2005 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. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.

Risk. An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.

Remedy. MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include MY 2002 and 2003 vehicles that use the same steering system.The subject vehicles now include MY 2002, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic …

ODI has received 339 complaints alleging an unexpected loss of power steering assist while driving the vehicle.When the power steering assist stops working, drivers experienced difficulty in steering and/or controlling the vehicle.According to BMW drivers may experience either a temporary or permanent loss of power steering assist.BMW further advised that a temporary loss of power steering assist may be due to a malfunctioning cooling fan or an under-voltage condition in the power steering system.A permanent loss of power steering assist may be due to an error in the internal electronics, and …

MINI: MODELS R50, R52, AND R53 WITH THE ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER-ASSIST STEERING PUMP AND COOLING FANS WILL HAVE AN LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 13 YEARS/150,000 MILES. *TA

Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Limited Warranty Extension to 13 Years/150,000 Miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump can fail.

MINI: INFORMATION ON PARTS WARRANTY EXTENSION APPLYING TO PREVIOUS QUALIFYING REPAIRS AND NO IMMEDIATE REPAIR REQUIRED UNLESS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH CVT ASSEMBLY OR COMPONENT. MODEL 2005-2008 COOPER, COOPER S. *PE

MINI: WARRANTY COVERAGE EXTENSION/REPAIR EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ELECTRO HYDRAULIC POWER (ASSIST) STEERING (EHPS) PUMP, WHICH HAS ITS OWN COOLING FAN, ON SOME VEHICLES AND NOT THE ELECTRIC POWER (ASSIST) STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM ON OTHER MINIS. MODELS 2002-2005 COOPER, COOPER S, CONVERTIBLE, CONVERTIBLE S. *PE

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. SUBJECT Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle is No Longer Required. Left-hand drive steering spindles are currently available.

MINI: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH COOLING FAN AND THE DURABILITY OF ELECTRO HYDRAULIC POWER (ASSIST) STEERING (EHPS) PUMP. MODELS 2002-2005 R50, R52, R3. *PE UPDATED ON 11/1/2013. *KB UPDATED 3/4/2014 *JS

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.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE POWER STEERING CEASED WITHOUT WARNING UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) AS POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. MINI OF DES MOINES LOCATED AT (9900 HICKMAN RD, DES MOINES, IA 50325) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, MINI OF MARIN (5880 PARADISE DR, CORTE MADERA, CA 94925, (415) 887-2194) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKS.

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.

WHEN ADJUSTING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I CONDUCTED TROUBLESHOOTING. I VERIFIED THAT THE WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS FOR THE AIRBAG SENSORS UNDER BOTH SEATS HAD COME LOOSE, AND CERTAIN WIRES DE-PINNED. THE CAR WAS RUNNING, AND PARKED WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILURE WORSENED SINCE DECEMBER OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND LOST POWER. I PULLED TO SHOULDER AND BLACK SMOKE CAME THRU AIR VENTS. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS FIRE. MY CAR COMPLETELY BURNED UP. I NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE BELIEVED THE FIRE STARTED UNDER MY CAR.

WENT TO DINNER AND CAME OUT AND STARTED MY CAR AND IT WAS SUPER HARD TO STEER

2005 MINI COOPER S WAS TRAVELING 50MPH WHEN IT HIT ICY BRIDGE SPUN AROUND AND ROLLED 3 TIMES DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND PASSENGER WAS NOT AND GOT EJECTED AND DIED.NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HWY 299.*DT *JS

TAKATA RECALL. DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE ME $1000 TO FIX THIS AIRBAG. STEERING ALSO STIFF AND AT TIME UNRESPONSIVE. NUMBER THREE MISFIRE IS A DESIGN FLAW. HORN DOES NOT WORK. LENS ON HEADLIGHTS MAKE LIGHT VERY DIM.

THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT WAS REPLACED BY RECALL ON 10/28/2016. ON 10/2018 I NOTICED THAT WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WITH THEIR SEAT BELT ON THE AIR BAG WAS OFF, IN 1 WEEKS TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE AIR BAG IS OFF ALL THE TIME WITH OR WITHOUT SOMEONE OCCUPING THE SEAT. REGUARDLESS IF THE CAR IS IDILING OR GOING DOWN THE RODE. AT LEAST BEFORE THE RECALLED MAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED THE SEAT MAT SENSOR WORKED MOST OF THE TIME. NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TESTED THE OC3 MAT (PASSENGER SIDE MAT SENSOR) AND SAID THERE ARE MULTIPLE CODES FOR THE OC3 MAT AND THEY FOUND INTERNAL FAULTS AND IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT AGAIN. THEY SAID THIS RECALL IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY AND I NEED TO PAY OVER 1500.00 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME TO HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY CAR IF WE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT THEIR AIRBAG WOULD NOT BE ON, THERE FOR THEY WOULD HAVE NO AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY TO TRY AND PROTECT THEM. HOW IS THIS MY FAULT? THEY REPLACED MY MAT SENSOR WITH ANOTHER FAULTY ONE THAT IS WORSE THEN THE FIRST ONE. HOW LONG ARE THE WARRENTIES FOR RECALLS AND THE PARTS REPLACED? I HAVE THE PAPERS FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATING WHAT I JUST REPORTED TO YOU.

AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. DEALERSHIP REPORTS $1200 TO REPLACE SENSOR FOR PASSENGER SEAT AND MAY IMPACT ALL AIRBAGS IF NOT FIXED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 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.

I GOT HOME FROM WORK PARKED CAR AND HEARD A WHINING NOISE UNDER HOOD I COULD SEE SMOKE AND BURING SMELL COMING FROM STEERING COOLING FAN THE FAN STAYED ON AND WENT INTO EXTREME HIGH SPEED AND CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND WIRING BURNING ,I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY WHICH STOPPED FAN AND ELECTRICAL BURNING I HAVE CAR PARKED IN DRIVE WAY AND CONTACTED MY INSURANCE TO FILE A CLAIM ,I AM AFRAID TO START CAR AND NEED TO HAVE CAR REPAIRED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MAG MINI DUBLIN IN COLUMBUS (5825 VENTURE DR, DUBLIN, OH 43017, (614) 389-6854) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

I AM A PROUD OWNER OF A 2005 MINI COOPER S WITH 108K MILES. RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED THE INFAMOUS EHPS PUMP FAILURE THAT THE PUMP WILL CONTINUE RUNNING AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE CAR. IT DRAINS THE BATTERY COMPLETELY SO I HOOKED UP MY BATTERY CHARGER TO IT OVERNIGHT. AFTER PERFORMING SOME GOOGLE RESEARCHING ON THIS SUBJECT MATTER, I REALIZED MINI HAD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE EHPS SYSTEM IN 2013 AND LATER SUPERSEDED BY THE RECALL 15V-660. UNFORTUNATELY MY PRODUCTION DATE (AUGUST OF 05) DOES NOT FALL IN THE RANGE OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL COVERS PRODUCTION BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2001 TO FEBRUARY 2005. FURTHER READING ON THIS ISSUE, MANY OWNERS EXPRESSED THAT THEY HAVE SUCCESS ON CLEANING THE DUST INSIDE THE PUMP TO SOLVE THE SHORTING ISSUE WITHIN THE PUMP. SO I DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, REMOVED THE PUMP FROM THE CAR AND START TAKING THE PUMP APART. AFTER REMOVING THE COVER, I REALIZED THE SHORT HAD ALREADY MELTED DOWN ONE OF THE BRUSH (THE GOLD COLOR PIECE IN IMG_9730) AND SOME OTHER COMPONENTS INSIDE THE PUMP. MY RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THIS PUMP IS THE EXACT SAME ONE THAT WAS USED AS THE RECALL ONE, BMW PART NUMBER 6769961-02 (IMG_9733). LATER ON THE PART NUMBER CHANGED TO 6769961-03. SO I WONDERED WHY MY CAR ISN'T PART OF THE US RECALL. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE TRANSPORT CANADA RECALL #2012029 DOES PROVIDE EXTENDED WARRANTY (12 YEARS / 200K KM) ON THE PUMP AND PUMP COOLING FAN FOR ALL 2002-2005 COOPER AND COOPER S IN CANADA. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIAL FIRE

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.

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. *TR

I HAVE HAD THE STEERING PUMP FAIL TWICE IN MY 2005 R53 MINI, THE 1ST TIME THE POWER STEERING WOULD CUT OUT AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING AND THE PUMP WOULD CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF (HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY FOR IT TO STOP). THIS WAS REPLACED IN 2013 AT A MINI DEALERSHIP UNDER AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" AT THE EXPENSE OF MINI. NOW 3 YEARS LATER I AM HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT ON WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN THE PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED THE CAR OFF (HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY). THE NEXT DAY THE STEERING PUMP ACTUALLY BURNT ITSELF OUT (SMOKED) WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY. I UNDERSTAND MINI HAS ISSUED A MORE EXTENSIVE RECALL HOWEVER SINCE MINE WAS "FIXED" ALREADY I AM NOT COVERED - IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE JUST AS FAULTY AS THOSE THEY HAVE REPLACED AND WILL MOST LIKELY EXPERIENCE THE SAME DANGEROUS FAILURE. *TR

TAKATA RECALL. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN AUTOMATIC. SPENT $5,600 TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. STILL HAVING INTERMITTENT ISSUES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

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

COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE ON MY WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING WHILE TURNING A CORNER FROM THE HIGHWAY TO CITY STREET. I FOUND AN OPEN SAFETY RECALL DEC 2015 FOR 2005 MODEL MINI COOPER S BUT MY 2005 VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. IT SEEMS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN LIKE THIS WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE OEM.

THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. MINI COOPER HAS A RECALL ON THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR BUT SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. MECHANIC STATED POWER STEERING UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ UPDATED 07/14/16.*JB

ELECTRO/HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING UNIT FAILURE @ 87,000 MILES . UNIT WILL NOT SHUT OFF UNLESS THE BATTERY CABLE IS DISCONNECTED. MINI USA REFUSES TO COVER THE PART UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL.

THERE IS A POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL FOR THIS MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000) BUT THE DATE CUTOFF IS FOR CARS PRODUCED BY FEBRUARY OF THE 2005 MODEL YEAR. MY CAR (2005 MINI COOPER S WITH 86,000 MILES) HAS A PRODUCTION DATE OF JUNE 2005 AND IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT AND MORE ERRATIC. STEERING NOW REQUIRES SUBSTANTIALLY MORE FORCE, SO MY WIFE IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT CONCERNS FOR HER OWN SAFETY. IF THE MANUFACTURER FEELS THAT THE PART THEY USED AFTER FEBRUARY 2005 WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS "GLITCH", THEN WHY IS THE PART MALFUNCTIONING IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE ADMITTEDLY FAULTY PART?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

ON 2/11/2016 I GOT HOME FROM WORK AND I PARKED MY 2005 MINI COOPER S (53,000 MILES) ON THE DRIVEWAY, TURN OFF CAR AND STAYED WITH MY KIDS & WIFE SINCE THEY WERE WAITING FOR ME OUTSIDE, MY WIFE NOTICE A SOUND & SMOKE COMING FROM THE CAR, THE SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I IMMEDIATELY OPEN THE HOOD & THERE WAS MORE SMOKE COMING OUT, THE HEADLIGHTS & ALL THE LIGHTS TURNED ON & STARED FLICKERING, ALSO THE WIPERS TURNED ON, COUPLE OF SECONDS LATER THE BOTOM OF THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MY WIFE RAN TO GET THE WATER HOSE & I WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WE WERE LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T WALK INSIDE THE HOUSE LIKE I ALWAYS DO, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY FOR ME, MY FAMILY AND EVEN OUR NEIGHBORS. THE NEXT DAY I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO AFTER AN INSPECTION FOUND OUT IF WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP THAT GOT ON FIRE AND DAMAGED ALL THE WIRES AROUND IT, SINCE HE IS A MINI SPECIALIST HE TOLD US ABOUT A RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC PART, BUT TO OUR DISAPPOINTMENT HE RAN OUR VIN # AND FOUND THAT OUR CAR IS EXCLUDED FROM THAT RECALL SINCE ITS A LATE 2005 PRODUCTION. THAT EXACTLY SAME THING HAPPEND TO US WITH THE ACTUATORS, ONE DAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS SHOPPING WITH MY KIDS, THEY JUST GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP, IT WAS A SUMMER DAY AND LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT THROUGH THE BACK TRUNK, WE CONTACTED MINI BECAUSE THERE IS ALSO A RECALL FOR THE ACTUATORS AND THEY ALSO EXCLUDED OUR CAR SAYING THAT IT WAS A LATE 2005 PRODUCTION AND WERE NO

TRANSMISSION PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT 48K MILES BY MANUFACTURER DUE TO NOISE. MY TRANSMISSION IS BROKEN. MY TIRES CHIRP EVERY TIME I PUSH ON THE GAS BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR TO BE IN DUE TO THE BAD BODY CONTROL VALVE. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE I CANNOT VERIFY HOW MUCH MECHANICAL DAMAGE HAS TAKEN PLACE DURING THE TIME THAT THE VALVE BODY HAS BEEN BROKEN. ONCE THE VALVE BODY BREAKS DOWN, THE MECHANICAL UNIT ALSO BEGINS TO BREAK DOWN. MINI NEEDS TO ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN TELLING THE DEALERS TO COMMENCE SERVICING THE AISIN TRANSMISSIONS EVERY 40K BY REPLACING THE FLUID. BMW/MINI'S TRANSMISSION FLUID IS NOT LIFETIME. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A SIMILAR BULLETIN A FEW YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT ALSO USES THE AISIN TRANSMISSION. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS MAY NOT REPLACE THE FLUID RIGHT BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS HARD TO DRAIN AND IN MANY CASES IF IT'S NOT DONE RIGHT, GREAT DAMAGE IS DONE THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER POWERED UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK, AND BUCK. THE VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO BREAK DOWN BECAUSE THE SHAVINGS FROM THE TRANSMISSION GEARS BEGAN TO CLOUD THE FLUID AND INHIBIT COMMUNICATION FROM THE VALVE BODY SOLENOIDS TO THE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS. UPDATED 03/23/16.*JB

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE TO GET THE NOISE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF... UPDATED 05/03/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PAID FOR AN AIR BAG SENSOR TWO YEARS. UPDATED 12/15/15. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.

POWER STEERING FAILED. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT IT. AFTER THE CAR AS TURNED OFF AND THEN COOLED: 30 MINUTES LATER THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS: ALL ON DAYS WITH THE TEMPERATURE IN THE 90S. I CALLED THE MINI SERVICE BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY WON'T FIX IT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE POWER STEERING PUMPS (150K MILES, 13 YEARS) UNLESS ITS FAILED WHILE THEY HAVE IT. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS WAY WITH UNEXPECTED FAILURES: ESPECIALLY FOR MY WIFE WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FORCE IT THROUGH TURNS WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS POWER STEERING SYSTEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

MY PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS BEEN INACTIVE FOR OVER TWO YEARS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT SENSOR. I RECENTLY SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT ACCORDING TO MY VIN MY VEHICLE HAS NO OPEN RECALLS SO IT WOULD SEEM I'M NOT COVERED BY THE CURRENT RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE ISSUE. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND LET ME KNOW AS I WOULD LOVE TO GET THIS FAULTY SAFETY FEATURE REPAIRED!

PASSENGER BAG SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED FOR OVER TWO YEARS. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED TO TURN OFF WITH VEHICLE. RESULTED IN BATTERY BEING DRAINED AND ULTIMATELY LOSS OF POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN, AND FLUID HAD TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF FAN BECOMING SEIZED, PUMP OVERHEATING AND FAILING. *TR

DASH LIGHT INDICATING A PASSENGER AIRBAG PROBLEM LIGHTS UP. *TR

ABOUT 1 WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER AND THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION SIGN COMES ON THE DASH. IN THE MANUAL IT SAYS :IN THE EVENT OF A MALFUNCTION, HAVE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CHECKED IMMEDIATELY. OTHERWISE, THERE IS A RISK THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED IN RESPONSE TO A SEVERE IMPACT OCCURRING WITHIN THE SYSTEM'S NORMAL TRIGGERING RANGE. I HAVE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY BUT THEY TOLD ME IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE TO PAY 100 TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OKAY. BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THAT. *TR

PASSENGER SAFETY INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON. CALLED LOCAL MINI SERVICE CENTER AFTER READING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND THEY STATED THEY (MINI USA) HAVE/WILL NOT SERVICE/REPAIR THE FAULTY SEAT MODULE. THIS MUST BE CONSIDERED AS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE PASSENGER AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR RECALL. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2002-2005 COOPERS, BUT FOR SOME REASON OUR VIN IS NOT COVERED, WHY? OBVIOUSLY THE RECALL CAME LONG AFTER THE CARS WERE DELIVERED, DOES OUR REALLY HAVE A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER OF PUMP? WHY ISN'T OUR COVERED BY THE RECALL? *TR

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. *TR

POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE CORNERING CAUSING DRIVER TO USE HEAVY MANUAL FORCE TO CORNER THE VEHICLE THRU A TRICKY VIADUCT TRAIN BRIDGE PASSAGEWAY. WHILE MIDWAY INTO THE TURN, THE POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY "KICKED BACK ON" CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN VIOLENTLY ACROSS LANE AND NEARLY INTO CORNER OF CEMENT WALL HOLDING UP OVERHEAD TRAIN BRIDGE. OTHER CARS WERE MISSED, AND DRIVER STOPPED CAR WITH FRONT BUMPER SLIGHTLY TOUCHING VIADUCT CEMENT WALL. WIFE AND 7 YEAR OLD CHILD WERE ON THE IMPACT SIDE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHICH NOTED THE EHPS POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAILING. HE CLEANED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND INSTALLED A NEW COOLING FAN ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE PUMP WAS OVERHEATED AND PACKED WITH METAL DEBRIS. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO RETURN TO MINI AS POTENTIAL RECALL ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED BUT REFUTED BY MINI. POWER STEERING PUMP STILL HAS SIGNIFICANT NOISE AND IS SCHEDULED FOR REVIEW BY A MINI DEALER. *TR

A "POP" WAS HEARD WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON I95. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE CONSIDERING WHEN THE "POP" OCCURRED, MY MINI LOST POWER. AS I WAS PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. *TR

POWER STEERING SYSTEM FIRE. *TR