2003 MINI Cooper: sudden loss of power

Filed Feb 29, 2016 · Steering · 130,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the steering column and the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Feb 19, 2016 · Steering · 85,113 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. While driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a loss of power steering without warning. The vehicle was manuvered to the side of the road. The contact resumed driving; however, the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn. The contact mentioned that there was a recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); however, the dealer failed to service the vehicle because the recall notification was not received. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,113.

Filed Feb 1, 2016 · Transmission · 86,353 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started losing power. The accelerator pedal was being depressed with no response. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and was able to be drivin home at a low rate of speed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The repairs were performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,353. ...updated 04/26/16 *bf updated 12/11/2017

Filed Dec 31, 2015 · Steering · 47,628 miles · CT · fire

Lost power steering with burning smell and lots of smoke. As evidenced on the attached document, the engine wiring harness was burnt. The car could have lost all power. The repair bill was $4097.91. I was without a car for weeks with no loaner car offered. National mini cooper denied that this was an issue. There is now a pending recall. The new parts might also need to be replaced. I was driving on the highway when this occurred.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · KS

On 08/13/2014, I was driving my 2003 mini cooper, came to a stop light and when the light changed, I went to start out thru the intersection and lost all power-I managed to get it thru about the time the light had turned red, again! I coasted to the curb, put it in park, sat there for a few minutes and tried, again, to take off. It seemed to be fine, this time,( except for some take-off jerking, and RPM's spiking).drove 42 miles then came to a one way stop sign at the intersection of us hwy 40 & us hwy 56, when traffic cleared I went to cross the intersection and my car jerked and died!!! I had to be pushed out of the intersection while cross traffic had to stop & wait on me! No warning lights came on, in fact, I questioned whether or not they even worked. It's now at the dealership, where I purchased it, used, on 07/29/2014, getting diagnosed.

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 109,400 miles · AL

Accelerating after being stopped at a red light, lost power steering, smoke came out of hood, engine temperature redlined, and battery light came on.

Filed Jun 30, 2013 · Steering · 123,000 miles · WA

One time last year I loss power steering while going around a corner, I was caught off guard and almost had a collision. I pulled over, turned off my vehicle, and upon re-starting the problem was gone. Now, a couple days ago my power steering went out while I was on the freeway. I pulled over and re-started and still no power steering. Later that day it randomly came back and now I am experiencing intermittent power steering loss, that usually goes out once a trip.

Filed May 3, 2013 · Steering · 107,000 miles · ME

Sudden loss of power steering when approaching a busy intersection. I barely made it through a few curbs before entering a parking lot. I let the engine cool off for 30 minutes, then the power steering came back on. I decided to go straight to the dealership, about 3 miles highway, and about 1 mile from the dealership I lost the power steering again. Forcing the car through the last few turns, driving slowly, I made it to the dealership. The replacement pump & fan set me back about $1,500.

Filed Feb 26, 2013 · Steering · 85,000 miles · PA

The power steering pump fan then pump failed resulting in a complete loss of power assisted steering. While the vehicle was steerable, the loss was surprise at slow speeds when turning off a road. It took a very significant force to control the vehicle and I almost hit a concrete abutment. I doubt that a young teen or any person who was not that strong, would have been able to control the vehicle. The dealer when presented with the repair knew of the issue and of many reports of a near accident like mine.

Filed Apr 23, 2012 · Steering · 94,927 miles · WI

Vehicle lost power steering. I had the power steering assist cooling fan replaced twice and the relay switch for the cooling fan. It worked fine for a time. Now (10,000 miles later) is intermittent.

Filed Dec 17, 2011 · Steering · 40,000 miles · AZ

The power steering pump failed while driving and proceeded to fail intermittently for several months with no warning, sometimes at high rates of speed and in turns. The power steering pump quit for good approximately six months later. I could have been severely injured or killed - or worse, hurt someone else. The mini cooper is very hard to steer without power steering. I'm a strong woman but it takes some serious upper arm strength and core strength to control the vehicle manually. The most disturbing part is the lack of warning. There is no clue that you are about to lose power. These parts are prohibitively expensive and there is a shortage of mechanics willing to work on these cars in our area. I don't know if the power steering fan was affected, as well, but I suspect it broke somewhere in that time, too. I know there are incidents of these cars catching fire, and thankfully, we have not experienced that. Please help. This is so dangerous.

Filed Sep 2, 2011 · Steering · 101,450 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini copper. While driving approximately 50 MPH, a slight loss of power steering occurred without warning. The contact continued in operation because there was no shoulder area on the road. The steering wheel was engaged forcefully in oder to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic who detected a faulty power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired. There was a closed investigation under the federal safety agency action number ea07011 (steering: hydraulic power assist: pump) which the contact believed to be related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,450.