2005 MINI Cooper electrical problems

Filed Apr 14, 2025 · Electrical, Visibility · 172,843 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that there was water accumulated on the passenger's side front floorboard. The contact stated that the heater was causing some undisclosed issues. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the sunroof drain tubes were clogged, the drain tubes were cleared, and an undisclosed reprogramming was completed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 172,843.

Filed Sep 8, 2021 · Body, Electrical · CA · fire

Driving at approximately 10-15 miles an hour entering a parking lot when I noticed flames coming out of the hood scoop of my 2005 Mini Cooper S. After brief inspection from my mechanic, it is believed to have been caused by the wiring harness for ABS or possibly the power steering unit since the fire originated from the rear/right hand side of the engine and those two components. I have a claim opened with USAA but during simple research, I have found tens, if not close to a hundred issues with similar characteristics. I know I am not the first R53 Mini Cooper (2002-2006 run) with this problem and this should be considered a hazard and public safety issue. I have included the link to many of the cases captured by the North American Motoring Association (a primarily North American Mini car association) which details 24 pages of these issues. https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/stock-problems-issues/73527-spontaneous-engine-bay-fires.html?ispreloading=1

Filed Mar 3, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 67,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper. While driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. When the vehicle was turned off, the contact noticed that the electric fan kept running. The following day, the vehicle failed to start. The battery was dead. When roadside assistance arrived, the battery was jumpstarted and the fan remained active. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump and the power steering fan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

Filed Nov 4, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 95,000 miles · IL · 1 injury

Power steering problems, air bag off and on, clutch went out near accident, electrical issues(many) windows up and down on their own, ever brake not working properly numerous items I have them detailed on paper

Filed Oct 19, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 90,000 miles · NJ

Lost power stearing, heat and air all at the same time.

Filed Jul 8, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 57,000 miles · NJ · fire

After an hours drive, I was standing outside of the vehicle talking w/ the car off. All of sudden smoke starts pouring out from under the hood. I quickly opened the hood to hear some type of electrical fan/pump sound & smoke coming from the bottom/rear side of the motor. I was able to pull the battery terminal & the noise/smoke stopped. I then searched online & found the known issues of the electrical assisted power steering. I found the fuse for the circuit, a 100 amp fuse hidden on the bottom side of the fuse box that had not popped even though the pump was burning itself up. I had enough tools w/ me to pull the fuse, get the car started & make my way home w/o the power steering assist.

Filed Jun 22, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

2005 mini cooper. Consumer writes in regards to engine electronic failure. Consumer has another vehicle complaint listed in artemis. *smd the consumer stated the problem he experienced with his vehicle was a computer test called comprehensive component kept reading incomplete. The dealer found an internal short inside the engine basic control computer. The consumer stated the cost to replace the electronic hardware was $1968 which was excessive.

Filed Jun 5, 2014 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · MI

I got in my vehicle and shut the door. I turn the key to on, the locks went down (locks usually go down when car is in gear and moving) I turned the key further to start the engine and nothing happened. The door would not open, the windows would not go down, the sun roof would not open, the fob would not work, at that point I was locked in my car. I had to kick out the window to get out of my car. When I did get out, I re entered the car and opened the hood and jiggled the battery connection. I shut the hood and tried to start the car again and it started. I noticed as I was driving it home that the lights on the steering collum were not working and that when I parked it at home the brake lights stayed on.

Filed Apr 11, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 38,308 miles · MA

Sudden failure of power steering resulting in very high steering effort, traced by dealer to a well-known failure mode in electrohydraulic power steering pump. Pump and associated fan were replaced by dealer under special ("secret") warranty coverage, due to common incidence of this failure. Existence of this special warranty was found only after search and location of many identical failures on the internet. The vehicle battery was found to be completely discharged upon arrival at dealership. Once a shop battery was connected, the pump was found to be running continuously even though the vehicle ignition was in the full off position. Also, the alternator was found to have failed, presumably because of excessive stress imposed by the defective pump on the vehicle electrical system. Cost of alternator replacement was not covered by the manufacturer. This known failure mode is believed to be a significant safety defect. Formal recall of affected vehicles by the federal safety agency is warranted, since sudden loss of power steering at speed can result in loss of vehicle directional control.

Filed Jul 28, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 60,246 miles · CA

In september 2012 I noticed a loud fan noise that wouldn't turn off. The car was also overheating. I noticed that it was very hard to steer the car, but I thought that was due to the overheating. Mechanic determined failed cylinder head gasket in 11/2012. The radiator was replaced and the thermostat was replaced. In 11/2012 the water pump was also replaced. In 12/2012 the battery had to be replaced. In 06/2013 the heater core was replaced. I believe that these issues are directly related to the loss of power steering and the associated fan failing, which caused the car to overheat and the battery to fail. Please see the federal safety agency complaints 10453158, 10444328, 10379750, 10442431,10379459 for similar cases of these same issues related to the failure of power steering and the associated pump.