2004 MINI Cooper: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · 135,000 miles · NC · crash · fire

My wife was driving our 2004 mini cooper home traveling uphill on a steep paved mountain roadway traveling a maximum of 15 MPH when for some unknown reason the vehicle left the roadway; struck a tree with its left front and burst into an exploding fire killing my wife who was not able to escape the burning vehicle. The nc state police are investigating the cause of the fire and death. They do not know yet whether the vehicle caught fire prior to striking the tree but, feel the fire could not have been caused by the vehicle striking the tree at a low impact and speed. Nc mv accident report#[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 13, 2017 · Steering · 130,051 miles · PA · fire

Mini cooper power steering pump failure. Vehicle was recently driven and was parked on the street. We started the vehicle and backed up to pull out of the parking spot. There was no power steering. We had to attempt to back up again to get off of the street and in to the parking spot. A burning smell and smoke started from under the hood. The power steering pump and cooling fan had failed. There are documented issues with this failure. When I contacted the dealership, I was told the extended warranty for this issue expired in april. This happened june 12th.

Filed Jun 17, 2016 · Body, Brakes · 135,000 miles · OH · fire

Driving down honda parkway I heard pop sound. Tpms light started flashing and smoke started coming out from under hood. I pulled off of road into a gas station. At that time I didn't have any power brakes.the car was fully engulfed in flames in about 10 mins. The fire dept put out fire.

Filed Nov 21, 2010 · Steering · 80,000 miles · WI

While parking and while driving, steering function has been lost. The steering wheel gets heavy, seeming to be stuck and unable to turn. This happened twice, and I was able to stop the car or pull off to the side and stop without injury. The steering fluid was fine, an although the steering pump doesn't make noise or continue to run after the car is shut off, it is assumed the steering pump needs to be replaced (a common faulty part in mini coopers). There is concern for safety over when and where I might lose steering again and whether this will cause an incident alone or with another car. I have read that my car might start on fire in connection with the steering pump, even with a replacement of the pump.

Filed Nov 2, 2008 · Steering · 20,000 miles · AL

I bought a used 2004 mini cooper last year. Under certain conditions on a curvy road the power steering pump would get very hard to turn the wheel, especially in a sharp curve. With no dealerships within 150 miles I put up with it. Now it stays on all the time and cannot be disconnected without taking the battery cable off the battery. It ruined 2 batteries before I realized it was staying on 24 hours a day. I bought the repair book and wiring diagram cd's to find it is straight wired from battery to inside the pump which glows bright red after running a few hours. If I had any type of oil leak, it would catch on fire. I contacted a repair center in atlanta ga and they can change it out for about $1000+ for the power steering pump and the open faced fan that caused the failure in the pump. It failed the exact month my warranty was over and they said sorry charlie. Cannot currently pay to have it repaired so it has been sitting in my yard for almost a year.

Filed Apr 28, 2008 · Electrical, Steering · 65,000 miles · MA · fire

I had driven 2004 mini for about 30 minute, then parked it in driveway. Within 15 minutes I looked over to see smoke coming from the engine. I opened the compartment and got help. We pushed it into a nearby field and called the fire dept. If it had stayed in the drive, it would have also ignited 2 cars, the house and a boat. Who know about people and animals. I almost got run over trying to stop the mini as it was pushed. After the car was out, we had it towed to inskip auto in warwick ri. Jeof said at first it was a power steering hose that burst and got on the hot exhaust...igniting. After looking at it further and with metlife insurance agent, they thought it was the power steering fan and pump failure. This overheated the electrical harness, to start the electrical fire. Neither the insurance nor inskip felt it was covered by them. I am to pay $2,600. Today when it pick it up. This covers labor, a power steering pump, fan and harness. I googled the problem on the internet to upsetting to me and find at least 250 posted mini's with the same problem. I don't understand how mini does not have to recall it. Are they waiting for just as many deaths?

Filed Mar 22, 2008 · Engine · 64,000 miles · OH · fire

Vent fan in motor compartment spontaneously caught fire causing damage to various electrical components and smoke damage.