The contact owns a 2011 MINICooper countryman. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the contact felt the vehicle downshift. In addition, the windshield wipers functioned independently and different warning lights illuminated continuously. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle did not respond and the steering wheel lost power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

The power steering locked up and is impossible to turn. My wife was driving.

- Katy, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2011 MINICooper countryman. The contact stated that while parking, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to move. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the main computer was reprogrammed to remedy the steering system failure. Months later, the steering system failure recurred accompanied by a burning odor. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who reprogrammed the system but was not able to remedy the issue. The dealer also installed an eps computer patch. The failure mileage was 15,800....updated 01-10-14 the consumer stated MINIusa was aware of the steering problem failure occurring in 2011 MINICooper countryman's. they have failed to provided her information on exactly what they know is failing in the steering system or the bulletin that have on the steering issue. The dealer worked on the vehicle, and they believed the problem was resolved. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times, for different things. The mirrors were not operating properly, the clutch failed twice, two steering failures, and the re-programming of the computer, several times. Updated 01/15/14

- Seattle, WA, USA

Bought 2011 MINIcountryman S in 6-2011. I turned vehicle on in the morning (11-5-2011 at 730am) to drive to work. Vehicle had been parked outside on my driveway. No issues driving the vehicle on the previous day. No vehicle warning lights or alarms came on. After putting car in reverse attempted to back out of driveway onto the street and noticed that I was unable to turn the steering wheel to back out. Required extreme amount of force to turn the steering wheel in any direction. I was able to drive to work (approximately 6 miles) on surface streets but had very limited steering ability. When I arrived at work (some 15minutes later), parked vehicle and turned off ignition. Came back approximately 15minutes later and turned vehicle back on and was able to drive to another facility without any issues or problems. Later drove home and did not drive it until morning of 11-7-2011. When I turned on the ignition on 11-7-2011 transiently noticed steering malfunction indicator light came on and then turned itself off. I was able to steer without any issues and drove it to nearest BMW dealership for repair. Was told by BMW dealership that my electronic power steering system needed to replaced. Still waiting for repair to be completed.

- Brea, CA, USA