2005 Mini Cooper complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

AFTER AN HOURS DRIVE, I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE TALKING W/ THE CAR OFF. ALL OF SUDDEN SMOKE STARTS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I QUICKLY OPENED THE HOOD TO HEAR SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL FAN/PUMP SOUND & SMOKE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM/REAR SIDE OF THE MOTOR. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE BATTERY TERMINAL & THE NOISE/SMOKE STOPPED. I THEN SEARCHED ONLINE & FOUND THE KNOWN ISSUES OF THE ELECTRICAL ASSISTED POWER STEERING. I FOUND THE FUSE FOR THE CIRCUIT, A 100 AMP FUSE HIDDEN ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE FUSE BOX THAT HAD NOT POPPED EVEN THOUGH THE PUMP WAS BURNING ITSELF UP. I HAD ENOUGH TOOLS W/ ME TO PULL THE FUSE, GET THE CAR STARTED & MAKE MY WAY HOME W/O THE POWER STEERING ASSIST.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,629. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 11/07/2017*CN

2005 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE ELECTRONIC FAILURE. CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER VEHICLE COMPLAINT LISTED IN ARTEMIS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WITH HIS VEHICLE WAS A COMPUTER TEST CALLED COMPREHENSIVE COMPONENT KEPT READING INCOMPLETE. THE DEALER FOUND AN INTERNAL SHORT INSIDE THE ENGINE BASIC CONTROL COMPUTER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE COST TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC HARDWARE WAS $1968 WHICH WAS EXCESSIVE. *JB

THE STEERING HAS STARTED TO BECOME EXTREMELY UNRELIABLE AND THE CAR STARTS TO LOSE CONTROL AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. AT FIRST THE PROBLEM WAS SLIGHT BUT IT IS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS SITUATION SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO A COMPLAINT THAT HAS LED TO A CLASS ACTION SUIT AND THE RECALL OF SOME MINI COOPERS. UNFORTUNATELY OUR VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST, ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS THAT MINI COOPERS FROM 2002-2009 HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.

MINI HAS ANNOUNCED RECALL NO. 15V-205 REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR ON MINI COOPER. MY MINI HAS THIS DEFECT AND IN ORDER TO VALIDATE THIS AIR BAG RELATED DEFECT, MINI REQUIRED ME TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. NOW, MINI IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE DIAGNOSTIC FEE NEEDED TO DETERMINE THAT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT SEAT DETECTION MAT SENSOR. THIS FEE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED SINCE MINI ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A DEFECT FOR THE FRONT SEAT MAT SENSOR.

REPORTED TO MINI OF DALLAS : ITEM C : CLIENT STATES THE DASH AIRBAG LIGHT AND OFF AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON RANDOMLY WHILE AN ADULT IS SITTING AND NOT SITTING IS PASSENGER SEAT. THIS LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND OFF . 12/16/2014 REPORTED SAME THING TO PARKER MINI OF LITTLE ROCK, ADVISED REPAIR WOULD COST $1236.88. THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANY MORE. ASKED FOR A TRADE IN PRICE, THOROUGHLY INSULTED BY AMOUNT OFFERED, DUE TO AIRBAG PROBLEM. 1/22/2015 MINI OF LITTLE ROCK GOT PARTS IN AND FAULT WAS RESOLVED AT OWNERS EXPENSE OF $ 1236.88 INVOICE # 1MCS11292. PLEASE NOTE : THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM 2/9/2009 THRU 1/22/2015 WITH A PASSENGER AIRBAG THAT WAS NOT WORKING, THE VEHICLE BEING ILLEGALLY DRIVEN, NOT TO MENTION IF WE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DURING THAT TIME. WE WERE FORCED FOR OUR OWN SAFETY TO SPEND $1236.88 WHICH WE FEEL SHOULD BE REIMBURSED UNDER THIS RECALL. [XXX] [XXX] HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, AR 71909 [XXX] [XXX]@SBCGLOBAL.NET INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

PLEASE NOTE THAT BOTH MINI COOPER USA AND NW MINI (FIFE WASHINGTON) ARE DENYING THAT RECALL 15V205000 EXISTS. BOTH HAVE REFUSED TO HONOR THIS RECALL. I SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AT 866-825-1525 AND HE INDICATED THAT MINI VIEWS THIS AS "MEDIA HYPE" AND THAT THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ABOUT AN ACTUAL RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1900. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,200. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN UPDATED 07/09/15*JB

MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN LEAKING FLUID FOR MONTHS AND HAD A SLIGHT STEERING RESISTANCE A MONTH OR SO BUT WAS RANDOM AND DIDN'T CONTINUE. NOW, IT REMAINS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT ALL TIMES. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT, NOTING THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF, REMAINS ON EVEN WITH A PASSENGER PRESENT. WITH NO PASSENGER PRESENT IN THE SEAT, IT STILL REMAINS ON, TELLING ME THE AIRBAG IS INACTIVE. THERE IS A WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THAT TRIGGERS THIS LIGHT, AND IT APPEARS THIS SENSOR IS FAULTY. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOW HAS REMAINED ON FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX FOR A VERY CHEAP PART, AND THAT THE REPAIR MUST ONLY BE DONE BY THE DEALER. I FEEL THAT MINI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS FIX, AS IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE ON THE CAR, AND IT HAS AFFECTED MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS, WITH CARS BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2005. *TR

AIRBAG SENSOR MAT IS FAULTY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. FOR ONE THING, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE PART; INTERNET FORUMS AND THE DEALERSHIP INDICATE THERE IS A BACKLOG FOR THIS PART. THIS SUGGESTS THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. ALSO, THE PART IS $900.00. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES $1,348.00 FOR LABOR. NO WONDER BMW/MINI ARE NOT INTERESTED IN EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO COVER AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. CAN YOU FOLLOW UP ON THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM? *TR

POWER STEERING WHINE *JS

RED AIR BAG LIGHT ON CENTER DASH AND YELLOW AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT JUST RECENTLY THE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT. *TR

AROUND THIS TIME MY AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS DURING MY SERVICE VISIT (OCT 2009) AND I WAS TOLD THAT TO INVESTIGATE THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WOULD BE OVER $100 IN LABOR AS IT WOULD REQUIRE REMOVING THE SEAT. I DECLINED THE SERVICE. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON PERMANENTLY EVEN WITH PASSENGERS IN THE SEAT. I'VE RECENTLY DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF MINI RELATED TO A FAILURE OF THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MODEL YEARS OF BMW HAS RECENTLY RESULTED IN A RECALL. AS THIS IS LIKELY THE SAME PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING, AND AS THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, I AM REPORTING THIS TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE AIRBAG AND OCCUPANCY SENSOR ISSUE FOR MINI COOPER. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. FORTUNATELY I WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM IN A MINI AND THAT MINI IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS PART IS READILY AVAILABLE IN ALL DEALERSHIPS AND PARTS STORE INVENTORIES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THROUGH READING DISCUSSION ON THE INTERNET THAT MINI HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY IN 2002 TO 2005 MINIS UP TO 13 YEARS AND 100,000 MILES. MINE IS NOT COVERED AND I INCURRED A COST OF ALMOST $1,300 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE NEVER IN MY 50 YEARS OF DRIVING HAD A POWER STEERING FAILURE UNTIL THIS INCIDENT. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE MAY HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. SINCE THIS IS A FAIRLY LOW VOLUME VEHICLE THE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE AS QUICKLY NOTICED BY YOUR DEPARTMENT AS IF IT WERE A FORD FOCUS OR HONDA CIVIC. .I HAVE GREAT CONCERN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.. *TR

LOUD WHINE FROM POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT TURN AT 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR, HOWEVER, MINI STATES THAT MY VIN IS NOT COVERED (POSSIBLY BECAUSE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WHILE STATIONED WITH THE ARMY IN GERMANY). THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MINIUSA'S RESPONSE TO DATE. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT (TYPICALLY ONLY ON WHEN SOMEONE UNDER-WEIGHT IE. CAR SEAT IS PRESENT) REMAINS ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT OR NOT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE FAILURE WAS 60,000.

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS REMAIN ON WITH OR WITHOUT SOMEONE IN THE SEAT. CAUSES CONCERN IF AIRBAGS WILL OPERATE IN A CRASH. *TR

STARTED OUT BEING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM,WHERE IT WOULD SEEM THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT OFF THEN COME BACK ON, MAKING HARD TO JUDGE IF YOU COULD JUST RELAX TO STEER OR NOT, NOW ITS MORE OFF THAN ON. CALLED THE MINI ASSISTANCE NUMBER BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS ISSUE, WAS TOLD THERE WAS BUT MY VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR IT, AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS FOR VEHICLES 2002-2005, MINES A 2005 AND MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED. DON'T UNDERSTAND. *TR

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED AND OVERHEAD LIGHT SIGNALED PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" EVEN THOUGH AN ADULT MALE (168 POUNDS) WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. MULTIPLE EXPERIENCES OVER SEVERAL DAYS. NO MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WHEN THE SEAT WAS EMPTY, ONLY WHEN OCCUPIED BY A BONAFIDE ADULT. *TR

I GOT IN MY VEHICLE AND SHUT THE DOOR. I TURN THE KEY TO ON, THE LOCKS WENT DOWN (LOCKS USUALLY GO DOWN WHEN CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING) I TURNED THE KEY FURTHER TO START THE ENGINE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN, THE SUN ROOF WOULD NOT OPEN, THE FOB WOULD NOT WORK, AT THAT POINT I WAS LOCKED IN MY CAR. I HAD TO KICK OUT THE WINDOW TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. WHEN I DID GET OUT, I RE ENTERED THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD AND JIGGLED THE BATTERY CONNECTION. I SHUT THE HOOD AND TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT STARTED. I NOTICED AS I WAS DRIVING IT HOME THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE STEERING COLLUM WERE NOT WORKING AND THAT WHEN I PARKED IT AT HOME THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER AND JUST LOST THE POWER STEERING. A COUPLE TIMES RECENTLY IT WAS HARD TO STEER WHILE PARALLEL PARKING, BUT OK ON THE ROAD. THIS MORNING IT COMPLETELY FAILED ON THE WAY TO THE HIGHWAY. THE WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN AND JUST MANAGED TO GET IT BACK TO THE HOUSE, WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY. I SEE ON THE INTERNET NOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING PUMP SINCE 2011 THAT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT BEFORE. WHY ARE OWNERS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS? I COULD HAVE HAD A BAD ACCIDENT IF THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS

WAS DRIVING NORMALLY ON 4/8/14 , TURNED NORMALLY UNTIL I TOOK A SLIGHT CURVE AND STEERING WHEEL GOT VERY STIFF & HARD TO TURN FROM THEN ON . UNTIL NOW IT REMAINS VERY HARD TO DRIVE . *TR

SUDDEN FAILURE OF POWER STEERING RESULTING IN VERY HIGH STEERING EFFORT, TRACED BY DEALER TO A WELL-KNOWN FAILURE MODE IN ELECTROHYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP. PUMP AND ASSOCIATED FAN WERE REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER SPECIAL ("SECRET") WARRANTY COVERAGE, DUE TO COMMON INCIDENCE OF THIS FAILURE. EXISTENCE OF THIS SPECIAL WARRANTY WAS FOUND ONLY AFTER SEARCH AND LOCATION OF MANY IDENTICAL FAILURES ON THE INTERNET. THE VEHICLE BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE COMPLETELY DISCHARGED UPON ARRIVAL AT DEALERSHIP. ONCE A SHOP BATTERY WAS CONNECTED, THE PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IGNITION WAS IN THE FULL OFF POSITION. ALSO, THE ALTERNATOR WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE STRESS IMPOSED BY THE DEFECTIVE PUMP ON THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. COST OF ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS KNOWN FAILURE MODE IS BELIEVED TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY DEFECT. FORMAL RECALL OF AFFECTED VEHICLES BY NHTSA IS WARRANTED, SINCE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SPEED CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. *JS

POWER STEERING WENT OUT ABRUPTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. *JS

MY AIR BAG LITE CAME ON.WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING.I HAD MY SYSTEM CHECKED. I FOUND THAT THE SEAT HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 2000 $.BMW HAS RECALL ON ALL 3,5,7 SERIES.BUT NOT ON MINI. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON! PASSENGER LIGHT TURNS OFF AND ON WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. PASSENGER WARNING LIGHT GOES OFF WITH OUT PASSENGER IN SEAT. I LOOKED ON SEVERAL INTERNET FORMS AND THIS SEAMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MINI HAS HAD FOR SOME TIME WITHOUT A RECALL. THE FIX FOR MOST PROBLEMS IS AN EXPENSIVE 1200.0 TO 1400.00 SEAT SENSOR . I FILL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WHICH MINI SHOULD ADDRESS . *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I WAS ONLY TWO HOUSES FROM MY HOME GOING AROUND SMALL CURVE THOUGHT MY CAR HAD CUT OFF THEN REALIZED ONLY THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT VERY HARD TO STEER IF HAD BEEN ON HWY AT MED RATE OF SPEED COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE CAR AND POSSIBLE WRECK. *TR

MY CAR STARTED WITH A LOW HUM AND AS TIME HAS GONE BY THE SOUND HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND EVER SINCE THE SOUND HAS BEEN THERE THE POWER STEERING HAS INTERMITTENTLY GONE OUT, BUT NOW IS OUT ALMOST ALL THE TIME. MY WIFE DRIVES THE VEHICLE THE MOST BUT WE WERE PLANNING ON GIVING IT TO OUR 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER FOR HER GRADUATION PRESENT BUT NOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AN ALL THE TIME THING WE WILL HAVE TO GO PURCHASE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE FOR HER. IT IS JUST FRUSTRATING THAT AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND THEM BEING THE SAME IT ALMOST SEEMS USELESS TO FILE A COMPLAINT DUE TO MINI NOT WANTING THEIR VEHICLES TO BE GOOD. ALSO ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT IS ALWAYS LIT. *TR

OCCUPANT SEAT SENSOR FAILURE IN PASSENGER SEAT, AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STOPS AIRBAG OPERATION. I BELIEVE MINI/BMW IS LIABLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD FIX IT UNDER RECALL. SEVERAL PASSENGERS HAVE REFUSED TO RIDE IN MY CAR FOR FEAR OF SAFETY. PART IS $1200 PLUS INSTALLATION AND REPROGRAMMING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON KNOWN ISSUE. MINI/BMW'S NEGLIGENCE ON THIS ISSUE IS ASTONISHING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 35 MPH STEERING THROUGH A CURVE WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT REQUIRED MAJOR EFFORT TO KEEP THE CAR TURNING THROUGH THE CURVE TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON OCCURRENCE ON FIRST GENERATION MINI COOPERS AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO TYPICALLY DRIVES THE CAR HAD BEEN AT THE WHEEL AT THE TIME THIS COULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC RESULTS BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE STEERING OF THE CAR. A CAR SHOULDN'T BE AT RISK OF HAVING MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURES WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED I OR MY HUSBAND HAVE LOST POWER STEERING IN OUR 2005 MINI COOPER S. THIS ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEER PUMP & FAN HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING PROBLEM IN THESE MINIS. (THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE RECALL IN CANADA.) THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE AS IT IS A SUDDEN ONSET. IT IS PROBLEMATIC AT SLOW OR FAST SPEEDS. I CAN BARELY STEER THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IN/OUT OF OUR GARAGE OR IN/OUT OF PARKING SPACES. I HAVE HAD TO FIND PARKING IN STRATEGIC AREAS MOST OFTEN WHERE I COULD PULL STRAIGHT IN A SPOT AND PULL STRAIGHT OUT. IT IS ALSO SCARY ON RAMPS OR INTERSTATE AS INSTEAD OF HAVING A RESPONSIVE SPORTY CAR IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING A TANK THAT YOU CANNOT CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN LAST 10-12 MONTHS. IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT IN LAST FEW MONTHS. WE RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR "WARRANTY EXTENSION/ REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT" AND CALLED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BUT WERE TOLD MINI HAD BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE PARTS. WE CALLED AND THEY NOW SAY THEY HAVE THE PARTS SO WE DROVE NEARLY 1 HOUR TO DEALERSHIP AND NOW THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE THE PART HAS NOT FAILED. THEY STATE THEY DROVE IT AND THERE HAS BEEN NO FAILURE. I WOULD GUESS IT HAS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT ABOUT AVERAGE 1X/WEEK BUT MORE FREQUENT AS TIME PROGRESSES. THE FAILURE MAY END UP BEING ME... IN A CASKET! *TR

I WAS DRIVING AND LOST ALL POWER IN MY STEERING. VERY HARD TO TURN, NEARLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT CROSSING THE YELLOW LINE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. RECOVERED AND DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. *JB

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THIS 2005 MINI COOPER STAYS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. DEALER ADVISED ON 8/19/2011 THAT THIS WOULD COST $1229.88 TO REPLACE THE SEAT MAT SENSOR BUT TOLD OWNER THAT THE AIRBAG WAS WORKING, IT WAS JUST THE SENSOR/LIGHT THAT DIDN'T WORK. MANY, MANY COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH THE 2005 MINI MODELS ARE ON THE INTERNET. DEALERS REFUSE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE LIGHT IS ON AND THE REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE, PASSENGERS TAKE A RISK THAT THE AIRBAG WON'T WORK AT ALL. *TR

MY COOLING FAN BURNED OUT CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN MY MODEL YEAR AND THAT THE WARRANTY ON THAT PART HAD BEEN EXTENDED. HOWEVER, MINI CLAIMS THAT THEY STARTED PUTTING NEW PUMPS IN FEB OF 2005. MY CAR WAS MADE IN MAR OF 2005 AND THUS THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. I WENT THE EXTRA STEP AND HAD THE DEALER DO A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH FOUND THAT MY CAR HAS THE SAME PART WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. STILL MINI WILL NOT COVER IT. ONE OF THE REPS TRIED TO COVER IT UP BY TELLING ME THAT THERE IS CONFUSION ON THE PART NUMBER MATCHING BECAUSE THEY USED THE SAME PART NUMBER WHEN THEY CHANGED THE OEM PART. THAT DOES NOT COMPUTE BECAUSE IF THAT WERE TRUE, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO ACCURATELY DISTINGUISH THE GOOD PARTS FROM THE BAD ONES. THERE 222 OTHER STEERING COMPLAINTS AT NTSB SO I'M NOT ONLY ONE. I'M CALLING A LAWYER BECAUSE THIS IS RIDICULOUS. HOW CAN MINI LET CARS THAT HAVE A KNOWN SAFETY RISK CONTINUE TO BE ON THE ROADS? *TR

POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY. SINCE THIS DATE THE POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

THE FIRST OF MULTIPLE STEERING FAILURES OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT, THANKFULLY. NONE HAS YET TO HAPPEN ON INTERSTATE OR AT A DEADLY RATE OF SPEED, WHICH THAT WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE VERY FAST IF A CHILD RIDING ON THEIR BIKE UNEXPECTEDLY DARTED IN FRONT OF YOU. IF THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AT THAT MOMENT IT WOULD BE OVER FOR THE KID. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A KNOWN, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, ISSUED GOES UNADDRESSED. I'M BEWILDERED. *TR

IN SEPTEMBER 2012 I NOTICED A LOUD FAN NOISE THAT WOULDN'T TURN OFF. THE CAR WAS ALSO OVERHEATING. I NOTICED THAT IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER THE CAR, BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS DUE TO THE OVERHEATING. MECHANIC DETERMINED FAILED CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IN 11/2012. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. IN 11/2012 THE WATER PUMP WAS ALSO REPLACED. IN 12/2012 THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN 06/2013 THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT THESE ISSUES ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE ASSOCIATED FAN FAILING, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO OVERHEAT AND THE BATTERY TO FAIL. PLEASE SEE NHTSA COMPLAINTS 10453158, 10444328, 10379750, 10442431,10379459 FOR SIMILAR CASES OF THESE SAME ISSUES RELATED TO THE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING AND THE ASSOCIATED PUMP. *TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH MY STEERING GAVE OUT AND LOCKED UP, ALMOST SLAMMING ME INTO THE GUARD RAIL. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO STOP BEFORE TRAGEDY. UNFORTUNATELY I WAS BLOCKING A LANE OF TRAFFIC UNTIL I COULD FORCE MY WAY OF THE ROADWAY. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED AS I WAS TURNING INTO MY OWN DRIVEWAY. THE STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN CAUSING ME TO MISS MY DRIVEWAY AND CRASH INTO THE DITCH. THE OTHER SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY CAR IS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING AT RANDOM AND THE REVERSE AND TAIL LIGHTS WILL FAIL AT RANDOM. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE CODES READ EMISSIONS FAILURE. WHEN I TALK TO MINI COOPER CUSTOMER RELATIONS THEY GAVE ME AN EXTENDED 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE POWER STEERING AND EMISSIONS. MINI COOPER CLAIMS THEY CAN'T DO THE SAFETY REPAIRS DUE TO A PART SHORTAGE. THEY EXTENDED MY ALREADY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 150,000 MILES AND ARE WANTING TO CHARGE ME FOR DIAGNOSTICS ON THESE EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUES. THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY RESOLUTION AND CLAIM IT IS MY PROBLEM AS A CONSUMER AND CLAIM THE POWER STEERING ISSUES ARE NOT SAFETY RELATED. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL LIGHTING ISSUES THEY REPLIED WITH THAT'S NOT MINI COOPERS PROBLEM. *TR

CAR WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE. TOOK IT TO SHOP WHO IDENTIFIED IT AS A FAILING POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN, AND REPLACED IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR

OCCUPANT SEAT SENSOR FAILURE IN PASSENGER SEAT, AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STOPS AIRBAG OPERATION. I SEE THAT NHTSA HAS CONTACTED BMW FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FOR THIS MODEL YEAR; HOWEVER, BMW/MINI WON'T TAKE BLAME FOR AIRBAG FAILURE. BMW TAKES IRRESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE THAT EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES, SAFETY IS MY PROBLEM, NOT THIERS. AS A SIDE NOTE, DEALER SAYS PART IS $1200 PLUS INSTALLATION AND REPROGRAMMING. BMW, THE ULTIMATE DRIVING (AND KILLING) MACHINE. *TR

2005 MINI COOPER 2-DOOR CONVERTIBLE: THE LEFT REAR UPPER AND LOWER (ORIGINAL/FACTORY) CONTROL ARMS (METAL STRUT) FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD; WARNING SIGN WAS A SLIGHT NOISE FROM THE REAR LEFT TIRE, WHICH WENT AWAY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY LEFT, THEN CAME BACK WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. (SOUNDED LIKE INTERMITTENT RUBBING/ TIRE ISSUE.) THE CAR WAS DRIVING NORMALLY AND THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. WHILE TURNING OFF MAIN ROAD TO INVESTIGATE, SECOND CONTROL ARM FAILED AND CAR CAME DOWN TO REST ON REAR TIRE AND WOULD NOT ROLL FORWARD. UNEXPECTED AND COMPLETE FAILURE WITH CLEAN FRACTURE TO BOTH CONTROL ARMS. NO COLLISION OCCURRED TO THE VEHICLE/PART. VEHICLE NOT RUSTED. GOOGLE SEARCH BRINGS UP MANY OTHER MINI COOPER POSTS OF THIS CONTROL ARM FAILING UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY (THAT THEY HAD RECENTLY EXITED). OTHERS POSTING ONLINE HAVE EXPERIENCED 'UNCONTROLLED 180 SPINS' WHEN THEIRS FAILED. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT THE ORIGINAL FACTORY CONTROL ARMS ON OTHER SIDE MAY EXHIBIT SAME UNEXPECTED FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. NOT CLEAR IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW OR MATERIALS/PARTS BAD BATCH. MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE MENTIONED THE SAME FAILURE (TO HIS PERSONAL CAR) WITH NO WARNING RECENTLY. ONLINE POSTS OF CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME UNEXPECTED FAILURE: HTTP://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/FIRST-GENERATION-FAULTS-FIXES/80969-REAR-SUSPENSION-FAILURE.HTML HTTP:/

POWER STEERING FAN BURNED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE PUMP TO FAIL. SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. THE PLACEMENT OF THE FAN IS REALLY BAD BECAUSE IT'S SUBJECT TO CONSTANT ROAD GRIME, SALT, ETC. COST ME OVER $1,200 TO FIX. :( *TR

2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH AN OCCUPANT POSITIONED IN THE SEAT. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR EVEN WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS NOT PRESENT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE ILLUMINATION NO LONGER CONTINUED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. THIS HAS RENDERED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERABLE . THE SEAT WAS RARELY USED AS MY WIFE USES THE CAR AS A SUMMER CAR. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##