CarComplaints.com Notes: Power steering problems are a major issue with the 2005 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:
12 / 17
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,862 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.

2005 Mini Cooper steering problems

steering problem

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2005 Mini Cooper Owner Comments (Page 2 of 28)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #525

May 182010

Cooper

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Mansfield, TX, USA

problem #524

Mar 012018

Cooper

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper S. the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (steering). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (irvine MINI9829 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.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #523

Dec 082017

Cooper

  • 10,200 miles
The car stopped steering correctly. It is very difficult to turn the wheels. The power steering is gone. I started noticing the difference in the steering and then the steering progressively got worse. I called the service department of the dealership to ask if there should be a concern because the steering started after I had the recall service on the seat warmmer.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #522

Nov 162017

Cooper

  • 90 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering pump failed while car was being driven. Vehicle only has 90K and for some reason was not covered under the recall per MINIusa. MINIneeds to review the recall and correct all 2005 MINICooper's with this defect.

- Union Beach, NJ, USA

problem #521

Nov 102017

Cooper

  • 168,000 miles
While driving car my steering wheel became very heavy and hard to steer.

- Azusa, CA, USA

problem #520

Oct 302017

Cooper

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper 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 MINIdublin 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.

- Heath, OH, USA

problem #519

Aug 102017

Cooper

  • 100,612 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering is difficult and requires exertion when I turn the wheel. I believe my car should be included in the recall recall 15V-xxx: Electro-hydraulic power steering (ehps) system M32 02 15 it is not included in this recall but because my car exhibits the same issue that is recalled on cars made in that year, I feel that the limits should be expanded to include my car and other cars manufactured when mine was.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #518

Aug 082017

Cooper

  • 108,000 miles
I am a proud owner of a 2005 MINICooper 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 MINIhad 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 hazard issue for all affected production units that is outside of the recall. It is definitely a safety concern for all MINIowners and passengers that utilize this ehps pump.

- Andover, KS, USA

problem #517

Jul 012017

Cooper

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper. While driving 45 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The contact stated that it was difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance in having the vehicle repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Lynn, MA, USA

problem #516

Jun 242017

Cooper

  • 117,000 miles
The power steering pump on my 2005 MINICooper S is acting up/ faulty, making a groan noise and steering is hard at times.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #515

Apr 182017

Cooper

  • 175,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The power steering in my MINICooper 2005 has been intermittent. The steering wheel becomes very hard to turn all of a sudden, particularly at low speeds when it is needed the most to make turns or to park. There are no fault indicators for this issue on the dashboard either. The very first time this happened in March 2011 when my car had less than 80,000 miles on it. The power steering became completely inoperable. At that time the dealer informed me that the power steering pump failure was a known problem in MINICooper and that the pump had to be replaced. The replacement cost was too high though, hence I chose to think about it before having it replaced. Luckily, the power steering started working again and even though steering became a little hard at times I got used to it. But since end of April 2017 the problem has been getting worse. Steering gets too hard at times and requires a lot of force to turn the steering wheel at low speeds. Getting in and out a compact parking spot is exceptionally hard. Making left, right and U turns are also very hard. Even though there is a recall on this issue, I have not received a recall notice in the mail. I don't understand why my car was not included in the recall. Or if the recall is ongoing, why should it take so long since this is a safety issue.

- North Hills, CA, USA

problem #514

Feb 092016

Cooper

  • 84,000 miles
I have a 2005 MINICooper 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 MINICooper S is a great little car, however steering is a vital and a required safety measure that I feel MINIBMW should gladly cover in all VIN's during this time frame.

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #513

Dec 032016

Cooper

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper. While driving approximately 55 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The contact stated that the power steering ability had not returned for one month. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an electro hydraulic steering system would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (steering), but the VIN was excluded. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Venice, CA, USA

problem #512

Feb 202017

Cooper

  • 120,000 miles
I reported a few months ago that my power steering had failed. It is a 2005 MINICooper, and some 2002-2005 MINICoopers were effected, but supposedly not my MINIwith my VIN number. The recall had ended in February 2005 and my car was manufactured in April 2005. However I believe that BMW (makers of MINICooper) were using faulty power steering units after February 2005. My car has low miles, I am the original owner and I take pristine care of my MINIAs a result, I hit a curb and had to have the front left tire changed. The weather was clear, no rain and my tires are all just about brand new run flat tires. The range of MINICoopers affected needs to increased. This is obviously a problem and BMW (makers of MINICooper) seem to not take it seriously. My power steering is a major safety issue and needs to be addressed asap

- West Deptford, NJ, USA

problem #511

Feb 032015

Cooper

  • 185,005 miles
Power steering pump goes out from time to time, brought it to MINIdealerships once and was working fine when we brought it in, and was told nothing was wrong, and was sent on our way. Now had to disconnect battery to replace a part, and when reconnecting the battery, power steering pumps runs and wont shut off. Vehicle was stationary. Please hep, and thank you.

- Galt, CA, USA

problem #510

Dec 062016

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 117,634 miles
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.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #509

Nov 192016

Cooper

  • 113,000 miles
Power steering issues: MINICooper convertible 2005. The first evidence of my problem was when the electrical system seemed to be faulty. I replaced the alternator, and that fixed the car for about two weeks. At that point, I noticed a fan running a lot, and then found the battery dead on several occasions. Finally, I figured out that a fan was continuing to run--and I traced the noise to the power steering pump. I disconnected the battery, and then drove to the shop. They replaced the power steering cooling fan. This solved the problem for about three months. This weekend, I parallel parked in a tight space with a slight dip. I realized while parking that I suddenly had no power steering, but I thought it was because of the way I parked. It did not get better as I left. I muscled the car out of the space, and drove it to my local shop, where they told me that the fan still worked, that the fuses still worked, but that the power steering pump had failed. Had already read extensively about power steering pump failure issues when I heard the fan running in the first place. But... I thought after a few months that I was lucky to avoid the pump failure--in catching the fan first-- but it seems that many here have described. Exactly the same trajectory. I called miniusa and a local dealer, and they refuse to help, because my car's manufacture date is a little under two months past the date included in the "extended warranty notice". this is ridiculous! it is exactly the same problem described in the recall, in every detail, and it is a safety issue. I am extremely lucky I was not hurt by it. I filed a formal complaint directly with MINIusa. If I felt it were for lack of maintenance, or normal wear and tear, I could accept that, but this car has meticulous maintenance, and records to back it up.

- Framingham, MA, USA

problem #508

Oct 062016

Cooper

  • 101,000 miles
My vehicle caught fire while parked directly after driving it six miles, saved by fire extinguisher and fire department. Cause determined to be faulty power steering module.

- Pacific, WA, USA

problem #507

Oct 182016

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
I have had the steering pump fail twice in my 2005 R53 MINIthe 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 MINIdealership under an "extended warranty" at the expense of MININow 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 MINIhas 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.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #506

Sep 172016

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper convertible. The contact stated that the steering unit failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering fan and steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 145,000....updated 01/05/17

- Aurora, CO, USA

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