Lose Power Steering problems of the 2004 Mini Cooper

I own a 2004 Mini Cooper. I was driving and lost all power steering almost causing a accident. There is a open recall on this issue. I contacted Mini and they informed me that my vehicle was not included with the recall. I explained that my car was experiencing all the issues addressed in the recall, but they still would not help me out.

The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); however, the dealer refused to perform the repair due to the updated part previously being installed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

After driving from san francisco to burlingame, California, I turned off the engine. When I returned 10 minutes later, I lost power steering when I started the car. On that same day, I drove from burlingame back to san francisco. I turned off the engine. 5 minutes later, I lost power steering again when I started the engine. The car is extremely difficult to turn without power steering, especially at low speeds.

Lost all power steering.

2004 Mini Cooper occasionally would lose power steering once every couple months after a few years of owning it. Turning off car and starting it back up would always resolve it. While driving down highway at 60mph, lost power steering. Could not pull over immediately. Took exit ramp with a sharp curve, could barely make it around the curve, ended up on the shoulder. Easily could have been an accident, or worse.

Lost power steering at highway speed due to power steering pump failure. Short circuit or fire melted power steering pump wiring harness. Damage was caused to other portions of electrical wiring harness by fire, resulting in blown fuses. Upon removing key from ignition at roadside, engine kept running until battery was disconnected.

While driving my 04 Mini Cooper at freeway speed, I suddenly lost power steering assist. I can still drive the vehicle, but it is very difficult to turn. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop and was told the new power steering pump alone will cost me over 600 dollars. This does not include the labor and other miscellaneous costs associated with replacing the unit. The repair will cost me in excess of 1000 dollars, which I can not afford at this moment. I understand that multiple complaints relating to the power steering system in the 04 Mini Cooper have been filed. However, I have not seen a recall regarding this issue. I would like to know if you foresee a recall for this issue, and would appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Lost power steering when driving on the freeway. Feels like the steering locks up but can still steer when using a lot of strength. Since first incident, this has happened again several times. Usually after driving for about five minutes.

The power steering failed on my 2004 Mini Cooper with no notice in city traffic. I was driving all of a sudden lost power steering which nearly caused an accident in heavy traffic. I had to have the power steering pump replaced for $1144. 11 and found it was a very common problem.

I was yielding to make a left turn on green. The car was in neutral. It was a relatively hot day. When I went to go I shifted into gear and immediately found it difficult to turn. As I furthered down the road to my event and was ushered into the parking lot by traffic control, the power steering diminished more and more as I drove on. By time I got to a parking space, I could just barely turn into my spot. A few hours after the event I turned on my car and it drove as normal again. After this powersteering failure I had a power steering fluid flush done. It has been a bit over a year since the first time it happened, but in the past two weeks I've lost my power steering about ten times. It's always when I'm at a slow speed or stopped. Usually shutting the engine on and off again will solve the problem but once it did not. I left the car alone for a few hours and when I went to drive it again it was like normal. It has not always been hot when my power steering fails. I keep my car in a garage so it is seldom baking in the sun. When the power steering goes, it feels as if the car is gripping back and gets progressively worse as I continue to drive. I am not an aggressive driver and I live in a flat area where driving is a simple task.

2004 Mini Cooper 110k miles lost power steering wheel control, very dangerous.

Suddenly lost power steering while driving and had substantial difficulty turning to get out of traffic. It happened a few times, then took it for repairs. Was told that the pump and fan were bad and that this was a known problem with 2004 Minis.

The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper. While driving less than 20 mph, the contact lost power steering with no prior warning. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The engine was turned off; and after restarting the vehicle the power steering began to function normally. The similar failure recurred on a different occasion. The dealer was notified and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was 55,000.

12-4-the power steering pump kept running after the car was off and drained the battery in 2 hours. Sept. , 2012: two incidents of power steering loss while driving. First time I had no power steering when I started the car. I drove a short distance, stopped and restarted the car and the power steering worked. Second time I lost power steering briefly while driving at low speed. My mechanic found that the power steering fan had seized and replaced it. When he took it for a test drive, the power steering pump was making a loud noise. He replaced the pump as well and the problems were corrected.

Daily driving my 04 Mini Cooper loses power steering intermittently. Sometimes it is just for a minute or two and other times it lasts hours. When I'm driving the car in town I have to pull over immediately as it becomes difficult to steer around sharp corners. If on the freeway it's alarming how difficult it is to steer. I took it to the Mini Cooper dealership and they diagnosed that it needed a new power steering pump. I had it replaced 10/14/2010.