGHTING WITH THE MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT BECAUSE MY "CASEWORKER" IS ALSO MYSTERIOUSLY UNAVAILABLE AND THEY WILL NOT LET ME SPEAK TO ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE MY "CASEWORKER" HAS ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT THE CAR'S DEFECT EVENTHOUGH THEY WORK OUT OF A CALL CENTER AND ALL THE NOTES ARE UPLOADED IN THE COMPUTER AND VISIBLE FOR ALL "CASEWORKERS". *TR

I WAS ON MY REGULAR COMMUTE THROUGH CITY STREETS. AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES OF DRIVING I WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH ON A FAIRLY STRAIGHT ROAD. ON THE NEXT LIGHT CURVE I NOTICED THE WHEEL WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN. I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN INTO A SIDE ROAD AND THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THE POWER STEERING MUST HAVE BEEN OUT. I CHECKED THE RESERVOIR AND IT WAS FULL. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF MANY COMPLAINTS OF POWER STEERING GOING OUT. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING. DEALER NOTIFIED ME THERE WOULD BE A $100 CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTICS. IF ITS FOUND TO BE THE POWER STEERING FAN IT WOULD COST $300 PLUS LABOR. IF IT'S THE PUMP IT WOULD BE $800 PLUS LABOR. WARRANTY EXPIRED 5 MONTHS AGO. APPARENTLY MINI DOES NOT WANT TO HAVE TO PAY TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT NUMEROUS MINI OWNERS ARE HAVING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! HAVING THE POWER STEERING GO OUT MID-DRIVE CAN EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT! *TR

2005 MINI COPPER CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE AUTOMOBILE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DID NOT RESET ITSELF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE HAVING TO UTILIZE EXTREME BODILY FORCE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HAVING THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DETECTION LIGHT SAYS OFF EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND THE AIRBAG CODE READ WAS A 71 INDICATING THAT THE OC3 MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS FAULTING. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT THE AIRBAG MAY OR MAY NOT WORK EVEN IF A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WOULD COST UP TO 3000.00 FOR MY CAR TO REPLACE THE OC3 MAT!!! NO SAFETY RECALL WARRANTY AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AS THERE IS ON OTHERS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH JUMP-STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT DAY AND SHE WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE JUMP-STARTED A SECOND TIME. THE DEALER REMOVED THE BATTERY AND THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WATER SURROUNDING THE BATTERY BOX. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION FOR A WHILE UNTIL THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS ENTIRELY ENCASED IN WATER AND EXHIBITED CORROSION. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BST CABLES AND FUSE ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE EXCESSIVE WATER IN THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY CONTINUE TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 28,326.

BOTH MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND AIRBAG WARNING LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS ILLUMINATED DEACTIVATING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND REMAINS ON WHEN PASSENGER SEAT IS VACANT WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS ALSO 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSB) I'M AWARE OF RELATING TO THIS MALFUNCTION: TSB: SI M-65-02-06 AIRBAG WARNING ILLUMINATED, FC55 FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 31, 2005 - APRIL 25, 2006. NHTSA 10026024 (MY VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED IN AUGUST 2005 AS INDICATED ON MY DRIVER DOOR PANEL). TSB: 720106 AIRBAG WARNING LAMP FOR OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT, AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES TOGETHER WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP. NHTSA 10019981. I SPOKE WITH 2 SERVICE MANAGERS AT MINI INDICATING FAULTY DETECTION MAT, PARTS WERE IN STOCK AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT ESTIMATED AT APPROXIMATELY $1000.00. MY ONLY RECOURSE IS TO REPAIR IT, FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING MY VEHICLE OR TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON PASSENGER AIRBAG DETECTION MATS TO 10 YRS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR SPECIFIC BMW MODELS RANGING FROM MY04 THROUGH MY06, WHO OWNS MINI OF NORTH AMERICA. I'VE READ SEVERAL FORUMS RELATING TO THIS ISSUE, ONE OF WHICH STATES MINI DID EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON MODELS PRIOR TO MY05, BUT PROBLEM HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED IN MODEL YEARS THEREAFTER AS MENTIONED IN MY COMPLAINT AND OTHER NHTSA BULLETINS. I CONTACTED MINI OF NORTH AMERICA WITH NO POSITIVE RESPONSE. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S WITH 42K MILES. DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. I CAN ONLY EXIT THE CAR BY USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WHICH REQUIRES OPENING THE WINDOW. IF AN EMERGENCY OCCURS WHICH REQUIRES RAPID EXIT FROM THE CAR AND THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. 42K MILES IS FAIRLY LOW AND THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED. MINI COOPER CLAIMS THIS IS 'NORMAL' WEAR. IT IS NOT 'NORMAL' WEAR AND IS INDEED A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WHICH APPARENTLY HAPPENS TO MANY MINI COOPERS. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE DOES NOT TURN OFF EVEN AFTER KEY IS REMOVED. SAFETY ISSUE POTENTIAL WITH THEIR DRIVE-BY-WIRE IGNITION? DEALER SAID IT IS CAUSED BY WIRE HARNESS AND/OR REAR TAIL LIGHT CONNECTION. CAR MAY BE UNSAFE? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. AS HE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING PUMP LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED UNCONTROLLABLE HARD STEERING. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT ADVISED THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

I BOUGHT A 2005 MINI COOPER IN SEPT 09 WITH 61,450 MILES. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE STEERING "CUT OUT" AS I TURNED A CORNER. I TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG & SAID THAT IT MAY JUST BE THAT A SPECK OF DIRT THAT GOT INTO THE SYSTEM. IT HAPPENED A COUPLE MORE TIMES AND I ASSUMED THAT THE "DIRT" WAS WORKING ITS WAY OUT. THEN I HAD A DRAMATIC INCIDENT WHERE NOT ONLY DID THE STEERING SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY CUT OUT, BUT THERE WAS TREMENDOUS "DRAG" ON THE SYSTEM AND IT TOOK ALL MY MIGHT & MAIN TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN I FOUND MYSELF IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO EVENTUALLY GOT THE CAR TO FAIL FOR HIM. HE TOLD ME TO GO TO A MINI SERVICE CENTER WHO COULD DEAL WITH THE FAULTY ELECTRONICS. I CALLED MINI OF AMERICA TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THE CAR "RIGHT" BUT I WAS TOLD THAT CARS BREAK, THAT IT IS BEYOND THE 50,000 WARRANTY AND THAT IF THE CAR WAS UNSAFE, I SHOULD HAVE IT FIXED. THE REP SAID THAT "MAYBE" THEY WOULD PAY FOR PART OF THE PROBLEM AFTER IT WAS DIAGNOSED. I THEN SPOKE WITH A MECHANIC AT A MINI SERVICE CENTER WHO KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHAT WAS WRONG. HE SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINIS BEFORE 2007 ----FIRST THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, THEN THE ELECTRONICS COMPLETELY FAIL. PAYING FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FOR A CAR THAT I OWN IS MY RESPONSIBILITY BUT I BELIEVE THAT A CAR MANUFACTURER IS OBLIGATED TO PUT OUT A SAFE CAR. IF THIS IS A DESIGN ERROR, THEN THE COMPANY SHOULD MAKE IT RIGHT. WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL, I NEED TO TRUST THE ELECTRONICS TO RESPOND -- BECAUSE MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF MY PASSENGERS DEPENDS ON IT. I THINK THAT MINI SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO INSURE THAT THE COMPUTER THAT GOVERNS STEERING OPERATES PROPERLY. AT PRESENT I HAVE A CAR THAT SITS DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I AM MAKING A TRIP TO A CITY THAT HAS A SERVICE CENTER IN TWO WEEKS AND I AM HOPING THAT MINI CORRECTS THIS PROBLEM WITH NO EXPENSE TO ME. *TR

NOTHING SPECIFIC TO LEAD UP TO FAILURE POWER STEERING WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL, AND OCCASIONALLY BE RESTORED NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. *TR

INTERMITTENT COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. NOW IS NO LONGER WORKING. HAS CAUSED VERY SERIOUS SITUATIONS AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING; THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 42,000. UPDATED 11/05/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/7/10 *CN

2005 MINI COOPER S; WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED 60 MPH GOING AROUND A BEND ON THE HIGHWAY COMPLETE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND ALMOST CRASHED INTO MEDIAN. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I NOTICED MY STEERING FELT "TIGHT". IT WAS DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE A CURVE. I TRIED TO PULL INTO A REST AREA WHEN I REALIZED I HAD ALMOST NO STEERING ABILITY. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BY USING BOTH HANDS. I ALMOST CRASHED ON THE RAMP. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER. IT IS MY POWER STEERING PUMP. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IT SEEMS THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS. I AM VERY GLAD I DID NOT HAVE TO DO ANY EMERGENCY TURNS, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. *TR

(2005 MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION) VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE FROM STANDING POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED. SUDDENLY JUMPS INTO GEAR (IN DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION). NEEDED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. ALSO LACKS ACCELERATION WHILE PASSING ON THE HIGHWAY.. UPDATED 03/30/10 *BF SPORADIC INITIALLY. BECAME MORE FREQUENT OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS (JANUARY TO MARCH 2009 TIME FRAME). PROBLEMS SURFACED JUST AT THE END OF WARRANTY MILEAGE. TAKEN TO DEALER ON MARCH 26, 2009. SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND NO FAULTS FROM SCANNING OR IN LINKAGE OPERATION. NO EFFECT DUE TO RESETTING ADAPTATIONS AND SHIFT SOLENOIDS. TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. TRANSMISSION REPLACED. *TR UPDATED 07/07/10.*JB

HI, I'M WRITING TO REPORT THAT MY 2005 MINI COOPER, WITH LESS THAN 43K MILES IS IN NEED OF A THIRD TRANSMISSION. I NEARLY DID NOT MAKE IT HOME ONE EVENING BECAUSE THE JERKING MOTION THE CAR WAS MAKING AND BECAUSE THE ENGINE JUST FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. I NEARLY STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY, WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY WAS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2007 AT 28K MILES. ON 12/16/08, I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE TRANSMISSION PAN AMONG OTHER THINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS THE ONLY KNOWN DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE AUTO BODY AND PAINT SHOP THAT I CONTRACTED WITH DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FILL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THEREFORE THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED THE LOCAL MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP. THEY PERFORMED THAT PIECE OF IT. NOW, THE DEALER IS TELLING ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO STATES THEY DON'T KNOW IF THE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE WAS A RESIDUAL OF THE ACCIDENT OR NOT AND THEREFORE, WERE TRYING TO OPEN UP THE OLD INSURANCE CLAIM FROM JANUARY 2009. HOWEVER, MY INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THEY STATE THE REPAIRS FROM THE ACCIDENT $7,888.70, PLUS THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION, AROUND 8K WILL BE MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR. SO, WHO SHOULD PAY FOR THIS NEW TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER, THE AUTO BODY SHOP (WHOM DID NO WORK ON THE TRANSMISSION, SEEMINGLY) OR ME? HOW DO I KNOW, THIS IS NOT JUST ANOTHER BAD TRANSMISSION? THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL ON A MINI COOPER (NO WAY TO CHECK) TRANSMISSION FLUID AND NO INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

DEFECT INITIALLY OCCURRED AT NIGHT TIME IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC: DASH-LIGHTS WENT OUT, TURN INDICATOR NOT FUNCTIONAL, HEATER BLOWER STOPPED WORKING (CAUSING FOGGING OF WINDSHIELD/WINDOWS), AIR BAG LIGHTS WENT ON, SEAT BELT LIGHT ON CONSEQUENTLY HAD TO PULL ON THE SIDE OF ROAD (LIMITED VISIBILITY, NO SPEED INDICATOR, COULD NOT OPERATE VEHICLE SAFELY). A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS AT IGNITION CYCLING PARTIALLY RESTORED FUNCTIONALITY. AFTER INITIAL DEFECT, PROBLEM COULD BE REPRODUCED INTERMITTENTLY (ALL/SOME OF THE COMPONENT LISTED ABOVE FAILED DURING COURSE OF NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE). VEHICLE INSPECTED BY MINI/BMW DEALER, ROOT CAUSE: INTERFERENCE ON K-BUS OF ONE OF THE AUDIO COMPONENT, RESULTING IN FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF OTHER COMPONENTS ON THE BUS. ULTIMATELY COMPONENT (MINI I-POD INTERFACE) HAD TO BE REMOVED -- PART IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. REQUEST TO HAVE REPAIRS COVERED WAS REJECTED BY MINI/BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS ON GROUNDS THERE WAS NO RECALL (VEHICLE IS 5 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY --- 41K MILES). *TR

OWNER PARKED MINI COOPER AT STORE WENT INSIDE. WHILE IN STORE, HEARD OVER INTERCOM THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. SHE WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH FRONT OF VEHICLE. FIRE WENT OUT BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM WIRING HAD OVERHEATED AND BURNED ONLY - NOTHING ELSE IGNITED. THE DAMAGE WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE PREVIOUS EA ANALYSIS EA07-011 PERTAINING TO 2002-2003 MINI COOPERS. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COPPER S FOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I REFUSE TO PAY MORE THAN 1,000EUROS (SINCE I SERVE OVERSEAS) TO FIX A "KNOWN" PROBLEM THAT BMW MINI CHOOSES TO IGNORE DESPITE THE VALID COMPLAINTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD....*TR

2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE WITH APPROX 78,000 MILES. ABOUT A WEEK AGO THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITH NO WARNING DURING COMMUTE. TOOK CAR TO REGULAR LOCAL FOREIGN CAR MECHANICS. POWER STEERING WAS WORKING WHEN THEY EXAMINED SO COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. DAY CAR WAS RETURNED POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN ON AFTERNOON COMMUTE. CONSISTENTLY HAS FAILED ONCE CAR WARMS UP. TOOK TO MINI YESTERDAY WITH POWER STEERING IN FULL FAILURE MODE. DEALER SAYS IT IS FAN WHICH COOLS POWER STEERING PUMP. WHILE DEALER MAINTAINS THEY HAVE RARELY SEEN THIS PROBLEM ONLINE SEARCH OF MINI RELATED SITES AS WELL AS ARTICLE PRINTED IN UK DAILY MAIL SHOWS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR CAR. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE, WHILE MAKING A TURN, WITHOUT NOTICE MY POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED MY VEHICLE HAS APROX. 80K MILES ON IT. MINI IS REMANUFACTUING THE PUMP WITH DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS THIS TELLS ME THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ORIGINAL PUMP, THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR THE ORIGINAL PUMPS FEE OF CHARGE NOT THE $800.00 THEY WANT JUST FOR THE PUMP. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *TR

1. STEERING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS 2. POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR CUTS IN AND OUT, MAKING CONTROL DIFFICULT AND UNPREDICTABLE: STEERING GETS HEAVY SO ADDITIONAL FORCE IS APPLIED BUT THEN THE POWER ASSIST 'REACTIVATES' CAUSING DRAMATIC OVERSTEER. FIRST OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 60000 MILES, TURNED CAR ON/OFF STEERING WAS FINE. RE-OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 100000 MILES AND HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. 3. MECHANIC HAS SUGGESTED REPLACING ASSIST MOTOR. *TW

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE PARKED, A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

24 DEGREE MORNING CAR'S MANUAL 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION FROZEN IN 1ST GEAR. TOOK OTHER CAR TO WORK. PROBLEM GONE AFTER RETURNING FROM WORK AT 40 DEGREES. LOOKED UP ONLINE. SAW MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS DUE TO WATER IN SHIFTER CABLES. *TR

SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED FAILING OF POWER STEERING FUNCTION WHILE ROUTINELY DRIVING THE CAR. CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER AS A RESULT. TEN + INCIDENTS OF THIS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING PUMP. PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $900.00. NO MORE PROBLEMS SINCE.*TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ANOTHER DRIVER CRASHED INTO HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT COMPLETELY DEPLOY. AS A CONSEQUENCE SPARKS FROM THE AIR BAG SHORT, CAUSED HER COAT TO CATCH ON FIRE. SHE SUFFERED 2ND DEGREE BURNS ON THE RIGHT ARM AND THE HEEL OF THE HAND. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HER CASE WAS ESCALATED TO THE MANUFACTURER. SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000. UPDATED 3/8/10 *CN UPDATED 07/27/10*JB

2005 MINI COOPER S. APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES. OCTOBER 22, 2009. I HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME FROM WORK AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. GOING IN THE HOUSE I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES OF INVESTIGATING IN THE HOUSE, I DECIDED TO GO BACK INTO THE GARAGE, AND FIND THAT IT IS A LITTLE SMOKEY. I OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR AND BACK THE MINI OUT ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. NOW THERE IS SMOKE STREAMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CAN HEAR SPINNING/CLICKING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I OPEN THE HOOD AND SEE FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE ENGINE, BELOW THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I EMPTIED 3 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS INTO THE ENGINE BAY AND IT WAS STILL BURNING. CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, THE FIRE HAD BURNED ITSELF OUT. I WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT I WENT BACK INTO THE GARAGE WITHIN MINUTES TO INVESTIGATE, OTHERWISE IT COULD'VE BEEN A HUGE CAR FIRE AND POTENTIALLY FIRE DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND HOUSE AS WELL. *TR

ON MONDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 12, 2009, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY (280 SOUTH, DALY CITY, CA). I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER. I WAS IN THE FAST LANE ON A SLIGHT CURVE IN THE ROAD, AND SUDDENLY MY STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY APPLY THE BRAKES TO KEEP FROM VEERING INTO THE LEFT BARRIER, AND USE ALL MY STRENGTH REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ADJUST TO SPEED AND STEERING CONTROL TO GET SAFELY OFF OF THE FREEWAY. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE VERY EASILY ENDED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ESPECIALLY SINCE I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED (65 MPH) IN THE FAST LANE OF A BUSY METROPOLITAN CITY WITH CARS ALSO TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ALL AROUND ME. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT POWER STEERING FAILURE IS A DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR, AND THAT IN ADDITION TO MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, YOUR ORGANIZATION, NHTSA, HAS OPENED AN INVESTIGATION INTO SUCH CLAIMS (NHTSA ACTION #'S FROM PUBLIC RECORD: PE07022 AND EA07011). MY FRIEND, WHO IS ALSO A MINI OWNER, HAD THIS VERY SAME FAILURE HAPPEN TO HIM, AND RECOMMENDED THAT I FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH YOU (AS HE DID). I UNDERSTAND BMW ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IN THE 2002/2003 PRODUCTION MODELS, BUT THIS ISSUE CONTINUES TO OCCUR IN SUBSEQUENT PRODUCTION YEARS: MINE (2005) AND THIS PERSON (2004): HTTP://BIT.LY/3HLZ5A. THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. ME, MY PASSENGER, MY DOG, AND ANYONE ELSE DRIVING NEAR ME COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF NOT KILLED HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO MANEUVER MY DISABLED VEHICLE TO SAFETY BY BRUTE FORCE. PLEASE HELP ME AND ANY OTHERS WHO MIGHT COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM AVOID A POSSIBLE CATASTROPHE. IT WILL NOT HELP MUCH TO REPLACE THIS PART WITH ANOTHER FAULTY PART THAT WILL ALSO FAIL IN THE FUTURE. A RECALL MUST BE ISSUED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT COURSE OF ACTION I CAN TAKE NOW TO GET MY CAR RUNNING IN A SAFE, MECHANICALLY SOUND CONDITION. THANK YOU. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. JUST OVER 50,000 MILES. TODAY, WHILST DRIVING TO LUNCH, MY POWER STEERING FAILED. THERE WAS NO WARNING, IT JUST QUIT, MID-DRIVE. THE CAR IS NOW VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. LOOKING ONLINE, I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE, YET THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS. HTTP://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/FIRST-GENERATION-FAULTS-FIXES/49527-IMPORTANT-HAVE-YOU-HAD-POWER-STEERING-PUMP-FAILURE-PLEASE-VOTE-YES-NO.HTML. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED AT ONLY 47,000 MILES. WHEN TAKING MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS, THE RPM'S WOULD REV UP AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND EP (TRANSMISSION) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT ABOVE SECOND GEAR, MAKING THE CAR PRACTICALLY UNDRIVABLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED PROMPTLY AND WELL MAINTAINED THROUGH MINI COOPER DEALERSHIPS. MY FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED 6 MONTHS AGO. THE INTERIOR BELT OR CHAIN ON THE TRANSMISSION HAS "COMPLETELY COME APART" AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MINI COOPER ESTIMATES $7600 TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION! *TR

"SRS" WARNING LIGHT (PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF) BLINKS ON AND OFF IN A 2005 MINI COOPERS WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. THE WARNING LIGHT ONLY TRIGGERS WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WAS TOLD BY MINI DEALERSHIP THAT IT WOULD COST $800 FOR THE PART AND +$200 IN LABOR TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER. *TR

I NOTICED ON THE FRONT OF A SET OF A BRAND NEW TIRES THE TREAD ON LEFT TIRE WAS WORN TO THE CORE AND THE WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE ON THE INSIDE, THE RIGHT TIRE HAD EVERY LITTLE TREAD LEFT. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS THE STRUTS HAD DAMAGED THE UPPER STRUT PLATES ON BOTH SIDES, CAUSING IT TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT .THERE HAS BEEN 216 COMPLAINTS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E,PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED. *TR

NOTICED ON BRAND NEW TIRES THE TREAD ON LEFT TIRE WAS WORN TO THE CORE AND THE WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE ON INSIDE, THE RIGHT TIRE HAD EVERY LITTLE TREAD LEFT. THERE HAS BEEN 216 COMPLAINTS . NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE OR REPAIR OR REPLACE THE PARTS. THE TIRES HAD ONLY 4000 MILES ON THEM WHEN IT WAS NOTICED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. WHENEVER SHE PRESSED THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE SUNROOF OR CONVERTIBLE, THE DRIVERS SIDE OPENED BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A LAPSE IN THE CABLE AND SHE'D THE ENTIRE UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD ALSO BE A RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2005 MINI COOPER AND SAID THAT SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER STARTING HER DRIVE, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN ACTING ERRATICALLY. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD GO CEASE WHEN SHE WAS TURNING A CORNER, FORCING HER TO MUSCLE THE CAR IN UNASSISTED STEERING MODE. THEN, THE POWER STEERING WOULD KICK IN, RESULTING IN OVERSTEER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN, REQUIRING QUICK CORRECTION. I WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME THAT DAY. HOWEVER, THE NEXT DAY, THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING AT ALL. CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THAT CONDITION, WE TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED. SINCE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY (ONLY 32,500 MILES, BUT >4 YEARS OLD) WE DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. OUR REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAN, WHICH IN TURN LED TO A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. HE SAID THE LAYOUT OF THESE ITEMS WAS POORLY DESIGNED, INCREASING THE CHANCE OF FAILURE AND THAT HE THOUGHT MINI HAD MODIFIED THE LAYOUT IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS. TOTAL COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $1,650. *TR

THE MINI COOPER ENGINE HAS AN INTERNAL THERMOSTAT THAT IS PLASTIC, WHEN MINE CRACKED AND LEAKED I HAD NO SIGNS SHOWING THAT. THE ENGINE ONE DAY GOT HOT, I DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES AND STOPPED. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THIS HAPPENS ALOT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE OF A RETIREMENT CENTER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND UNPLUGGED THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST ON HIS RACK AND PINION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAN SEIZED. PER DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, MOST COMMON MINI REPAIR. PROBLEM IS THAT SEIZED FAN MOTOR CONTINUES TO DRAW POWER WHICH DRAINS BATTERY. HAD TO HAVE CAR JUMPED BY AAA TO GET IT STARTED TO BRING IN FOR REPAIR. NOW ALL THE DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS ARE MALFUNCTIONING: NO SPEEDOMETER/TACH/GAS GAGE READ OUT. IN EXCESS OF $2K TO FIX PLUS ALREADY PAID $400 FOR NEW POWER STEERING FAN AND BATTERY, HOPING THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS NEEDED. *TR

INTERMITTENT (TWICE WITHIN 40 MINUTES) POWER STEERING FAILURE. FIRST OCCURRENCE WHILE TURNING A CORNER, CONTINUED UNTIL I PULLED IN TO MAKE A CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE POWER STEERING WAS APPARENTLY WORKING NORMALLY AGAIN. WHILE TELEPHONING THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS WORKING AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AND REMAINED NONFUNCTIONAL UNTIL PARKING THE CAR. AN HOUR LATER, BACK IN THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, POWER STEERING AGAIN APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY UNTIL ARRIVAL AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE SYSTEM FAILURE, WHERE IT REMAINS TO DATE. *TR

DRIVING HOME THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. GOT THE CAR PARKED. NEXT MORNING THE CAR WAS DEAD. NOTHING WORKED. TOWED CAR TO REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC CALLED AND SAID CAR MUST GO TO THE DEALER. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. 1ST ESTIMATE FROM DEALER WAS 2350.00 FOR A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP, POWER STEERING HARNESS AND A NEW BATTERY. CAR REMAINED AT THE DEALER UNTIL TODAY 6/19/09. TOTAL FOR THE WORK PERFORMED WAS 1058.39 WHICH INCLUDED A 99.95 GREASE OIL AND FILTER. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER S-BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR JERKING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS (NOT A MANUAL TRANSMISSION) IN EARLY 2009. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANICS. THEY HAD IT FOR QUITE AWHILE, TRYING TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY EVEN CONSULTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP, BUT SAID THEY FELT LIKE THE DEALERSHIP WASN'T VERY FORTHCOMING IN THEIR INFORMATION. MY MECHANIC ULTIMATELY DECIDED THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS A SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. $500 TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR. THE ROUGH SHIFTING CONTINUED AND ON JUNE 2, 2009, WHILE I WAS OUT AT LUNCH, I LOST FIRST GEAR ALTOGETHER. THE CAR WOULD MOVE FORWARD, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO PICK UP ANY REAL SPEED UNTIL THE RPM'S GOT HIGH ENOUGH. I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN, I HAD THE USE OF FIRST GEAR AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME IT FELT AS THOUGH IT WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF THIRD. I DROVE IT VERY SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY BACK TO MY OFFICE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, TOLD THEM THAT I WAS GOING TO NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED IN, AND ASKED IF THEY HAD A TOWING SERVICE. SHE SAID NO, BUT RECOMMENDED A TOWING COMPANY. I HAD IT TOWED IT BUT DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING BACK FROM ANYONE UNTIL MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2009. MY HUSBAND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT WOULD BE $8,000 FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND $2000 FOR THE LABOR. HARD TO BELIEVE ANYONE COULD SAY THAT WITH A STRAIGHT FACE. AROUND JUNE 9, 2009, THE MINI SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WAS GOING TO WORK WITH IT A LITTLE BIT AND SEE IF HE COULD GET ANY OF THOSE COSTS COVERED UNDER A SERVICE BULLETIN. TODAY IS JUNE 16, 2009. MY HUSBAND HAS CALLED, LEFT VOICEMAILS, AND EVEN GONE UP THE DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK FROM THE MINI SERVICE MANAGER. MY HUSBAND SPOKE TO THE BMW SERVICE MANAGER, WHO TOLD HIM THAT WE'D HAVE TO WAIT AND TALK TO THE MINI SERVICE MANAGER. *TR

REGULAR DRIVING AT AROUND 6PM AT ABOUT 40MPH AROUND A BEND, COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE, THE CAR BECAME VERY HEAVY TO STEER, WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, AND NO WARNING LIGHTS. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THE CAR FAILED TO STEER. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, THE WARRANTY HAS BEEN OVER FOR 3 MONTHS AND MINI ARE SAYING A GOODWILL REPAIR MIGHT BE AVAILABLE, BUT WILL NOT DO A FREE DIAGNOSTIC, HELP US GET TO A DEALERSHIP OR PROMISE ANYTHING BEFOREHAND. A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP IS LIKELY NEEDED, AS PER THE EVIDENCE OF THE EUROPEAN RECALL, AND OTHER MINI DRIVER TESTIMONY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND MY STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY HARD AND ALMOST REFUSED TO COMPLETELY WORK AS I WAS ROUNDING A BEND! I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND SLOWLY INCH TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT. AFTER BEING SCARED OUT OF MY WITS, I CALMED DOWN AND PARKED MY CAR. I LET THE CAR SIT OVERNIGHT AND CHECKED POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT WAS FULL. I THEN LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY MINI OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MINI SAYS THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. *TR

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER SAID I HAD A DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSOR BUT THE AIRBAG WOULD STILL WORK... MY DASHBOARD LOOKS LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. LATER I HEARD ABOUT THE WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS FAULT. I DROVE 200 MILES ROUND TRIP AFTER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE DEALER HAS GIVEN ME ALOT OF MISINFORMATION... DOI TRUST THEM ON THIS? NO, OF COURSE NOT. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE A BMW DEALER ADJACENT, THE BMW DEALERS ARE NOT LIKE THE ONES I AM ACCUSTOMED TO DEALING WITH. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT MINI HAS SUCH POOR SERVICE WHILE MOST OF ITS BMW DEALERS ARE SO STELLAR. THE HEATED SEATS WORK ONLY A FEW MINUTES. THE DEALER SAID I NEED A NEW FUSE, IN SPITE OF WHAT THE MANUAL SAYS. IT SAYS IF IT BLOWS MORE THAN TWICE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. I DID AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT IT HAD A BLOWN FUSE. *TR

MY 2005 MINI HAD APROX. 77,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I HAD DROVE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND WHEN I GOT OUT I SAW A PIECE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASING LAYING ON THE GROUND AND ALL THE FLUID DRAINED OUT. THERE ARE 95 MINI OWNERS THAT I KNOW OF WHO HAVE HAD 1 OR 2 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED AFTER ONLY A FEW YEARS OF USE. MINE COST ME 5,000 DOLLARS AND LOSS OF USE FOR 2 MONTHS. MINI WAS AWARE OF THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS AND CONTINUED TO SELL THEM. I REALLY BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECKONING. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS DISABLED WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. IF PASSENGER SHIFTS IN SEAT, THE AIRBAG MAY OR MAY NOT ENABLE. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE FAULT LIES WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR MAT UNDER THE SEAT. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR SEVERAL BMW MODELS AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN OFFERED. FOR SEVERAL MINI MODELS, THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN OFFERED. SO FAR, THE 2005 MODEL HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON (INDICATING AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION/INOP.) AND AUTO MANUFACTURER HAS NO FIX, DEFINITELY A SAFETY PROBLEM. 2005 MINI COOPER. *TR

POWER STEERING UNIT STOPPED WORKING DRIVING NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS RESULTING IN VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING/HANDLING. CAR HAS 48,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED ON SCHEDULE. UNIT'S FLUIDS WERE NORMAL AND DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE A NORMAL COMMUTE. POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR

ON MARCH 12, 2009 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 PM MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING BACK FROM DINNER IN NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA WHEN I MADE A STOP AT THE LOCAL POST OFFICE. I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER HATCHBACK AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR ERRANT BEHAVIOR WITH THE CAR. I STOPPED AT THE POST OFFICE TO MAIL A PACKAGE, PARKED THE CAR, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, LOCKED THE CAR WITH MY WIFE INSIDE THE AUTO, AND WENT IN. WHEN I RETURNED APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES LATER I FOUND MY WIFE IN THE CAR IN A GREAT STATE OF PANIC WITH SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY UNLOCKED THE DOORS WITH MY CAR KEY, MADE SURE THAT MY WIFE WAS OUT OF THE CAR, AND WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WE BOTH WITNESSED A SMALL FIRE BURNING UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT QUICKLY ARRIVED, OPENED THE HOOD AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. I CONTACTED A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MINI ON THE 13TH WHO INFORMED ME THAT SOMEONE FROM BMW WOULD BE CONTACTING ME REGARDING THE CAR. I TOWED THE CAR BACK TO MY HOUSE AND TOWED IT TO BOB SMITH BMW IN CALABASAS ON SATURDAY THE 14TH. BOB SMITH BMW HAS PROVIDED ME WITH A RENTAL CAR IN THE INTERIM. I THEN RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM BMW FROM A STEVE KOSSAR ON MARCH 17TH, WHO REQUESTED THE DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT. WHEN I SPOKE WITH SUSAN AT BOB SMITH BMW LATER THAT WEEK I WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH A COUPLE OF ADDITIONAL PARTS. NO EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA WOULD BE ASSIGNING AN ENGINEER WRITE A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE MINI AND THAT BOB SMITH BMW WOULD NOT RELEASE THE CAR TO ME UNTIL THEY RECEIVED WORD FROM BMW NORTH AMERICA THAT THE CAR WAS SOUND. SINCE THEN I HAVE PLACED TWO PHONE CALLS TO MR. KOSSAR AT BMW ON APRIL 1 AND APRIL 7 AND LEFT MESSAGES ASKING FOR A STATUS REPORT ON THE CAR. TO DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY AND NO WORD ON THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *TR

CAR POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE EXITING A FREEWAY. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND VERY SCARY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND MADE RATTLING AND POPPING SOUNDS. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT PUSHED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD COST $7,000 TO REPAIR. THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

I HAVE NOW HAD A SECOND FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR (SENSOR MAT IN PASSENGER SEAT). THE FIRST MAT FAILED AT 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND THE REPLACEMENT LASTED JUST OVER 2 YEARS (WARRANTY ON PART IS 2 YEARS). *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AFTER 60,000 MILES, JUST AFTER THE CAR WENT OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT MANY MINI AND BMW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO BE PERMANENTLY DEACTIVATED, EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER CHARGES $1100 TO FIX THE DEFECT. I FEEL LIKE THE AIRBAG SHOULD WORK FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, OR AT LEAST UP TO 100,000 MILES. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUES THAT WOULD AFFECT THE AIRBAG. MY CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,00 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST BMW AND MINI COOPER AND I WOULD LIKE THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX THIS DEFECT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER OF THE CAR. THANK YOU. *TR

DURING NOVEMBER OF 2008, I BROKE DOWN 4 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON 11/1 (WHEN I HAD AN APPT TO HAVE MY AILING CAR LOOKED AT ON 11/3). I MADE THE APPT FOR 11/3 ON 10/30 WHEN I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR BEGAN BUCKING LIKE A MECHANICAL BULL. OBVIOUSLY, I DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE APPOINTMENT. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 11/1 AFTER BREAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY, VALVE COVER GASKET, AND TRANSMISSION. I WAS "GOOD-WILLED" THE TRANSMISSION BY OTTO'S BMW BECAUSE I WAS OVER MY WARRANTY IN TIME AND NOT MILEAGE (PASSED 4 YEARS, BUT NOT 50000 MILES). I PAID $386 TO FIX THE FIRST TWO ITEMS. THE NEXT DAY, I GOT MY CAR BACK. ON 11/8, I BROKE DOWN AGAIN WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. I REALIZED ON MY WAY TO MY DESTINATION, I DESTROYED TWO STREETS AND MY FAMILY'S DRIVEWAY WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID. I WAS IRATE, AND THE DEALER TOWED IT IN. THEY SAID THE TRANS COOL LINE DISCONNECTED. I HAD MY CAR BACK IN A COUPLE DAYS. ON 11/23, I BROKE DOWN AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE CAR'S EMS AND CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WOULD RESTART, BUT THEN SHOOK VICIOUSLY AND THEN CONKED OUT WHEN IT WAS PUT IN GEAR. MINI TOWED IT IN AGAIN. THEY "COULDN'T VERIFY THE CONCERN" AND SAID IT DROVE OFF THE FLATBED FINE, AND YET I COULDN'T GET IT TO MOVE AGAIN 24 HOURS AFTER BREAKING DOWN. MINI KEPT THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS TO ENSURE THEY WERE THOROUGH IN THEIR EFFORTS. ON 11/30, I BROKE DOWN AGAIN ON MY WAY TO HAVE THE CAR DETAILED TO PREPARE IT FOR SALE THE FOLLOWING DAY. I HAD TO CALL OUT OF WORK ON 12/1 TO WAIT FOR MINI'S TOW COMPANY TO COME RETRIEVE THE CAR FOR THE FORTH AND FINAL TIME. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WAS "ACTING UP REAL NICE" WHEN THEY GOT IT OFF THE FLATBED THIS TIME. BY THIS POINT IN TIME, I WAS HAVING PANIC ATTACKS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF ANY CAR BECAUSE I WAS SO PARANOID AND DIDN'T FEEL SAFE. WHY HAS NO ONE RECALLED THE MINI? *TR

POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON MY WIFE'S 2005 MINI COOPER. NO WARNING, INDICATIONS, OR EVENTS LED UP TO FAILURE. *TR

BOTH DOOR HANDLES ARE INOPERATIVE FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER PER PHONE CALL DIAGNOSED "COMMON PROBLEM" AS THE BALLARD CABLE DISCONNECTING FROM THE LATCH. AFTER REMOVING THE DOOR PANEL IT WAS FOUND TO BE INTACT. PROBLEM IS YET TO BE DIAGNOSED. IT IS MY ASSUMPTION THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM SINCE THE DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND THE DOORS DO NOT APPEAR TO TRY AND LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES THE SET SPEED OF 15 MPH. THIS IS A DEFECT OF GRAVE CONCERN SINCE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE CANNOT IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR FIRE AND WOULD BE TOTALLY UNABLE TO EXIT IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY AS INOPERATIVE WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF AIRBAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A QUALIFYING CRASH FOR THE PASSENGER. *TR

AIRBAG COVER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS A DEFECT EDGE ON THE MINI EMBLEM WHICH COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A DEPLOYMENT. *TR

AUTO WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AFTER A 30 MILE DRIVE, TURNED OFF AND KEYS REMOVED. AFTER SOME TIME BEING PARKED, CAR STARTED BILLOWING SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, PARKING LIGHTS CAME ON SPONTANEOUSLY. NO KEYS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY THE APPARENT SHORT CIRCUIT HAD DRAINED THE BATTERY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MINI OF PEABODY MA WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAD SHORTED OUT CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO BE DESTROYED AND ALSO DESTROYING THE BATTERY. *TR

STRUT TOWERS DEFORMED. THIS IS A RESULT OF STANDARD EQUIPMENT RUN FLAT TIRES HITTING POT HOLES. THE FIX IS A REINFORCING PLATE ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER. EITHER THE RUN FLATS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE OR THE STRUT TOWERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN OF SUFFICIENT STRENGTH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A BMW MINI COOPER S. THE AIR BAG COVER EMBLEM HAS A DEFECTED EDGE. IF THE AIR BAG WERE TO DEPLOY, IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COVER THREE TIMES, BUT THE DEFECT IS STILL UNCORRECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON FORUMS SEE THAT THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS. TURNS OUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT DEALERSHIPS EVEN CARRY EXTRA PARTS BECAUSE OF THIS. I SEE THAT SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR JUST HAPPENED WITH OTHER BMW'S. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST. IT APPEARS THAT IN AN ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP ON 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE STARTED MAKING NOISE (EVEN WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF, DRAINING THE BATTERY), THEN ULTIMATELY FAILED. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS REPAIR COSTS APPROX $2000 TO FIX, AND THAT REPLACEMENT POWER STEERING PUMPS FAIL REGULARLY, SO WE'VE BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

I COMPLAINED TO MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP ABOUT NOISE COMING FROM UNDERSIDE OF THE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND THE LAST TIME I COMPLAINED THEY BLAMED IT ON "WORN TIRES". AT 52,000 MILES I NOTICED A HIGH PITCH SQUEALING FROM UNDER THE CAR WHEN I HAD THE CLUTCH PRESSED IN. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO MINI SERVICE, THEY SAID THAT "CLUTCH MATERIAL PROBABLY GOT CAUGHT IN THE FINGERS OF THE CLUTCH". THEY SAID THAT SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS UP (OVER AT 50,000 MILES) AND THAT THIS WAS A "FRICTION MATERIAL" ISSUE, THE COST OF THE REPAIR ($2,200 - $2,800) WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. SINCE THIS COST WAS SO HIGH AND THE EARLY FAILURE SO FAR OUTSIDE OF NORMAL EXPECTED DUTY TIME, I REFUSED THE SERVICE. SINCE THERE ARE MANY REPORTED CASES OF EARLY CLUTCH FAILURE AND FLYWHEEL FIELD UPGRADES, I CONTACTED MINI USA AND ASKED FOR MY ISSUE TO BE REVIEWED AS A WARRANTY ISSUE. THEY WOULD NOT AGREE TO COVER THE REPAIR, BUT SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $700 TO CHECK OUT TO EVEN CONSIDER THIS AS A WARRANTY. THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO BRING THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR REVIEW. SINCE INDEPENDENT SHOPS CHARGE ABOUT HALF THE AMOUNT FOR CLUTCH REPLACEMENT, I WANTED THAT OPTION IN CASE MINI REFUSED TO COVER ANY COSTS. THE MINI CS REFERENCE NUMBER FOR THIS ISSUE IS 2000736002924. ON 12/25 (CHRISTMAS DAY) MY CLUTCH FAILED COMPLETELY. SINCE MINI IS NOT WILLING TO GIVE ANY MATERIAL SUPPORT TO THIS ISSUE, AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER CASES OF EARLY CLUTCH FAILURE REPORTED I OPENED THIS COMPLAINT TO SEE IF NHTSA COULD HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

ABSOLUTELY NO UNUSUAL NOISES OR ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. CAR HAS ABOUT 53,000 MILES ON IT, POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED- CAR IS NOW EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO STEER & A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVE. THANKFULLY I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, SO NO CRASHES OR INJURIES OCCURRED. POWER STEERING PUMP & FAN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT HAVE NOT HAD IT DONE YET, AS I AM TOLD IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1500 FOR THIS REPAIR & I AM ABOUT 3000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY NOW. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2002-2006 MINI COOPERS. *TR

COMPLETE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUT, STRUT TOWER, MOUNT AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING CAUSED BY AN IMPERFECTION ON A PUBLIC, WELL TRAVELED ROAD. REPORTS ON ENTHUSIAST FORUMS OF OVER 216 OTHERS SUFFERING THE SAME FAILURE ON THE SAME MODEL CAR AND A REPORT IN THE SEPT-OCT 2007 EDITION OF MC2 MAGAZINE CITING THE NEED TO LOOK FOR THESE COMMON FLAWS ON THIS MODEL CAR WHEN CONSIDERING PURCHASING A USED ONE.

(1) I RECENTLY TRADED MY 2003 MINI COOPER IN FOR A 2005 MINI COOPER S AT A PRIVATE DEALERSHIP. (2) UPON INSPECTING THE 2005 COOPER S, I NOTICED THAT THE STRUT TOWERS WERE DEFORMED, BUT SINCE THIS WAS NOT A MINI DEALERSHIP, NOTHING COULD BE DONE BY THEM. I BOUGHT THE CAR THINKING THIS COULD BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER CALLING THE CLOSEST MINI DEALERSHIP WHICH IS 200+ MILES AWAY, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS CONSIDERED ABUSE TO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PREVIOUS OWNER MUST HAVE HIT A POTHOLE. THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS SITUATION IS THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE MINI COOPER'S SHOCK TOWERS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO A CAR. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFETIME, AND NEVER HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER TO EXPERIENCE THIS AND IT IS A PRETTY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN MINI COOPERS. I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS SITUATION CAUSES THE CAR TO WANDER ON THE ROAD. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I'M GETTING FEEDBACK FROM OTHER OWNERS. SOME SAY THEIR DEALERSHIP IS FIXING THE DEFORMATION, OTHERS, LIKE MYSELF ARE DENIED. I'M A LITTLE FRIGHTENED AT WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THE CAR OVER TIME FROM THIS. WILL THE SHEET METAL GET EVEN WEAKER AS TIME GOES ON? I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. (3) I HAVE NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR YET, BUT THE FIX IS TO EITHER PAY MONEY TO HAVE THE SHOCK TOWERS CUT OUT AND HAVE NEW ONES WELDED IN, OR POUND DOWN THE OLD ONES UNTIL THEY ARE FLAT, THEN BUY REINFORCEMENT PLATES FROM A VENDOR TO KEEP THE ALREADY STRESSED METAL FROM BENDING AGAIN. *JB

SUDDEN STRESS CRACK APPEARED DIRECTLY BEHIND REAR VIEW MIRROR. NO ROCK CHIP OR OTHER IMPACT EVIDENCE. WE'D JUST GONE FROM COOL (MID 50'S ) TO RECORD HEAT (100) IN 24 HOURS. HAVE LESS THAN 4,500 MILES ON THE CAR. CAME OUT IN THE MORNING TO FIND THE CRACK, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 6" LONG GROWING VERTICALLY. THE CAR IS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. *JB

OUR 2005 MINI COOPER S HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH AN ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE WE FIRST PURCHASED IT IN JULY OF 2005. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP SUDDENLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. WE'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER A NUMBER OF TIMES AND REQUESTED SERVICE APPOINTMENTS. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD EACH TIME THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO BRING THE CAR IN AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS BEING CAUSED BY A LOOSE GAS CAP. LIVING IN THE STATE OF NJ WHERE YOU CANNOT PUMP YOUR OWN GAS, WE CONSISTENTLY REMIND THE GAS ATTENDANT TO PROPERLY ATTACH THE GAS CAP AND WE CHECK THE CAP AFTER GETTING GAS. THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. HOWEVER, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE PROBLEM IS BEING CAUSED BY THE GAS CAP, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. MY WIFE WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT AND DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES THIS OCCURRED. SHE WAS STUCK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC FOR 10 MINUTES WHILE TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED VERY SOON, SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. *JB

WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. CRACK STARTED AT TOP CENTER EXTENDED DOWN ABOUT 4 INCHES, THEN HORIZONTALL FOR ABOUT 4 INCHES AND IS NOW MOVING DOWN AGAIN. *NM

CRACKED WINDSHIELD 2005 MINI COOPER S. *JB

MY 2005 MINI COOPER S AUTOMATIC SUDDENLY STOPPED TWICE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS ONLY 4 MONTHS OLD, ABOUT 4000 MILES ON CAR. I WAS ACTUALLY IN MOTION, AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING! I HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. EML AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON ONCE THE CAR STOPPED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN WENT OFF, SO I ASSUMED IT WAS A FLUKE AND NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT (OTHERWISE I ASSUME THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON). THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS EXACTLY THE SAME SCENARIO AS THE FIRST. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT MINI IS CALLING THIS "LIMP MODE", BUT I HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM MINI, OR ANYTHING INDICATING THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE DID KNOW, BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ OF OTHERS WHO COMPLAINED TO THEM ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS!! YET MINI APPARENTLY DID NOT NOTIFY DEALERSHIPS, BECAUSE THE FIRST ONE I CALLED HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WHICH I DESCRIBED, AND WASN'T GOING TO TAKE ME FOR SERVICE UNTIL 2 WEEKS LATER. I CALLED A SECOND DEALER WHO IMMEDIATELY KNEW THE PROBLEM, AND SAID IT WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL. STILL I HAD NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM MINI USA. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND IT WAS FIXED IN AN HOUR--THEY REPROGRAMMED THE DME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! I STILL HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM MINI ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM! MAYBE THEY DIDN'T NOTIFY ME BECAUSE I HAD IT TAKEN CARE OF ALREADY, BUT HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, RATHER THAN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I COULD BE DEAD NOW! WHY ISN'T MINI NOTIFYING OWNERS WHO PURCHASED THE 2005 AUTOMATICS!! WHY AREN'T THEY ISSUING A RECALL? ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE KILLED? *JB

CONSUMER HAD 2005 MINI COOPER IN SHOP FOR COLLISION REPAIRS THAT WERE NOT MADE. *TS THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE BODY SHOP FOR OVER 2 MONTHS, BECAUSE THE AUTO BODY SHOP RECEIVED THE WRONG PART 3 TIMES. *JB

(1) EVENTS: DRIVING LONG DISTANCE, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS I NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS MAKING CLUNKING NOISES. I SLOWED DOWN, AND THE NOISE GOT WORSE. EVENTUALLY, I SLOWED DOWN, PULLED OVER, AND THE CAR KEEPS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN, AND THEN AFTER I STOPPED IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD ANYMORE. (2) FAILURE: LOST 3 OUT OF 4 LUG BOLTS ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, AS A RESULT, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL IS ALMOST FALLING OFF OF THE CAR. THE LEFT FRONT RIM WAS ALSO BENT. (3) CALLED BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, TOWED THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED 3 OF 4 LUG BOLTS AND ALSO REPLACED THE BENT RIM. *JB

FRONT WHEEL RUBBING NOISES AT LOW SPEED WHEN TURNING HARD LEFT OR HARD RIGHT. MINI DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL, NOTHING WAS DONE. *JB

I HAD MY BRAND NEW 2005 MINI COOPER S AUTOMATIC FOR LESS THAN ONE MONTH WHEN IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET - THE ENGINE JUST STALLED OUT OR WENT INTO WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS "LIMP MODE". LUCKILY, THE STREET WASN'T CROWDED AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. BUT WHAT IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY???? I'VE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND BMW KNOWS ABOUT IT, BUT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! BMW SAID IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE MADE UPDATES, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN CORRECTED. I AM STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY FOR FEAR OF BECOMING A STATISTIC! BMW SHOULD AT LEAST NOTIFY ALL MCS AUTOMATIC OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARD! *JB

WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IT HAS FREQUENTLY GONE INTO WHAT DEALERS AND OTHER OWNERS CALL "LIMP MODE". IT BASICALLY LOSES ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND IS ENTIRELY UNSAFE AND UNACCEPTABLE. IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE FOR ANY CAR TO STALL THIS OFTEN LET ALONE A NEW CAR. THIS CAR IS MONTHS OLD AND WE ARE HAVING SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEMS. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS AND HAS MADE SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS AT REPAIRING THEM ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE NEVER NOTIFIED ANY OWNER OR DONE A FORMAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (ACCORDING TO BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE REP.). THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS CONSIDERING WHAT IS AT STAKE . THIS IS A MAJOR MECHANICAL SAFETY PROBLEM NOT A CONVENIENCE ITEM FAILURE. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO OWNS THIS VEHICLE TO ADDRESS THIS WITH YOUR DEALERS BEFORE IT STARTS HAPPENING TO YOUR VEHICLE. WE ONLY FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE THINGS TO BE DONE WHEN ART DEALER LOOKED AT OUR VIN NUMBER AT OUR REQUEST. NO NOTICE WAS GIVEN, AND OTHERS SEEM TO REPORT THE PROBLEM CONTINUING AFTER THE CURRENT FIX IS APPLIED. GOOD LUCK! *NM

WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER TO THE WHEELS AND DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FOUND OR CORRECTED. A SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED A FEW WEEKS LATER, AGAIN AS THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THIS TIME, THE POWER RETURNED WITHOUT HAVING TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. *JB

DT: CONSUMER'S WIFE PARKED THE CAR ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IN THE DRIVEWAY, ABOUT 3-5 MINUTES LATER, SHE HEARD A LOUD CRASH. THE CAR WAS IN THE WOODS. THE CAR HAD ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY A TOTAL OF ABOUT 150 FEET. DEALER SAID THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. THIS WAS THE FIRST FAILURE. CONSUMER FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THE SAME THING.*AK *JB

ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AFTER TRAVELING A FEW HUNDRED YARDS OR SO OUR MINI WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND GO INTO A "LIMP MODE" AS WE MOVE FROM EITHER A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN THE INTERSECTION CAUSING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. THE VEHICLES SES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE THREE TIMES TO GET THIS DEFECT ADDRESSED. MINI STATES THAT IT IS A "KNOWN" PROBLEM WITH THE CURRENT SOFTWARE. I NOW HAVE A THIRD VERSION OF THE SOFTWARE, BUT WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR TO "TEST" IT OUT. I HOPE EITHER MINI OR THE NHTSA WILL POST A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING, AND TURNING THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT OR NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES. OWNER HAD TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER, BUT DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS . OWNER CONTACTED MINI-COOPER CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE OWNER CALL NHTSA AND REPORT THE PROBLEM. THE OWNER DID SEND AN E-MAIL TO INFORM NHTSA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE OWNER DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHY VEHICLE FAILED. HE HAD NOT RUN OVER ANY KIND OF OBJECTS. WHEN STARTING THE CAR POWER STEERING WORKED, BUT AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 100 YARDS POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. OWNER PROVIDED ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WAS AVAILABLE. THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE A CRASH OR INJURY THAT COULD RESULT IN FATALITIES. THIS WAS A MINI-COOPER S CONVERTIBLE.*AK

STARTED VEHICLE IN THE EVENING WHEN LEAVING WORK THEN DROVE OUT ONTO THE STREET AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THE DEALER SAID A TEMPERATURE SENSOR TOLD THE COMPUTER IT WAS OUT OF RANGE AND SENT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO A LIMP MODE. AFTER PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING THE CAR IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO MAP SENSORS AND AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MOTOR, BUT IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED UNTIL THEY CORRECT THE SOFTWARE. THERE ARE 7 MINI COOPER S AUTOMATICS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AT THIS DEALER AND MANY MORE THROUGHOUT THE U.S.

PURCHASED CAR NEW 10/2004. IN FEBRUARY 2005 IT BEGAN TO ACT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE AT LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN FIRST STARTED. WHEN THE RPMS ARE LOW IT ACTS AS IF IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL. CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP RE: THIS PROBLEM WERE MET W/ "MINI KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A FIX BY MAY." I BROUGHT UP MY CONCERNS REGARDING SAFETY AND WAS TOLD TO "BE CAREFUL". HAVING THE CAR DIE IN MID-TURNS OR WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE ACROSS AN INTERSECTION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TODAY AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MINI THERE IS NO FIX TO THIS PROBLEM AND OWNERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE GASOLINE IN THE USA IS "BETTER".I HOPE THE NHTSA WILL BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS "UNFIXABLE" PROBLEM.NUMBER OF FAILURES NOTED WAS CALCULATED BY MULTIPLYING APPROX.# OF DAYS SINCE THIS PROBLEM BEGAN BY THE AVE # OF STARTS PER DAY.

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN PEOPLE STARTING HONKING AND WAVING AT CONSUMER. BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. CONSUMER HAD DEALER COME AND GET VEHICLE, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER SAID THAT VEHICLE WAS IN HER POSSESSION FOR 24 HOURS WHEN BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW FROM DEALER , WHO SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. BUT CONSUMER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO CHECK TO SEE IF BRAKE LIGHTS ACTUALLY WORKED. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS SIGNIFICANT THAT THIS HAPPENED AFTER DEALER HAD DONE THE SAFETY PREPARATIONS FOR DELIVERING THE CAR. DEALER SAID THAT THE PREPARATIONS WERE DONE, AND THEY CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND ALL THE FLUID LEVELS.*AK

WHILE STOPPED THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FOR 5-7 SECONDS.. THE ENGINE RPM DID NOT INCREASE EVEN WITH THE FOOT PEDAL PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE RPM DID INCREASE THE CAR ACCELERATED NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT EPISODE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. *AK *BF *NM