2003 Mini Cooper S complaints

I WAS GOING AROUND A 90 DEGREE CORNER AT ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN THE STEERING SEEMED TO LOCK UP. I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED, AND I WRESTLED THE STEERING WHEEL TO COMPLETE THE TURN. SINCE THEN, THE POWER STEERING HAS NOT WORKED 90% OF THE TIME. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEEL WHILE STOPPED. MY WIFE CAN BARELY DRIVE THE CAR. FROM RESEARCHING THIS SITE AND OTHER SITES, MY SITUATION SEEMS TO BE THE SAME AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, AND I WOULD LIKE MY NAME TO BE ADDED TO THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION. *TT

I PURCHASED A USED MINI COOPER S SIX MONTHS AGO, IN DECEMBER 2011. I DROVE MY VEHICLE AS I NORMALLY DUE, JUST ACROSS TOWN ABOUT 10 MILES, AND IT WAS FINE. I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT INSIDE. WHEN I CAME OUT, ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES LATER, AND TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING WAS NON-EXISTENT. I PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. SINCE THEN, THE POWER STEERING IS INTERMITTENT. IF THE CAR IS HOT, IT USUALLY DOES NOT WORK, BUT IF THE CAR IS GIVEN A CHANCE TO COOL DOWN, THEN IT SEEMS TO WORK, BUT THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY AND I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER MINI OWNERS. *TR

I DROVE MY 2003 MINI COOPER S TO MY LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO RENEW MY DRIVER'S LICENSE. NOTHING ABNORMAL OCCURRED ON THE TRIP TO THE DMV. WHEN I GOT IN AND BEGAN TO DRIVE HOME, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. LATER THAT EVENING, I STARTED THE CAR WHEN IT WAS COOL AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK UNTIL THE CAR WARMED UP. THE RADIATOR FAN AND THE POWER STEERING FAN DO NOT FUNCTION UPON DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS EXTREMELY OFTEN IN 2002-2007 MINIS. I ALSO FOUND, POSTED ON A MINI FORUM BY SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE AN ENGINEER, A DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM. CARBON DUST FROM THE ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT OPERATES THE POWER STEERING PUMP GETS INTO THE CONTROL UNIT ATTACHED TO IT. SINCE THE CHIP WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED WITH A LACQUER, IT CAUSEES A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CHIP. THIS CAUSES THE PUMP TO FAIL. ANOTHER POSSIBLE CAUSE IS THE FAILURE OF THE COOLING FAN FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FAN CAN SEIZE, STOP COOLING THE PUMP, AND EVENTUALLY IT WILL OVERHEAT. THIS ALSO TRIPS A FUSE THAT STOPS THE RADIATOR FAN. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE CAN ALSO OVERHEAT. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE FAN HAS STOPPED WORKING. SINCE I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE THE MIDDLE OF WINTER AND THE HAS BEEN THE ONLY WARM DAY I HAVE DRIVEN IT, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT. I PLAN TO AVOID THE $1000 CHARGE TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT THE DEALER BY REPAIRING IT MYSELF BUT MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT THIS FORTUNATE. I BELIEVE THIS DESIGN FLAW CAN AND WILL CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS T

WHILE DRIVING, IT FELT AS THOUGH MY POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO MY LOCATION. ONCE IN THE PARKING LOT, STEERING BECAME NEAR IMPOSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY WHILE GOING AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS. WHEN I WENT TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT THAT EVENING, IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DONE, CAUSING ME TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW MY CAR. *TR

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT JUST AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR NEARLY EVERY YEAR MODEL THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR THE AMERICAN MARKET. I CALLED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND I STATED THAT MESSAGE BOARDS ONLINE WERE LOADED WITH ANGRY CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. THEY REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM AND WANT TO CHARGE ME $2500! PLEASE, NHTSA, DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! *TR

STEERING PUMP FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NOTHING REALLY SPECIAL HAPPEND OTHER THAN THE AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON. I DIDNT HIT ANYTHING OR HIT A BIG BUMP. I ADJUSTED MY SEAT AND I HAVE READ THAT MINI COOPER MAY HAVE MADE THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE SEAT TOO SHORT SO WHEN YOU RECLINE OR MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD FOR PASSENGERS IT COULD TRIGGER. *TR

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR AND IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AROUND A BEND, MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. AS THE CURVE WAS OF DECREASING RADIUS, THIS FAILURE WAS EVIDENT BY A SIGNIFICANT (>100%) INCREASE IN RESISTANCE TO STEERING ANGLE CHANGE AND UPON COMPLETION OF THE TURN A COMPLETE LACK OF AUTOMATIC RETURN TO A NEUTRAL STEERING PATH (THE CAR WANTED TO "STAY" IN THE TURN). RETURNING THE CAR TO NEUTRAL STEERING ANGLE ALSO REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT (>100%) ADDITIONAL APPLICATION OF FORCE. UPON PULL-OVER AND RESTART OF THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED, BUT ONLY FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE OF DRIVING. FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE THE POWER STEERING FLUCTUATED IN AND OUT MAKING DRIVING DIFFICULT. CAR WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR FAULT DIAGNOSIS THIS WEEK AS THE ISSUE HAS PERSISTED AND CONTINUED TO WORSEN (LONGER DROUGHTS OF POWER STEERING OPERATION) OVER THE PAST WEEK. *TR

POWER STEERING SEEM A LITTLE HARD BUT WHILE CRUISING ON THE FREEWAY IT SEEMED LIKE IT ALMOST WENT COMPLETELY OUT. HASN'T HAPPENED LIKE THAT SINCE BUT ITS STILL A LITTLE HARDER TO TURN THAT WHAT I THINK IT SHOULD BE. *TR

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT HAZARDOUS TO MANEUVER TURNING LEFT. I REPORTED THIS DECEMBER 14 2011 AND THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FAN IN DECEMBER. REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING PUMP JANUARY 30, BECAUSE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. I FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND THE POWER STEERING SHOULDN'T FAIL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM. *KB

TURNING FROM A LEFT HAND TURN LANE ON TO A SIDE STREET AS I HAVE DONE AT LEAST 4 TIMES A DAY FOR OVER 10 YEARS, I LOST ALL POWER AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN THE LOSS OF POWER, THE LOSS OF STEERING, AND THE LOSS OF BRAKES CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THE CURB. THIS ACCIDENT RESULTED IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND ASSEMBLY BEING REPLACED. NOT LONG AFTER GETTING MY MINI COOPER S THE HESITATION OF THE ACCELERATOR WHEN STATING OFF IN FIRST GEAR BEGAN. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP AT THE MINI DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. I'VE HAD TOO MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. GOING BACK AS FAR AS 2005 I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT MY STEERING AND THE NOISE IT MAKES. THE WHOLE STEERING UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES, YET IN 2009 I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. THE POWER LOSS WAS ELECTRICAL EVEN THOUGH MY ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE FINAL OUTCOME WAS MINI REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. I'VE COMPLAINED TIME AND AGAIN YET WITH NO HELP UNLESS IT'S COMING OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. SINCE OWNING THIS MINI COOPER S I'VE SPENT NEARLY 6000.00 IN REPAIRS. BECAUSE OF THE INTERDEPENDENT NATURE OF THE ASC/DSC ON THE VEHICLES BRAKING, ELECTRONICS, AND EVEN STARTING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP; HAS THIS FEATURE BEEN PROPERLY STUDIED AS THE CULPRIT FOR THE MANY AND VARIED PROBLEMS THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAS? IN THE UK THERE IS A BLOG CALLED WATCHDOG THAT HAS 180 PEOPLE WHO POSTED BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND APRIL 2009 THAT ALL HAD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND REGAINED POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. PUMP REMAINED ON AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND DRAINED BATTERY, NOW CAR WILL NOT RUN. VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE! *TR

ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO SCHOOL PARKING LOT, POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING, STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING HAS INTERMITTENTLY FALTERED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR BUT HAS NOW FAILED ENTIRELY. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S. CAR OVER HEATED AND POWER STEERING FAILED. PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FAN ON POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, CAUSED PUMP TO FAIL AND CAR TO OVER HEAT.

POWER STEERING FAILED AFTER 27,000 MILES. INTERMITTENTLY WORKS FOR 5 MINUTES IN THE MORNING AND SOMETIMES INTERMITTENTLY FUNCTIONS WHEN DRIVING WHICH CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION. HAD THE MINI DEALER INSPECT IT FROM MINI CORPORATES RECOMMENDATION. DEALER INDICATED THE ELECTRONICS ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND THAT THEY HAD PLENTY OF REPLACEMENT UNITS IN STOCK FOR CIRCA $1,600.00. MY CLAIM WAS REJECTED BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR EARLIER MINI COOPER POWER STEERING UNITS TO FAIL. I HAVE INVESTIGATED AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPANIES NOW IN THE BUSINESS OF REBUILDING/REMANUFACTURING SPECIFICALLY MINI COOPER POWER STEERING UNITS. ODD THAT A RELATIVELY LOW VOLUME VEHICLE COULD GENERATE SO MANY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT APPARENTLY DOES NOT EXIST. *TR

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND A BEND AND THE STEERING EFFORT HAD GREATLY INCREASED. IF I HAD TO MAKE A EMERGENCY MANEUVER, I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE IT SUCCESSFULLY. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE CONTACT RESUMED CAUTIOUSLY WITH THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILED TO ASSIST MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN A CORNER. *TT

POWER STEERING UNIT ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER S STARTED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN LANE CONTROL. WITHOUT POWER STEERING I WOULD GRIP HARD AND BARELY MAKE IT THROUGH A TURN, THEN THE POWER STEERING WOULD OPERATE CAUSING ME TO OVERSTEER INTO THE ADJACENT LANES OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I'VE BEEN DRIVING CARS, TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES FOR OVER 40 YRS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A DRIVING SITUATION AS DANGEROUS AS THIS. I WILL NO LONGER ALLOW MY DAUGHTERS TO DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL I FEEL CONFIDENT THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND ATTEMPTING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SEIZE AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE, ON SURFACE ROAD IN CASTRO VALLEY, CA. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSED ME TO CONTINUE STRAIGHT, WHILE TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF CAR, I CONTINUED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC, IF ANOTHER CAR WAS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION A SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THIS WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A REPAIR NEEDED. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING BOX FAILURE ONLY 70,000 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED SHE NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RELAY AND POWER STEERING PUMP BOTH FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000. .UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF THE CONTROL HARNESS AND POWER SUPPLY HARNESS CONNECTOR MELTED ON THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED.

POWER STEERING PUMP STARTED TO BECOME LOUDER AROUND 83K MILES. WHEN I WAS DRIVING AROUND A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED UP AND IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. I ALMOST WRECKED BECAUSE OF THIS. AFTER RESEARCH, IT IS CONCLUDED THAT MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO A RECALL AND STATED ONLY A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT WAS IN PROGRESS. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED AT HER OWN EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 08/31/*LJ THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 09/12/11

POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY FAILED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. POWER STEERING FAILURES ARE UNFORTUNATELY ALMOST GUARANTEED IN MY YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND MINI USA HAS EVEN REDESIGNED THE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO THE HIGH FAILURE RATE, AND ALSO RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE FAN DUE TO HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF SHORTING OR FIRE. I PARTICIPATE IN AN ENTHUSIAST FORUM WHERE THESE REPORTS ARE COMMON WHICH IS WHY I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IMMEDIATELY, TO AVOID FURTHER IN-DRIVING FAILURE OR WORSE, A CAR FIRE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED IN THE PAST AND IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT NEITHER NHTSA NOR MINI USA HAS RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR WHAT IS AN ALMOST GUARANTEED FAILURE WITH OBVIOUS AND POTENTIALLY GRAVE SAFETY RISKS. I AM PAYING $1200 FOR THE REPAIR WHICH IS EXPENSIVE BUT NOT OUT OF LINE WITH WHAT OTHERS ARE PAYING AND WORTH MY PERSONAL PIECE OF MIND SINCE MINI USA WILL NOT PUBLICLY ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS A 2003 MINI COOPER S WITH 87,000 MILES. *TR

SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHEN EXITING HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY, I HAD ENOUGH STRENGTH TO STAY WITHIN THE CURVE OF THE OFF RAMP WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP. MY WIFE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO KEEP THE AUTO FROM GOING OFF THE RAMP.

POWER STEERING HAS BECOME INTERMITTENT. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED, SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING IS FUNCTIONING AND SOMETIMES IT IS NOT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. A STRONG ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE WILL SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 35-40, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED COMPLETELY. THE CAR BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND CREATED A VERY UNSAFE MOMENT AS I MADE A 90 DEGREE TURN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME WITH GREAT PHYSICAL EFFORT INVOLVED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN ON-LINE DESCRIPTIONS FROM OTHER MINI OWNERS. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION .... IT IS ALSO VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I AM SURPRISED THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN REQUIRED DUE TO THE OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAPPENED ON A SNOW COVERED CURVY ROAD, LOST CONTROL AND WENT INTO THE DITCH. NO DAMAGE, WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SLOWED ENOUGH BEFORE CRASHING. THANKFUL NO OTHER CARS WERE IN THE OTHER LANE. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OUT UNDER ITS OWN POWER. WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR NOW. *TR

HI, I'M THE THIRD OWNER OF A 2003 MINI COOPER S SINCE FEBRUARY 2010, LOCATED IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA. IN THE BEGINING OF MAY 2011 MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE BIG ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS RUNNING DISCONTINOUS, ALL THE LIGHTS (FRONT, BACK AND DASHBOARD) ARE DIMMING AND AFTER JUST AFEW MILES OF DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. I HAVE THIS PROBLEM NOW EVERYDAY WHEN I TRY TO DRIVE THE CAR. I'VE CHECKED THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAN AND IT SPINS FREE. NO BLOW OF THE F5 FUSE (AS OTHER PEOPLE REPORTED). IT HAPPEND TO ME IN THE LAST YEAR FOR 3 TIMES, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT, BUT FEW HOURS AFTER I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR, THE PUMP CAME BACK NORMALLY (EXCEPTING THE CONTINOUS WHINING NOISE OF IT). DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALER YET FOR A PUMP REPLACEMENT. I KNOW THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MINIS 2002-2006 AND I WANT TO CLAIM THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR TOO. HOPE THIS PROBLEM TO BECOME A RECALL SOON FOR MINI/BMW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AND NEARLY WRECKED THE CAR IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING I DOUBT SHE COULD HAVE SAVED IT. GOOGLE SEARCH TURNS UP HUNDREDS OF LIKE POSTS. ON ANOTHER QUICK SEARCH, AS OF 2006, 50 PUMP FAILURES RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF FIRE. AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT POST. MAYBE 10% OF THE MINI DRIVERS POST ONLINE. THIS IS A DISGRACE! *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL COMPLETELY, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE, AND GREATLY INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ACCIDENT. THE FLUID LEVELS ARE CORRECT, AND POWER STEERING WILL RETURN AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND LETTING IT SIT FOR A WHILE.. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN CORRECTIVE ACTION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY WITHIN THIRTY SECONDS BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. HE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND HE OBSERVED THAT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2003 MINI COOPER S WITH LOW 70 THOUSAND MILES COUGH FIRE ON JANUARY 31 2011 AROUND 4 AM IN THE MORNING. IT WAS SEEN TO START ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER AIRBAG AND CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE THE FRONT END UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER PASSENGER DASH WAS TOLD FAILURE WAS ABS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES HE SMELLED FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO MENTION OF A FIRE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

I WAS LEAVING MY HOME WHEN I NOTICE, AS SOON AS I START MY CAR, THAT MY STEERING IS VERY STIFF. I HAVE TO USE MY WHOLE BODY TO TURN THE WHEEL AND MANEUVER THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST A WEEK NOW OFF AND ON. GO ONLINE AND RESEARCH PROBLEM TO FIND ITS GOING TO COST ME NEAR $1000 TO FIX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE TECHNICIAN TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP DEFECT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WHILE DOING FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH-SPEED AND PREPARING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. AS SUCH, I NEARLY DROVE OFF THE ROAD ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON THE EXIST RAMP -- VERY HARD EMERGENCY BRAKING WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE IT WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, AND THUS, CONTROL THE CAR. I LATER DISCOVERED BY MINI OF SAN DIEGO (WHO CONDUCTED REPAIRS) THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING APPROXIMATELY $1,100. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH MINI POWER STEERING PUMPS WERE BEING INVESTIGATED AND THAT A RECALL MIGHT BE ISSUED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED FURTHER AND BELIEVE THAT THE 1ST YEAR BEING REVIEWED IS THE 2004. I BELIEVE THAT THE 2003 SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED AS WELL IN THE EVENT OF A RECALL SINCE I EXPERIENCED THE VERY SAME PROBLEM BEING INVESTIGATED, AND THE DANGER RESULTING FROM THE DEFECT IS CONSIDERABLE.

2003 MINI COOPER S JUST HAD A POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE RESULTING IN AT LEAST $600.00 IN REPAIR COST. CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED, STEERING WENT TO MANUAL EFFORT, NO ASSIST, NO WARNING. FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE AS SHE WOULD HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY COMPLETING THE TURN. I KNOW THE STEERING STILL OPERATES, BUT IF YOU AREN'T READY FOR THE DRASTICALLY INCREASED EFFORT REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A TURN, YOU WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HALF-WAY THROUGH A TURN IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IS NO TIME TO FIND OUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FINISH IT. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OF IMPENDING FAILURE. TO HAVE A MAJOR SAFETY AND CONTROL SYSTEM OF YOUR VEHICLE FAIL THIS QUICKLY (ONLY 80,000 MILES) LEAVES ME WONDERING AS TO THE SAFETY OF THE OTHER VITAL SYSTEMS ON THE VEHICLE. MINI MADE CHANGES ON THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ON LATER VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THIS WITHOUT HAVING ANY RECALL OR VOLUNTARY REPAIR PROGRAM FOR RETROFIT TO THE OLDER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT FAIR AND DEFINITELY NOT SAFE. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT. CAR RADIO TURNS ON WHEN CAR IS OFF AND NO KEY IS IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING BATTERY TO DRAIN. ONCE MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHEN I WAS LEAVING A PARKING AREA CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED DAMAGES. I HAVE HOWEVER REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO FAULTY WIRING IN APROX 2009. A FUSE THAT RUNS EVERYTHING FOR COOLING BLEW AND GAVE ME NO WARNING THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. *TR

MINI COOPER DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED USING EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES UNDER CERTAIN FREEZING CONDITIONS. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING FREEZING WEATHER, USUALLY WHEN SNOW OR ICE IS PRESENT. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS. AT TIMES, IT OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR MANY HOURS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING. HOWEVER, IT CAN ALSO OCCUR AFTER THE DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED AND THE VEHICLE DRIVEN FOR 30 MINUTES OR MORE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, NEITHER THE INSIDE NOR OUTSIDE HANDLES WILL OPEN THE DOOR. THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO EXIT (OR ENTER) THE VEHICLE USING THE OTHER DOOR (SO FAR THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INSTANCE WHEN BOTH DOORS FROZE) AND WAIT FOR THE CONDITION TO RECTIFY ITSELF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FIRE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING REMAINED ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WIRING HARNESS AND BATTERY WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, CAUSING HARD TO CONTROL CONDITIONS IN VEHICLE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER S USED IN NOVEMBER 2007. IT HAD 30,000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT PROMPTLY, DEC. 2007. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE AGAIN, AT 79,000 MILES, 49,000 MILES ON A NEW PUMP. IT COMES AND GOES WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS WHILE TAKING CURVES. *TR

I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS 03 MINI COOPER S SINCE 5/09. I PURCHASED WITH 12,500 MILES. CURRENTLY, 32K MILES. THE XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT, DRIVERS SIDE, FREQUENTLY DOES NOT IGNITE. THE SELF LEVELING HEAD LIGHT SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE AIMING DISTANCE IS VERY POOR, LIGHT SHINES APPROX 20FT IN FRONT OF THE CAR. OTHER TIMES, THE LIGHT SHINES HIGH, BLINDING ON-COMERS. THE 1ST OWNER COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM TO A MINI DEALERSHIP IN 10/03 WITH 1,971 MILES. AGAIN, 5/08 WITH 9,000 MILES WITH CHECKS PERFORMED. THIS ESTABLISHED PROBLEM CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. BALLASTS AND BULBS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, MAKING IF DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE AT NIGHT. AFTER DOING OUR OWN RESEARCH AND SEEING HOW MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, IT IS TIME FOR MINI/BMW TO IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS THIS OVERDUE SAFETY HAZARD BY IMPLEMENTING A RECALL, OR A SERVICE BULLETIN TO ALL AFFECTED CONSUMERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WILL CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR

FAILED POWERING STEERING ASSIST PUMP. *TR