Power Steering Pump problems of the 2004 Mini Cooper - part 2

Mini Cooper (2004 with ~74k miles) with intermittent power steering problems. Steering wheel would randomly become very stiff when turning and then free up unexpectedly. When this would occur, the car would understeer (not turning as far as intended) and I would find myself reacting by turning harder, usually resulting in oversteering and erratic turns. It felt like something was binding and then letting go but it wasn't predictable or repeatable with consistency. Dealership determined that ¿power steering pump was cutting out. Replaced the faulty ps pump to resolve. ¿ cost was $1009. 94. One week later, exactly same condition returned. Dealership now determined ¿found steering shaft from steering wheel to steering rack to be seized and binding. Replaced steering shaft and aligned steering wheel to front tires. ¿ no additional charge; problem has been fixed.

The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering would fail without prior warning. When this would occur, the contact could not control the steering wheel in either direction. The dealer stated that the failure was common in his year, make and model and recommended replacing the power steering pump. The contact confirmed that the failure occurred intermittently. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 67,000.

The power steering in my 2004 Mini Cooper began malfunctioning last year. This makes it difficult to steer and control the vehicle. It malfunctions every time I drive the car, the pump stops working a few minutes or immediately after I start the engine. I have not had an accident due to the malfunction, but one could be possible, if I were to have to make a sharp turn at a moment's notice. Since this part is a dealer only part, it is extremely expensive and I have not been able to afford it since I was laid off last year. Help!.

While driving on the freeway my power steering pump died I could hardly change lanes on the freeway, it felt like my steering wheel had locked, turning in any angle was very hard worst than driving a truck, I kept a firm grip with one hand while trying to control the gears, my arms, back, and hand is still hurting, had no warning signals, it wheel just locked up and was very hard to managed I wasnt able to handle the car did not feel safe, did not have full control of handling the steering this is serious protential accident waiting to happen I called the dealer and was told that there were recalls but not for my VIN 2004. My Mini is now in the repair shop to have the pump replace and the fan. This is a deadly issue and Mini should recall and pay for this problem for those of us who had to pay out of pocket we should get refunds, so far out of pocket is over $1100. 00, I hope this send a message to the manaufacture that lives are at stake here, great car but not safe to drive without full control. I'm so thankful I didnt have to move quickly out of the way or I would not be here to report this bad experience I lost a day of work trying to get this resolved and the cost of a rental car.

The power steering pump on my 2004 Mini Cooper has failed. I believe that this failure made the car dangerous to drive. The car is a low-mileage vehicle (43,000 miles at 4 years) and I believe this component has failed prematurely. I am a member of several Mini enthusiast communities and am aware that this is a common problem with the Mini. . Read more...

Power steering went out in early 2008. Luckily the car was parked when that happened or else it would have been a disaster since Mini steering wheel is already heavier than other cars. Had it fixed (replaced) at the dealership and had to pay around $1000 since the warranty expired. It's unacceptable that the steering power pump died this early only after 4 years. It's a ripoff for the consumers. Something must be done about this. A few months later, the steering column and the lower shaft started to have issues as well. They started to make creaking noises. Took the car to the dealership and they quoted at almost $1000 to replace the parts. The steering column and power pump should not have to be replaced after only four years!.

I bought a used 2004 Mini Cooper last year. Under certain conditions on a curvy road the power steering pump would get very hard to turn the wheel, especially in a sharp curve. With no dealerships within 150 miles I put up with it. Now it stays on all the time and cannot be disconnected without taking the battery cable off the battery. It ruined 2 batteries before I realized it was staying on 24 hours a day. I bought the repair book and wiring diagram cd's to find it is straight wired from battery to inside the pump which glows bright red after running a few hours. If I had any type of oil leak, it would catch on fire. I contacted a repair center in atlanta GA and they can change it out for about $1000+ for the power steering pump and the open faced fan that caused the failure in the pump. It failed the exact month my warranty was over and they said sorry charlie. Cannot currently pay to have it repaired so it has been sitting in my yard for almost a year.

I bought this vehicle new in 2004, and have had consistent problems with the steering, most recently on Friday, March 9, 2012. I have taken it to the Mini Cooper dealer at least four times for this problem. The power steering pump has been replaced, so has the steering column, as well as the lower steering shaft spindle. Still, the power steering function goes out without warning. It is exceedingly dangerous and I have to drive this car to do my job, and I'm spooked by it.

While driving my 2004 Mini Cooper, the power steering assistance suddenly disappeared. The loss of power steering made the vehicle difficult to steer/control at slow speeds. The problem was solved by replacing the power steering pump.