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.
2003 MINI Cooper S steering complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 129, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving at a speed of approximately 35-40, the power steering assist failed completely. The car became almost impossible to steer and created a very unsafe moment as I made a 90 degree turn. I was able to get the car home with great physical effort involved. The problem seems exactly as described in on-line descriptions from other mini owners. It is a very dangerous condition .... It is also very expensive to repair. I am surprised that a recall has not been required due to the obvious safety issue!
Power steering pump failure. The failure happened on a snow covered curvy road, lost control and went into the ditch. No damage, was able to get the car slowed enough before crashing. Thankful no other cars were in the other lane. Was able to drive the car out under its own power. Will not drive the car now.
Hi, I'm the third owner of a 2003 mini cooper s since february 2010, located in montreal, quebec, canada. In the begining of may 2011 my car started to have big issues with the power steering. The power steering pump is running discontinous, all the lights (front, back and dashboard) are dimming and after just afew miles of driving the steering wheel becomes stiff and hard to turn. I have this problem now everyday when I try to drive the car. I've checked the power steering pump fan and it spins free. No blow of the f5 fuse (as other people reported). It happend to me in the last year for 3 times, but only for a short time. The power steering pump went out, but few hours after I turned off the engine and didn't drive the car, the pump came back normally (excepting the continous whining noise of it). Didn't take it to the dealer yet for a pump replacement. I know the power steering pump failure is a common problem on minis 2002-2006 and I want to claim this problem on my car too. Hope this problem to become a recall soon for mini/bmw. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2003 mini cooper s power steering pump failure. Sudden loss of steering assist and nearly wrecked the car if my wife was driving I doubt she could have saved it. Google search turns up hundreds of like posts. On another quick search, as of 2006, 50 pump failures resulted in the total loss of the car because of fire. And these are people that post. Maybe 10% of the mini drivers post online. This is a disgrace!
While driving, the power steering assist will intermittently fail completely, making it very difficult to steer the vehicle, and greatly increasing the likelihood of an accident. The fluid levels are correct, and power steering will return after shutting the vehicle off and letting it sit for a while.. I have not yet taken corrective action.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper s. While the contact was driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering failed to operate. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road, and the engine was turned off. The vehicle began to function normally within thirty seconds before the failure recurred. The was able to continue driving. He vehicle was inspected and he observed that electric power steering pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 91,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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.
I was leaving my home when I notice, as soon as I start my car, that my steering is very stiff. I have to use my whole body to turn the wheel and maneuver the car. It has been going on for almost a week now off and on. Go online and research problem to find its going to cost me near $1000 to fix.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper s. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the power steering failed without prior warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The contact was awaiting a response from the technician to determine the cause of failure. The contact discovered that the power steering pump defect was a common problem while doing further research on the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000. The VIN was unavailable.
2003 mini cooper s just had a power steering system failure resulting in at least $600.00 in repair cost. Car only has 80,000 miles on it and when the system failed, steering went to manual effort, no assist, no warning. Fortunately I was driving and not my wife as she would have had difficulty completing the turn. I know the steering still operates, but if you aren't ready for the drastically increased effort required to complete a turn, you will loose control of the vehicle. Half-way through a turn in traffic conditions is no time to find out you don't have the strength to finish it. There was absolutely no warning of impending failure. To have a major safety and control system of your vehicle fail this quickly (only 80,000 miles) leaves me wondering as to the safety of the other vital systems on the vehicle. Mini made changes on the power steering system on later vehicles to address this without having any recall or voluntary repair program for retrofit to the older vehicles. This is not fair and definitely not safe.
2003 mini cooper s with power steering failure. Power steering goes in and out. Car radio turns on when car is off and no key is in the engine, causing battery to drain. Once my power steering went out when I was leaving a parking area causing me to hit the car in front of me. I have not repaired damages. I have however replaced the engine due to faulty wiring in aprox 2009. A fuse that runs everything for cooling blew and gave me no warning the engine was overheating.
Power steering pump failed, causing hard to control conditions in vehicle.
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.
I purchased a 2003 mini cooper s used in november 2007. It had 30,000 miles. Shortly after purchase the power steering pump went out. The dealership replaced it promptly, dec. 2007. I am now experiencing intermittent power steering failure again, at 79,000 miles, 49,000 miles on a new pump. It comes and goes while driving. Very dangerous while taking curves.
Power steering pump, noise, binding, and eventual failure.
Failed powering steering assist pump.
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.
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.
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.
Power steering lock on it.
2003 mini cooper s with 67,000k miles, power steering pump failed and caused a short circuit resulting in a complete meltdown. The pump, hydraulic lines, cooling fan and wiring harness were all burned or melted. There was no symptom or indication of a failure. Car drove and acted "normal" prior to parking it for the day. When I got back in the car, 8 hours later, no power steering. If it had been in my garage when the short/meltdown occurred, it may have caused fire. Miniusa basically said I was on my own due to expiration of my warranty. (60,000).
Tl*the contact owned a 2003 mini cooper s. The contact stated that while making a left turn at approximately 25 MPH, the power steering completely malfunctioned. The vehicle moved off the road and crashed into a telephone pole. The contact sustained minor injuries. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000. Updated 02/08/11*lj updated 04/21/11
Complete failure of power steering pump while driving resulting in almost complete loss of steering. Power steering pump was replaced only to have the remanufactured unit fail 12 months later. Upon investigation it became apparent that this is a known problem for 2002-2006 mini coopers. Have been informed that this pump design is poor and prone to failure.
My 2003 mini cooper s had a total failure of the power steering pump. The failure occurred while driving the car at aprox 60 MPH on an expressway near buffalo, ny. The pump was replaced by me at a cost of aprox $800.00.
Driving vehicle normally, power assist for the steering fails causing greatly increased effort to steer. This is addressed in pe10038 but the model years affected should include 2002 and 2003 as the electric power assist systems were the same. I have not yet attempted to replace any parts, only have confirmed fluid is full and both cooling fans operate. Cycling the ignition key briefly to the off position will cause power assist to resume.
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.
Power steering pump on my 2003 mini cooper s stopped working suddenly on the freeway. There were no signs indicating an imminent problem; it just cut assistance to steering and failed completely. Even though it was difficult, I was able to drive it to a mechanic to get a replacement ps pump for $820. This seems to be a very common problem for the mini brand since more and more people are reporting power steering pump failures even at 40kmiles (in my case, the car had 95kmiles when the pump failed). The failure of the power steering pump does pose a safety issue, since the steering wheel becomes extremely heavy and difficult to turn.
My mini cooper s has less than 27,000 miles on it. It has been carefully driven and has sustained no crash damage. Had several warning lights come on the car and had failures with the ABS, steering angle sensor, and front wheel sensor. In addition and most importantly, I was told that I had "mushrooming" and cracked front shock tower mounts on both sides of the car, and that alone would cost over $1,400 to repair. I was told that hitting potholes or other road hazards caused this. In addition, the dealer, roadshow mini in memphis, tn, stated that the shock towers and front bushings were considered wear items, and that they could be redamaged immediately if the car came in contact with another pothole. Additionally, I was told by mini USA that no engineers or national representatives could be contacted, and that the dealer would handle all questions and concerns. I asked if there were any upgrades and fixes offered by mini and was told that there were none. However, this problem seems to be fairly common, and there are several aftermarket companies that address this issue,. The service manager at the dealership stated that he sees this problem on 3-4 cars in the shop every month. It appears that this is a design flaw, that there can be strut collapse or suspension failure while driving, and that mini should have addressed this problem with these cars. For normal driving conditions to have resulted in deformed and cracked strut towers is unacceptable and represents a hazardous situation. I have never owned an automobile that had strut tower failure under normal driving conditions.
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