general problems of the 2003 Mini Cooper

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel malfunctioned, making the steering wheel easy to turn, causing severe oversteer while making a turn in either direction. The contact stated that the failure was due to a faulty power steering pump, and installed as part of the NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the power steering pump remained running, causing the battery to drain. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 230,000.

68k miles on a 2003 Mini Cooper s and the power steering pump is whining. I feel as if this may be really early for it to be needing to be replaced.

No air or blower or heat to defog windshield. Water in driver-side foot well. Power steering intermittent fault. Engine continues running and panel gauge lights remain on with ignition off and key removed.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. 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 stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was firm, and the vehicle was difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but failed to confirm if the parts were available for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to call the service center directly. The failure mileage was unavailable. Parts distribution disconnect.

My 2003 Mini Cooper was affected by the 2015 electrohydraulic steering assistance recall. Mini did the repair at 79, 322 miles in 2016. In November 2021, at 98, 000 miles, the car began having intermittent power steering loss. The power steering might disappear for under a minute, or it might return for mere seconds. There is no warning when the power steering goes out, so you have to assume that it is not going to respond with the electrohydraulic steering assistance feature operating. As of today, it has been completely offline for 3 days (although it did come back on for about 5 seconds yesterday). Without this feature operating properly, the car can be extremely difficult to steer.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and making a right turn, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering pump and fan needed to be replaced and the intake and return power steering lines also were faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. While driving approximately 30 mph, there was a loss of power steering without warning. The vehicle was manuvered to the side of the road. The contact resumed driving; however, the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn. The contact mentioned that there was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); however, the dealer failed to service the vehicle because the recall notification was not received. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,113.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v6600000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at 5 mph when attempting to turn the vehicle the steering wheel malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnoised the vehicle. The diagnostic was unknown. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts unavailable. Gl.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. While driving approximately 15 mph, the power steering seized. The battery and temperature gauge warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); 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 notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

Transmission.

I was driving along the street to make a right turn and then all of the sudden, bam! my power steering went out and I could not steer. It was very scary and dangerous. Luckily I slowed down and made the corner slowly. When I arrived home, I turned the care off, checked the power steering fluid, and turned it back on. Now the power steering works again. This is the second time this has happened. Not sure why it intermittently goes out but it should be replaced.

Was approaching airport parking lot (driving way too fast, because I was late!) when the power steering suddenly "failed"! it was really frightening to have no control, as the car pulled to the left. Luckily, there were no cars coming from behind. Just before the car came to a complete stop, the power steering mysteriously "returned". If this were to happen whilst driving at high speed on the interstate, it would surely end with fatalities. (this problem has occurred only once, however, I've owned the car for only 8 1/2 months!).

I was driving my car home from work on Friday night, 2/22, when the steering wheel locked up on me and I had a hard time turning it. It then started working fine again after a few minutes. Then it locked up again while I was driving. Since it was on a highway I was doing over 60 m. P. H. It was terrifying not having complete control of my vehicle at that speed.

One night I'm driving just normally on the highway, everything was fine, no signs of any other parts included and out of nowhere my power steering goes out. I almost got into an accident.

One time last year I loss power steering while going around a corner, I was caught off guard and almost had a collision. I pulled over, turned off my vehicle, and upon re-starting the problem was gone. Now, a couple days ago my power steering went out while I was on the freeway. I pulled over and re-started and still no power steering. Later that day it randomly came back and now I am experiencing intermittent power steering loss, that usually goes out once a trip.

I was driving down a small city street in my 2003 Mini Cooper s and went to make a left turn - as soon as I did, the steering became very heavy. . . And un-responsive. I was able to through muscle strength force the car through the turn but had there been anyone next to me this surely would have caused a collision as it was a very difficult turn. The disappearance of the power steering was sudden and was completely gone. The car is now parked.

Drove 2003 Mini to work 11. 5 miles. As I was making a turn into the parking garage the steering went out and became very difficult to maneuver. There was no warning or previous indication that there might be a problem with the steering.

Ehps extended warranty coverage I received a letter for extended warranty coverage for a power-assist steering issue which I had already repaired at my own expense. When I called to inquire, was told claims for reimbursement would be processed in 6-8 weeks. I submitted my claim June 12, 2013. Yesterday, August 9, 2013, I called to inquire about the status of my claim and was told that, due to "overwhelming" response, claims for reimbursement were taking much longer and that my claim had no status (meaning nothing had been done with it). At Mini's recommendation, I resubmitted a request for reimbursement by email today. I would like the NHTSA to be aware of the delayed processing as I am surely not the only person affected. Thank you for your attention to the matter. Margaret.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. While driving approximately 55 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle suddenly regained power steering. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

The power steering went out while I was driving on the freeway.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph and attempting a right turn when the steering wheel became resistant. The contact turned the vehicle off but the failure continued as the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was not inspected by the dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him to take the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

When I bought the Mini back in March the night I brought it home the steering suddenly got really stiff. Then went away for about 8 months working fine, then about 3 weeks ago got stiff again, went away and now is completely out.

Went down a dirt rode to meet a client. Powersteering was working. Met with client, got back in the car, and the powersteering was no longer working. It is very difficult and dangerous to drive this car when there is no powersteering.

While driving, I noticed how difficult it had become to turn the wheel of the car when completing a turn. This occurred three times in succession at which point I was able to park the car safely out of traffic in a private parking lot. After opening the hood and not being able to see anything visually wrong, I. E. , nothing broken, leaking, empty, etc. I called my husband who came to drive the car home. No warning lights appeared on the dashboard at any time when either of us drove the car. My husband did not experience any difficulty in turning the wheel when driving the car home. However, my husband then drove the car the same day a few hours later and encountered the same problem that I had. It was hard to turn the wheel - there was no power steering. This difficulty in turning the wheel happened in drive as well as reverse, whether turning right or left. Very scary!.

Loss of power steering while driving.

I have a 2003 Mini copper. I am experiencing the power steering shutting off. This has happened a few times usually when starting or stopping the car. And during hot weather in the summer. I also had the power steering fan replaced because it was bad.

My 20 year old daughter has a 2003 Mini Cooper with approximately 47,000 miles. The vehicle has been maintained very well, including oil changes, a 100 point inspection at 25,000 miles, coolant flush, brake system flush, etc. She was driving it home from work on a county road. As she rounded a curve the power steering went out. The failure had never occurred before this time. She could barely turn the wheel, according to her description and narrowly missed hitting an oncoming car. She drove it to the nearest parking lot and called me at work. I left work and exchanged cars with her. The problem was intermittent for about a week and then the power steering went completely out. I called the Mini dealer, which is about 50 miles away and they claimed the problem was not very common but to drive the vehicle until the problem persisted. They suggested this because they wanted to be able to track active fault codes. No injuries were sustained as a result of the failure but it was a close call. I searched the internet, only to find out that BMW was well aware of the issue. I also found extensive documentation from other Mini owners who shared similar experiences. Someone should not have to be injured of killed before BMW is forced to step up and do the right thing by addressing this significant, known, safety issue. Oh and by the way, I just picked my daughter's Mini up from dreyer and reinbold BMW in indianapolis. The bill was $1200. Ironic that BMW can afford to invest millions of dollars in indy car sponsorship but they are not willing to step up and take responsibility for a safety issue.

Driving 55mph on highway. Car starts pulling left and right as if caught in a groove. Pull off next exit and notice I have no power steering as almost impossible to steer as car comes to a stop.

On Aug. 9, 2008, I noticed that the steering on my 2003 Mini Cooper was extremely tight when I started the car. As I drove it, it loosened up. The next day, Aug. 10, the situation worsened--every time the car was stopped, then started, the steering tightened. There was no loosening up at all. I brought the car to a local pep boys to see if anything could be done. They diagnosed a possible psp failure. They couldn't do anything as only Mini has the schematics for this repair. I called the Mini dealership in peabody, MA first thing Monday and got an appt. For today, Aug. 14. Since I have no other vehicle, I had to drive the car when necessary. Sometimes the steering was fine. Other times, it was very difficult to steer. The dealership replaced the faulty psp today. They acknowledged a complete failure. I've owned several cars with more mileage on them than this one (it currently has 60k and is five years old) and never experienced any psp problems, never mind an outright failure.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. When the contact would turn off the vehicle, she could still hear the motor fan running. She took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the power steering hose and fan needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired because the warranty expired, and the contact would be responsible for the repair costs. Also, all of the windows on her vehicle would spontaneously open. She took the vehicle to the dealer and a technician deactivated the convenience power system for the power windows. After the repair, the failures continued. The contact called the manufacturer, but they did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 73,000.

After car was sitting for 4 hours the power steering did not work; I muscled the car home and when I started it to take to my mechanic the next day it was working again; I reviewed this on line and discovered that it has happened to others (Mini Cooper, 56,000 miles, '03.