57 problems related to power steering pump have been reported for the 2005 Mini Cooper. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Mini Cooper based on all problems reported for the 2005 Cooper.
Power steering pump on 2005 Mini failed.
The power steering pump in my 2005 Mini Cooper intermittently stops working while driving. This makes turning extremely difficult and hazardous and happens at what seems to be 'random' times. I took it to the Mini dealer and they charged me $125 to tell me that my power steering pump was fine, but shorted out a couple of times causing the difficulty in steering. They were going to charge $1060 for the replacement. From what I'm understanding this is a problem that effects 223,000 Mini drivers and yet there is no recall yet.
Power steering began intermittently failing on our 2005 Mini Cooper at approx. 88,000 miles. Steering would become very stiff making maneuvering the car quite difficult. Usually would go out after traveling some distance on the highway. Very noticeable once stopped at intersection and trying to turn to new direction. Does not feel safe to drive. Has occurred about 10 times now in the past 3 weeks. Failed on way to Mini dealer today. Mini dealer has indicated the failure of the module in the powersteering pump. Will replace pump for $1,100. 00 plus. Having this repair done as I write. No offer to discount even though NHTSA is investigating the failure of this part.
The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel locked up suddenly. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the power steering pump and gasket were replaced. The current and failure mileages were 56,954. Updated 3/7/11 updated 03/14/11.
Loss of power steering. And regarding this: NHTSA campaign id number :15v660 manufacturer :BMW of north America, llc make / model years :Mini / 2002-2005 subject : electro-hydraulic power steering loss I can tell you the problem was because the location of the cooling fan causes it to be continually bombarded with road salt and debris, so it fails, then the pump burns out.
Following rear end impact, there was an engine compartment fire, which was later traced to the power steering pump. Terminals were burned off the pump, and alternator also failed as a result. Note: there was absolutely no collision damage to front end.
The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. Then contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was stopped and shut off. The vehicle was then towed to an independent repair shop and the power steering pump was replaced. The failure recurred approximately one year later. The vehicle was taken back to an independent repair shop, but repairs were not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Started noticing the steering wheel was very difficult to turn, usually right after starting the vehicle, but turning the car off and restarting would rectify the problem. Initially it would occur every 2 to 3 monthes, but as time went on it became more frequent. I decided to take it to the dealer to have the problem checked out after it happened 3 times in one day - twice while I was driving causing me to pull to the side ofthe road and shut off and restart the car in order to be able to easily turn the steering wheel. Only after getting the power steering pump replaced was I informed of the the frequency of issues like this with other cars. The dealer did fix the problem by replacing the power steering pump at a cost of approximately $900.
The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. While driving approximately 55 mph the steering wheel became very stiff and difficult to turn. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane and shut off. Within a few minutes he was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle drove normally for approximately 15 minutes before the failure recurred. The failure began to recur intermittently, so the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 61,000. The VIN was unavailable.
My 2005 Mini Cooper lost powersteering functionality during a short interstate drive (indiana interstate 65 from exit 64 to exit 68) on September 15th, 2010 at 11:20am. Parking lot maneuvering and interstate on-ramp driving was normal, interstate off-ramp and subsequent in-town driving was with no powersteering assist, and therefore required a great deal of force to turn. The power steering pump cooling fan was later determined to have completely seized, presumably causing thermal shutdown of the powersteering pump. My analysis of the failure of the cooling fan leads me to conclude that the spal brand fan used was improperly applied to the application. The design and placement of the fan into the Mini causes water and foreign material to pool into the blade housing and cause corrosion of the steel fan motor housing and eventual seal damage resulting in motor failure. This is obviously a common problem with these vehicles: the online message boards show numerous similar failures. I am waiting on a new cooling fan to arrive to fix the failure.
Intermittent failure of power steering beginning at approximately 48,000 miles, with increasing frequency and duration until complete failure of power steering at approximately 55,000 miles, despite full power steering fluid reservoir at all times. Mini dealer advises new power steering pump required.
The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that when driving at low speeds and attempting a turn, the steering would become increasingly resistant. The failure would only occur when turning and once the turn was complete, the steering would return to normal. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer and they advised that the steering pump may be the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 76,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving various speeds, there was a loss of power steering. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to both the dealer and independent mechanic and they informed the contact that the electric power steering pump would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 2/23/11.
Per the Mini Cooper power steering pump investigation - on March 24, 2010 I paid to have my power steering pump replaced after having my battery die for a second time. The Mini dealership failed the first time to find the problem but upon the second battery dying they reported that the power steering pump was remaining on and drawing power from the battery even when the car was turned off. This also explained why I had been noticing the power steering stopped working on a number of occasions.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Mini Cooper. The contact was driving 10 mph and attempting to park the vehicle when the steering wheel became extremely stiff without warning. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer where the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and located the failure at the power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2005 BMW Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph the steering column malfunctioned causing the wiring harness and engine harness to ignite. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who informed the contact that there was a short in the steering pump which caused the fire. . The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,209. The VIN was unavailable.
I cannot remember exact dates as this part has been bad for so long. The power steering pump whines very loudly. A couple times the power has gone out and the car became difficult to steer. The problem is very intermittent and only lasted a few seconds each time.
Sudden and unexpected failing of power steering function while routinely driving the car. Car is very hard to steer as a result. Ten + incidents of this. Dealer and manufacturer are aware of defective power steering pump. Pump was replaced at a cost of about $900. 00. No more problems since.
Wife was driving her 2005 Mini Cooper and said that several minutes after starting her drive, the power steering began acting erratically. The power steering assist would go cease when she was turning a corner, forcing her to muscle the car in unassisted steering mode. Then, the power steering would kick in, resulting in oversteer in the middle of the turn, requiring quick correction. I was unable to replicate the problem when she returned home that day. However, the next day, the power steering was no longer functioning at all. Concerned about driving the vehicle in that condition, we took it to be repaired. Since the car was no longer in warranty (only 32,500 miles, but >4 years old) we did not take it to the dealer for service. Our repair shop diagnosed the problem as a failure of the power steering pump fan, which in turn led to a failure of the power steering pump. He said the layout of these items was poorly designed, increasing the chance of failure and that he thought Mini had modified the layout in subsequent years. Total cost for the repair was $1,650.
Driving home the power steering locked up. Got the car parked. Next morning the car was dead. Nothing worked. Towed car to repair shop. Mechanic called and said car must go to the dealer. Had car towed to dealer. 1st estimate from dealer was 2350. 00 for a new power steering pump, power steering harness and a new battery. Car remained at the dealer until today 6/19/09. Total for the work performed was 1058. 39 which included a 99. 95 grease oil and filter.
The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving and trying to make a turn, the power steering would fail occasionally. He would continue turning the steering wheel with much difficulty. The failure became progressively worse until the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current mileage was approximately 70,000. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. Updated 01/06/11 updated 03/30/11.
Absolutely no unusual noises or any other symptoms leading up to the failure. Car has about 53,000 miles on it, power steering pump failed- car is now exceedingly difficult to steer & a safety hazard to drive. Thankfully I was driving at low speed when the failure occurred, so no crashes or injuries occurred. Power steering pump & fan will need to be replaced, but have not had it done yet, as I am told it will cost approximately $1500 for this repair & I am about 3000 miles out of warranty now. I have also heard this is a common problem in 2002-2006 Mini Coopers.