Four problems related to lose power steering have been reported for the 2003 Mini Cooper S. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Mini Cooper S based on all problems reported for the 2003 Cooper S.
Electric power steering pump stop functioning while driving. Sudden lost of power steering. Difficult to steer. This is the second pump that was replaced on the vehicle about two years ago. The first pump stop working about two years ago.
In September 2011, I was driving my 2003 Mini Cooper S at 55mph on a rural two lane highway when I experienced a momentary loss power steering of power steering. This resulted in the wheel becoming very difficult to turn. When power steering returned (without warning), my car swerved but I was able to keep it on the road. This happened several times over the next 20 miles before I lost power steering and it did not return. When I arrived home, I checked the power steering pump and it was non-operational. I replaced the pump and its dedicated cooling fan. In August 2012 (125000 miles), I again lost power steering at highway speeds. The second failure was identical to the first (suddenly came and went before cutting out and not returning).
Driving home yesterday, my 2003 Mini Cooper S suddenly lost power steering as I was going around a curve. I had to muscle the car back into my lane to avoid hitting the car in the lane beside me. I was about half a mile from home and made it there without further incident -- but turning at slow speeds was dangerously difficult. I contacted the Mini repair shop this morning and they said that this intermittent unexpected loss of steering control is unfortunately somewhat common with Minis.
On 5/26/10 lost power steering while driving on the long island expressway. 141,000 miles on car. Power steering electronic pump replacement cost $ 1005. 00.