Seven problems related to power steering fluid have been reported for the 2004 Mini Cooper. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Mini Cooper based on all problems reported for the 2004 Cooper.
My 2004 Mini Cooper has had multiple incidents where the power steering pump fails. It has failed numerous times, some even while driving. The problem starts if the steering wheel is cranked all the way for a tight turn, gradual turn or does not turn on when the car starts. Sometime the pump will reset if the car if shut off then on again or the pump regains pressure. I have checked the pump itself, there are no leaks, fluid is filled to the appropriate level and no other issues have come up. This is a very dangerous thing to have happen while driving and needs to be resolved. It is a costly repair that I find BMW should assist with being that the pump appears to be faulty.
About a year and half ago the car was leaking steering fluid, the mechanic stated that the cooling fan on the steering pump was a bad design, he adjusted it and it lasted until November of 2011 again the leaking started, grinding noise from the front left,steering was difficult on turns. I had all the steering components replaced at a cost of @ $1,100. Mechanic still believed it is a design flaw, should have a recall.
I own a 2004 Mini Cooper, the power steering pump completely stopped working without prior warning. We were on our way to eureka springs arkansas when this happened, luckily my husband was the one driving, I don't even want to imagine what could have happened if it had been me. I don't think I would have been able to handle the car through those curves.
Normal driving conditions. 2004 Mini Cooper power steering failed. No leaking fluids, no warning lights or abnormal sounds to hint that this was an impending issue. Car was very difficult to maneuver. We are concerned that this is a safety issue in parking lots, with pedestrians or at speed around other vehicles.
Car is very noisy on cold starts when turning the steering wheel. Steering would judder when being turned. Wheel will feel heavy and stuck at times. Power steering reservoir was empty with no signs of leaks. Power steering fluid flooded into steering rack due to failed seal. Steering rack needed replacement.
Temporary loss of power steering. Happens probably once or twice a month. I have been told by the dealer that I have a power steering leak - but not bad enough to cause a problem. I have never lost a quantity of fluid that required refilling. Car has approximately 70k miles - seems odd to have a power steering leak at that mileage. Leak first showed up at about 50k miles.
The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper. He contact noticed an unknown fluid leak on the ground under the vehicle while parked. 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.