CarComplaints.com Notes: Power steering problems are a major issue with the 2004 Mini Cooper, with hundreds of owners reporting complaints to the NHTSA about their power steering suddenly failing while driving.
Some power steering failures have caused crashes & injuries. Average mileage at failure is well under 100,000 miles & the repair cost is over $1,000. Not good.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,582 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I bought this vehicle new in 2004, and have had consistent problems with the steering, most recently on Friday, March 9, 2012. I have taken it to the MINICooper dealer at least four times for this problem. The power steering pump has been replaced, so has the steering column, as well as the lower steering shaft spindle. Still, the power steering function goes out without warning. It is exceedingly dangerous and I have to drive this car to do my job, and I'm spooked by it.
I had multiple incidents where my power steering wasn't available. Several times the power steering failed driving around the corner which was very freighting. I contacted BMW about the issue but they said it was normal wear and tear. I don't agree with that since my car only had 35K miles. I owned other cars where I never had a failed power steering pump. MINIuk seem to handle the problem much better for their customer (see link below). I cannot believe that there has no recall being made yet. Paid almost 1K for replacing the defective pump and it seems that the new pump they put in my MINIstarts acting up again. www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/02/mini_steering_system_failures.html.
Technically there were 3 incidents with my 04 MINICooper. Out of nowhere, while driving down a busy street, the power steering just stopped working. Luckily I was in the far right lane, and slowed enough to veer to the roadside and call for assistance. When the car was taken to a mechanic, I was told the power steering pump was bad and needed to be replaced. Also, I was told that it happens frequently with MINIs. however, I did not ask them to replace my pump, I wanted a second opinion. Out of nowhere my car started to drive without any issue whatsoever. I got a second opinion and was told in about a year, it would need to be replaced, but they too mentioned this issue with MINIs. I was shocked. Weeks later, I was making a left turn and the power steering went out. I barely missed a bus stop on the corner, full of people. Shaken, I again called MINIand asked about a recall or any procedures toward having one made. Obviously, they were unhelpful, but they too divulged that this is a common problem. My car started to drive normally once more, but I drove as little as possible while I continued my research. A third time, I couldn't even get my car out of the driveway and I decided that was it. I was just going to take it to a MINIdealership and have the pump replaced. When I called with my situation and then told them I believed my power-steering pump was needing to be replaced, they didn't argue or say they'd look into it, they basically agreed, and gave an estimate. I took it in and they again asked no questions, they didn't look into the problem. $1200 later, I left with no questions answered, with a hole in my pocket. If this is a common problem, it needs to be addressed asap. What if I had hit that bustop full of people, or worse? I can still tell there's something wrong with my steering. MINIneeds to do a recall. Yesterday.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
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While exiting the freeway the steering suddenly and without warning became extremely heavy taking significantly more effort then normal to just move the wheel slightly. The next day the power steering worked normally but the fan on the power steering pump continued to run after the engine was turned off. After 5 minutes in a parking lot it had drained the battery to the point where it struggled to start the engine. When I returned home I was forced to disconnect the battery until I can get it serviced.
While driving, I noticed it became markedly more difficult to turn the wheel. I was able, with effort, to drive safely to my destination. When it was time to return home, the power steering was working for the first 4 or so miles, then it gave out again.
The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning and was difficult to control. The contact inspected the vehicle and the failure was located at the power steering pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 98,000.
Took car into dealer and they said the power steering pump needs to replaced, which would cost $1050 for parts and labor. Prior to taking it into dealer, the steering wheel locked up on several occasions, which caused me to use all my strength to get the car to steer. On February 5, 2012, the steering wheel locked up, I parked the car, and the power steering pump fan ran continuously until it drained the battery. I have read online that MINICooper owners are trying to get BMW to recall this defect, but they will not. I also read that NHTSA checked into this, but I do not know what the outcome was.
Power steering pump went out completely without warning as I was diving at a low speed. Steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn, making the car very dangerous to maneuver out of traffic and park safely. Narrowly avoided hitting pedestrians due to my inability to turn steering wheel.
The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper. The contact stated that the power steering only functioned intermittently. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 54,000 and the current mileage was 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper.the contact stated that while driving in reverse, the power steering seized momentarily before resuming normal operation independently. The contact had experienced the failure at least twice. The dealer was not contacted and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 84,000. The VIN was not available.
I had power steering one day and the next day when I was driving I began to make a turn and realized my power steering went out. To this day it has never came back. I was told it is something like an electric hydraulic pump but the price is so outrageous I cannot afford to get it fixed so I just try to drive it as little as possible and be as careful as I can.
Power steering failed making it difficult to drive/ turn vehicle. This has happened multiple times. Typically the power steering comes back after a minute or two but during the latest incident it did not come back on.
Power steering failed, car would not turn. Second occasion 1/19/12 same thing at 40mph. After car rests problem disappears. Almost impossible to turn car at all.
Power steering stopped working---while driving on curve---impacted car control. Regained power steering. This happened two more times. Very dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Electric power steering pump failed while driving. I noticed it when I went to change lanes and the car resisted. I slowed for a corner and when attempting to turn, it became very apparent that there was no steering assist. This is a common failure on the first generation MINIcoopers that is unacceptable and depending on the circumstances, potentially dangerous.
Lent car to boyfriend to drive me to boston (100 mile one way). On the way home he stopped at a store approximately 10 miles from the house. When he came back out of the store ( was in store approximately 10 minutes) the power steering no longer worked. It was like trying to steer through concrete for him. A few days later he tried the car and it all worked fine again. Based on prior complaints filed, I am concerned that the issue will reoccur when I am driving causing obvious safety concerns, or that it may catch fire (based on other complaints filed for similar issues) and that I will be facing the cost of replacing the power steering unit (which does not sound like it has been reengineered since this issue became known).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Harvard, MA, USA