MINI Cooper S battery drain problems

Filed Feb 5, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 48,000 miles · MD

After battery went dead, replaced with new battery and shortly after air bag light illuminated. Had independent shop clear code in 2015 inspected harness found nothing out of ordinary. 3 days later air bag light returned. Now in february 2018 had mini of towson diagnose air bag light thinking the dealership can reset air bag light properly. Dealership recommended upgrading wiring harness under seat for 525 dollars. I have been on multiple forums and this air bag light is a common problem for 02-03 minis, including 05-06, and 12-15 year minis. My concern is that mini knows this is a defective part from the manufacturer but refuses to stand by their product even when it could affect the safety of the purchaser of its vehicles. In the event the federal safety agency receives enough complaints to force mini to issue a recall for this issue, I would like to be included as another dissatisfied consumer. Thank you for your time, garrett

Filed Aug 9, 2017 · Steering · 108,000 miles · KS

I am a proud owner of a 2005 mini cooper s with 108k miles. Recently I experienced the infamous ehps pump failure that the pump will continue running after shutting off the car. It drains the battery completely so I hooked up my battery charger to it overnight. After performing some google researching on this subject matter, I realized mini had issued an extended warranty on the ehps system in 2013 and later superseded by the recall 15v‑660. Unfortunately my production date (august of 05) does not fall in the range of the recall. The recall covers production between september 2001 to february 2005. Further reading on this issue, many owners expressed that they have success on cleaning the dust inside the pump to solve the shorting issue within the pump. So I disconnect the battery, removed the pump from the car and start taking the pump apart. After removing the cover, I realized the short had already melted down one of the brush (the gold color piece in img_9730) and some other components inside the pump. My research showed that this pump is the exact same one that was used as the recall one, bmw part number 6769961-02 (img_9733). Later on the part number changed to 6769961-03. So I wondered why my car isn't part of the us recall. I also found that the transport canada recall #2012029 does provide extended warranty (12 years / 200k km) on the pump and pump cooling fan for all 2002-2005 cooper and cooper s in canada. I hope someone can further investigate this potential fire hazard issue for all affected production units that is outside of the recall. It is definitely a safety concern for all mini owners and passengers that utilize this ehps pump.

Filed Apr 26, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 113,000 miles · CA

The power steering pump doesn't shut off when the car does. The pump ran until the battery died.

Filed Mar 19, 2013 · Steering · 130,000 miles · FL

The power steering in my car has failed continuously. We had the entire rack replaced in 2011 - the steering fluid constantly leaks, or burns dry - for the last few months, the power steering pump does not stop running when the vehicle is parked - requiring for the battery to be disconnected at every stop, or risk a dead battery.

Filed Jul 7, 2012 · Steering · 94,000 miles · HI

Driving on freeway, steering suddenly became very difficult. Later went back to normal. A month later the power steering pump continues to run after vehicle switched off, draining battery dead.

Filed Feb 27, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 87,860 miles · CA

While exiting the freeway the steering suddenly and without warning became extremely heavy taking significantly more effort then normal to just move the wheel slightly. The next day the power steering worked normally but the fan on the power steering pump continued to run after the engine was turned off. After 5 minutes in a parking lot it had drained the battery to the point where it struggled to start the engine. When I returned home I was forced to disconnect the battery until I can get it serviced.

Filed Jul 30, 2011 · Steering · 93,000 miles · OH

2004 mini cooper s first had an issue that drained the battery. Once power was restored and the car was driven and then shut off, there was a whirring noise, similar to a fan running, that continued after the key had been removed from the ignition. This noise and the apparent power drain continues until the battery is drained once more. Following these issues, the mini began to become more and more difficult to steer. It is diagnosed as a power steering failure that is apparently common among this generation of mini cooper. No accidents, injuries, or fires have occurred due to this failure, however the car is not safe to drive until parts are replaced.

Filed Feb 5, 2011 · Steering · 67,700 miles · FL

1. 04 mini cooper s power steering failure while driving. Occasionally while driving the pump will loose power and steering will be very difficult. Power steering fan stays on after vehicle is turned off which tends to drain the battery. 2. Eventually the pump started leaking and fan stop working needing replacement. Loss all power steering while driving. 3. Replaced pump and fan with new units and problem is temporarily fixed but problem has come back. Noticing the same symptoms from #.1 post happening again.

Filed Feb 1, 2011 · Steering · 39,000 miles · CA

2004 mini cooper s, power steering failure. I have experienced intermittent failure of power steering in my 2004 mini cooper s. This has occurred seemingly at random and causes great difficulty with steering the vehicle. This creates an unsafe driving condition in which it is difficult to control the vehicle. This has happened several times in a given day or sometimes only once in a week. The failure has occurred at various times of operation, including immediately after starting the car in the morning, mid-commute, and at the end of a long drive. The only consistency is that it seems to occur just after putting the car in reverse, then back in 1st gear (though not every time). Power steering is almost always restored by turning ignition off and back on- not a safe action in most of my driving circumstances. On one occasion the power steering pump continued to run audibly after the vehicle was turned off, threatening to drain the battery. This lasted for about 20 minutes and was only resolved by driving the car again for about five minutes. When the car was turned off again, the pump finally shut off.

Filed Dec 6, 2010 · Steering · 89,500 miles · WA

I was driving my 2005 mini cooper and took a sweeping right turn onto a freeway on ramp. During the turn the power steering stopped working and it took an extreme amount of force on the wheel for me to avoid hitting the side of the overpass as the car wanted to continue going straight.. It proceeded to cut out again as I tried to get it home. Luckily I was able to control it and park it. When I turned the car off the pump continued to run and drained the battery overnight. The car would not start in the morning.