11 problems related to steering have been reported for the 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My Mini cooper s conv, 2005, has been having steeering issues for some time now. It will randomly lose what seems like the power steering while I am driving! I have found that by turning the car off (if I am stopped and in area with time to turn off my car) that it works again for 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Other times I can drive for 45 minutes no problems at all. However, more often than not the steering goes out is not working as soon as I turn the car on. I k now that I have to select a date of when this happened and I am putting today's date since it happens daily. However, I want it noted it is not only today.
I was leaving work late at night when I tried to drive the car out of the parking lot the steering disappeared. It was difficult to maneuver the car. I had the car at the Mini dearlship earlier in the week to replace light bulbs so I called the dealership to find out where what this could be, where I could check the power steering fluid levels. They were not that helpful. Then later I looked online at all the steering complaints and called the dealership back and was told that there was a problem and my car (VIN#) would be covered for 13 years/150,000. I am reporting this because all Mini's with this problem should be covered. Dealerships should check vehicles for recalls when customers call with problems. I like my dealership but I am disappointed that I had to research this dangerous problem.
I was driving when I suddenly loss my power steering, making it difficult to steer the car.
On the first day of occurrence, there was loss of power steering. Very difficult and hard steering. No warning lights or no check engine lights came on. Managed to park safely. Stopped car and turned off ignition. Waited a few minutes. Turned on ignition and normal power steering resumed. Occured one more time about 1 hour later. Occured multiple times in the coming days. If ignition is shut off then turned back on, it will resume normal operation. This has almost caused accidents because of the difficult steering and maintaining of lane especially on curved roads and turns.
My brother was driving my 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible when he smelled wires burning and smoke, went to pull over and the car was hard to control. Upon inspection the mechanic said that the power steer pumps electronics had caught fire and burned the adjacent parts. Upon contact raulph schomp Mini cooper dealer I was told that my VIN number was not included in the cars being replaced for similar problems. The car just had major work done to the power steering system a year and half ago by the same dealer. Spoke with the Mini USA rep and was told that this was not being covered.
Was driving on an overpass between freeways when my power steering went out without warning. I was beginning my turn, and could not control or move the steering wheel and hit the railing. Cars had to Dodge quickly to not hit me. Turned off ignition and turned back on and it was fine - but was really shook up. Continued driving to work 3 miles later and it did it again pulling into the parking lot. Later that day, started the car and once again no power steering. Had it towed home, and checked it throughout the weekend, without success (to get it to a garage) then this morning it started working. Drove 1/2 mile to garage, and it did it again. Called BMW service and the manager acted like this was unusual and said to make an appointment. Called another BMW and the same story. Checked with my german mechanic down the street and he said that is the #1 reason he sees Mini's 2005 in the stop. 2nd was my convertible top, which quite ironically broke the same day as my power steering. The passenger side won't disengage. I'm looking at over $3000 to fix a car with only 42k miles on it. Shouldn't these parts be recalled? I was scared for my life driving on the freeway and almost caused a major accident!.
Bought the vehicle in Feb. 2012 a few months later on several occasions 15-20 times, to date. I have lost full control of the vehicle, no steering capability. Several time has been while turning or exiting the freeway, vehicle becomes difficult to control. I have been close to causing several accidents due to the same problem.
For the past 5 years, the power steering on our Mini would go out at random times. This has happened on the freeway (at speeds of 60-70mph) and driving around town (speeds of 10-35). It would go out randomly with no warning. My wife could barely steer the car and almost got into a crash trying to turn right one day. Last weekend, the power steering went out for good. We are taking it in on Monday for Mini to look at. I have read countless articles of this problem and wanted to report it happening in our vechile.
Power steering randomly completely fails at lower speeds/ no assist at all.
2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible with 65k miles. Original owner. Yesterday my power steering went out as I drove home from work. No warning sign and it was hard to turn the steering wheel and maneuver the car. I was glad it was me driving and not my wife. Scary experience when driving at 65mph+ on the highway.
Power steering quit unexpectedly. I was in a parking lot, just started the car, and had no power steering. I drove it a few miles down the road to a gas station, turned it off, and when turned back on again it worked fine. Originally happened on 2/12/11 and has not recurred as of 2/22/11.