2004 Mini Cooper

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2012· STEERING

  POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AT SPEED. WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND PRESENTED A HAZARD TO ME AND THE VEHICLES AROUND ME. THIS IS A COMMON AND KNOWN ISSUE ON MANY MINIS OF SIMILAR YEAR, SHOULD NOT OCCUR TO DUE THE SAFETY HAZARDS. *TR

• 12/31/2012· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE BECAME PERMANENT OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,416 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,570.

• 12/31/2011· STEERING

  POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AS I WAS EXITING I-80 @ EXIT 56 RETURNING HOME FROM WORK. AS I STARTED ONTO THE EXIT RAMP AND BEGAN TO CURVE TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WAS VERY HARD IN THE CAR WHICH RESULTED IN MY HAVING TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. I ALSO WAS BRAKING AT THIS POINT GIVEN THE SURPRISE OF THE TIGHT WHEEL. I ENDED UP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE RAMP BEFORE GAINING CONTROL OF THE CAR AND REDUCING THE SPEED. WHEN I GOT TO THE TOP OF THE RAMP AND STOPPED, THE PUMP BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. ON 12/27 THE PUMP FAILED AGAIN AS I BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE. I PULLED THE CAR BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT UNTIL I CAN RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WITH 67K MILES. I SEARCHED THE FORUMS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS ISSUE AND FOUND MANY REPORTS OF PUMP/FAN FAILURES. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK TO ANYONE WHO OWNS ONE OF THESE CARS. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD'VE HAPPENED HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE PUMP FAILED, IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP FROM WRECKING INTO THE MEDIAN AREA. *KB

• 12/30/2010· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT DRIVING SO HE DID NOT KNOW THE FULL DETAILS OF THE FAILURE. THE PERSON DRIVING WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THEIR RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

• 12/30/2010· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL JAMMED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AFTER IT RESET BUT IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

• 12/29/2011· STEERING

  THE POWER STEERING PUMP JUST ALL OF A SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING FAILED ON MY MINI COOPER. I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN I WENT TO GET OFF ON A OFF RAMP AND THE CAR TOOK ALOT OF FORCE FOR ME TO STEER IT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE SNOW AT THE TIME BECAUSE IF I DID I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM AND FOR THE PRICE THAT THESE PUMPS THEY SHOULD LAST ALOT LONGER THAN HAVE. *KB

• 12/29/2010· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,400. UPDATED 09/07/11 *BF

• 12/28/2010· STEERING

  2004 MINI COOPER S - POWER STEERING FAN/PUMP FAILURE VIN# [XXX] MY POWER STEERING STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. THIS POWER STEERING WOULD GO "ON" AND "OFF: INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR A HALF (4-7 TIMES A WEEK OVER THE LAST 8-10MONTHS). I'D PARK THE CAR WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE, NO POWER STEERING. THIS HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW THE POWER STEERING HAS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD!!I HAVE ONLY HAS THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND IT HAS 70K MILES. I BROUGHT THE INTERMITTENT FAILURES TO THE DEALERSHIPS ATTENTION NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THEY NEED TO "SEE IT HAPPENING" TO FIX IT. NOW THAT MY POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY FAILED, THEY NOW TOLD ME TO ITS THE POWER STEERING FAN/PUMP THAT HAS FAILED. I CAN NOT AFFORD THE REPAIRS AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH NO POWER STEERING FOR OVER 3 MONTHS. I SEE THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED EVERYWHERE ONLINE & THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUSLY HUGE AND COMMON ISSUE FOR MY MODEL & YEAR MINI COOPER. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS PROCESS OF FILING A COMPLAINT WILL EVEN DO ANYTHING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BUT IF SOMEONE IS READING THIS COMPLAINT, PLEASE HELP US. THANK YOU ** THE WEBSITE WOULD NOT ACCEPT MY VIN # AS VALID SO I WAS UNABLE TO ADD IT TO THE APPROPRIATE PLACE DURING THIS COMPLAINT FILING. *TR

• 12/27/2010· STEERING

  POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN INTERNAL FAILURE. INVOICE RECEIVED. UPDATED 08/11/11.*JB UPDATED 08/15/11 *BF UPDATED 08/24/11

• 12/27/2007· STEERING

  MY 2004 MINI COOPER S LOST STEERING CONTROL APPROACHING A VERY DANGEROUS CORNER ON CALIFORNIA SR 330. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL AND I NEARLY AVOIDED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, BUT WAS ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE TURN AND THEN GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. SEARCHING ON THE WEB, I SEEN HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF STEERING FAILURE IN 2002 THROUGH 2006 MINI COOPERS. MY DEALER WAS KNEW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP. MY MINI HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

• 12/26/2011· STEERING

  POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING, 1ST TIME WHILST AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, 2ND TIME WHILST PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. STEERING BECOMES VERY HEAVY, ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE. I HAVEN'T USED THE CAR IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS AS I HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY, I NEED TO LOOK INTO REPLACING THE STEERING PUMP, FAN AND A COVER. *TR

• 12/26/2010· STEERING

  THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER INTERMITTENTLY FAILS. TO DATE, 5 FAILURES HAVE HAPPENED LASTING FROM 10 TO 30 MINUTES IN DURATION. LAST FAILURE WAS DECEMBER 3, 2010. *TR

• 12/22/2015· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING CONDITION IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/21/2010· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/20/2010· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COPPER. WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHICH MADE THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE ONLY LASTED FOR A SHORT TIME AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44600.

• 12/20/2010· STEERING

  STARTED TO HAVE INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE IN JANUARY 2010, THEN IT FINALLY STOPPED WORKING IN JULY 2010, HAVEN'T HAD POWER STEERING SINCE. *TR

• 12/19/2013· POWER TRAIN

  WE PURCHASED A NEW 2004 MINI-COOPER R50 AND PAID EXTRA FOR INSTALLATION OF A CVT TRANSMISSION. THE CVT ' (SPORT MODE)' FAILED IN 2010, JUST 2 YEARS AFTER ITS WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WITH ONLY 35,147 MILES DRIVEN. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT COULD COST BETWEEN $2,000 AND $9,000 TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE SPORT MODE' FUNCTION, AND SINCE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS STILL OPERATING, WE DECIDED TO AVOID THE UNCERTAINTY OF COSTLY REPAIRS AND MAKE SURE NO ONE ELSE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE LEARNED OF OTHER PREMATURE CVT FAILURES AND THREE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUITS REGARDING THIS TRANSMISSION: AARONS V. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC [XXX],BONOMO V. BMW[XXX], AND BOURNE-MILLER V. BMW[XXX]. PREMATURE 'SPORT-MODE' FAILURE CAN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO A $9,000 TRANSMISSION WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCES ON U.S. HIGHWAYS AT HIGH SPEEDS. CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS DO NOT ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, AND WE HAVE 'OPTED-OUT' OF PARTICIPATION IN THEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE EXTENT OF PREMATURE CVT FAILURES IN THE MINI-COOPER AND ISSUE A RECALL APPROPRIATE TO REMEDY THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY DEFECT. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF MORE INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED. UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA I SWEAR THAT THE FORGOING DETAILS ARE ACCURATE AND TRUTHFUL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/15/2014· STEERING

  I WAS CHANGING LANES IN A HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATION AND MY POWER STEERING QUIT CAUSING THE CAR TO CONTINUE IN THE "CHANGING" DIRECTION. THIS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HIT A CAR IN ANOTHER LANE BECAUSE I COULD NOT MOVE INTO THE INTENDED LANE. *TR

• 12/15/2014· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON MY VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH BUT IT SURE SCARED ME. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND MAY CONSIDER GETTING RID OF IT. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN MINI'S UNRESPONSIVENESS TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

• 12/15/2011· STEERING

  THE CARS POWER STEERING STARTED FAILING FOR A FEW SECONDS WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 20 OR MORE TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT THIS WILL OCCUR, SO CLEARLY IT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE POWER STEERING HAS STARTED TO FAIL WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED, BUT STARTED WORKING AGAIN IF THE CAR WAS RESTARTED OR AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS WEEK, AFTER 3 HOURS OF DRIVING, THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 15 MINUTES, WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL DURING ANOTHER 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE CARE WAS STOPPED FOR ANOTHER 20 MINUTES AND WHEN RESTARTED POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS FAILURE COULD OCCUR DURING HIGH SPEED MANEUVERING AND COULD RESULT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO DATE THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN IN A SITUATION THAT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, PRECISE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. *TR

• 12/14/2011· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ABNORMALLY STIFF. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000...UPDATED 01/04/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $866.67 . THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/09/12

• 12/14/2010· STEERING

  MY 2004 MINI COOPER S SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING LOST ITS POWER STEERING. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WHO SAID THE WHOLE STEERING WAS SHOT. THAT IS WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT MINI HAS HAD A LOT OF THESE FAILURES. IF I HAD BEEN ON A CURVE AND AT ANY FASTER SPEED I MAY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT, AND NOW BMW WON'T EVEN FIX THE CAR! THIS IS NOT RIGHT ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE KNOWN THERE IS PROBLEM, WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE A FEW PEOPLE GETTING KILLED LIKE WITH THE TOYOTA BRAKE PROBLEM? MAKE THEM DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/14/2010· STEERING

  THE STEERING IS SO HARD AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO MOVE WHILE DRIVING, I HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR LAST FEW MONTH BUT EVERY TIME WHEN I TURN OFF/ON, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A DAY OR TWO. SINCE LAST WEEK, IT BECOME PERMANENT. I SURF ON INTERNET AND CALL MINI CUSTOMER SERVICES, THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS ISSUE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND IF I FIXED THE PROBLEM AND IF THERE WILL BE A RECALL, THEY WILL COVER ONLY PARTS NOT LABOR. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

• 12/13/2010· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY CAR HAS HAD INTERMITTENT POWER FAILURE SINCE 2008, USUALLY LASTING A FEW DAYS. MORE RECENTLY MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN OUT FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS. TODAY IT STARTED WORKING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK BUT THE POWER STEERING FAN REMAINS ON AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO KEEP THE FAN OFF. CONSEQUENCES HAVE RESULTED IN NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ROAD WHEN FAILURE OCCURS (FAILURES HAPPENED WHEN I HAVE GONE INTO TURNS). POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

• 12/12/2011· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

• 12/10/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  PARKING ASSIST ALARM STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY THEN THE NEXT TIME AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE THE ALARM SOUNDED AS THOUGH IMPACT WERE IMMINENT THOUGH NOTHING WAS BEHIND THE VEHICLE. ALARM CONTINUES TO SOUND WHENEVER THE MINI IS IN REVERSE. *TR

• 12/10/2010· STEERING

  THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED DURING CORNERING. REQUIRED ME TO APPLY EXTRA FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL AT WHICH POINT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RE-ENGAGED CAUSING THE CAR TO OVER STEER. I NEEDED TO MAKE A QUICK CORRECTION IN ORDER TO AVOID CROSSING OVER THE CENTERLINE AND HITTING AN ON COMING VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS SINCE THAT TIME AND HAS BEEN COMPLETELY NON FUNCTIONAL FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO.

• 12/10/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  SUPERCHARGER FAILED AT 60,950 MILES, RESULTING IN COMPLETE REBUILD OF UNIT. FAULTY GEAR AND LUBRICATION DESIGN. *TR

• 12/08/2011· STEERING

  STEERING FLUID PUMP WAS JUST REPLACED A FEW WEEKS AGO, PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND WILL NOT GO AWAY... STEERING WHEEL VERY RIGID HARD TO TURN. VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE TURNS, ALOT OF EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. TRYING TO MAKE A SHARP OR QUICK TURN IF NEEDED, WOULD BE DANGEROUS & ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. I RECENTLY RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF 04 MINI COOPERS HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/07/2010· STEERING,SEATS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED BEFORE BUT NOT AS EXTREME AS THE MOST CURRENT FAILURE. THE CONTACT COULD BARELY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN AND ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PUMP WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,053 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 4,509 UPDATED 02/03/11*LJ ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER GRID BURNED THROUGH THE COVER AND THE DRIVERS JACKET. THE SECOND SEAT COVER BURNED THROUGH ALSO AND MADE A HOLE IN THE PASSENGERS COAT. UPDATED 03/18/11

• 12/06/2012· STEERING

  POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ON 2004 MINI COPPER TWICE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN 1.75 YEARS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY AS A CITY DRIVER WHERE THE NEED EXISTS TO PARALLEL PARK, PARK IN PARKING DECKS, AND DRIVING AND TURNING ON NARROW STREETS WITH TRAFFIC. THERE IS NOT ALWAYS THE OPTION TO MAKE A WIDE TURN. MODEL YEARS 04 AND 05 HAVE THIS ISSUE AND MINI HAS NOT ADDRESSED. IN ADDITION THEY HAVE NOT MADE IT AN AFFORDABLE REPAIR. *TR

• 12/04/2011· STEERING

  POWER ASSISTED STEERING WILL CEASE WORKING WHILE DRIVING, MAKING THE CAR VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER/CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY INTERMITTENT, BUT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN IT IS VERY SCARY. CURRENTLY, I WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE OR GRANDCHILDREN IN THE CAR UNTIL I FIX THIS PROBLEM. MINI USA THRU MAIN LINE MINI, BALA CYNWYD, PA STATED NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE VIA EMAIL. RESEARCH OF NHTSA ONLINE DATA BASE SHOWS 113 REPORTED COMPLAINTS FOR YEAR 2004 MINI'S AND 120 FOR YEAR 2005 FOR STEERING PROBLEMS AND NO FIX BY BMW. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND SUGGEST READERS FILE COMPLAINTS AND HOPE IT DOES NOT TAKE A DEATH TO GET SOMEONE'S ATTENTION. *TR

• 12/04/2006· STEERING

  THE STEERING FAILED ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER S WITH 84K MILE. THE POWER STEERING FAN FAILED CAUSING THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO BURN OUT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NTO DRIVABLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE FORTUNATELY THE FAILURE OCCURED AFTER THE VEHICLE REACHED IT DESTINATION AND WAS PARKED. *NM

• 12/03/2012· STEERING

  BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND UPON SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND STARTING FORWARD POWER STEERING WENT OUT. VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE CAR DUE TO DIFFICULTY STEERING. *TR

• 12/01/2011· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

• 12/01/2008· STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY POWER STEERING PUMP DIED I COULD HARDLY CHANGE LANES ON THE FREEWAY, IT FELT LIKE MY STEERING WHEEL HAD LOCKED, TURNING IN ANY ANGLE WAS VERY HARD WORST THAN DRIVING A TRUCK, I KEPT A FIRM GRIP WITH ONE HAND WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL THE GEARS, MY ARMS, BACK, AND HAND IS STILL HURTING, HAD NO WARNING SIGNALS, IT WHEEL JUST LOCKED UP AND WAS VERY HARD TO MANAGED I WASNT ABLE TO HANDLE THE CAR DID NOT FEEL SAFE, DID NOT HAVE FULL CONTROL OF HANDLING THE STEERING THIS IS SERIOUS PROTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE RECALLS BUT NOT FOR MY VIN 2004. MY MINI IS NOW IN THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE PUMP REPLACE AND THE FAN. THIS IS A DEADLY ISSUE AND MINI SHOULD RECALL AND PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET WE SHOULD GET REFUNDS, SO FAR OUT OF POCKET IS OVER $1100.00, I HOPE THIS SEND A MESSAGE TO THE MANAUFACTURE THAT LIVES ARE AT STAKE HERE, GREAT CAR BUT NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT FULL CONTROL. I'M SO THANKFUL I DIDNT HAVE TO MOVE QUICKLY OUT OF THE WAY OR I WOULD NOT BE HERE TO REPORT THIS BAD EXPERIENCE I LOST A DAY OF WORK TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED AND THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR. *TR

• 11/30/2012· STEERING

  MY 2004 MINI COOPER HAS HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILS. IT HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES, SOME EVEN WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM STARTS IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS CRANKED ALL THE WAY FOR A TIGHT TURN, GRADUAL TURN OR DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN THE CAR STARTS. SOMETIME THE PUMP WILL RESET IF THE CAR IF SHUT OFF THEN ON AGAIN OR THE PUMP REGAINS PRESSURE. I HAVE CHECKED THE PUMP ITSELF, THERE ARE NO LEAKS, FLUID IS FILLED TO THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL AND NO OTHER ISSUES HAVE COME UP. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING TO HAVE HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR THAT I FIND BMW SHOULD ASSIST WITH BEING THAT THE PUMP APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. *TR

• 11/30/2011· STEERING

  I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2004 MINI COOPER S, NOW WITH A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING REPEATEDLY FAILS FOR NO DETECTABLE REASON--THIS ACCORDING TO MY MINI/BMW MECHANIC. I DRIVE THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, LET IT COOL AND RESTART IT. IT RETURNS TO NORMAL AND THEN AGAIN FAILS AFTER A FEW MILES. THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER RECORDS THE FAILURE, BUT DOES NOT EXPLAIN IT IN A WAY THAT WOULD SUGGEST A SOLUTION. THE CAR'S COMPUTER READS: "FAULT STORED: SHORT CIRCUIT/OPEN CIRCUIT AT CONTROL UNIT." HENCE, MY MECHANIC HAS NO IDEA OF HOW TO FIX IT SHORT OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WHICH, AS HE SAYS, IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL STOP. AS IT IS, THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND I WILL NO LONGER PERMIT MY WIFE TO DRIVE IT. I DO HOPE THE NHTSA WILL LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. I READ ONLINE THAT ALLEGEDLY IS INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE, AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE MY MECHANIC'S WRITTEN EVALUATION IF IT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR RESEARCH. THE STEERING NOW FAILS EACH TIME I DRIVE THE AUTOMOBILE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *KB

• 11/30/2011· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  WHILE DRIVING IN A 35MPH ZONE, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD (BONNET). DRIVER NOTICED ODD STEERING RESPONSE SHORTLY BEFORE SMOKE APPEARED. REPAIR SHOP NOTED POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE CAUSING WIRING LOOM FIRE. RESEARCH HAS FOUND NUMEROUS POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES ON MINI COOPERS. WHEN POWER STEERING FAILS, DRIVING IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE GIVEN SIZE OF STEERING WHEEL AND POWER ASSIST DESIGN. *KB

• 11/29/2010· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

• 11/28/2011· STEERING

  POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY WORKING CAUSING SEVERE OVERSTEER WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. HAD NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM WHILE ON INTERSTATE. UPON EXITING INTERSTATE ON A 30 MPH LOOP STEERING FAILED . PRESENTLY POWER STEERING IS INTERMITTENT SO THE WIFE NO LONGER GETS TO DRIVE THE COOPER. GOOD FORTUNE WAS WITH ME AND I HAVE DRIVEN CARS WITHOUT POWERSTEERING. EVEN SO I WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND I AM HOPEFUL THIS REPORT WILL PREVENT OTHERS WHICH MAY BE LESS FORTUNATE OR EXPERIENCED. THE MINI DEALERSHIP DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. *KB

• 11/28/2008· STEERING

  APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO I WAS ON ORTEGA HIGHWAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH MY CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. AS I WAS MANEUVERING THE MINI ALONG THE CURVY ROAD THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FORTUNATELY I HAD GOTTEN THROUGH THE WORST OF THE HAIR PINS AND WAS GOING SLOWER THAN THE SPEED LIMIT ETC. SUDDENLY THE STEERING BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. MY HUSBAND WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING FAN. WE HAD IT REPLACED AND IT SEEMED OKAY. ON NOVEMBER 26TH I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR GOING TO MY SISTERS I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE ONCE AGAIN AS THERE WAS NO ON COMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE IF THERE WAS I WOULD HAVE HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS FOR THIS ISSUE AND I HAD NEVER BEEN INFORMED OF POWER STEERING ISSUES BEING SO SUDDEN ON THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE A MASSIVE RECALL FOR THE 02-04 YEARS WOULD BE AN EXTREMELY GOOD IDEA. I GOGGLED THE ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THESE YEARS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. I HAVE A TRUCK OLDER THAN IT THAT HAS NEVER HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING REPLACED. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT NOW DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES. THE PUMP ALONE IS BETWEEN 400-500 DOLLARS. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GET THEM TO RECALL THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES! OR IS THAT WHAT EVERYONE IS WAITING FOR?!? *TR

• 11/28/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OVER THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,402.

• 11/26/2019· STEERING

  WHEN YOU TURN WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A NOISE AND IT'S VERY HARD TO TURN. SO I THINK IT'S THE STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. RECALL ID # 240625.

• 11/26/2012· STEERING

  POWER STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY FAILED AND BECAME STIFF WHILE GETTING OFF FREEWAY. TOOK GREAT FORCE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL TO STEER CAR. LUCKILY ABLE TO STOP CAR SAFELY. *TR

• 11/25/2008· POWER TRAIN

  MY 2004 MINI COOPER S HAS 48,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I CANNOT CHANGE GEARS WITHOUT GREAT DIFFICULTY. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE, BRAKE FAILURE AND A HOST OF SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE COOPER. I THINK THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED FOR SAFETY ISSUES. THANKS, KAREN *TR

• 11/25/2007· STEERING

  COMPLETE AND INSTANTANEOUS POWER STEERING FAILURE. THERE IS PLENTY OF FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AND THERE ARE NO BLOWN FUSES. *TR

• 11/24/2018· POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  2004 MINI COOPER PURCHASED NEW APROX 62 MILES ON IT AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS GONE & THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND WANT THIS FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. AT APROX. 50 TO 60 MPH THE CAR ENGINES GOES WAY BEYOND THE PROPER RPM.

• 11/24/2012· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING HOME AS I TURNED INTO MY STREET THE STEERING POWER SUDDENLY WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO DRIVE INTO THE INCOMING TRAFFIC LANE, LUCKILY THERE WERE NO VEHICLES BUT IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN ANY VEHICLES I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A FRONT COLLISION. THE FACT THAT THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING MAKES THIS ISSUE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

• 11/24/2010· STEERING

  THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER S FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILS. *TR