2002 MINI COOPER S Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-55 MPH, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving normally. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (STEERING). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 43,000.

Mileage: 43,000

THE VIN # OF MY 2002 MINI COOPER S WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE ELECTROHYDRAULIC STEERING FAILURE OF 2002 - 2005 MINI COOPER S BUT I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT ISSUE OUTLINED IN THIS RECALL. THE STEERING IS INCREDIBLY HARD TO TURN WHEN PARKED, AS WELL AS WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICED THAT THE RECALL HAD ABOUT 339 COMPLAINTS AND ROUGHLY 85,000 VEHICLES WERE RECALLED, SO MAYBE AT THE TIME NO ONE WITH A SIMILAR VIN AS ME COMPLAINED.

Mileage: 40,000

PURCHASED THIS CAR USED WITH LOW MILES. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED THE STEERING ON MY VEHICLE GOT A LITTLE HARDER TO STEER, DIDN'T THINK TO MUCH ABOUT IT. THEN THE RADIATOR FAN WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF. TOOK THE CAR IN TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS TO FIND THE PROBLEM. FOUND OUT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT CAUSING THE COOLANT RESERVOIR TO GO OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE EXTREME SAFETY HAZARDS WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE STEERING FREEZES!! I CONTACTED BMW AFTER HEARING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD WE MISSED THE RECALL TIME FRAME. I HAVE LOW MILES, 60,000. THE RECALL EXPIRED IN 2017. WELL, MY CARE WAS NOT HAVING THE ISSUES. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE SELLING THE CAR AND HANDING THE PROBLEM TO ANOTHER CONSUMER. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED AS IT COULD BE AN UNPLEASANT RESULT.

Mileage: 60,000

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF IS HARD TO TURN. NOT LEAKING ANY FLUIDS AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR IS FULL.

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA 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 DEALER WAS CONTACTED AT 865-693-4553 AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT SWITCHED GEARS INTO DRIVE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FORWARD, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID AND MADE ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO STEER THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) AND THE DEALER SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER LATER CANCELED THE APPOINTMENT, STATING THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR REMEDY FOR MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A DATE THAT THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 04/12/16 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ON MANUAL CONTROL AND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP, THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A CLANKING NOSE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V66000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT A REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 94,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE TURN. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO WAIT FOR A SECOND NOTIFICATION LETTER TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR MONTHS AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME FOR THE PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND CAUSED EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,548.

Mileage: 67,548

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID HITTING AN ANIMAL, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE ANIMAL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 103,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V66000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

Mileage: 126,000

WE HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING AND FAN GO OUT ABOUT 3 TIMES ON THIS CAR. WE HAVE OWNED IT NEW FROM 2002. THERE WAS A RECALL AND WE ONLY RECEIVED $525 DOLLARS WHEN WE SPEND OVER $2000. WHY WOULD WE NOT RECEIVE A FULL REFUND AS WE HAD THE WORK DONE ALWAYS AT THE MINI DEALER AND WE HAD TWO RECEIPTS FROM THE DEALER SHOWING THE DEFECT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE WARRANTY IS NOT INCREASED TO 13 YEARS AND 150000 MILES. WHEN THE DEFECT HAPPENS THE CAR GETS NOISY FROM THE PUMP AND WHEN IT FAILS THE STEERING BECOMES SLUGGISH. WHY WOULD THEY BE ALLOWED TO ONLY REIMBURSE PART OF THE AMOUNT WHEN THIS IS SUCH A BIG ISSUE. $2000 FOR STEERING REPAIRS ON A $27,000 DOLLAR CAR SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED. *TR

Mileage: 134,000

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT AND HEAVY. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 138,000

I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH CITY TRAFFIC AND THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO OPERATE. STEERING BECAME IMMEDIATELY VERY HEAVY. PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, LOOKED UNDER HOOD, LOOKED UNDER CAR FOR FLUIDS, BELTS, ETC., AND FOUND NOTHING VISIBLE. GOT BACK INTO CAR, STARTED IT UP AND IT BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN, AS NORMAL. TWO WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, POWER STEERING AGAIN FAILED ABRUPTLY. POWER STEERING PUMP IS SCHEDULED TO BE CHECKED/REPLACED TODAY AT DEALERSHIP TODAY. THIS COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. HAD I BEEN IN A CURVE AT THIS SPEED, I'M NOT SURE I COULD HAVE MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

POWER STEERING FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING, UNABLE TO STEER CAR. AFTER SOME TIME, POWER RESUMED INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AND DRAINED BATTERY (RECENTLY REPLACED). CAR WILL NOT START, AND CAN NOT ACCESS PASSENGER OR TRUNK DOOR DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 102,000

POWER STEERING FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING NEARLY HIT THE OUTER BARRIER BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF FORCE REQUIRED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR WRECK. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH THE MINI COOPER. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING CANADA HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING PUMPS. WOULD LIKE TO LOG A COMPLAINT TO SEE IF WE CAN GET MINI USA TO TAKE SOME ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, AFTER 3+ HOURS OF DRIVING. AFTER COOLING DOWN FOR AN HOUR, POWER STEERING CAME BACK, BUT ONLY LASTED 5 MIN., AND WAS OUT FOR ANOTHER DAY. COMES AND GOES, DEPENDING ON HOW HOT THE WEATHER/ENGINE IS, BUT STAYS OUT LONGER AND ONLY WORKS FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME NOW. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY AS CANADA HAS SOON! *TR

Mileage: 93,000

POWER ASSIST PUMP FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 94,316

WHILE ON A SHORT VACATION OUT OF TOWN, CLOSE TO 230 MILES FROM MY HOME, MY COOPER S' POWER STEERING FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSE ME AN ACCIDENT. I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE FLUID AND SAW THAT THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS PRESENT. AFTER MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR A RENTAL VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING CORRECTLY AGAIN. BECAUSE OF THAT I PROCEEDED TO RETURN HOME AND THE STEERING DID NOT FAIL FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. DURING MARCH OF 2012, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN, DURING A COMMUTE HOME FROM WORK ON FRIDAY, MAY 3RD. TO THIS DAY, I HAVE NO BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD ADDITIONAL REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTICS, BECAUSE OF THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS, INSURANCE, FUEL AND PREVIOUS ISSUES OF REPAIRS UNDER 75,000 MILES INCLUDING THE HEAD GASKET, AND HEATER CORE. REGARDLESS OF THE POLICIES THAT BMW/MINI AND THE NHTSA HAVE CONCERNING USED VEHICLES, AND WARRANTIES, ABSOLUTELY NO VEHICLE PRODUCED BY AN INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN COMPANY OR BUSINESS SHOULD BE PRODUCING SUCH UNRELIABLE, UNSAFE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MOTOR VEHICLES AND NOT TAKE IMMEDIATE RESPONSIBILITY TO ISOLATE AND TERMINATE THE ISSUE RATHER THAN IGNORE AND DENY RESPONSIBILITY FOR POORLY MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

I BOUGHT A 2002 MINI COOPER S ALMOST A MONTH AGO AND LOST THE POWER TO STEER MY CAR IN A TURN AT ALMOST 50 MPH. IF TOYOTA WOULD HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM I'M SURE SOME ONE WOULD BE IN JAIL OR MAYBE YOU WOULD HERE IT ON THE NEWS. THIS IS MY THIRD MINI IN 6 YEARS AND I NEVER HEARD A PEEP ABOUT THIS SCAREY PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ARE GOVERNMENT FOR MAKING THE ROADS SO SAFE. AT LEAST THEY ARE TAKING THE EFFORT TO STOP THOSE PESKY KIDS AND THERE TEXTING. THANKS AGAIN! *TT

Mileage: 86,000

I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY WHEN MY BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON; I LOST POWER STEERING AND SAW A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE MINI DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED, AND SUBSEQUENTLY BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF FAULTY MANUFACTURING IN REGARD TO THIS PART FROM BBC IN UK, AS WELL AS ON MANY FORUMS, IN PARTICULAR NORTH AMERICAN MOTORING. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

THE POWER STEERING FAILS WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT MAY LAST JUST A FEW MINUTES OR MUCH LONGER - HOUR OR SO. USUALLY DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN JUST STARTING THE CAR BUT NO OTHER KNOWN PATTERN. IT HAPPENS 1 TO 2 TIMES A MONTH OR MORE. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

HEARD OF POWERSTEERING ISSUE BUT STILL PURCHASED CAR. DRIVING TO WORK SMELLED BURNING AND LOST POWERSTEERING, IF THIS HAPPENS TO A WOMAN DRIVING AROUND A ROTARY AND KILLS SOMEONE WILL YOU WAIT FOR 50 PEOPLE TO GET KILLED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. THIS IS COMPLETE INADEQUATE RESEARCH ON YOUR PART FORD RECALLS DUE TO ELECTRICALSHORT OF THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND CRUISE CONTROL CUT PRESSURE SWITCH HAD TO BURN DOWN HOUSES WHEN THEY HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE WHICH NO RECALL TILL MONTHS AFTER THEY KNEW IT WAS A FAULT. BY THE WAY I AM A MECHANIC ASE CERTIFIED OWN A SHOP IN WAKEFIELD [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 76,000

THERE HAVE BEEN THREE INSTANCES WHEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME...I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT HAD I NOT BEEN IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA DURING THOSE TIMES. *TR

Mileage: 64,982

DRIVING TO WORK 4 MILE TRIP POWER STEERING RANDOMLY STOPS WORKING ALMOST LOCKING UP THE STEERING WHEEL. TRIED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD A FULL GROWN MAN STRUGGLES TO BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL ABOUT A QUARTER OF A TURN. SHUT OFF CAR WAIT TO START BACK UP. POWER STEERING STILL DEAD CALL TOW TRUCK AND HAVE IT HAULED TO REPAIR SHOP. TOLD POWER STEERING PUMP HAS DIED AND NEEDS REPLACED ALONG WITH POWER STEERING PUMP FAN. *KB

Mileage: 114,000

DRIVING TO WORK 4 MILE TRIP POWER STEERING RANDOMLY STOPS WORKING ALMOST LOCKING UP THE STEERING WHEEL. TRIED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD A FULL GROWN MAN STRUGGLES TO BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL ABOUT A QUARTER OF A TURN. SHUT OFF CAR WAIT TO START BACK UP. POWER STEERING STILL DEAD CALL TOW TRUCK AND HAVE IT HAULED TO REPAIR SHOP. TOLD POWER STEERING PUMP HAS DIED AND NEEDS REPLACED ALONG WITH POWER STEERING PUMP FAN. *KB

Mileage: 114,000

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING....MADE IT HOME...CHECKED ALL FLUID LEVELS...ALL OKAY....GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING TO TAKE TO SERVICE STATION AND POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN...GARAGE COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM...SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOW FOR FEAR OF LOSS OF STEERING AGAIN! *TR

Mileage: 50,008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENT WITHOUT WARNING. HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN WOULD REMAIN ACTIVE WITHOUT POWER TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,096. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF UPDATED 06/30/11*JB

Mileage: 60,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY AT RANDOM TIMES. UPDATED 07/18/11

Mileage: 132,000

POWER STEERING PUMP IN 2002 MINI COOPER FAILED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND RUN, CAUSED ME TO DRIFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, ALMOST HITTING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, IT WORK INTERMITTENT, ALMOST GOT TO A ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 92,345

A FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN. AT SOME POINT THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT THE FAN SEIZED AND THE RESULTING ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE IN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS TO HEAT TO A POINT OF MELTING SOME OF THE PLASTIC WIRE INSULATION ALLOWING FOR DIRECT WIRE TO WIRE CONTACT AND RESULTED IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE RESULTING FIRE COMPLETELY DISABLED THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND REQUIRES AT MINIMUM THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE MAIN WIRING HARNESS. EVENT DESCRIPTION AFTER A SHORT DRIVE (LESS THAN 2 MILES ON A COLD ENGINE) THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF SMOKE WAS SEEN RISING FROM THE VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON RAISING THE HOOD, FLAMES WERE SEEN BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT REFLECTING OFF BOTH FIRE WALLS. 2 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE REQUIRED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES AFTER THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE TO FIRE WAS PREVENTED BY THE OWNERS ACTIONS.

Mileage: 45,000

AFTER PICKING MY SISTER UP FROM THE TRAIN STATION I NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. STEERING IS NOW VERY DIFFICULT AROUND CORNERS AND IN CITY DRIVING. NO REPAIRS MADE YET. *TR

Mileage: 100,500

THE SECOND POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2002 MINI COOPER S HAS FAILED. THE FIRST TIME WHEN IT HAPPENED I HAD LOSS OF STEERING WHILE DOING A LOW SPEED TURN AND HIT A CURB. *LN

Mileage: 89,000

2002 MINI COOPER S. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WITH 55K MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. CAUSED LOSS OF POWERSTEERING MAKING THE CAR DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. UPON STOPPING THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULDN'T GO OFF AND DRAINED THE CARS BATTERY. THIS IS A WELL PUBLICIZED PROBLEM ON THE WEB, YET MINI DENIES ANY FAULT. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 03/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND IF IT FAILED IN A TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD INEVITABLY STEER VERY WIDE FROM THE INTENDED COURSE. UPDATED 03/09/11. *JB

Mileage: 51,000

POWER STEERING FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF A CURVE IN THE ROAD, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND NEARLY CAUSING THE CAR TO GO INTO A DITCH. #20 THE CAR IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER WITHOUT THE POWER-ASSISTED STEERING. #20 MINI USA DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM, YET THERE ARE IN EXCESS OF 1,600 REPORTS ON ONE INTERNET FORUM ALONE. #20 THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE, AND IN EUROPE BMW/MINI HAS ACTED, BUT IN THE USA THE COMPANY DENIES ANY AWARENESS. #20 THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE COST ME AND MY WIFE OUR LIVES IF I WERE A LESS SKILLED DRIVER WHO MANAGED TO FORCE THE CAR BACK ONTO THE ROAD.

Mileage: 75,415

LOSS OF POWER STEERING 2002 MINI COOPER S. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH DIFFICULTY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE POWER STEERING BECAME FUNCTIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

INTERMEDIATE POWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2002 MINI COOPER S. AT FIRST POWER STEERING WOULD CUT IN AND OUT WHEN DRIVING UNTIL IT WENT DEAD COMPLETELY BUT SOMETIMES WILL RESUME FUNCTION WHEN YOU SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTART. STEERING IS VERY HARD WHEN THIS OCCURS. WEEKS PASSED WITH SAME SYMPTOMS THEN POWER STEERING PUMP WILL RUN CONSTANTLY EVEN WITH CAR SHUT OFF. TO STOP THE PUMP FROM DRAINING MY BATTERY I HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY OR REMOVE THE FUSE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE POWERSTEERING PUMP. NOW THE CAR IS OPERABLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING BUT STEERING IS RATHER HARD. *TR

Mileage: 29,800

I READ LAST WEEK ABOUT POSSIBLE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSOCIATED WITH 04-05 MINI MODELS. I HAVE AN 02 MINI COOPER S AND HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM APPROX 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 YEARS. WITH NO WARNING, THE POWER STEERING WILL SUDDENLY DISAPPEAR. I CAN STEER THE CAR, BUT ONLY WITH SIGNIFICANT EFFORT. MY MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS. I'M NOT CERTAIN, BUT IT APPEARS THIS MIGHT HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE ROAD IS WET. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

MY 2002 MINI COOPER S HAD AN INCIDENT APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO WHEN I COMPLETELY LOST POWER STEERING WHILE GOING A LOW RATE OF SPEED. I WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE THE STEERING FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES UNTIL THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THIS OCCURRED ONCE MORE BUT VERY BRIEFLY IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE SOME TIME LATER. I DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM EITHER TIME BUT I SAW A STORY IN USA TODAY ON MINI STEERING PROBLEMS (29 SEPT) AND INSTANTLY RECALLED MY PROBLEM. I AM CERTAIN IT IS RELATED TO THE MINI STEERING ISSUE NOW BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSED HARD STEERING AND SUPREME SCARE. PRIOR INTERMITTENT ON/OFF OF POWER STEERING PUMP PREVIOUS WEEK. HAD TO REPLACE PUMP AND FAN MOTOR. OLD PUMP IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

1. DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, CAR STARTS OVER HEATING. 2. CONSTANT POWER STEERING FAILURE. HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. (3 YEAR SPAN) AND ALSO 2 TIMES FOR THE ORIGINAL OWNER. 3. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

2002 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED LEAVING CAR WITH VERY HEAVY STEERING. CAR TRAVELED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT NO DAMAGE OR INJURY OCCURRED. I HAVE OLD PS PUMP AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. JUST HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN DURING NORMAL DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 107,000

2002 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. PUMP HAD STOPPED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR PREVIOUSLY. NOW, PUMP CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 70,100

THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON 2002 MINI COOPER S HAS REPEATEDLY SEIZED UP WHEN DRIVING OVER A COURSE OF A FEW MONTHS AND NOW IT WONT TURN OFF WHEN THE CAR IS OFF SO THE BATTERY DRAINS OUT. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN AND SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,392.

Mileage: 42,392

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000. UPDATED 09/24/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/24/10

Mileage: 90,000

THE NEW MINIS FROM BMW, RANGING FROM 2002 - 2005, HAVE CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING FAILING WHILE DRIVING, MAKING THE CARS SUDDENLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. I'VE SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VERY SAME THING. HERE'S A LINK TO A BBC STORY ABOUT IT. HTTP://WWW.BBC.CO.UK/BLOGS/WATCHDOG/2009/02/MINI_STEERING_SYSTEM_FAILURES.HTML. *TR

Mileage: 8,400

2002 MINI COOPER C POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WITH ONLY 50K MILES. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

MY MINI COOPER S 2002. MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. VERY DANGEROUS AND THE FAN KEPT RUNNING WHEN OFF WHICH DRAINED THE BATTERY. IT IS NOT DRIVABLE NOW. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

TOOK MY CAR IN FOR WINDING SOUND COMING FROM MOTOR. DIAGNOSED AS THE ALTERNATOR...THEY REPLACED IT AND SOUND WAS STILL PRESENT ...MISDIAGNOSED AND WAS ACTUALLY THE SUPERCHARGER, BUT WHILE THEY WERE CHECKING IT OUT INITIALLY THE POWER STEERING PUMP STAYED ON...WHICH DIDN'T HAPPEN TO ME UNTIL THEY HAD IT. AFTER CHANGING THE ALTERNATOR POWER STEERING PUMP NO LONGER STAYED ON PER THE DEALER. HAD IT HOME 3 DAYS TO WAKE UP ONE MORNING HEARING THE PUMP ON AND I GO TO START MY CAR AND IN DRAINED MY BATTERY. HAD TO JUMP THE CAR AND THEN DISCONNECT THE CABLE TO KEEP FROM THE PS PUMP CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER GETTING A NEW PUMP $975 PLUS TAX, RESEARCHED MINI OWNER WEBSITE AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE ALSO THAT SOME CARS ACTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE FROM A FAILURE OF THE PUMP. RESEARCHED MORE ON NORTH AMERICAN MOTORING . THERE WAS A LONG LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE EXACT EXPERIENCE. SURE WOULD BE AWFUL FOR THE PUMP TO GO OUT WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AND NOT ABLE TO STEER CORRECTLY. SURPRISED IT HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT/DEATH YET. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

SEVERAL, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED MORE THEN TEN DIFFERENT TIMES, EACH TIME IT WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER (WESTCHESTER BMW/WESTCHESTER MINI) THE LAST FIX WAS AFTER THE NORMAL WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND REQUIRED MUCH FUSS TO GET IT REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE RADIATOR FAN WAS REPLACED TWO TIMES BY ME (CAR OUT OF WARRANTY) EVEN THOUGH I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL QUITE NEW ABOUT THE FREQUENCY OF THE FAN MOTOR'S STARTING AND STOPPING WHICH WILL SEVERELY SHORTEN THE LIFE OF ANY ELECTRIC MOTOR. THE WINDSHIELD STRESS CRACKED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS REPAIRED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPED MOTOR HAS JUST FAILED DURING AN INCREDIBLE RAINSTORM. *JB

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED AT 48,000 MILES. VIEWING THE MINI OWNERS WEBSITE REVEALED MANY SIMILAR SITUATIONS WHERE THE PUMP REQUIRED REPLACEMENT ON MANY 2002-2004 MODELS. THIS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. *NM