The power steering is very stiff to drive and cannot drive my cooper because I can no longer steer the vehicle.
2004 MINI Cooper S: loss of power steering
98 of the 247 complaints about the 2004 MINI Cooper S describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 98
- of this car's complaints
- 40%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 75,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Loss of power steering by model year
What owners say
I experienced a sudden loss of power steering on my vehicle. Fortunately this did not result in a crash but it sure scared me. I am concerned about my safety driving this vehicle and may consider getting rid of it. I am disappointed in mini's unresponsiveness to this issue.
First incident: vehicle mileage 37004 (12/31/2009): 2004 mini cooper s was being driven on surface streets and power steering was lost without warning making the vehicle exquisitely difficult to turn. Upon arrival at a mechanic, the power steering pump was determined to be faulty and both the pump and fan were replaced. There were no accidents or injuries associated with this injury. Second incident: vehicle mileage ~55,000 (1/19/2013): same vehicle as above was being driven onto a sharp right banking on ramp to the I-10e freeway when the power steering suddenly failed without warning. The car was occupied by a driver and a passenger. Despite the driver's quick reactions, the car hit the curves outer concrete retaining wall nearly head on. The wall could not be avoided because of the lack of warning of the power steering failure, as well as the minimal space on the shoulder of the outside of the curve, estimated by the driver as less than a car width wide. The driver was estimated by a police officer to be driving below the speed limit. The driver received chemical burns to his upper extremity from the airbag, the passenger was hospitalized for three days with a pneumothorax and required a chest tube to be placed. An extended warranty will not prevent people from being injured, but a recall will. Updated 06/12/13*lj updated 07/10/13*lj
I was on an exit ramp from the highway and around the curve I felt the steering stiffen. When I had to turn right I had to swing very wide into the other lane because I had no power steering. Thank god no one was there! It returned after I shut my car off after pulling into a parking lot. Then the next day it did it again. Today it went out and hasn't returned yet. My husband checked to make sure the fan worked and it does. This is a known to bmw problem and no recall in the USA. Canada has a recall. Tell me please, why we do not?
Sudden loss of power steering, couldn't turn wheel ,hit curb.
Power steering randomly goes out on car. Low-speed fan has seized, damaging power steering pump. Car has no power steering at all.
Power steering assist intermittently failed multiple times today at various speeds. Turning the car off and back on again seems to temporarily fix the problem but after some time, the power assist will fail again. Car is very difficult to steer without power assist.
Beginning early 2012 (approx), there was intermittent power steering failure; the frequency increased through 2012. Total power steering failure as of january 19, 2013. Mechanic advises this is a failure of the power steering pump - a well known issue with 2004 mini coopers.
Left home with no power steering issues. Half way to work, driving on the highway and began to take a right hand curve in the road and out of no where there is no power steering. No warning or indication that anything was wrong prior to this. Luckily I reacted quickly and the curve was not too sharp because I was in the right hand lane with cars to the left of me and behind me. Would have been bad news had the curve been a little sharper. I checked the power steering fluid level and it was full. When I turned the car off and back on again, the power steering was working again. Drove the car again later in the day, when I started the car everything was working perfectly and then part way to my destination the power steering went out again.
Had just made minor engine repairs - hoses - belt - thermostat - water pump - oil change - oil filter - air filter - less then one week - 30mp making left turn - gripping very hard on the wheel to finish the turn - no power steering - tested fan - fan ok - pulled steering pump off - what do I do now - buy pump - call dealer - wait to here from you
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mini cooper s. The contact stated the power steering failed without warning. The failure only occurred once. The vehicle was not inspected for the failure nor repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 110,000. Updated 9/10/12
Lost power steering unexpectedly in my car. Power steering pump and fan were replaced 6/3/2010. On 6/29/2011, I again lost power steering unexpectedly mileage- 96250 . Power steering pump and fan were replaced again. On 6/26/2012 I yet again lost power steering - mileage -111834, pump and fan were replaced for the 3rd time. Each time the fan had failed and the pump overheated.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014
- Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Limited Warranty Extension to 13...
- Mini: a warranty extension for certain vehicles with potential problem with cooling fan and the durability...
- Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13...
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S Convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 10, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1‑866‑825‑1525.
Recall number 15V660000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2004 MINI Cooper S power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 2004 MINI Cooper S?
98 of 247 owner complaints about the 2004 MINI Cooper S (40%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2004.
How much does it cost to fix loss of power steering on the 2004 MINI Cooper S?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2004 MINI Cooper S?
There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2004 MINI Cooper S
Loss of power 23Airbag light 7Windshield crack 6Battery drain 5Fire or smoke 5
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