general problems of the 2006 Mini Cooper

Electronic power steering pump issue/failure. The steering wheel was so stiff when I tried to go right that I physically could not turn the wheel. This is extremely dangerous & it happens without warning. No lights come on. You are left in a moving vehicle, without much of a way to control the direction you need it to travel in. From what I have learned, it seems an extended warranty was initially offered, & then a forced recall was issued on the, 1st gen, 2002-2005 Mini Coopers. Only part of the vehicles with these issues were included in the recall. I have the same size 1. 6 engine, & the exact same electronic power steering pump that comes with the issues & failures that I have in my 06. I have seen it on vehicles up to 08. This is absolutely unacceptable. This is a documented manufacturing defect & design flaw that has been continually allowed to endanger people’s lives. I am unsure how BMW managed to only recall part of the vehicles with these electronic power steering pump issues. I contacted BMW who told me there were no extended warranties or recalls on my vehicle.

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

The electro-hydraulic power steering system stopped working on my 2005 Mini Cooper. The was a recall for 2002 to 2005 Mini power steering pump failures but the problem continued thru 2011 because the fix that Mini Cooper came up with was inadequate. The essentially put a band-aid on the problem and left car owners holding the bag. I, in fact, had the auxiliary pump that Mini came up with replaced and the power steering problem continued because their fix was no good. I have an appointment with the Mini Cooper dealership to look at my car in about 2 weeks. They've told me that I'm not covered by the recall even though they ordered a recall of 86,000 cars for the problem in 2015. Not having power steering in any vehicle is very dangerous. The problem first occurred and remains after 2 years. The problem was reproduced by an independent repair service that I have used for years.

Tl- the contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that the while driving approximately 50 mph the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. After stopping the vehicle to contact noticed smoke billowing from under the hood. After opening the hood flames were present coming from the engine compartment. The neighbor assisted in extinquishing the flames. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 186,000. Jft.

It is very difficult to turn my steering wheel. It takes more energy than any other car I have ever driven.

The air conditioning had stopped blowing cool air. Then when I was parked, and idled, my power steering stopped working while trying to back out. After wrestling with the wheel for a minute to get out of a parking lot area, the power steering came back on. The mechanic said one of my coolant fans does not work. This may be part of a recall that affect 2005 Minis with coolant fan/power steering, however my car was made just a few months past the recall.

The steering feels very stiff. This is more noticeable when I start in the morning. It is extremely stiff to turn.

The strewing wheel got stuck while driving on a city street. It is very difficult to turn the vehicle to the right, left or make a u-turn. While researching online, I discovered it is on recall but the north America Mini company customer service informed me to contact national highway institution to ask for a recall letter to be issued to the company.

Stopped at gas station to fill up. Restarted car and began to drive. . . Noticed extreme stiffness in steering and pulled over. Shut engine off and then restarted power steering returned. Later in the day. . . I was going for a drive and it occurred again. This time, it was after I had stopped at the gym for an hour, and was returning home. Again, I pulled over shut of engine and then restarted. Power steering returned.

Car had a burning smell then the power steering went complety off while driving . Mini has an extended warranty for Mini r53 first generation 2002-2005 but the 2006 is also a first generation and the problem was not fixed . Called Mini and and was told they couldnt help me and I believe they should warranty the 2006 model before a fire starts or someone gets hurt or worse.

I was driving on the highway. My car swerved to the right. I pulled left to correct the car and it began to fishtail swerving left and right and I was unable to control the car. Suddenly it went off the road, hit the guardrail and down a small embankment and flipped over. The car came to a stop upside down with the rear window smashed and snow in the car. I was minorly I jured with a small cut on my face and bruises on my right side.

Power steering pump leaking failure.

The passenger air bag sensor went on in my Mini Cooper. I noticed this seems to be a common issue. I also had to replace the steering components in the Mini Cooper, which again seems to be a common issue. I am concerned regarding all the air bag recalls, but at 1,7k to replace the entire seat; that is quite a burden upon a tight budget. I just wanted to use this website as a place where I have documented these issues, so that if there is a insurance claim down the road, because of these faulty issue, I have a documented complaint.

Steering became choppy , not smooth,it continues to deteriorate to a dangerous state of operation.

Power steering completely quit working. Car was very difficult to steer. Stopped and turned off car for a while. Started car again and power steering was ok. Now power steering is very difficult until car has been running for a few minutes.

Exiting the highway, the power steering on my 2006 Mini Cooper stopped working. I was unable to keep the car on the pavement. The car left the roadway, narrowly missing a highway sign (wooden post), and stopped in a grassy area off the shoulder of the road. My wife and I were shaken but unhurt. The vehicle body does not appear to be damaged. However, there is now a loud rattle coming from the rear or undercarriage of the vehicle. The power steering is also completely gone. The car can be driven but it is very difficult to do so.

Driving on road went to turn ,and steering loss almost caused accident. L ## VIN failed ##.

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper. The contact was driving 50 mph and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle started to sway from side to side and caused the contact to crash into a utility pole. The vehicle was destroyed and had not been inspected for the cause of the failure. The contact sustained slight injuries in the crash. The failure and the current mileage was 70,000.

The power steering wasn't working. It made it difficult to steer the car. After turning the car off, back on again, and moving the steering wheel from side to side slightly, the power steering re-engaged. This is the second time this has happened. Everything else with the car seemed to be running normal.

The steering wheel locks. It first began locking when I turned it on. I didn't think anything of it since it unlocked a minute later. Then a month later it happened again. It started to happen once a month and just like the first time it unlocked. However, as of last month it has just locked and won't unlock. The 2004 and 2005 had recall on the steering wheel. I feel that 2006 has the same issue. It should also be recalled. How do I know that they have not used the 2004 or 2005 part on the steering wheel? this is a major safety issue, and it can cause major car accidents.

Steering has become difficult. More difficult than an unassisted steering system.