Power Steering Pump problems of the 2003 Mini Cooper - part 2

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. When the contact drove the vehicle at any various speeds she noticed that the power steering would suddenly begin to malfunction without warning. The steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 63,000.

While driving a 2003 Mini Cooper vehicle steering malfunctioned while driving on highway. Auto barely made it to dealership. Determined to be a faulty power steering pump with adjoining parts. Vehicle had 46,594 miles and Mini would not cover defect even though other owners complained of problem. Repair to me was $979. 01 + 6% connecticut sales tax!.

The power steering pump on my Mini Cooper caught on fire.

I bought this vehicle used in March 2008. Luckily in massachusetts they have a law requiring warranties for all used cars for x number of miles/months depending on mileage at time of sale and all that. I have already had the muffler re-welded into place where its mounts failed. The only reason it didn't fall off is because Mini included a safety "catch" bar for when/if this happens. But my big problem now is that the power steering pump has gone out; it happened very suddenly. The repair could be done outside of the dealership but I'm afraid to take a german made machine of this quality to a chop-shop and hope they can get it done. I called a vw dealership where I bought it and they said they were unsure they knew how to do the repair. *shiver* Mini in boston wants $900-1000. 00 to do the repair as the part is about $800 and the time involved will be about 2 hours at $125 per hour. Pray for me, please!.

1. The malfunction happens spontaneously 2. The power steering pump malfunctions and causes the steering wheel to be stiff placing me or anyone else driving/on the road in danger due to the reluctance of the wheel to turn. 3. The dealership offered no monetary support but instead told me there was nothing I could do about it but to replace it and attempted to charge me $1000 dollars in cash. Instead I took the car to an independent mechanic and was charged $700. A ridiculous price to pay for my safety.

Overheating of power steering pump.

I will be installing what will be the third manual 5-speed transmission in my Mini. Same problem, seems to be the final drive bearing is failing likely due to lack of lubrication. I have records of all service and check it regularly and it has never been low. The bearing is apparently not getting a proper supply of fluid. Problem number two, my power steering pump failed on me once. It exploded while I was driving. The hoses basically got too hot and blew up. I fortunately was able to limp it to a shop without any fire. On another occasion the power steering fan continued to run even when the ignition was shut off, needed to replace the entire pump this time which cost me $500 installed with a remanufactured pump. Third, I have had to put three windshields in the car. None of these repairs were warranted! Mini needs to suck it up and claim responsibility for these shoddily made cars, they have made their money and don't care to help with anything. I am a loyal BMW customer but I think I will stick with the older models now as they aren't impossible to work on and find parts for. God knows I will not pay 23 grand for this nightmare again.

First power steering problem occurred around 31,000 miles, in the form of a slight vibration. Since the 50,000 miles mark, power steering has failed on innumerable occasions, frequently 5 or 6 times within a few minutes, and while driving and taking sharp turns, potentially causing loss of control of the vehicle. At first, turning ignition on and off temporarily resolved the issue. However, this is no longer effective. Other power functions have been disrupted as well, such as power locks and power windows, sometimes locking you in the car (door latch mechanism is also unpredictably faulty at the same time, resulting in being potentially locked in without any means to exit the car-this has happened on a couple of occasions). The power steering is now staying on even after the engine is turned off and the ignition key removed, and as a result, the battery is being discharged. Based on available information, this is the final stage before the car spontaneously catches on fire. I am now in a situation where my car is at risk of spontaneously catching on fire, and my locks and windows frequently unexpectedly malfunction, particularly when the steering pump malfunctions, potentially locking me into my car, with a steering pump that will not shut off and threatens to catch on fire. Catch on fire while I'm locked into my car. . .

The power steering pump stopped working all of a sudden. I was driving to work when it went out, and I freaked out. I could hardly turn the steering wheel. I turned off the car and started it back up, and it started working again. This happened for about a week where it would kick on every once in a while, and then it went out for good. I have been quoted for around $1000 to get it repaired. I have been driving around with this issue for almost a year now. The only good thing, is that it has greatly strengthened my arm muscles. . .

Parked my 2003 Mini Cooper on the street. Smoke started billowing out of the engine. Popped the hood and saw the smoking continuously emanating from the engine compartment. Had the car towed to the Mini dealership in princeton. They told me that the power steering pump failed; that it leaked and melted the engine harness and power supply cable and power steering fan connectors. Also, the main coolant fan was not functioning properly; and there was another leak in my valve cover gasket. I have read many instances where fires have been started for the same reason, and am lucky that did not happen to me. However, the damage to the car totaled over $3400. I had to have the power steering pump replaced; along with the engine harness, power supply cable, power steering fan and main cooling fan. If this is an issue with many Mini Coopers especially 03 and 04 editions, I think the manufacturers should take responsibility to fix the problem and ensure that it does not happen to anyone else.

My car was brought into the dealership for an oil change and rear brake repair on Tuesday (June 26, 2007). Wednesday evening (June 27, 2007) the car was driven 15 minutes, parked for almost an hour, then driven a mere 30 seconds to change to a different parking spot. Walked away for a minute and noticed smoke coming from the front of the car. Upon opening the bonnet, there was flames coming from the underside of the engine. The first attempt at using a fire extinguisher temporarily put out the fire, then it re-ignited which the fire department was then called to put it out safely. The car was brought the next morning (June 28, 2007) to the dealership and was not looked at until the next day (June 29, 2009). The diagnosis was the steering pump failed, upon which it overheats causing the fire. The fire then damaged the loom (harness, or main wiring for the vehicle), which also ruined the battery. Prior to the fire, there were no signs that the steering was failing, nor any indication that there was any other possible electrical problems. Car mileage was at 65,500 at the time it was brought to the dealer, and about 65,525 miles at the time of the incident. Nothing will be done until the insurance agents from both the consumer and dealership assess the damages.

Driving normally, noticed that the power steering was not working. The car was very difficult to steer. Parked car and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. Looked under hood, noticed smoke getting worse, so I drove the car up to street level from garage. Looked under hood and there was a small fire starting at the lower rear of the engine. I was able to use fire extinguishers to put out the fire just as the fire department arrived. Had car towed to the dealer. The initial diagnosis was that there was a stuck relay in the power steering unit, causing it to overheat. A wiring harness on or near the power steering unit was damaged by the heat and shorted some wiring, causing the fire. The fire was localized to the engine compartment. Car is currently being repaired at the dealer.

The power steering pump failed on my 2003 Mini Cooper. It went through stages of operation and non-operation before finally going out all together. I was charged $1,000 to replace.

The power steering stops working while driving. Restarting vehicle would correct problem ,dangerous because it is re-occurring more frequently . Dealership presently replaceing faulty pump out of warranty . Youthfull - inexperienced driver warning to all !!!.

Tl-caller owns a 2003 BMW Mini Cooper. Current mileage 104650. Failure mileage 99330. While going around a turn at 40 mph, it became hard to turn the car and he knew that the power steering had failed and he drove the car come. He purchased the replacement part from the dealer and installed it. Weather was dry. Temperature was approximately 30 degrees. Ktf the consumer stated both failures were aat the electrical connector. Water entered the connector which caused corrosion and a then a short. The terminal would then brek off causing the pump to fail. Updated 06/08/07.

Courtesy copy to the administrator of letter from kathleen biddick to Mini USA re steering pump system of Mini models manufactured in 2003 -2007. The sudden and unpredictable loss of steering power in a vehicle is a threat to all drivers especially in fast moving traffic. The consumer is requesting a refund of $1,180. 44 to cover the repair of the steering pump system on her 2003 Mini Cooper. The steering pump failed because of a manufacturing defect.