MINI Cooper S whining noise problems

Filed Sep 8, 2018 · Steering · 103,500 miles · IL

Power steering pump failing, creating a loud whine when running (moving, and stationary).

Filed Feb 7, 2018 · Steering · IL

My electric power steering pump is failing. It whines when you turn the wheel and sometimes it does not work at all. Very scary to lose control of the car. There was an open recall thru 2005, but bmw says they wont help us 2006 owners.

Filed Dec 10, 2017 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · CA · fire

I got home from work parked car and heard a whining noise under hood I could see smoke and buring smell coming from steering cooling fan the fan stayed on and went into extreme high speed and continued to smoke and wiring burning ,I was fortunate enough to be able to disconnect battery which stopped fan and electrical burning I have car parked in drive way and contacted my insurance to file a claim ,I am afraid to start car and need to have car repaired

Filed Nov 8, 2017 · Steering · 130,000 miles · MI

Power steering suddenly stopped working. Making a whining noise when turning the wheel and the steering wheel itself is hard to turn. Not leaking any fluids and the power steering fluid in the reservoir is full.

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 Mar 23, 2013 · Steering · 86,667 miles · AZ

During the first incident I was driving in town, suddenly the steering had a hard resistant making it difficult to do a right turn. I had to muscle the wheel in order to keep from veering into oncoming traffic. When I pulled the vehicle over to do an under the hood inspection and check the steering fluid level, I saw nothing that indicate damage. Once I restart the vehicle, it seem to correct itself. I though was it was maybe a fluke. Later on, my wife indicated she heard a whining noise that came from under the hood, and ask me to look into it. After looking it over, I add some belt dressing, because I thought could have been the problem. In the meantime I made several calls to the mini dealership in tempe, az. The service manager stated this noise could be several indicators, such as an aging steering pump, a mixture of non-recommended fluid in the reservoir or the pump could be going out. I dismissed the mix fluid indicator, because the levels were always within range and to my knowledge was never tampered with or topped off. As several months went by, the vehicle continue to operate without incident, other than the whining noise, which was heard when the vehicle was started for the first time of the day, or while the vehicle was running in idle. Recently, my wife call me from work and indicated while she was driving to work for the 2nd time, the steering seem to lock and was difficult to steer. She manage to drive home without injury to herself or others. That same day, when I looked over the vehicle for leaks, damage or fluid levels and the vehicle steering again locked in place. After a little research, I found this has been a major safety issue with the 2004 and 2005 mini coopers, which has been acknowledged by mini of canada who issued a recall. On the flip side, mini corp in the us and local dealers do not. Please advise with a reply.

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 Jul 20, 2012 · Steering · FL

Power steering pump is whining and according to dealer is going to fail at anytime. Unfortunately this unit does not fail in the driveway it fails while driving the vehicle. Hopefully I will be driving when this happens as my wife will not have the strength to get the car under control. There has been a recall in canada for this same problem and all of us mini drivers in the us are wondering why we don't have a recall here.

Filed Jun 22, 2012 · Steering · 38,500 miles · NY

I purchased this vehicle about a month ago in a private sale. A few weeks ago, the mini developed a strong power steering whine. This is not the electrical buzzing noise typical of these models but a noise heard above the engine at all speeds or in neutral regardless of whether you turn the wheel. Several days ago, the steering began to stiffen up especially when parking. Yesterday, it failed entirely and this was while driving! Now, I'm a 6' 180 lb male and was able to react and wrestle it safely but I'm thankful that my 5' 100lb wife was not behind the wheel. Make no mistake this is a safety issue that the manufacturer refuses to address!! Just research the problem and you will see hundreds (probably thousands) of complaints across the globe about the same thing and it appears to be primarily 2001-2007 models. Other countries have mandated a recall but not the safety conscious u.s. Which surprises me greatly. When other major manufacturers have listed recalls for things like seat belt anchors "that could crack" or air bag switches "that could corrode" why the heck isn't a mini cooper recall done for power steering systems "that are failing"? If you value your family's safety, do yourself a favor and steer (no pun intended) clear of this vehicle. I will be dumping this t urd as soon as possible. My family is too important to waste on a fad car.

Filed May 23, 2012 · Steering · 57,198 miles · SC

Power steering is of great concern as it has periods where it seems that the power steering quits working. Also when adjusting the direction as I am backing up into my driveway steering is sort of lazy and it make a high pitch whining noise when I turn the steering wheel.