2003 MINI Cooper S: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 72,000 miles · WA · fire

8/13/2014- I was stopped at a stop sign in a mall parking lot and smoke started billowing out from under the right front side of the car and at the same time started coming through the vents into the cabin of the car. I tried to shut off the car, but it would not turn off. A bystander came running and opened the hood, smoke poured out, told me to call roadside assistance as he was opening hood and then told me to hang up and call 911 that my car was on fire. Flames were coming out of the engine area but there was too much smoke. The engine fan was still running. Another passerby had an commercial extinguisher and emptied it on my vehicle. The fire dept. Was pulling up as they were trying to push it aside, the car re-ignited and it took the fire department approx. 15 to make douse the fire without it re-igniting. All of these people looked my vehicle over and could find no reason for it to ignite. I purchased the car used about 4 weeks ago and have put about 3000 miles on it without any issues. My insurance company had it towed to a mechanic down the road and they are to contact me tomorrow to see if they can see why this occurred. Luckily, my daughter and I were able to exit the car and be in an area close to the fire department and good samaritans...updated 10/06/14 *bf *tr updated 7/15/2015

Filed May 14, 2014 · Body, Engine · 145,126 miles · CA · fire

On february 6, 2014 my mini cooper s was serviced at the dealership mini cooper of concord for a recall in the power steering pump. Shortly, after in march my car started to smoke from the engine and my car bursted into flames. The fire department came and turned down the fire, however my car is a complete loss. I called mini cooper of concord, however no one could provide help. I also emailed the head of the dealership and there was no response. I investigated online and noticed that many people had similar problems with the water pump leaking and catching fire in the engine. I called mini USA and filed a case,and they promised to respond within 3 days. However, they did not only until I called various times and finally was able to reach a representative. James informed me that there was no way to evaluate the mini cooper was as at fault and only tried to sell me a new car. I am very disappointed with mini cooper's customer service and lack of support. My car is now a complete loss.

Filed May 3, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 158,000 miles · PA

Driving highway speeds, steering got really heavy hard to turn, then the battery light came on, starting smelling something electrical burning, pulled over off the road shut car off, smoke coming from the hood, open it, smoke was coming from the back of engine. Smoke subsided in a few minutes, called tow truck, tow back to work, over the next couple of days found that the power steering pump locked up and fried it, it also draw a lot of amperage that it blow 100 amp main fuse under fuse block, burnt main power wire to power steering pump. Replaced pump, wiring and fuse.

Filed Feb 9, 2013 · Steering · 84,000 miles · GA

Power steering pump is beginning to fail. From reports I have read I am worried that the car will catch on fire and in turn catch my house on fire.

Filed Aug 3, 2011 · Electrical · 41,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw mini cooper s. While driving, the vehicle shut off. The contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. When the battery was disconnected she noticed that the wires were melting. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was inspected. The dealer informed the contact that the relay and power steering pump both failed and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 41,000. .updated 09/19/11 *bf the control harness and power supply harness connector melted on the power steering motor. The vehicle has since been repaired.

Filed Mar 23, 2011 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 70,111 miles · CA · fire

2003 mini cooper s with low 70 thousand miles cough fire on january 31 2011 around 4 am in the morning. It was seen to start on the passenger side under airbag and car was completely on fire the front end under the hood and under passenger dash was told failure was ABS

Filed Mar 17, 2011 · Steering · 113,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper s. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH the steering wheel became very stiff and within a few minutes he smelled fumes inside the vehicle. He opened the hood of the vehicle and it was on fire. The fire department was notified; however, there was no mention of a fire report. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or local mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any of the recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 113,000.

Filed Dec 14, 2010 · Steering · 50,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper s. The vehicle was parked and shut off for approximately 30 minutes when the contact was advised that the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that fire was coming from under the hood. The fire extinguished independently and the vehicle was towed to an independent repair facility. The contact was informed that the power steering remained on while the vehicle was shut off and caused the fire. The power steering pump, wiring harness and battery were all replaced. The failure did not recur. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2010 · Steering · 40,500 miles · NC

2003 mini cooper s - power steering has repeatedly failed at high and low speed driving. Wife ran onto sidewalk once when control was lost. Smells like something is burning when driving. Steering fails. When car cools control comes back, but fails again after less than a mile. Called 3 dealerships who all knew & had repaired cars with the same issues. Estimated $1500-2000 out of my pocket to fix with no help from manufacturer. I complained that the car had barely 40,000 miles on it and failure should not be occurring on german engineered car. One service tech said "the problems are in the pumps and those aren't designed or manufactured by bmw, so it is not bmws' fault." but they are the ones who sold these cars with theses issues for 4 years. Flushed power steering fluid myself which was burnt and black. Replaced with new recommended fluid. Lasted about 30 miles before burning smell returned and steering problems continued as before. Saw online article where bmw cautioned that 2002-2005 minis may have steering issues but no recall would be issued. The article estimated 225,000 cars at risk and a recall might destroy the mini line. So be it. 2002 and 2003 models should be included in investigation of 2004 and 2005 model years. Considering selling the car to recoup investment, but after hearing of numerous steering failures and even fires that total the cars and even burn down homes and garages where they are parked makes me feel like I would be putting someone else unwittingly in danger. The car has currently sat in storage with the battery removed from the car while I debate whether or not to replace the power steering pump in hopes of fixing the problem or get rid of the car. I would have to tell they buyer the issues, which means less money, and I still owe $6500. I would lose all equity I have in a car I paid $20,000 for just a couple of years ago. Bmw should fix this problem or I and others have unsafe cars worth a fraction of cost.

Filed May 5, 2010 · Transmission · 67,000 miles · MN · fire

I parked my 2003 mini cooper s at work, and shut the car off. When I got out of the car, I noticed the power steering pump was still running. I was going into the office get a wrench to disconnect the battery, and within 5 min, an email was sent out "2003 mini cooper heavily smoking in parking lot." as soon as I got out there, the fire/smoke has been put out by a coolant line that split open by the fire and put the flames out. When I looked under the car, I could see the power steering pump completely burnt. I filed a claim with my insurance company, and so far this is over $4,000 worth of damage. I am filing this complaint as I have done much research on the internet and have found this is not a rare incidence. In fact, it is very common, and bmw refuses to recall this faulty designed part. I am just so fortunate that this did not happen in my garage. This needs to be addressed and investigate by someone other than bmw, as they have stated publicly there is no problem. I will provide any evidence needed to help this investigation. There is a mini cooper community that shares their problems and frustrations here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/stock-problems-issues/73527-spontaneous-engine-bay-fires.html the list is only growing, as this is a very common issue. I hope it doesn't take a death for bmw to recognize there is an issue.

Filed Dec 7, 2009 · Steering · CA · fire

My 2003 mini cooper s spontaneously caught fire while parallel parking in los angeles, ca. The power steering pump failed, a fire shortly followed. The los angeles fire dept. Was phoned. Car needed to be towed.

Filed Jun 5, 2009 · Steering · 87,000 miles · MN · fire

Took 2003 mini cooper s to performance driving school and had power steering pump catch on fire.