Power Steering Failed problems of the 2006 Mini Cooper

Intermittent power steering failiure during driving, stiff steering wheel can cause a serious accident.

Good morning, I have a 2006 Mini Cooper and the power steering unit failed. I was driving and the steering wheel became very heavy (power steering fluid was ok) the unit just gave out. I read that the NHTSA issued a recall for the power steering unit for 2002 to 2005 Coopers recall 15v660000 (the 2002 thru 2006 are all first generation models). My question is why was the 2006 Cooper not included since it is also first generation model, and it is the same power steering unit used from 2002 thru 2006 atleast on the base models - not sure on the Cooper s model. Could you please let me know if this is something that can be added to the recall since it affects my car also,, it happened at 110k miles for me, I dont drive too much thus the low mileage. Thank you so much.

Power steering pump failure at <64k miles. This is ridiculous. Such a failure may result in an accident, injury or death. Mini Cooper has known about such issues for years! fix the problem Mini before someone gets killed.

The car began to make a high pitched whine which increased over the next couple of weeks, it continued to get worse and I noticed when I would move the steering wheel back and forth the noise became much much worse, leading to the failure of my power steering pump. Mini issued a recall on the power steering pumps for their 2001-2005 models (13 year, 150,000 miles. ) mine is a 2006, I still don't think the problem has been resolved for this year of model as I am finding multiple accounts online of individuals with 2006 Mini power steering pump failure.

Power steering system failure. Dealorship mechanics stated fan and pump had seized.

Power steering failed while attempting to turn in an intersection. Almost caused an accident.

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the power steering failed as the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was exiting the highway when the power steering failed and caused and increase in steering efforts. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection where they advised the contact that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and advised that there were no recalls for the vehicle and that they were aware of the failure that existed with the steering. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Power steering pump failed while traveling at highway speed late at night on a long road trip home. Was told by mechanic this is a common problem with this vehicle make and model and well known by Mini/BMW.

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test but could not diagnose the failure. The contact reviewed numerous complaints online regarding the power steering failure. The contact restarted the vehicle and the power steering system began to function again. The contact did not notify the manufacturer of the failure. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 77,000.

On February 9, 2011, we were informed by Mini service that the seat occupancy sensor was faulty and that it would cost us $1,245. 00 plus tax to repair as it is not covered by the warranty package which they sold us when the vehicle was purchased in 2007. Mileage of vehicle at that time was 46,810. The light indicating that there was a problem with the airbag sensor occurred months earlier, but we did not realize that it was indicative of a serious problem as small children did sit in that seat from time to time. On March 16, 2011, hydraulic power steering pump on vehicle failed. Mileage was 47,895.

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper convertible. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph the power steering completely failed and the vehicle was difficult to control. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who advised the contact of the pricing and it was too costly. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Power steering pump failure @ 49,000 miles.

Backing out of my long residential driveway, the power steering failed. Since my mileage was out of standard warranty and since I didn't purchase extended warranty, I used the "bentley publisher's" comprehensive Mini Cooper service manual to investigate the trouble. I tested the power steering cooling fan and the pump for operation. The fan was ok, but the pump wasn't getting any power. I removed the 100-amp fuse from the fuse block aside the battery compartment, inspected it for failure, but it looked good, wiped it clean with alcohol, and re-installed it. After everything was reconnected, the power steering returned to full operation. Several times from 2008 to 2014, the power steering failed, usually at slow speeds or upon start up of the vehicle, but it was always intermittent and returned to full operation on its own within a few days or weeks. It failed once again about two months ago, and has not returned to operation on its own since then. Although the NHTSA website shows 122 complaints on 2006 Mini's, of which about 25% of the complaints are for failed power steering, and since I can't locate any official manufacturer's recall on the internet for repeated 2006 Mini power steering failures, I guess I'll take it to my local repair guy for a fuse or pump replacement.