Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System Problems of Mini Cooper

While driving in a 35mph zone, smoke started coming out from under the hood (bonnet). Driver noticed odd steering response shortly before smoke appeared. Repair shop noted power steering pump failure causing wiring loom fire. Research has found numerous power steering pump failures on Mini Coopers. When power steering fails, driving is next to impossible given size of steering wheel and power assist design.

See all problems of the 2004 Mini Cooper 🔎.

Power steering went out while driving on the freeway. Has been happening for several months, but usually when this happens I can turn the car off and when the car is turned on again it is fine for a while. I had power steering fluid topped up but apparently it didn't fix the problem. I was told it is a power steering pump that needs to be replaced and costs approximately $1,000. 00- 1,2000. 00. Today the power steering went out completely and would not return to normal after above said actions. I read that continuing to drive the car in this state can cause battery drainage/failure, fan problems, and/or electrical fires.

See all problems of the 2005 Mini Cooper 🔎.

I was just driving home from work and the power steering just went out, I did safely make it home and got the car in the garage. It has been parked since it seems the power steering comes and goes. I don't know what the problem may be for sure, but I have already had the fan assembly replaced due to it would not cut off, and killed my battery, so of course I had to replace the battery. I am taking the car in for a estimate for the steering, but it seems this is a common problem and it needs to be recalled. It cause someone to get hurt or even killed.

2004 Mini Cooper. Consumer states problem with power steering the consumer has spent over $4800 in repairs over the last two years.

My car was parked after being driven for 20 miles or so. Within ten minutes of being parked, my officemate ran into the office saying my car was smoking. It was actually on fire. The fire department came and put out the fire. My mechanic says that it is a failure of the power steering pump. I need to replace it, the fan, and most of the wiring around the part. Right now, I'm trying to find a wire for him that Mini will not get him. It is in the process of being corrected.

See all problems of the 2003 Mini Cooper 🔎.

The power steering on my 2002 Mini Cooper s, 62,000 miles, fails intermittently and unexpectedly while driving, causing an instant and unexpected loss of power assisted steering. This is extremely dangerous and can cause injury or death should loss of power steering cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Further research of online forums (mini2. Com, northamericanmotoring. Com, roadfly. Com) indicates that this is a known problem affecting many Mini owners, and power steering pump failure has also been known to cause engine bay fires.

See all problems of the 2002 Mini Cooper 🔎.

First power steering problem occurred around 31,000 miles, in the form of a slight vibration. Since the 50,000 miles mark, power steering has failed on innumerable occasions, frequently 5 or 6 times within a few minutes, and while driving and taking sharp turns, potentially causing loss of control of the vehicle. At first, turning ignition on and off temporarily resolved the issue. However, this is no longer effective. Other power functions have been disrupted as well, such as power locks and power windows, sometimes locking you in the car (door latch mechanism is also unpredictably faulty at the same time, resulting in being potentially locked in without any means to exit the car-this has happened on a couple of occasions). The power steering is now staying on even after the engine is turned off and the ignition key removed, and as a result, the battery is being discharged. Based on available information, this is the final stage before the car spontaneously catches on fire. I am now in a situation where my car is at risk of spontaneously catching on fire, and my locks and windows frequently unexpectedly malfunction, particularly when the steering pump malfunctions, potentially locking me into my car, with a steering pump that will not shut off and threatens to catch on fire. Catch on fire while I'm locked into my car. . .

Without notice, the battery died. Upon install of a new battery, a fan started running before the vehicle was turned on. An independent mechanic and the dealer confirmed that the electrical steering pump and steering pump fan had failed and needed replacing. The dealer where I purchased it said I needed to take the vehicle to the dealer where I last had it serviced. I contacted corporate services who informed me that I was eligible for a goodwill warranty extension provided I took to the vehicle for inspection at the dealer where I last had it serviced. The service dealer, and corporate relations, would not provide a goodwill extension because they maintained that my mechanic caused the steering pump to fail. The dealer offered to repair the parts for about $1900 for a new pump and $140 for a new fan. After some research, including information the dealer told my mechanic, this failure is a regular problem with the earlier Mini models and the dealers keep additional parts in stock to repair vehicles as they come in. Additionally, I read that Mini subsequently changed the design of this component to rectify the problem but never informed prior owners of this change. Moreover, I also read that this problem has been happening with Mini during the initial 50,000 miles of ownership, and in some cases the failure of the pump fan has caused engine fires while the vehicle is in operation.

1) no notice given up to failure of power steering 2) power steering gave out on car after white smoke poured out of engine area 3) car is at dealership right now.

Power steering pump is noisy all the time. I am afraid this may lead to failure of my ability to steer the vehicle . The car is a 2002 Mini.

I had ~40,000 miles on my Mini Cooper last summer. The power steering just stopped working while I was motoring. I went to turn and whoa, no power assist. I'm estimating the date the problem occurred. I can look up the repair order if the correct date is important. I think that because of the many problems some of us have had, there is a reason why I have read that the 2007 Mini is going to have a different steering system from the electrical-hydraulic ones we now have. I guess I was lucky because when it failed on my 2003 mc, there was no problem other than the loss of power assist. And it was repaired while still under the 50,000 mile warranty. In this day and age when it seems most cars last 150,000+ miles with no work beyond routine maintenance, it makes me wonder why BMW/Mini canâ??t seem to get it right. There have been many p/s problems with Minis. Here is a thread and voting poll on the problem. . . Read more...

The consumer stated that power steering stopped functioning, and turning the car was difficult or near impossible. This happened after driving the car for just a few minutes. Owner had to drive approximately 20 miles without power steering. The car was at the dealer, but dealer could not figure out what the problem was . Owner contacted Mini-cooper customer service, they suggested that the owner call NHTSA and report the problem. The owner did send an e-mail to inform NHTSA about the problem. The owner did not have any idea why vehicle failed. He had not run over any kind of objects. When starting the car power steering worked, but after driving about 100 yards power steering failed again. Owner provided all the information that was available. This defect could cause a crash or injury that could result in fatalities. This was a Mini-cooper s convertible.

The contact owned a 2002 BMW Mini Cooper s. The contact complained steering failure. The steering was not operating. . Could drive but could not steer because there was no power steering. The steering system was broke a couple of months ago , and they repaired it. Currently, the dealership will not repair car anymore even though it was under warranty. The steering became very heavy, had to muscle the steering in order to turn the car. While driving on the highway all of a sudden could not steer the car, and it was very dangerous. Did have one steering failure before, and had to replace the entire steering mechanism. Currently, he could not steer under normal road conditions.

2004 Mini Cooper. Consumer states while driving power steering malfunctioned.