2004 Mini Cooper S

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S Convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.

Risk. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 10, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLAT TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT TIRE, AN AUDIBLE SIGNAL WILL NOT SOUND TO ALERT THE DRIVER TO A FLAT TIRE.

Risk. DUE TO THE LACK OF AN AUDIBLE SIGNAL, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF A FLAT TIRE, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S SOFTWARE IN ORDER TO ACTUATE THE FLAT TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM'S AUDIBLE SIGNAL. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT 1-866-275-6464.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK PRESENT. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF STEVENS CREEK LOCATED AT (4201 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CA 95051), AND DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

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.

ALL MODELS FROM 2005 ONWARD HAVE BEEN RECALLED, YET EARLIER MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NON FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONTINUALLY, AND THERE ARE KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH WIRING, PRESSURE MATS AND CONNECTORS IN THESE VEHICLES. BMW IS INTENTIONALLY IGNORING THESE ISSUE. MY OWN PERSONAL VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM AND AS A GOVERNMENT MANDATED SAFETY DEVICE I BELIEVE THAT EARLIER MODELS OF MINI COOPERS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL!

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ILLUMINATED. WE ARE UNSURE IF THE SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY. WE HAVE NOT RUN DIAGNOSTIC CODES ON THE SYSTEM.

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.

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.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE PRESSURE MAT BUT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATES THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR CAR EVEN THOUGH MANY CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM WERE RECALLED. SCAN TOOL INDICATES PASSENGER SIDE PRESSURE MAT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS MODEL WAS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALLED VINS. WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD WORK OR NOT IF IT WERE NEEDED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING CONDITION IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, THE WHEEL GOT SO TIGHT AND I HIT THE CURB. THANK GOD I WAS IN A SCHOOL ZONE AND THEREFORE I WAS DRIVING SLOW. AFTER THAT, I NOTICED THAT SAME DAY THAT MY BATTERY WAS DRAINED WHEN I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK. I GOT A JUMP BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I STOPPED FOR GROCERIES. I FIGURED SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG WITH THE BATTERY (WHICH IS FAIRLY NEW) OR THE ALTERNATOR. I TOOK MY CAR TO A SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS FINE. BUT THEY ALSO SAID THERE WAS A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM MY POWER STEERING PUMP. I BOUGHT POWER STEERING FLUID THINKING THAT WAS THE REASON, BUT AFTER I POURED SOME ITS STILL THE SAME. I STARTED RESEARCHING AND I FOUND OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND ITS A DEFECTIVE ISSUE FOR THIS MINI GENERATION. *TR

I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON MY VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH BUT IT SURE SCARED ME. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND MAY CONSIDER GETTING RID OF IT. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN MINI'S UNRESPONSIVENESS TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY CAR AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE STEERING BEGAN FEELING TIGHT. IT SEEMS THAT ALL ASSISTANCE WITH THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST. UPON INVESTIGATION OVER THE INTERNET IT SEEMS THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS BLOWN. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST,BUT THIS CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL FATAL INJURY. *TR

3 MONTHS AGO I BECAME AWARE OF A FAULT IN MY MINI COOPER 2004 REGARDING THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN. STEERING HAD BECOME OVERLY DIFFICULT, AND AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO MY USUAL MECHANIC AND THEN BMW, THIS WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. I THEN DISCOVERED THE ISSUE HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF AN UNOFFICIAL RECALL BY MINI USA (BMW), AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, IN BEVERLY, MA, A ROUND TRIP OF 200 MILES, TO HAVE THE ITEM FIXED. AFTER THIS, THE CAR BECAME HARD TO CONTROL ON CURVES. IT APPEARS THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN PUT UNDUE STRAIN ON THE STEERING KNUCKLE, AND AT 80,000 THIS HAS BECOME PREMATURELY WORN. CONSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO HANDLE PROPERLY ON TURNS, AND IS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE. FOR THREE MONTHS MY MECHANIC HAS BEEN TRYING TO SECURE THIS PART FROM MINI USA TO NO AVAIL. MEANWHILE MY CAR IS BECOMING MORE UNDRIVABLE BY THE DAY. THIS PART IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE PETITIONED BMW FOR AN ANSWER, AND AFTER TWO WEEKS OF PEOPLE AVOIDING THE ISSUE, IT SEEMS THE PART REMAINS UNAVAILABLE. MINI USA(BMW)'S BEST RESPONSE WAS TO ASK ME TO DRIVE BACK TO MA TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT, WHICH POINT THEY MAY OFFER ME A LOANER. BUT THIS IS BESIDE THE POINT: ASIDE FROM NOT PROVIDING AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT THAT AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WANT ME TO WASTE A DAY DRIVING TO MA, THEN PAY THE DEALER'S OVER-INFLATED SERVICE CHARGES, BECAUSE THEY MADE IT CLEAR ON THE PHONE THEY WILL NOT SELL THIS PART TO

THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON MY CAR HAS BECOME PREMATURELY WORN FOLLOWING A STEERING PUMP FAILURE, AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE STEERING HAS BECOME IMPRECISE AND THE CAR HARD TO CONTROL AROUND CURVES. I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DESIGN DEFECT (DOCUMENTED BY DOT) OF THE STEERING PUMP UNTIL I RESEARCHED THE STEERING ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS AN 'UNOFFICIAL' RECALL TO FIX THE PUMP. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FOR TWO MONTHS, BMW USA STILL HAS THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON BACK ORDER. MEANWHILE MY VEHICLE IS BECOMING HARDER TO DRIVE AND WILL SOON BE A SAFETY CONCERN. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT DOT FORCE BMW USA TO MAKE THIS PART AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE IT IS A CRUCIAL COMPONENT IN THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING MAKING THE CAR VERY HARD TO TURN. IT WAS NOT NOTICEABLE DRIVING STRAIGHT, BUT WHEN TAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN YOU ALMOST CANNOT MAKE THE TURN UNLESS YOU REALLY CRANK ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT NO WARNING. IN ORDER TO GET THE POWER STEERING BACK, THE IGNITION HAS TO BE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, AND THEN RESTARTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED AND BOTH FRONT WINDOWS HESITATED TO ROLL UP AND DOWN. ALSO, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE BUCKLED OR UNBUCKLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A POSITIVE CABLE IN THE FUSE BOX THAT MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD DESTROY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSE A FIRE, AND KEEP THE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING IN A CRASH. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE CABLE WAS BEING STRETCHED AND THE CENTER SWITCH PACK CASE WAS SEPARATED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,500.

MERGING ONTO INTERSTATE I ACCELERATED AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER. ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT I COULD NOT GET ANY SPEED. EML MESSAGE LIT UP ON DASH. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, LOSING POWER AS I MERGED WITH TRAFFIC THAT WAS GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I MANAGED TO LIMP TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHUTTING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING RESET SOMETHING AND EML MESSAGE DISAPPEARED AND ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY. GOOGLING PROBLEM SHOWED MY EXPERIENCE WAS NOT UNIQUE AND THAT COULD EXPECT IT TO OCCUR AGAIN. AND IT SEEMS DEALER CAN ONLY DIAGNOSE SOURCE OF PROBLEM IF ERROR MESSAGE IS ON. *TR

MY 2004 MINI COOPER S HAS A PASSENGER SEAT BELT/AIR BAG LIGHT THAT IS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. ORIGINALLY, IT WAS SPORADIC, AND CONNECTING THE SEAT BELT WOULD CAUSE THE LIGHT TO GO OFF. NOW IT IS LIT ALL THE TIME, WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT OR NOT. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THE SENSOR IS BAD AND WILL COST $1600 TO FIX, WHICH INCLUDES COMPLETELY REPLACING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS MOST CONCERNING. OBVIOUSLY, THE DEFAULT SHOULD BE FOR THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. WHAT IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY PASSENGER IS GRAVELY INJURED (OR KILLED!)?? UNACCEPTABLE! I HAVE READ THAT BMW HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR BMW MODELS WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. MINI COOPER SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AS THEY ARE MADE BY BMW, OFTEN USING THE SAME PARTS! WHERE IS THE OVERSIGHT?!? *TR

STEERING FAILURE WHILST ON HIGHWAY, HEADED TO THE GRASS CURB, SMOKE IN CABIN (SMELT OF BURNING WIRE INSULATION). DID MANAGE TO RELEASE THE HOOD AND OPEN TO SEE IF I COULD EXTINGUISH, FIRE WAS FOCUSED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE ENGINE UNDER EXHAUST MANIFOLD. NOTHING TO DUE BUT WAIT FOR THE FIRE TRUCK, CAR COMPLETELY BURNED FRONT TO BACK, NOTHING LEFT TO SALVAGE. *TR

TRAVELING EAST ON 376 APPROX. ONE MILE FROM THE SQUIREL HILL TUNNELS, A WOMEN IN ANOTHER VEHICLE ALERTED ME, TRYING TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PULLED UP THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE. I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE COMPANY CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. GOOGLED THE INTERENET AND FOUND THERE WAS APPROX 200,000 CASES OF FIRE WITHOUT THE MANUFACTURE RECALLING ALL VEHICLES.

HELLO, I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING (LOOSING POWER) OF MY MINI COOPER S 2004 MODEL. IN JAN 2013, I BROUGHT MY 2004 MINI COOPER S FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER-ASSIST STEERING FUNCTION, WHICH INCLUDE POWER STEERING HOSE ($56.25), POWER STEERING PUMP ($710.00) AND LABOR ($315.00). IN MAY 2013, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT FROM MINI. APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN (BUT UNKNOWN TO ME) FOR MINI MODEL YEAR 2002-2205. I SUBMITTED THE REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST AND RECEIVED THE RETURN RECEIPT ON JUNE 10, 2013. SINCE THEN I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REACH TO MINI CUSTOMER RELATION BY PHONE (1-866-275-6464) 4 TIMES AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REIMBURSEMENT. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO ASK FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. MINI SHOULD LIVE UP TO STANDARD AND REIMBURSE MY EXPENSE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE CAR LOSES POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY AND IT MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE INTERSECTION AND I CAN'T TURN THE CAR. I DRIVE WITH MY CHILD AND THIS FREAKS ME OUT. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IN MAY 2013 I RECEIVED MINI RECALL/EXTENSION OF WARRANTY LETTER AND CALLED MINI DEALER IN SACRAMENTO CA AND THEY PUT ME TO THE RECORDING MACHINE, WHERE I LEFT A MESSAGE REGARDING EXTENSION OF WARRANTY BY MINI AND TO SCHEDULE REPLACEMENT OF POWER STEERING - NO REPLY. CALLED THEM TWICE, THEY SEEM TO IGNORE MY CALLS. VERY UPSET WITH DEALER'S IGNORANCE. *TR

THE TIRE WILL NOT SEAL TO THE RIM BECAUSE OF THE SMALL NIPPLES IN THE RUBBER AROUND THE RIM OF THE TIRE. THE BACK SIDE SEAL CAN NOT HOLD TIRE PRESSURE BECAUSE OF THE NIPPLES. ALL FOUR TIRES WOULD NOT HOLD THE TIRE PRESSURE. BUILD DATE (4612) BOUGHT DISCOUNT TIRES 5540 ARAPAHO RD. DALLAS, TX 75248 972-385-0700. THEY WARRANTY THE TIRES & I BOUGHT DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES. I WAS SHOWN WHAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE TIRES & TOOK A PHOTO ON THE NIPPLES. I WAS CHARGE OTHER INSTALL FEE. THE OTHER TIRES THAT I PICK WERE THE SAME COST YOKOHOMA S WHICH THE CAR HAD BEFORE WITH ZERO ISSUES. ALL THE TIRES COULD NOT KEEP THE SAME TIRE PRESSURE WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO DRIVE POORLY. I TOOK PHOTO OF THE SMALL NIPPLES IN THE SEAL AREA. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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. *TR

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, THE 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 06/12/13*LJ UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ *TR

I WAS ON AN EXIT RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY AND AROUND THE CURVE I FELT THE STEERING STIFFEN. WHEN I HAD TO TURN RIGHT I HAD TO SWING VERY WIDE INTO THE OTHER LANE BECAUSE I HAD NO POWER STEERING. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS THERE! IT RETURNED AFTER I SHUT MY CAR OFF AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. THEN THE NEXT DAY IT DID IT AGAIN. TODAY IT WENT OUT AND HASN'T RETURNED YET. MY HUSBAND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE FAN WORKED AND IT DOES. THIS IS A KNOWN TO BMW PROBLEM AND NO RECALL IN THE USA. CANADA HAS A RECALL. TELL ME PLEASE, WHY WE DO NOT? *TR

I BOUGHT MY USED MINI COOPER S (64,686 MILES) FROM HONDA DEALERSHIP - SERRAMONTE (DALY CITY, CA) ON MARCH 13, 2012. I'M THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE STEERING PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED ON JUNE 2012, BUT IT WAS TEMPORARY. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND STOPPED THE CAR TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG. IT CAME BACK TO NORMAL AFTER I TURNED ON THE ENGINE. THE STEERING PROBLEM WOULD HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY, I WOULD DO THE SAME PROCEDURES AND THE STEERING WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL AGAIN. TODAY (3/27/13), WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH IN THE RESIDENTIAL AREA, I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL STIFFEN LIKE LAST TIME. I STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND FIRED IT BACK UP. THIS TIME, IT STAYED STIFF PERMANENTLY. I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK HOME DURING RUSH HOURS. LUCKILY I MANAGED TO GET HOME WITHOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I CHECKED THE STEERING FLUID LEVEL UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS FULL. I GOOGLED THE STEERING PROBLEM ON THE 2004 MINI COOPER S, I CAME TO FIND OUT THE SAME PROBLEMS WERE EXPERIENCED BY MANY MINI OWNERS. I NEED YOUR ADVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ON HOW I CAN GET MY CAR REPAIRED BEFORE IT CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE TO MAKE A LIVING. BECAUSE OF THESE COMMON STEERING PROBLEMS, I HOPE MINI WOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. *TR

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, COULDN'T TURN WHEEL ,HIT CURB. *TR

POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT ON CAR. LOW-SPEED FAN HAS SEIZED, DAMAGING POWER STEERING PUMP. CAR HAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. *TR

I STOPPED MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT TO RUN SOME ERRANDS. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AND GOT IT STARTED, I REALIZED THAT THE POWER STEERING OF MY CAR BECAME REALLY STIFF. IT WAS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO STEER MY CAR LEFT AND RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING OF MY CAR NO LONGER FUNCTION AS BEFORE AND IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AT A ROAD JUNCTION. *TR

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. *TR

POWER STEERING ASSIST INTERMITTENTLY FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM BUT AFTER SOME TIME, THE POWER ASSIST WILL FAIL AGAIN. CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. *TR

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. *TR

TOOK MY CAR INTO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOK AT FOR A NEW CLUTCH. THEY NOTICED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING. THEY REPLACED THE FLUID AND CAUTIONED ME ABOUT GETTING IT REPLACED SOON. *TR

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. *TR

LEFT HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING ISSUES. HALF WAY TO WORK, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND BEGAN TO TAKE A RIGHT HAND CURVE IN THE ROAD AND OUT OF NO WHERE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG PRIOR TO THIS. LUCKILY I REACTED QUICKLY AND THE CURVE WAS NOT TOO SHARP BECAUSE I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE WITH CARS TO THE LEFT OF ME AND BEHIND ME. WOULD HAVE BEEN BAD NEWS HAD THE CURVE BEEN A LITTLE SHARPER. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS FULL. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. DROVE THE CAR AGAIN LATER IN THE DAY, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PERFECTLY AND THEN PART WAY TO MY DESTINATION THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. *TR

WHILE TAKING A CORNING MY POWER STEER ABRUPTLY VANISHED ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. VERY DANGEROUS. HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH MANY OTHER MINIS AROUND THE SAME AGE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING PUMP CAUGHT ON FIRE, MELTING ALL OF THE WIRES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

AS I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL ROAD I NOTICED A CAR DOUBLE PARKED I TRIED TO PASS THE VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STIFF IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN IT AT ALL I ALMOST SLAMMED INTO DOUBLE PARKED CAR THAT I COULD NOT PASS AND HAD NO CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. ITS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT WAY SO ITS PARKED FOR NOW IF I KNEW THAT IT WOULD BE THAT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE I WOULD NEVER BOUGHT IT. *TR

COOLING FAN STOPPED WORKING ALREADY INSTALLED 3 FANS FROM TIME OF PURCHASE OF VEHICLE THIS WILL BE MY FOURTH ONE ITS HAS ISSUE WITH LOW SPEED. IT BURNS ONLY LOW SPEED ON IT TRIED TO INSTALL AFTERMARKET FAN DID NOT LAST MORE THAN A MONTH HAD TO PURCHASE FROM A DEALER NOW ANOTHER ONE THIS CAN HAS NOTHING BUT A PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

HAD JUST MADE MINOR ENGINE REPAIRS - HOSES - BELT - THERMOSTAT - WATER PUMP - OIL CHANGE - OIL FILTER - AIR FILTER - LESS THEN ONE WEEK - 30MP MAKING LEFT TURN - GRIPPING VERY HARD ON THE WHEEL TO FINISH THE TURN - NO POWER STEERING - TESTED FAN - FAN OK - PULLED STEERING PUMP OFF - WHAT DO I DO NOW - BUY PUMP - CALL DEALER - WAIT TO HERE FROM YOU *TR

TL* 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. UPDATED 9/10/12 *CN

LOST POWER STEERING UNEXPECTEDLY IN MY CAR. POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN WERE REPLACED 6/3/2010. ON 6/29/2011, I AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING UNEXPECTEDLY MILEAGE- 96250 . POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN WERE REPLACED AGAIN. ON 6/26/2012 I YET AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING - MILEAGE -111834, PUMP AND FAN WERE REPLACED FOR THE 3RD TIME. EACH TIME THE FAN HAD FAILED AND THE PUMP OVERHEATED. *TR

DRIVING AT AROUND 40 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING GOT HARD. AFTER ALMOST WRECKING AND MAKING IT HOME , TURNED CAR OFF AND 10 MINUTES LATER IT WORKED AGAIN. *TR

INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING. OCCURS WHETHER VEHICLE IS HOT OR COLD. CAN OCCUR AFTER VEHICLE HAS SAT OVERNIGHT. WILL START WORKING AGAIN AFTER SHUTTING DOWN AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. *JS

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING CAR, THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT BUT COMES BACK ON WITHIN SECONDS. THIS OCCURRED AFTER ADJUSTING PASSENGER SEAT. *JS

I RETURNED HOME AFTER DRIVING FOR 15 MINUTES. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND A MOTOR KEPT RUNNING. I RESTARTED THE CAR TO SEE IF A ELECTRICAL FAN HAD KEPT RUNNING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AGAIN, BUT THE NOISE OF A FAN OR PUMP WAS STILL HEARD. I LOOKED FOR A FUSE TO REMOVE, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE ONE THAT STOPPED THE NOISE. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, SO THE WIRING WOULD NOT OVERHEAT. I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND THE NOISE STILL PERSISTED. I CALLED THE DEALER FERMIN MINI OF TAMPA BAY TO ASK WHAT THE NOISE COULD BE. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT STEERING PUMP AND FAN. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MINI COOPER THAT HAD NINE MONTH OLD PIRELLI EUFORI RUN FLAT TIRES ON ALL FOUR WHEEL THAT IS EXCLUSIVELY DRIVEN BY MY WIFE. I USED THE CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEVERAL MONTHS AND NOTICED ABNORMAL HANDLING ON THE VEHIICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL TIRE STORE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND DISCOVERED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAS SPLIT DOWN THE CENTER GROOVE OF EACH TIRE (PHOTOS AVAILABLE). ON THE MOST BADLY DAMAGED TIRE, THE STEEL BELT WAS VISIBLE AND HAD NEARLY WORN THROUGH THE STEEL BELT. THE STORE MANAGER WARNED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE EXISTING SET OF TIRES. *TR