Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and an abnormal noise was heard while driving approximately 65 MPH. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to mini of san diego (5202 kearny mesa rd, san diego, ca) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was operating as intended. The dealer also stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was determined that the power steering pump was the original manufactured part, which meant that no parts were replaced as the dealer originally stated. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that they had no records of the vehicle being serviced per the recall. The dealer was contacted again and stated that the recall was serviced in march of 2017. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.
MINI Cooper steering lock-up problems
37 of the 2,237 owner complaints about the MINI Cooper describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2005 model year.
- owner complaints
- 37
- worst model year
- 2005
- typical mileage
- 65,688
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 17Power steering loss 5Loss of power 2Wipers 1Steering noise 1Stalling 1Check engine light 1Battery drain 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact powered off and restarted the vehicle, and was able to drive normally. The contact, a certified mechanic, diagnosed that the steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mini cooper. While driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning and the eps indicator illuminated. The failure recurred a second time. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mini cooper. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering electric pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the power steering seized. The battery and temperature gauge warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper. When the vehicle made a right turn at 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use excessive force to get the steering wheel to straighten. The dealer stated that the steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the power steering pump failed. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
1) automatic transmission busted. Car stalled dangerously on the highway. 2) power steering pump busted. Steering locked dangerously on the road and could not be moved.
My 2007 mini cooper only 55k mileage. At last week suddenly the steering wheel locked and stopped while on freeway which almost hit by the another car and might caused serious accident. After that I sent my car to licensed auto repair shop whose said the steering wheel was failed and need to replace it and cost around $1400 otherwise it will caused the serious accident. My car bought at original owner at july 2013 and I got a full checkup report from minicooper sf there was no problem at all. I tried to contact with mini cooper sf but they said no recall for this model of car so I need pay for it by myself to fixing the car.
Yesterday I was driving home from work and as I was turning onto the access road to get on the highway my steering wheel locked up and forced me to hit a curb. I was able to take side roads to avoid the highway and make it home safely. The curb did do some damage to my car. Man date is oct 2004.
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2019 X2 xDrive28i, MINI Cooper S Convertible, Countryman, and John Cooper Works Countryman vehicles. The steering gear tie rod may have been assembled incorrectly, which may result in excessive wear of the tie rod end, eventually causing it to break.
- Risk
- A broken steering tie rod would lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the tie rods and ball joints as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or MINI customer service at 1‑866‑825‑1525.
Recall number 19V601000 · Recall details
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
Questions about the MINI Cooper steering lock-up
Which MINI Cooper years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2005 (14 complaints), 2004 (12 complaints) and 2003 (5 complaints).
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