2005 MINI Cooper Convertible: loss of power steering

Filed Dec 21, 2021 · Steering · AR

My son drives this car and the power steering went out twice on him while driving. I need to get the pump replaced via the recall, but the nearest location is 200 miles from me. It is not safe to drive this car that far and I would have to drop it off and make another trip to pick it up. Towing that far would cost a small fortune. I called every number and was transferred to several people to help with this issue. They say they can not and won't help me till I get the car to a dealership to fix it. One person from Mini told me I might be able to go to a certified mechanic but when I asked the next person they said it had to be a dealership. I spent two days on the phone with several people from Mini and no one was willing to offer a solution. I drive this car to get the recall fixed and something happens and the car wrecks, or worse someone is killed, who would it be on then? No happy about this at all.

Filed Dec 17, 2021 · Steering · AR

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering). The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed. The dealer was made aware of the recall but informed the contact that they do not service recall repairs. The nearest dealer that was able to service the recall repair was located 177 miles away. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Mar 24, 2021 · Steering · OH · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 mini cooper convertible. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH after exiting his driveway, he suddenly lost power steering without warning. As a result of the failure, the contact lost complete control of the vehicle as the vehicle veered off the road and into a utility pole. The contact was unaware if the air bags deployed upon impact. The contact stated that he exited the vehicle, walked back to his home and took a nap. An hour later, the contact stated that he was awoken by a sheriff's deputy who asked him questions about the incident with his vehicle. A police report filed and the contact later went to a doctor where he was treated for injuries for his lower back which including a slipped disc and a bruised vertebrae. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was destroyed. Recently, the contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 ( steering) which he linked to his vehicle failure. The contact reached out the manufacturer where he was asked questions about his vehicle failure; however, the contact refused to answer any questions and decided to seek legal advice. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 21, 2016 · Steering · 113,000 miles · MA

Power steering issues: mini cooper 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 mini USA. 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.

Filed Feb 19, 2016 · Steering · 103,500 miles · IA

Battery died and replaced. Drove 2 days and battery died and again replaced. Drove and steering became extremely stiff. Checked fluids and no power steering fluid. Happened again with both battery and p/s fluid. Became aware of recall in 04 and 05 mini cooper's and took to dealer. Bad power steering pump and fan as well as 2 hoses. Was told my car was not covered under recall because the build date is may. Was quoted $1300+ for repairs.

Filed Jan 11, 2016 · Steering · 131,000 miles · PA

Power steering goes out. Very hard to turn the wheel. Its like having no steering at all at times. I have two mini coopers. This one has not yet to get the recall for the steering pump. I have a recall for the other mini that I own but that one doesnt have a problem.

Filed May 8, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · CA · fire

Parked at shopping mall and not running for at least 30 minutes, come out to mini cooper on fire. Smoke coming out of engine area, high pitch fan whirling, electrical smell. Power steering failed, shorted out, and caught on fire. Vehicle was not even on and parked when this happened. Appears to be a major failure many others owning a mini cooper have experienced. Bmw/mini cooper of USA did nothing for us and put it all on our and my insurances shoulders. Amazed so many cases of this same issue have happened yet they do nothing and seem to expect everyone else to foot the bill. Got the run around by bmw and unless it was for my insurance company, the mini would have been scrapped.

Filed Feb 13, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 60,900 miles · OR

After I turned my car off, a noise like a fan kept running. It drained the battery causing me to get my car jumped. Then power steering went out, and when I arrived home after struggling to turn vehicle and operate safely, the fan did it again, after 5 minutes battery was dead. This is a major issue with this year of mini I have found after researching tonight, and I am very displeased to see that canada has recalled this issue and the USA has not! People could get seriously injured. There is no rhyme or reason as to why, or when this will happen. This needs to be addressed as bmw is not taking responsibility in us as they have been forced to in canada!!! I am a young, female college student and it was very scary being stuck and then not to have steering either.

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Steering · 70,057 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper convertible. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, she noticed smoke emitting from under the hood. In addition, there was a strong burning odor inside of the vehicle with a sudden loss of power steering. There were no warning indicators illuminated at the time of the malfunction. The vehicle taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The failure was contributed to the faulty cooling fan, which caused the power steering system to overheat and expose melted wires. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 70,057.

Filed Aug 26, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 70,595 miles · AZ

Daughter/co-owner was driving car. Shifting from 1st in to 2nd gear. Loud clunk or rattle/clicking from unside. Car lost power steering, battery light came on. Could not control vehicle. Had to call tow truck.

Filed Jun 6, 2012 · Steering · 78,000 miles · IL

I was turning the corner to pull into my street and the power steering went out. I barely managed to turn the vehicle into my driveway and then turned it off. When I went to try it again a few days later, I could not turn the steering wheel.

Filed May 7, 2012 · Steering · 88,000 miles · CA

I have lost power steering intermittently over the past two months. It causes loss of control and makes the car undrivable and there is no warning. I pull over and restart it and it has power steering again. I am afraid to drive it on the freeway.