Power Steering Failed problems of the 2004 Mini Cooper S - part 1

The power steering system failed. It appears to be an electrical issue because once I restarted the vehicle the power steering system returned to normal. I almost ran into a parked car because I could not turn without a lot of effort.

My power steering is failing. It causes myself or when my wife drives (with both my young children in the car) to come and go intermittently. At times in parking lots or even at highway speeds it will go from normal usage and ease of use to heavy manual steering. This needs to be addressed more then just "being looked into. " this is very dangerous and could/will cause loss of life if not resolved per BMW/Mini cooper and it's ownership. I listed it as "crash" in the yes form. So far it has only been into the curb a few times at typical parking speeds. So far is the statement here. This will become an issue if not resolved and I hope that it is just a curb and not another car/family that are affected due to this "known" issue.

First incident: vehicle mileage 37004 (12/31/2009): 2004 Mini Cooper S was being driven on surface streets and power steering was lost without warning making the vehicle exquisitely difficult to turn. Upon arrival at a mechanic power steering pump was determined to be faulty and both the pump and fan were replaced. There were no accidents or injuries associated with this injury. Second incident: vehicle mileage ~55,000 (1/19/2013): same vehicle as above was being driven onto a sharp right banking on ramp to the I-10e freeway when the power steering suddenly failed without warning. The car was occupied by a driver and a passenger. Despite the driver's quick reactions, the car hit the curves outer concrete retaining wall nearly head on. The wall could not be avoided because of the lack of warning of the power steering failure, as well as the Minimal space on the shoulder of the outside of the curve, estimated by the driver as less than a car width wide. The driver was estimated by a police officer to be driving below the speed limit. The driver received chemical burns to his upper extremity from the airbag, the passenger was hospitalized for three days with a pneumothorax and required a chest tube to be placed. An extended warranty will not prevent people from being injured, but a recall will. Updated 06/12/lj.

Power steering wheel suddenly failed and became stiff while getting off freeway. Took great force to turn steering wheel to steer car. Luckily able to stop car safely.

The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated the power steering failed without warning. The failure only occurred once. The vehicle was not inspected for the failure nor repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 110,000.

Driving at around 40 mph and the power steering pump failed. The steering was extremely difficult.

Power steering pump failed while driving on highway without notice. Never got a warning light before during or after failure. Narrowly avoided an accident since I was not prepared for steering to be so difficult to turn the wheel. I was able to pull over into a parking lot where I turned the car off, let it sit for a while and then turned it back on and the steering was ok again. Since the steering is back and no warning lights, I assume everything is going to work ok from now on.

My Mini cooper intermittently, without warning becomes very difficult to steer. Power steering failed rounding a corner on the freeway, nearly resulting in a high speed crash.

I was merging onto highway I-25, taking a sharp turn at 50 mph when the power steering suddenly failed. I nearly missed the turn and almost crash down the on-ramp, which would've placed me heading perpendicular straight into highway traffic.

Exiting on an off-ramp from the freeway the power steering pump failed and steering became rock hard and it took considerable strength to keep the car from going straight and running into the guard rail around the turn. Very scary experience and if I had decreased muscle strength the car would have veered straight for the guard rail and at high freeway exit speeds.

While driving on an interstate highway, the power steering completely failed, resulting in a near-loss of control and crash due to the sudden dramatic increase in physical effort required to control the car. The failure was determined to be related to the power steering pump no longer functioning. There was no loss of fluid or breach in the hydraulic system. This is apparently a very common problem among this model of car.

Occasional power steering failure. At first it occurred mostly at start up for less than a minute. After calling the dealer for info, I added fluid, turned the wheel to lock in both directions and that seemed to help for a couple weeks. The issue has since returend, about 1 occurrence per week. Most recently I had no power steering for the entirety of a ~30 minute drive. I'm concerned that the steering will fail mid-turn, particularly while driving dangerous mountain roads. Does the pump need to be replaced or is this an electrical issue as desciped in existing complaints?.

Hydraulic power steering assist system failed while on the road 3 times causing a crash hazard. The power steering would return intermittently until it completely stopped working.

Beginning early 2012 (approx), there was intermittent power steering failure; the frequency increased through 2012. Total power steering failure as of January 19, 2013. Mechanic advises this is a failure of the power steering pump - a well known issue with 2004 Mini coopers.

Sudden power steering failure while driving.

The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper S. While driving approximately 30 mph and making a turn, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing where the technician advised that the power steering pump failed and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

Power steering failed. Re-engaged when car cooled.

The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that when he started the vehicle the power steering failed and the steering wheel became abnormally stiff. The dealer was notified of the failure who stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 69,000. . . Updated 01/04/12 the consumer stated the power steering pump was replaced at a cost of $866. 67 . The consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 01/09/12.

Driving at approximately 45mph, when power steering failed. Power steering failure accompanied by other electrical issues. Gauge cluster reset, all failure lights went on. Power steering restored shortly after failure. Occurred approximately two more times after first incident. After power steering failure noticed, issue with charging system also. Charging system voltage consistently low, sometimes even going down to 10v accompanied by loss of power and other malfunction lights.

I was driving my Mini Cooper S on the freeway going into a turn, the wheel became extremely hard to turn with no notice. I could not make the turn all the way and the drivers side tires and fender hit the curb on the freeway. I fought the car off the freeway and let it sit for 15 mins while I called Mini. The dealer said that my power steering had failed. After a wait of 15 mins the car started and drove just fine. I drove the car to the dealership and they tested the power steering pump and said that it was good at that time. They told me that it would continue to be a problem with just giving out at random times unless I spent $4000 and had all the components replaced even though it tested good at the time. They replaced all the bushings and struts in the front at that time for $2000. They told me not to replace the power steering unless it totally stopped working. The second incident was 5000 miles later on a round about at 35 mph. The steering had just failed again. This is a dangerous situation when the dealer tests the system after a failure and claims that it is good, and then it fails again with no warning. I think that the manufacture should take responsibility and have all the systems upgraded to not fail at such low mileage and if they do fail to be able to track such a failure.

The vehicle's power steering failed without warning while driving down the road. This caused the vehicle to be very difficult to steer. The car is almost impossible to drive.

The electric power steering pump failed. . . Saw smoke coming from engine area, even when power to engine was shut off and key removed. After several attempts to restart vehicle after talking with service mechanic, he advised to "restart" car until the power steering unit possibly turned back on. After 6 attempts (appox 3 mins apart), the system started to work again, but with a "stiff & grinding" noise coming from the pump being transmitted thru the steering wheel. Cause of failure is "power steering pump/fan unit". Very dangerous, as this happened at speed on freeway, and lost almost all control of steering.

Power steering failed after 3 hour trip - while parking. Steering has returned and quit multiple times since - and now has quit working it seems for good. Car is hard to steer, especially at low speed, but I am still able to drive it.

Power steering failed abruptly causing dangerous driving condition.

Electric power steering pump failed while driving. I noticed it when I went to change lanes and the car resisted. I slowed for a corner and when attempting to turn, it became very apparent that there was no steering assist. This is a common failure on the first generation Mini coopers that is unacceptable and depending on the circumstances, potentially dangerous.

1)while driving my car in normal warm day temperatures in denver, CO my power steering abruptly failed making it difficult to control my car. 2)has stayed failed 3)will have to get a rebuilt or new pump.

2004 Mini Cooper S first had an issue that drained the battery. Once power was restored and the car was driven and then shut off, there was a whirring noise, similar to a fan running, that continued after the key had been removed from the ignition. This noise and the apparent power drain continues until the battery is drained once more. Following these issues, the Mini began to become more and more difficult to steer. It is diagnosed as a power steering failure that is apparently common among this generation of Mini cooper. No accidents, injuries, or fires have occurred due to this failure, however the car is not safe to drive until parts are replaced.

While leaving a shopping center my power steering failed. I was about 15 miles from home and I very cautiously proceeded home. What concerns me is there is extensive evidence that this is a recurring problem with the 2003-2006 Mini cooper. Some have narrowly escaped injury.

I am writing to complain about my 2004 Mini Cooper S power steering pump failure. I have done hours of research on the internet and have contacted half a dozen Mini dealerships to find out, this is a recurring problem (on 2001-2005 models) and can be very dangerous. There is no warning (check engine light) when this part goes defective, so basically while driving the power steering just shuts off leaving about 30lbs of pressure to turn the steering wheel. Good thing I am a strong male, because I was able to stop the car on the side of the road for assistance. By no means am I sexist, but believe me this car is really hard to maneuver without power steering assistance. The cost of repairs ranges from $1000-$1500 ($800 just for the pump), plus $200 for having the car towed to the nearest garage. I believe something should be done about this issue before there are some serious injuries or even deaths.

I was driving on I-65 at 62 mph. Right as I approached the on ramp to I-265, the power steering failed. I almost did not get the wheel turned in time to make the curve. I had no warning.

Power steering failed while driving car, causing vehicle to become much harder to steer, nearly causing accident.

The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering failed and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. Upon restart, the vehicle momentarily operated as normal before the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken home and parked. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 37,854.

Mini Cooper S 2004- power steering failure, going in and out, extremely difficult to navigate the vehicle around corners and disturbing to say the least. Have not taken it to the dealership yet, apparently this is a 'common' problem on Mini coopers of this manufacturing period, according to the service department representative at the local dealership. I'm afraid that if this happens when I'm driving at a crucial moment that it will lead to an accident. Also concerned that the cost of repair (the car is not under warranty any more) will be more than I can bear as far as cost. This does not seem like a cost that should be burdened by the owner, it is an issue of safety and should be a major concern of the auto manufacturer.

Power steering pump failed while driving. Luckily incident happened at low speed.

2004 Mini Cooper S power steering failed on i93 south on my way to work in boston without any warning , speed about 80 at 4:00am on the morning of 4/25/2011. Made it to work had car taken in for service at Mini of peabody MA the same day and was charged $1180. 00 dollars to replace steering pump. Two weeks prior on 4/8/2011 at the same dealer at their recommendation replaced steering fan and return hose as a precaution during routine maintenance charged 500. 00 dollars. Friday 4/22/2011 car was at same dealer to have the catalytic converter replaced followed by their usual test drive , there was no mention of any steering problem at that time nor did I experience any problem with the steering on my way back home after repair. My concern is if this had happened with out warning on an off ramp or when my wife or daughter were driving the out come could have been much different. I paid an extra 60. 00 dollars to keep the old pump.