MINI Cooper S steering noise problems

Filed Dec 22, 2015 · Steering · 130,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mini cooper s. The contact stated that there was a progressing condition in which the steering wheel made an abnormal noise and was difficult to turn left or right. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Oct 23, 2015 · Steering · 82,400 miles · CA

Signs of the power steering pump failure. Whining noise randomly got louder. Fluids topped up, no leaks. There is a recall from bmw that covers 2002-2005 models. This pump only has 82,400 miles on it.

Filed Oct 29, 2014 · Steering · 94,253 miles · MI · crash

Power steering abruptly stopped working while cornering causing driver to use heavy manual force to corner the vehicle thru a tricky viaduct train bridge passageway. While midway into the turn, the power steering abruptly "kicked back on" causing the steering wheel to turn violently across lane and nearly into corner of cement wall holding up overhead train bridge. Other cars were missed, and driver stopped car with front bumper slightly touching viaduct cement wall. Wife and 7 year old child were on the impact side of vehicle. Vehicle was checked by an independent mechanic which noted the ehps power steering pump is failing. He cleaned the power steering pump and installed a new cooling fan on the power steering pump. The pump was overheated and packed with metal debris. Independent mechanic advised me to return to mini as potential recall issue which has been widely reported but refuted by mini. Power steering pump still has significant noise and is scheduled for review by a mini dealer.

Filed Sep 5, 2014 · Steering · 114,000 miles · IN

At the beginning, the steering pump makes some noises and a few weeks later, my power steering completely went out, really heard to steer especially at the lower speed and at the corner.

Filed May 9, 2014 · Steering · 115,405 miles · NC

Power steering pump making noise when car is off, draining battery. Eminent failure.

Filed Jun 20, 2013 · Steering · 88,671 miles · TX

Power steering issue which mini USA reached an agreement with ntsb to avoid a recall by providing an "extended warranty." spoke with mini service department and informed them my steering pump was making noise and had gone out intermittently twice. They informed me that due to the fact this was not an official "recall" but rather an extended warranty, the steering unit would have to catastrophically fail before they were permitted to replace it. What kind of a safety board is the ntsb that would allow such an agreement to be reached wherein someone has to be put at risk to drive a vehicle to catastrophic failure of a steering unit, potentially resulting in accident, bodily injury or even death, before they would compel the automaker to repair the vehicle to make it safe? This is absolutely ridiculous!!! I am supposed to continue driving a vehicle with a known problem in the steering, putting myself, family and others on the road at risk awaiting "catastrophic failure" ....... Not knowing when, where or under what circumstances that is going to occur? Mini USA & bmw you will never get another penny from me and I encourage everyone to actively boycott their products & dealerships!

Filed Mar 9, 2013 · Steering · 100,389 miles · FL

The steering on my '03 mini cooper started making whining/ groaning noises that were not the normal steering noises. The steering has limited power boost, sometimes near normal, other times almost no boost. The steering doesn't return to straight as it used to. After making a right or left turn, the car keeps trying to turn the last direction steered. With effort, I can hold the car straight, but it pulls noticeably the last direction turned. The electric steering motor groans, changing speed up and down, even when the car is not moving. All fluid levels are normal and there are no leaks or drips of any fluid. The power steering fan and radiator cooling fan are operating correctly. The steering effort is not consistent. Sometimes at expressway speeds, as well as slower surface street speeds, the steering stiffens up where it requires much effort to control, then minutes later, will go back to normal boost levels. This often happens when negotiating lane changes or expressway ramps with what should be a steady rate turn. An independent mechanic states the electro- hydraulic steering pump is causing these issues and that bmw is aware of this problem.

Filed Feb 14, 2012 · Steering · 60,000 miles · CA

At highway speed, the power steering suddenly lost power (no noise or other indications). The wheel became extraordinarily difficult to turn. I managed to get the car off the road, but the steering would not have responded to a smaller/weaker driver.

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 Jan 28, 2012 · Steering · 68,000 miles · TX

When turning into our neighborhood at 10-15mph, there was a sudden loss in power and the steering became stiff. I did not think anything of till I pulled the vehicle into our garage and turned it off. At this time the cooling fan and power steering remained active, creating loud whining noises. I let it run for 30 minutes but the issue remained. Only thing that resolved the issue was disconnecting the battery. Even reconnecting the battery the powersteering fan re-engaged.