The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel malfunctioned, making the steering wheel easy to turn, causing severe oversteer while making a turn in either direction. The contact stated that the failure was due to a faulty power steering pump, and installed as part of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V660000 (STEERING). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the power steering pump remained running, causing the battery to drain. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 230,000.
2003 MINI Cooper steering problems
159 complaints (50% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,100.
- owner complaints
- 159
- of this car's complaints
- 50%
- typical mileage
- 80,100
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Hydraulic power assist: pump12
- Hydraulic power assist system5
- Electric power assist system3
- Rack and pinion: rack1
- Column1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
MINI Cooper steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 MINI Cooper steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
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
Related investigations
Loss of power steering assist
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include MY 2002 and 2003 vehicles that use the same steering system.The subject vehicles now include MY 2002, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure to a conventional rack-and-pinion steering gear.A pump, the electric motor, and an electronic control unit (ECU) are housed in a single component BMW calls a Power Pack.The investigation focused on contaminant-induced failure of the ECU resulting in a loss of assist without warning.When assist is lost mechanical steering is retained however increased steering effort is required to keep the vehicle on an intended path.Some consumers reported that restarting the vehicle (cycling the ignition switch) would often reinstate the steering assist.Additionally, and by design, assist can also reinstate during the drive cycle in limited circumstances.The unexpected loss of assist, and/or possibly the reinstatement of assist while driving, may contribute to a loss of vehicle control in certain driving situations.During MY 2005 production BMW introduced a revised Power Pack design (the ECU incorporated a conformal coating of the circuit board) which resulted in a significant reduction in failures.ODI identified 20 reports describing crashes consistent with a loss of power assist event possibly caused by a failure of the Power Pack.Two reports alleged an injury however both were minor in nature and did not require emergency treatment (a subsequent doctor's visit occurred in one case).Ten of these reports described low speed crashes with minimal, or in most cases no property or vehicle damage (e.g., striking a movable barrier in a parking lot).Additionally 27 other reports alleged or indicated that a crash occurred due to a Power Pack failure however in reviewing these reports, ODI either 1) was unable to confirm that a crash actually occurred (8 reports), or 2) determined that the crash circumstances (e.g., adverse road/weather conditions) or cause (e.g., the crash was caused by steering linkage failure) were not attributable to a Power Pack failure (19 reports).Throughout the investigation BMW maintained that loss of assist in the subject vehicles did not constitute a safety related defect, noting that the subject vehicles are smaller, light weight vehicles that can be reasonably controlled when assist is lost.In May 2013 BMW launched a 13 year/150,000 mile extended warranty coverage utilizing the redesigned Power Pack as a replacement part.ODI continued its investigation.In July 2014 BMW provided ODI a status of the ongoing extended warranty program, and in May 2015 ODI requested an update of complaint data.Following a review of the provided data, ODI informed BMW of its assessment that loss of steering assist failures were not adequately resolved by an extended warranty program.On October 12, 2015 BMW notified the federal safety agency that it would conduct a safety recall (15V‑660) on approximately 86,000 subject vehicles not previously remedied with the new design Power Pack through regular or extended warranty programs.The recall covers MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper, MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper S, and MY 2005 MINI Cooper/Cooper S convertibles manufactured through Feb 9, 2005.Vehicles produced after this date are not included si
EA11005
Engine compartment fire
The office of defects investigation (odi) analyzed consumer complaints to bmw of north america, llc (bmw)and to odi that alleged failures of the electrohydraulic power steering (ehps) used in model year 2002 through 2003 mini cooper vehicles.the analysis determined that 43 of the 52 (83%) reports were related to allegations of power steering loss and 9 (17%) were related to allegations of engine compartment fires. Although some of the reports alleging fires note small flames were visible in the engine compartment, analysis of the damage caused by these failures indicates that even the most severe incidents were limited to localized thermal damage to the ehps electrical connections and wiring insulation.none of the complaints alleging loss of power assisted steering indicated that the increased effort resulted in a crash or loss of vehicle control. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by circumstances.see document file for additional information regarding this resume.
EA07011
Engine compartment fire
In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), bmw stated that the cause of the alleged defect is an insufficient seal of the ground cable of the power steering pump at its attachment to the chassis.water ingress can occur and the water can travel along the power steering pump power cable and come in contact with the power steering pump power cable connector.the connector can then corrode and a high thermal load condition can occur.according to bmw, this ultimately could result in a localized smoldering condition that does not propagate. To correct the water ingress issue, bmw implemented changes to the wire routing, the power steeringpump connector and the ground eyelet connection between february and july of 2002. In a review of warranty claim data sent by bmw, 67 percent of the vehicles noted in warranty claims had production dates after august 1, 2002. Additionally, odi noted eight reports of consumers witnessing flames coming from the engine compartment.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea07-011) to further assess the scope, frequency andpotential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.
PE07022
What 2003 MINI Cooper owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
68k miles on a 2003 mini cooper s and the power steering pump is whining. I feel as if this may be really early for it to be needing to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was firm, and the vehicle was difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but failed to confirm if the parts were available for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to call the service center directly. The failure mileage was unavailable. Parts distribution disconnect.
No air or blower or heat to defog windshield. Water in driver-side foot well. Power steering intermittent fault. Engine continues running and panel gauge lights remain on with ignition off and key removed.
My 2003 Mini Cooper was affected by the 2015 electrohydraulic steering assistance recall. Mini did the repair at 79, 322 miles in 2016. In November 2021, at 98, 000 miles, the car began having intermittent power steering loss. The power steering might disappear for under a minute, or it might return for mere seconds. There is no warning when the power steering goes out, so you have to assume that it is not going to respond with the electrohydraulic steering assistance feature operating. As of today, it has been completely offline for 3 days (although it did come back on for about 5 seconds yesterday). Without this feature operating properly, the car can be extremely difficult to steer.
The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and making a right turn, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering pump and fan needed to be replaced and the intake and return power steering lines also were faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15V660000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
In motion.. The power steering wheel feels to hard to turn operate;I check the VIN# number and appear (1) recall for power steering incomplete;we call at bmw of dallas and they setup an apoinment on january,15,2020...when I show up...they say my car don't have any recall;and I show im the official recall with my VIN#...bmw recall & the federal safety agency recall and they say the car warranty is expired,I said I just need fix the recall on my car and they wanna charge me $180 dlls just to get the vehicle inspected,if the car got something wrong they charge me the cost...I dont accept...my car got the recall and they make me drive 120 miles whit the car for nothing
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. While driving 30 MPH, the power steering completely failed without warning. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle; however, the steering was rough and stiff. The contact performed his own inspection on the vehicle and noticed that the power steering pump was leaking. The contact spoke with an independent mechanic and was informed that the vehicle may be included in an unknown recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The contact took the vehicle to mini of the woodlands (16675 I-45, conroe, tx 77385, 936‑344‑1258) and was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired because the steering pump was not the original mini cooper steering pump. The dealer offered no further assistance. The pump had not been replaced. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Bought this car for 16 yr old daughter. Steering was cutting out while driving took car to mini of dallas recall was done on harness, pump, cooling fan. Next week no steering again while driving took car back. Mini stated drive belt broke and was repaired for 260.00. 3 days later was called at a 11:30 at night my daughter stating the steering had cut out again. I don't want my daughter in this car or anyone else for that matter what should I do with this car.
Power steering failure - intermittent and during motion, mini dealership provided records that the claim was cleared with # and mileage, but this is false information if still covered by the federal safety agency # 15v660000. Original recall # that was entered in the "repair history" from mini that never occurred is m320215. Thank you
Questions about the 2003 MINI Cooper steering
Does the 2003 MINI Cooper have steering problems?
Owners have filed 159 complaints about the steering of the 2003 MINI Cooper, 50% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 MINI Cooper steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,100 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2003 MINI Cooper steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 15V660000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
Other 2003 MINI Cooper problems
Transmission 89Engine 29Electrical 26Visibility 25Airbags 10Suspension 6Acceleration 4Brakes 4Seats 4Tires 4Body 3Fuel system 3Locks 3Lights 2
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