Steering Problems of Mini Cooper S - part 1

Loss of power steering on startup or at stop light. A message pops up indicating that the dynamic stability control is re-initializing and that steering may become difficult: drive carefully. The warning message usually appears shortly after the failure. In fact, the steering gets so stiff, that my wife can barely turn corners. The problem comes and goes unexpectedly. This is my wife's car, and it has happened to her on several other occasions. Sometimes we can reset by restarting the car, but that isn't reliable. We put the car out of eco mode into sport mode, so that the engine does not stop at stop lights, but the engine sometimes stops anyway. When it happened at a stop light today, we tried several restarts, but the steering remained out. Steering is worse at low speeds. Today, we stopped at a light. My wife was driving. The engine stopped and restarted, and the error message appeared. She had difficulty steering into a parking lot where I swapped places with her. I drove her home. It was difficult for me to steer around corners after today's lock up, but I drove the car to a local BMW-Mini mechanic with whom I had discussed the problem, but it never appeared at his shop. Today, we tried starting at the shop and the difficult steering persisted without an error message. He ran a quick scan indicating that some modules in the steering column were not operating properly. He said the modules were not available for replacement, and that the entire steering column might need to be replaced. Unfortunately, he was booked up until Friday. I drove home and let the car sit in the garage for a couple of hours. I started it while writing this to try to more accurately reproduce the warning messages. However, no messages appeared and the car steered easily. Clearly, sudden loss of power steering poses a danger for my family and others on the road. I've looked on the internet and discovered that others have experienced similar problems with steering in Mini coopers.

See all problems of the 2019 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that a software update was performed on the back over prevention camera. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 175,830.

See all problems of the 2005 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering feature malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 25,500. The VIN was not available.

See all problems of the 2020 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

The contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-55 mph, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving normally. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 43,000.

See all problems of the 2002 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact also stated that he was advised by the dealer that he had to pay out of pocket for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Battery light flashing, power steering cutting out intermittently while driving. Alternator and serpintine belt replaced but problem continues. Electric power steering seems to be draining electrical system.

Was driving car on 18 July 2020 and power steering quit working and made steering difficult, also coolant fan,low speed and high speed stopped working same time as power steering quit. The asc light came on and it will not turn off. No blown fuses in engine compartment or by drivers kick panel. I was driving the car on a state road when this occurred.

See all problems of the 2004 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

I was starting my vehicle and it made a bad knocking noise then it was like crunching noise so I stopped turn it off and waited for a while went back to the car still making a strange noise but once I put it in the drive it stopped making noise drove down the road a bit and talking about apparently slips off of the car so it just pulls over inside all the all the wearing lights came on so pulled over apparently this happens quite often but the harmonic balancer separated and with spinning against itself and knocked the pieces off of it and through the serpentine belt so that needs to replace now that should not happen it's one piece is this one piece this needs to be recalled for these whatever cars had these harmonic balancers is dangerous and it could blow your car up thank you.

See all problems of the 2003 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

Tl- the contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while attempting to make a tight turn, the steering lost power. The seat belt and check-engine lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the brown motor works (803-551-0991, located at 4041 broad river rd, columbia, SC 29210) and it was diagnosed that the power steering was about to go out. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160. 000. Fe.

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The power steering is very stiff to drive and cannot drive my cooper because I can no longer steer the vehicle.

When you turn wheel left or right it makes a noise and it's very hard to turn. So I think it's the steering: electric power assist system. Recall id # 240625.

Power steering is malfunctioning. It come and goes for a couple of days while in a winding road. Took it to the dealer and they replace some lines. A few moths later it started having issues with at the beginning of the driving after the car has been idle for more than 2 hours. Now the power steering is totally not working at all.

The car was in motion when suddenly the steering wheel became very hard and the driver lost control, almost causing an accident. There has been a recall for Mini Cooper S vehicles (15v-xxx safety recall) involving the electric-hydraulic power steering system. The recall includes 2002-2005 models, and extends the warranty up to 13 years or up to 150,000 miles. Our vehicle falls under those requirements, and is a 2005 model and has 69,751 miles, yet we were told that there are no existing recalls for our vehicle, even though we suspect that the incident we had involves the hydraulic steering system.

Power steering no longer works.

Went to dinner and came out and started my car and it was super hard to steer.

Vehicle jerks/hestiates at low speed around 10mph. Jerks during stop and go in traffic. Be to a handful of auto shops and no solution.

See all problems of the 2010 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

Tl the contact owns a 2005 BMW Mini Cooper S. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (irvine Mini, 9829 research dr, irvine, CA 92618, (888) 238-7585), but they refused to repair the power steering due to a discrepancy in the part numbers. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would call the contact back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The vehicle was hard to steer and smoke was coming from the engine. Took the car home, did not see flames, parked car in the driveway switched cars and left. Received a call from the fire department that my Mini was on fire and I needed to return to my house.

Power steering went out without warning, causing loss of control while vehicle was in motion; Mini USA advised it was still driveable, but to be cautious due to lack of control/power steering; when parked, smoke began to plume from under hood where a fire was noticed in back of engine. Called Mini USA back and they advised us to not drive vehicle, as it was a safety hazard. Contacted Mini to set up recalled part (hydraulic power steering), but they were not willing to have car towed to dealer (120 miles from my residence).

The power steering in my 2004 Mini Cooper S failed last month, prompting me to research ways to fix the vehicle online. I found that Mini USA had issued a recall on my car, but was informed by the dealership and then Mini that my VIN number did not fall among those vehicles recalled. I'm wondering whether Mini appropriately limited their recall considering my vehicle has the same problem that prompted the recall, and falls within the same model and year range. I think the department should investigate whether to expanding the recall.

About a month ago vehicle steering became very difficult. Vehicle has 117,650 miles on it. Driving is very difficult as steering is very heavy.

Tl-the contact owns 2003 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Ad.

I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S with less than 85k miles it. The power steering has completely gone out. Before it went out completely, it would stop occasionally with out warning while driving the vehicle. The primary impact is as low speeds, parking or turning for example. This vehicle has run flat tires making steering an even bigger challenge. It is a safety hazard and due to the high cost to replace this function and safety hazard it imposes,, the car has been sitting for over a year. There has been a recall on this specific year & model of vehicle for the exact same issue- however it did not include my particular VIN. I believe this to be an issue of epidemic proportions and would ask that this be looked into if possible. The Mini Cooper S is a great little car, however steering is a vital and a required safety measure that I feel Mini/BMW should gladly cover in all VIN's during this time frame.

The contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering) and the dealer scheduled a repair appointment. The dealer later canceled the appointment, stating that the part was not available. The contact had not been able to receive the recall repair remedy for months. The manufacturer was unable to provide a date that the part would be supplied to the dealer. The contact was not experiencing a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl-the contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, while attempting to avoid hitting an animal the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact hit the unknown animal. The air bags did not deploy however, the air bag warning light illuminated. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. VIN was unavailable. Gl.

Tl- the contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the vehicles steering became very hard to maneuver with out warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,700. Wh.

Suddenly out of nowhere as soon as I started the car to back out of my driveway & go to work the steering was completely locked up, only having approximately an inch to inch and a half of mobility in either direction. I then turned the car off, let it sit off for about 5 mins then re-started it and the steering was still the same way.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted at 865-693-4553 and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that when the steering wheel was turned to the right, there was an abnormal noise and it was difficult to make the turn. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and the manufacturer who indicated that the contact would need to wait for a second notification letter to determine when the parts would become available. The contact was waiting for months as the failure progressed and was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was unable to provide a time frame for the parts to become available. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Over the past 9 months my power steering will stop working, I will usually notice this when I start my car and go to move I am able to drive my car but it is very difficult to steer, if I turn off my car and turn it back on occasionally it will start my power steering back up this is not a constant thing but is happening more frequently. I have found that there is a recall on the power steering for the Mini cooper but my VIN number isnt included in this recall I am very concerned that I have the same problem I need help please.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that there was a progressing condition in which the steering wheel was making an abnormal noise and was tight upon turning left or right. The contact was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v660000 (steering), the vehicle was to be taken to the dealer for inspection and diagnosis to determine the failure and to receive the recall repair remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Dyd.

I have a safety recall (no. 25v-205), an air bag problem, issued last June and have now received another recall ((15v-660). The first recall has yet to be repaired. The air bag "off" light is on all the time. I have contacted Mini and the dealer twice and they tell me there is not a fix yet. I think 6 months is long enough for an air bag problem. I have not had a problem with the second recall, a steering problem, but I assume it could happen. I am concerned that the combination of these two creates an extra dangerous condition. I asked Mini if they would pay for a rental when I needed to have a passenger. They refused. This is my only vehicle and I have no other choice.

About two weeks prior to the fire, my back bumper was hit by someone,nothing too serious just the tail light broken. Their insurance had my car fixed at world Toyota collision center in atlanta georgia. On Saturday morning, I picked up my car. I noticed clicking noise coming out from inside the car and the steering wheel becoming rigid as soon as I started driving. I pulled to the closest gas station (was in need of gas as well). White smoke came out from the front right after I parked. My husband lifted up the hood trying to see where the smoke is from. Not even two minutes later, there was flame, yes, actual fire underneath the engine compartment. Fortunately, there were two officers next to us at that time so they used fire extinguisher to take the fire down. I'm extremely frightened and disappointed at Mini cooper. Very dangerous car.