2004 Mini Cooper

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. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

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.

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 CVT Replacement Parts Warranty Extension: Additional 12 Months with Up to 50,000 Accumulated Miles. A MINI vehicle's CVT assembly or component that was previously repaired and/or replaced by an authorized MINI dealer or BMW center may experience a subsequent failure.

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

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: 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

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

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

The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000(STEERING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. 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 experienced the failure, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and drive off the road. The exact cause of the failure was not determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160.000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mini felt like it was getting pushed by the wind . Realized wasn't wind Mini loss of completely all functions of steering wheel. On super busy highway. Devine intervention Was in far left car went left to right lanes then hit median gaurd rail spun around Finally got it to stop. Never Hitting and hurting anyone around me. Nobody hit me. Car is totalled ! Still at tow place. I saw my life flash as cars were zooming by me. Someone should be held responsible for my car and almost my life. Called out of work can't move upper body that well.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 MINI COOPER HOME TRAVELING UPHILL ON A STEEP PAVED MOUNTAIN ROADWAY TRAVELING A MAXIMUM OF 15 MPH WHEN FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY; STRUCK A TREE WITH ITS LEFT FRONT AND BURST INTO AN EXPLODING FIRE KILLING MY WIFE WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO ESCAPE THE BURNING VEHICLE. THE NC STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND DEATH. THEY DO NOT KNOW YET WHETHER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE PRIOR TO STRIKING THE TREE BUT, FEEL THE FIRE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE STRIKING THE TREE AT A LOW IMPACT AND SPEED. NC MV ACCIDENT REPORT#[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

MAINLY WHILE COLD AND AT LOW SPEED'S THE WHEEL SUDDENLY BECOMES VERY HARD TO TURN AND I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC BUT IT'S A FAULTY HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM

VERY HARD TO TURN STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN MOVING SLOWLY; COMING TO A TURN AT A LIGHT, BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, ETC.

2004 MINI COOPER PURCHASED NEW APROX 62 MILES ON IT AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS GONE & THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND WANT THIS FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. AT APROX. 50 TO 60 MPH THE CAR ENGINES GOES WAY BEYOND THE PROPER RPM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBERS: EA11005 (STEERING) AND PE10038 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

POWER STEERING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE OVER A YEAR OR TWO. NO TOTAL FAILURES BUT IT DOES NOT QUALIFY AS POWER STEERING. THE COOLING FAN DOES NOT WORK. STEERING IS NOT GOOD....FOR POWERED STEERING THAT IS. SLOW SPEED STEERING IS HORRENDOUS AND NON EXISTENT.

I OWN A 2004 MINI COOPER. I WAS DRIVING AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT. THERE IS A OPEN RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I CONTACTED MINI AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL. I EXPLAINED THAT MY CAR WAS EXPERIENCING ALL THE ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL, BUT THEY STILL WOULD NOT HELP ME OUT.

MINI COOPER POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY DRIVEN AND WAS PARKED ON THE STREET. WE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND BACKED UP TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. WE HAD TO ATTEMPT TO BACK UP AGAIN TO GET OFF OF THE STREET AND IN TO THE PARKING SPOT. A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND COOLING FAN HAD FAILED. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED ISSUES WITH THIS FAILURE. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE EXPIRED IN APRIL. THIS HAPPENED JUNE 12TH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY WAS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE FIREWALL ABOVE THE GEAR BOX. THE BATTERY ACID LEAKED ONTO TWO SHIFTER CABLE LINKAGES, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO MELT UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SIX MONTHS AGO BECAUSE OF THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR DUE TO THE UPDATED PART PREVIOUSLY BEING INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REMEDIED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THEY DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT IT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN FOUR HOURS TO COMPLETE THE INSPECTION AND PERFORM ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THE REPAIR WAS ADEQUATELY PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 09/27/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP SAID CAR WAS FINE, CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IT IF IT WAS RECALLED WHY THE PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED UPDATED 6/12/18*JB

DRIVING DOWN HONDA PARKWAY I HEARD POP SOUND. TPMS LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. I PULLED OFF OF ROAD INTO A GAS STATION. AT THAT TIME I DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER BRAKES.THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN ABOUT 10 MINS. THE FIRE DEPT PUT OUT FIRE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ELECTRIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. 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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT IT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE DEALER WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED DOWN THEN SPED UP WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IF ANOTHER CAR WAS BEHIND ME, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE. NOW MY CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS GONE. AFTER REACHING OUT TO MINI USA, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND IT'S PASS THE WARRANTY DATE. IF THE FOLKS AT MINI USA HAD BEEN HONEST WITH ME I COULD HAVE MADE THE DEADLINE FOR A SETTLEMENT PERTAINING TO THE SAME PROBLEM THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD NO IDEA ABOUT. THIS PRODUCT NEED TO BE RECALLED! AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAVE HAD PROBLEMS ALL ALONG AND THE COMPANY HAVE BEEN SETTLING CLAIMS FOR QUITE SOME TIME. WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO RUN HARD WORKING FOLKS INTO DEATH BECAUSE THEY KNOW MOST OF US CAN'T AND WOULDN'T PURSUE THIS MATTER. IT WILL COST ME 6500.00 FOR THE PART AND ANOTHER $2200 FOR LABOR, THE CAR IS NOW VALUED AT $5500.00. IT THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS?

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER.

THE ENGINE STARTING CUTTING OUT AND RABBITING AND FINALLY DIED AND COASTED INTO PARKING LOT AND COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. TOOK TO BARON BMW AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS TOASTED BECAUSE OF LOW OIL PRESSURE FROM A HABITUAL PROBLEM WITH THEIR OIL FILTER HOUSING THAT THEY NEVER RECALLED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE CAR CUTS OUT AND RABBITS ON ACCELERATION ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND EVERYTIME YOU TAKE OFF FROM A START. *TR

ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER, BASE, WITH CVT, IT THE RPMS JUMP TO ~3800 BETWEEN 50-65 MPH. WHEN I ACCELERATE TO ABOVE 65, THE RPMS RETURN TO THE NORMAL RANGE. UPON SLOWING DOWN, THE RPMS THEN JUMP AGAIN BETWEEN 50-65. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER, BASE, SPORADICALLY QUITS WORKING, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. I WAS TOLD BY MINI DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT BUT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY. VERY SUB-PAR CUSTOMER SERVICE, AS THEY KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM. UNHAPPY. *TR

I WAS CHANGING LANES IN A HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATION AND MY POWER STEERING QUIT CAUSING THE CAR TO CONTINUE IN THE "CHANGING" DIRECTION. THIS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HIT A CAR IN ANOTHER LANE BECAUSE I COULD NOT MOVE INTO THE INTENDED LANE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 125,000.

THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE MINI DEALER IN NASHVILLE TN AND I INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING AND WAS TOLD NO RECALL WAS PLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

REPLACEMENT OF POWER STEERING PUMP PER RECALL, BUT UNABLE TO STEER WITHOUT REPLACEMENT OF U JOINT ALSO. *TT

1) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BUSTED. CAR STALLED DANGEROUSLY ON THE HIGHWAY. 2) POWER STEERING PUMP BUSTED. STEERING LOCKED DANGEROUSLY ON THE ROAD AND COULD NOT BE MOVED. *TR

AFTER DRIVING FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I RETURNED 10 MINUTES LATER, I LOST POWER STEERING WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. ON THAT SAME DAY, I DROVE FROM BURLINGAME BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. 5 MINUTES LATER, I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT POWER STEERING, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR

WE PURCHASED A NEW 2004 MINI-COOPER R50 AND PAID EXTRA FOR INSTALLATION OF A CVT TRANSMISSION. THE CVT ' (SPORT MODE)' FAILED IN 2010, JUST 2 YEARS AFTER ITS WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WITH ONLY 35,147 MILES DRIVEN. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT COULD COST BETWEEN $2,000 AND $9,000 TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE SPORT MODE' FUNCTION, AND SINCE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS STILL OPERATING, WE DECIDED TO AVOID THE UNCERTAINTY OF COSTLY REPAIRS AND MAKE SURE NO ONE ELSE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE LEARNED OF OTHER PREMATURE CVT FAILURES AND THREE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUITS REGARDING THIS TRANSMISSION: AARONS V. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC [XXX],BONOMO V. BMW[XXX], AND BOURNE-MILLER V. BMW[XXX]. PREMATURE 'SPORT-MODE' FAILURE CAN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO A $9,000 TRANSMISSION WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCES ON U.S. HIGHWAYS AT HIGH SPEEDS. CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS DO NOT ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, AND WE HAVE 'OPTED-OUT' OF PARTICIPATION IN THEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE EXTENT OF PREMATURE CVT FAILURES IN THE MINI-COOPER AND ISSUE A RECALL APPROPRIATE TO REMEDY THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY DEFECT. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF MORE INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED. UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA I SWEAR THAT THE FORGOING DETAILS ARE ACCURATE AND TRUTHFUL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MINI COOPER IT HAS RECENTLY REACHED 87000 MILES AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. NORMALLY YOU CHANGE YOUR TRANSMISSION FUEL EVERY 25,000 TO 50,000 MILES. MY MODEL MINI COOPER HATCHBACK DOES NOT COME WITH A RESERVOIR TO CHANGE SUCH A FUEL IT WAS A GUARANTEE BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THESE MODELS WOULD NOT NEED SUCH A SERVICE AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE FINE THROUGHOUT THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. WHAT WORRIES ME IS THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY MINI OVER 50MPH DUE TO THE INCREASE OF RPM'S. WITHOUT THE SPEED INCREASE IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAYS AS I NORMALLY WOULD. A CVT TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT COULD COST THOUSANDS. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I'M WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY ITS POSSIBLE THAT MY TRANSMISSION COULD FAIL WHILE MOBILE. THATS MY MAIN CONCERN. I RECENTLY READ THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LAWSUIT ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES. IT IS BMW'S DUE DILIGENCE TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER SEEING HOW THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS ARE OPERATING THIS MACHINERY ON A DAILY BASIS. *TR

2004 MINI COOPER STEERING BECOMES HARD TO STEER SUDDENLY DURING DRIVING AND ALSO AT TIMES AFTER A RESTART FROM PARKING. AFTER A COUPLE OF RESTARTS IT APPEARS TO BE BACK TO NORMAL BUT QUICKLY BECOMES HARD TO STEER AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. DURING TURNS I FEEL KIND OF BLOCKS IN THE STEERING DURING THE TURNING THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE COUNTERED WITH A LITTLE MORE HARD PRESSURE ON STEERING TO COMPLETE THE TURN. FEEL RISKIER TO TAKE IT FOR DOWNTOWN DRIVES THAT NEED SHARP AND PROPER TURNS INTO LANES. EVEN MORE RISKIER FOR HIGHWAY DRIVES AS NOT SURE HOW IT WILL REACT TO A QUICK LANE CHANGE OR DURING EXITS. POWER STEERING SEEMS TO NO LONGER EXIST. *TR

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, WENT TO TURN A CORNER AND THE STEERING GOT VERY HARD. *TR

STEERING WOULD WORK FINE SOME OF THE TIME BUT THEN BECOME VERY HARD TO TURN. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I ALMOST CRASHED. *TR

YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND AS I WAS TURNING ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND FORCED ME TO HIT A CURB. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE SIDE ROADS TO AVOID THE HIGHWAY AND MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. THE CURB DID DO SOME DAMAGE TO MY CAR. MAN DATE IS OCT 2004. *TR

EXITING THE INTERSTATE,I ALMOST WENT OFF THE ROAD WHEN STEERING THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND TURNING THE CAR WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. I PARKED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 6 HOURS, TRIED IT AGAIN, STEERING SEEMED TO HAVE RETURNED TO NORMAL. *TR

HEARD CLICK WHILE TURNING WHEEL WAS ADVISED STEERING HOSE NEEDED REPLACEMENT LAST JULY 12 2012 HAD REPAIR MADE. NOW WITH ONLY 78K ON CAR HEARING CLICK AGAIN - TOOK TO MECHANIC ADVISING WHOLE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *TR

LOST ALL POWER STEERING. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER HAS GONE OUT NOW FOUR TIMES. IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER AND IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A U-TURN OR PARALLEL PARK. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING AND IS VERY DANGEROUS.I HAVE CONTACTED MINI OF SAN FRANCISCO AND THEY REFUSE TO MAKE THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS DESPITE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM BMW/MINI THAT THE PART IS FAULTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TR

I WAS DRIVING 45-50 MILES AN HOUR ON I95S OVER THE Q BRIDGE NEAR NEW HAVEN. I TURNED GENTLY TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND COULD NOT STEER THE CAR TO STRAIGHTEN UP. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR AT ALL. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT DID NOT HELP. NOTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED BEFORE. MY CAR WAS BOUNCED FROM ONE SIDE OF THE CONCRETE BARRIER TO THE OTHER. ALL AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I WAS DEEMED TO BE AT FAULT. I SUSTAINED SEVERE SPINAL INJURY AND REQUIRED MAJOR SURGERY IMMEDIATELY. I WAS UNABLE TO WORK FOR OVER 3 MONTHS. I GOT REIMBURSEMENT FROM MY INSURANCE FOR THE CAR,S KBB VALUE. I THINK THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO HARTFORD. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT UNTIL NOW DUE TO MY PHYSICAL DISABILITY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CASE FOR STEERING FAILURE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK MY STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME HARD TO TURN I HIT THE CURB AND BLEW TWO TIRES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING SYSTEM SEIZED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING LANES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC HOWEVER, NO DETAILS REGARDING THE STEERING SYSTEM DEFECT WAS PROVIDED BY THE MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

MY DAUGHTER HAD BEEN DRIVING MY CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS, WHEN SHE PARKED TO PICK ME UP I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING STALL THE STEERING WAS SO HARD. I THEN HAD TO DRIVE HOME USING EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH I HAD, WHILE MAKING SURE NOT TO HIT ANYTHING. I TOO HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED WITH BMW. *TR

I WAS EXITING INTERSTATE AND SLOWING TO A STOP WHEN STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORKED EASILY. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I DROVE MY SISTER'S 2004 MINI COOPER SOMETIME IN SPRING OF 2012 TO CHECK ON WORK DONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. AS I YIELDED INTO A ROUNDABOUT AND ENTERED IT, THE POWER STEERING CUT OFF WHICH STEERING EFFORT BECAME VERY HEAVY AND VERY NEARLY HAD A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. I SISTER INFORMED ME AFTERWARDS THAT THE ISSUE JUST HAPPEN RECENTLY OCCURRED TO HER TOO, AS SHE EXITED A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP AT NEARLY 55MPH, AND POWER STEERING HAD FAILED. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICKLY WITH THE POWER STEERING LOSS. PULLED TO THE SIDE, SHUT THE VEHICLE, AND TURNED ON THE VEHICLE AGAIN, AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. IT HAS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF/ON W POWER SINCE THEN WHICH THE DEALER RECOGNIZES, BUT WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXPIRED SINCE IT'S 9 YEARS AND OVER 100,000 MI. AND WE ARE LEFT WITH A BILL AT AROUND $1,400 AVERAGE. $800 IN PARTS ALONE. THERE ARE MANY MINI CUSTOMERS KNOWN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE OF POWER STEERING LOSS IN THEIR EARLY MODELS TOO, SAME AS MY SISTER'S YEAR MODEL. SO FAR FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NO INJURIES NOR FATALITIES DIRECTLY FROM THIS POWER STEERING LOSS FROM WHAT I KNOW OF. BUT MANY ARE FACED WITH THIS LARGE REPAIR WITH WE'RE FACING, AND SOME MAY FOREGO/ DELAY REPAIRING IT. TRANSPORT CANADA, RECOGNIZES THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND RECALLED ABOUT 9,000 MINI'S LAST YEAR. AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP PART IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THEIRS. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO ACT LIKE OUR NEIGHBORS? UNTIL WE GET SOMEONE HORRIBLY INJURED OR KILLED?! OR HAVE MINI CUSTOMERS SUCH MY SISTER FACING

I HAD PARKED MY CAR AT A DONUT SHOP AND WHEN I CAME OUT AND STARTED THE CAR AND GO, IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. I HAD TO CALL A FRIEND TO HELP ME TOW IT TO MY HOUSE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I80 AND MY CAR STARTED TO KICK AND SPUTTER THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I DROPPED SPEEDS AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME HE SWERVED HONKED HIS HORN AND GAVE ME THE FINGER. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER BLEW OUT AND I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE HEADGASKET AND REFURBISH THE ENGINE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IT WOULD PERIODICALLY KICK AND STALL OUT ON ME I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS JUST THE ENGINE BREAKING IN. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I SAW THE OIL WAS A LITTLE LOW AND AGAIN IT KICKED AND STALLED. I TOOK IT BACK IN THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPROGRAM THE TRANNY. *TR