2003 MINI Cooper S: sudden loss of power

Filed Mar 11, 2013 · Steering · 123,000 miles · MI

In september 2011, I was driving my 2003 mini cooper s at 55mph on a rural two lane highway when I experienced a momentary loss power steering of power steering. This resulted in the wheel becoming very difficult to turn. When power steering returned (without warning), my car swerved but I was able to keep it on the road. This happened several times over the next 20 miles before I lost power steering and it did not return.when I arrived home, I checked the power steering pump and it was non-operational. I replaced the pump and its dedicated cooling fan. In august 2012 (125000 miles), I again lost power steering at highway speeds. The second failure was identical to the first (suddenly came and went before cutting out and not returning).

Filed Oct 23, 2012 · Steering · 53,000 miles · SC

Electric power steering pump stop functioning while driving. Sudden lost of power steering. Difficult to steer. This is the second pump that was replaced on the vehicle about two years ago. The first pump stop working about two years ago.

Filed Oct 12, 2012 · Steering · 73,000 miles · PA

The power steering pump fails causing a loss of power steering in my vehicle while driving. This sporadically occurs while driving causing a safety hazard as it becomes very difficult to steer the vehicle.

Filed Jan 29, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 28,639 miles · TX · crash

Turning from a left hand turn lane on to a side street as I have done at least 4 times a day for over 10 years, I lost all power and the ability to control the vehicle. In the middle of the turn the loss of power, the loss of steering, and the loss of brakes caused me to run into the curb. This accident resulted in the right front wheel and assembly being replaced. Not long after getting my mini cooper s the hesitation of the accelerator when stating off in first gear began. I was told by the service rep at the mini dealership that there was no fix for this problem. I've had too many near accidents because of it. Going back as far as 2005 I have complained about my steering and the noise it makes. The whole steering unit has been replaced 2 times, yet in 2009 I experienced a total loss of power while traveling at speeds of 65 MPH. The power loss was electrical even though my engine was still running. The final outcome was mini replaced the alternator and battery. I've complained time and again yet with no help unless it's coming out of my own pocket. Since owning this mini cooper s I've spent nearly 6000.00 in repairs. Because of the interdependent nature of the asc/dsc on the vehicles braking, electronics, and even starting acceleration from a stop; has this feature been properly studied as the culprit for the many and varied problems this particular car has? In the uk there is a blog called watchdog that has 180 people who posted between february and april 2009 that all had the same problem with the power steering that I and hundreds of others have reported. How can such a serious problem go unresolved for so long. There is no doubt that this problem alone falls under the united states code for motor vehicle safety (title 49, chapter 301).

Filed Aug 22, 2011 · Steering · 88,000 miles · CA

Complete power steering failure, on surface road in castro valley, ca. The sudden loss of power steering caused me to continue straight, while trying to regain control of car, I continued into on coming traffic, if another car was in opposite direction a significant accident would have occurred. Prior to this failure this was no evidence of a repair needed.

Filed Jun 28, 2011 · Steering · 106,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper s. When the contact started the ignition, the power steering warning indicator illuminated with a sudden loss of power steering. A strong electrical burning odor emitted inside of the vehicle. The failure occurred six times when the vehicle was in motion. An authorized dealer was notified and advised the contact to have the failure diagnosed to determine the cause. The will schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2011 · Steering · 90,450 miles · CA

Experienced a complete loss of power steering while driving at high-speed and preparing to exit the highway. As such, I nearly drove off the road attempting to turn the vehicle on the exist ramp -- very hard emergency braking was necessary because it was virtually impossible to turn, and thus, control the car. I later discovered by mini of san diego (who conducted repairs) that the power steering pump had failed and had to be replaced costing approximately $1,100. They also informed me that chronic problems with mini power steering pumps were being investigated and that a recall might be issued to correct the problem. I researched further and believe that the 1st year being reviewed is the 2004. I believe that the 2003 should also be included as well in the event of a recall since I experienced the very same problem being investigated, and the danger resulting from the defect is considerable.

Filed Oct 8, 2010 · Steering · 57,304 miles · CA

Driving home yesterday, my 2003 mini cooper s suddenly lost power steering as I was going around a curve. I had to muscle the car back into my lane to avoid hitting the car in the lane beside me. I was about half a mile from home and made it there without further incident -- but turning at slow speeds was dangerously difficult. I contacted the mini repair shop this morning and they said that this intermittent unexpected loss of steering control is unfortunately somewhat common with minis.

Filed Oct 4, 2010 · Steering · 141,000 miles · NY

On 5/26/10 lost power steering while driving on the long island expressway. 141,000 miles on car. Power steering electronic pump replacement cost $ 1005.00.

Filed Sep 1, 2010 · Steering · 70,000 miles · CA

Complete loss of power steering when warm car is started. Not a problem when car is cold. Requires approximately 1.5 hours for car to cool before car can be started and safely driven with power steering restored. Will be replacing with oem power steering pump. New pump is approx $600 and labor is approx $150 at independent mechanic. Dealer estimate is approx $1300. Other family members will not drive car due to fear that power steering will be lost while driving though this has not actually happened.

Filed May 7, 2010 · Steering · 116,000 miles · IL

My friend and I got into my 03 mini cooper s this past weekend. We were driving along il rte 1 until I got up to a 2 way stop. I was making a left turn but I realized I lost all power to my power steering unit. I barely was able to make the turn in order to avoid getting broadsided by a dodge ram barreling at me at 60 mphs.

Filed Nov 29, 2009 · Steering, Transmission · 65,000 miles · CA

Failure of 2003 mini cooper manual transmission. My car has been under regular maintenance. I first noticed the car losing power going uphill, then it became difficult to put the car in gear. Next morning I was unable to get into reverse, was extremely difficult to shift and some gears could not be engaged. At a stop light I began hearing a very loud grinding noise, like metal in a blender, the car would not engage in gear, I had to be pushed out of the intersection. The dealer offered nothing. My private mechanic found metal shreds throughout the transmission. Said a bearing had come loose and destroyed the interior of the transmission, all at 65k miles. He also said the engine could have failed while on the freeway at high speeds and this could have been life endangering. Also the power steering pump went at 30k miles. Both very costly repairs and the transmission locking up a very serious life threat. The replacement costs for the transmission were $3k and that was from a private mechanic. Online research shows a plethora of consumer complaints and information that mini cooper knows about this. Neither the local dealer nor corporate office would offer any help in replacement costs.