2003 MINI Cooper Complaint Log

THE CAR, A 2003 MINI COPPER, SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN WHILE I APPLIED BRAKE IN A EVENING TRAFFIC THAT WAS SLOWING DOWN NEAR A LIGHT/SIGNAL. IT FELT LIKE A STALL AND A LOSS OF POWER. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, AND ON CONFUSION, I TRIED TO ADJUST THE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE. AT THAT POINT, THE CAR'S POWER CAME BACK AND THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD AND HIT THE TRAILER HITCH OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING A 2' DENT AND CRACK ON THE FRONT BUMPER. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS A LOW-SPEED IMPACT AND DID NOT CAUSE ANY PERSONAL INJURY. SINCE THIS WAS AN UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE, I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER CHECKING THE WEB. THEY SUGGESTED CHECKING THE SOFTWARE VERSION ($90) AND A REVISION ($180). THE COST OF FIXING THE BUMPER WOULD BE MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AND NEARLY WRECKED THE CAR IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING I DOUBT SHE COULD HAVE SAVED IT. GOOGLE SEARCH TURNS UP HUNDREDS OF LIKE POSTS. ON ANOTHER QUICK SEARCH, AS OF 2006, 50 PUMP FAILURES RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF FIRE. AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT POST. MAYBE 10% OF THE MINI DRIVERS POST ONLINE. THIS IS A DISGRACE! *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN FAILED AT 55,000 MILES. WHILE IT HAPPENED IN MY CASE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO PARK, IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CREATED A SERIOUS HAZARD.

HI, I'M THE THIRD OWNER OF A 2003 MINI COOPER S SINCE FEBRUARY 2010, LOCATED IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA. IN THE BEGINING OF MAY 2011 MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE BIG ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS RUNNING DISCONTINOUS, ALL THE LIGHTS (FRONT, BACK AND DASHBOARD) ARE DIMMING AND AFTER JUST AFEW MILES OF DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. I HAVE THIS PROBLEM NOW EVERYDAY WHEN I TRY TO DRIVE THE CAR. I'VE CHECKED THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAN AND IT SPINS FREE. NO BLOW OF THE F5 FUSE (AS OTHER PEOPLE REPORTED). IT HAPPEND TO ME IN THE LAST YEAR FOR 3 TIMES, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT, BUT FEW HOURS AFTER I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR, THE PUMP CAME BACK NORMALLY (EXCEPTING THE CONTINOUS WHINING NOISE OF IT). DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALER YET FOR A PUMP REPLACEMENT. I KNOW THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MINIS 2002-2006 AND I WANT TO CLAIM THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR TOO. HOPE THIS PROBLEM TO BECOME A RECALL SOON FOR MINI/BMW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2003 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE LOS ANGELES FREEWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY AND SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND VARIOUS REPAIR SHOPS STATED IT WOULD COST $ 9,3000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE MINI DIDN'T SELL THE CVT TRANSMISSION ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE AND PRONE TO FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE DONATED THE VEHICLE. *JB

POWER STEERING FAILED AS CAR WAS MOVING. NO APPARENT REASON FOR FAILURE. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL CAR WITHOUT THE STEERING. I WAS NOT GOING TOO FAST BUT IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. STEERING REMAINED UNUSUABLE UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND COOLED SLIGHTLY. WHEN I STARTED IT, IT WAS FINE. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR OR SO.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP WOULD NOT PROPERLY SEAL AND WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FUEL CAP, FUEL TANK NOZZLE, HOSE AND CONNECTOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 270,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/08/11*LJ UPDATED 3/02/2012 *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE THEN JERKED VIOLENTLY FOLLOWED BY AN INDEPENDENT RESET OF THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT BARELY MISSED CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND IT WAS SOON EVIDENT THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS STARTING TO FAIL. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN. AFTER PULLING BACK INTO THE PARKING SPOT, SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING BECAME FUNCTIONAL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. POWER STEERING NOW APPEARS TO BE COMPLETELY NON-FUNCTIONING. COINCIDENTALLY, THIS CAR HAS ALREADY HAD A STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENT IN DECEMBER 2004 WITH 23070 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WAS GRADUAL, BUT ALARMING FOR SUCH A LOW-MILEAGE VEHICLE. THIS MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WITH LESS THAN 48000 MILES ON THE NEW PUMP AND SUGGESTS A FAULTY PART/DESIGN WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE MORE SERIOUS INCIDENTS.

YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING HOME NORMALLY. WHEN I SLOWED TO TURN INTO THE ALLEY WHERE I PARK MY CAR MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I MISSED SLAMMING INTO THE CORNER OF THE BUILDING BY A COUPLE INCHES AND WAS ABLE TO PARK. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND EVEN PUT A LITTLE IN. SINCE THE THEN THE POWER STEERING IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE, BUT "CATCHES" EVERY NOW AND THEN. THIS MAKES IT EXTREMELY HARD TO DRIVE. AFTER READING OF NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVING THIS ISSUE, I CALLED BMW TODAY. THEY RECORDED MY INFORMATION AND SAID I WOULD BE INFORMED IF THERE WAS A RECALL BY NHTSA, BUT THAT NOTHING WAS BEING DONE AT THIS TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HARNESS WAS MELTED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/10/11

LOUD NOISE IN TRANSMISSION - LEADS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING MANY COMPLAINTS INDICATING THIS HAPPENING WHILE IN TRAFFIC ARE ON A COUPLE WEBSITES - MAIN SITE: HTTP://NEWMINI.WORDPRESS.COM/2008/01/08/MINI-COOPER-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS/ ALSO MANY ON: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/MINI.HTML

THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OR EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, IN MY CASE THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES RESULTING FROM THE FAILURE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS SHE WAS CLOSE TO HOME. SHE DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO MAKE THE TURN WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING SO HAD IT OCCURRED ON HER WAY TO WORK AROUND A CURVE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH FOR SURE. A COUPLE OF TURNS SHE NEEDS TO MAKE HAVE STEEP DROP OFFS AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC THAT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY DEATHS HAVE BEEN REPORTED DUE TO THIS, BUT I CAN SEE WHERE IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN AND NOT BE PINPOINTED AS THE CAUSE SINCE THE FAILURE WAS IMMEDIATE AND WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING, NOT AFTER BEING STOPPED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL COMPLETELY, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE, AND GREATLY INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ACCIDENT. THE FLUID LEVELS ARE CORRECT, AND POWER STEERING WILL RETURN AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND LETTING IT SIT FOR A WHILE.. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN CORRECTIVE ACTION. *TR

HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 7 YEARS AND IT HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. I WAS TAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO MY WORK WHEN MY POWER STEERING FAILED WITH NO WARNING. THIS CAUSED ME APPLY THE BRAKES HARD AND TURN THE WHEEL WITH A GOOD AMOUNT OF FORCE TO MAKE THE TURN. IT WAS LUCKY THERE WASN'T ANYTHING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF A 50 MILE DRIVE, NO ISSUES UNTIL THEN. I STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AN HOUR LATER AND I WORKED FINE. I DROVE IT BACK HOME THE NEXT MORNING 50 MILES WITH NO ISSUES. MY MAIN CONCERN IS HAVING HAD THE CAR FOR THIS AMOUNT OF TIME IT CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE, AND MY WORRY NOW IS WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY WITHIN THIRTY SECONDS BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. HE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND HE OBSERVED THAT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES HE SMELLED FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO MENTION OF A FIRE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

DRIVING NORMALY POWER STEERING FAILED ON FREEWAY CURVE, HAD TO FIGHT TO GAIN CONTROL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE TECHNICIAN TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP DEFECT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WHILE DOING FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I WAS LEAVING MY HOME WHEN I NOTICE, AS SOON AS I START MY CAR, THAT MY STEERING IS VERY STIFF. I HAVE TO USE MY WHOLE BODY TO TURN THE WHEEL AND MANEUVER THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST A WEEK NOW OFF AND ON. GO ONLINE AND RESEARCH PROBLEM TO FIND ITS GOING TO COST ME NEAR $1000 TO FIX. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S JUST HAD A POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE RESULTING IN AT LEAST $600.00 IN REPAIR COST. CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED, STEERING WENT TO MANUAL EFFORT, NO ASSIST, NO WARNING. FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE AS SHE WOULD HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY COMPLETING THE TURN. I KNOW THE STEERING STILL OPERATES, BUT IF YOU AREN'T READY FOR THE DRASTICALLY INCREASED EFFORT REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A TURN, YOU WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HALF-WAY THROUGH A TURN IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IS NO TIME TO FIND OUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FINISH IT. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OF IMPENDING FAILURE. TO HAVE A MAJOR SAFETY AND CONTROL SYSTEM OF YOUR VEHICLE FAIL THIS QUICKLY (ONLY 80,000 MILES) LEAVES ME WONDERING AS TO THE SAFETY OF THE OTHER VITAL SYSTEMS ON THE VEHICLE. MINI MADE CHANGES ON THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ON LATER VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THIS WITHOUT HAVING ANY RECALL OR VOLUNTARY REPAIR PROGRAM FOR RETROFIT TO THE OLDER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT FAIR AND DEFINITELY NOT SAFE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS FAULTY. THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ

EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH-SPEED AND PREPARING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. AS SUCH, I NEARLY DROVE OFF THE ROAD ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON THE EXIST RAMP -- VERY HARD EMERGENCY BRAKING WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE IT WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, AND THUS, CONTROL THE CAR. I LATER DISCOVERED BY MINI OF SAN DIEGO (WHO CONDUCTED REPAIRS) THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING APPROXIMATELY $1,100. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH MINI POWER STEERING PUMPS WERE BEING INVESTIGATED AND THAT A RECALL MIGHT BE ISSUED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED FURTHER AND BELIEVE THAT THE 1ST YEAR BEING REVIEWED IS THE 2004. I BELIEVE THAT THE 2003 SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED AS WELL IN THE EVENT OF A RECALL SINCE I EXPERIENCED THE VERY SAME PROBLEM BEING INVESTIGATED, AND THE DANGER RESULTING FROM THE DEFECT IS CONSIDERABLE.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAPPENED ON A SNOW COVERED CURVY ROAD, LOST CONTROL AND WENT INTO THE DITCH. NO DAMAGE, WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SLOWED ENOUGH BEFORE CRASHING. THANKFUL NO OTHER CARS WERE IN THE OTHER LANE. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OUT UNDER ITS OWN POWER. WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR NOW. *TR

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH A CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION AND FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FILED AT 58000 MILES LUCKY FOR ME I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE OR BUSY TRAFFIC AS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. MINI USA ARE TOTALLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND STOPPED PUTTING THIS DEFECTIVE PART IN NEWER MODEL VEHICLES. THEY WILL ALSO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND ARE UNWILLING TO RECTIFY IT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE CONCERNING THIS TRANSMISSION BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON THERE IS STILL NO SAFETY RECALL. I HOPE IT IS NOT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE TO BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE. ALSO THE BUSHINGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE A FRAME ARE BAD WCH IN MY OPINION IS A SERIOUS FAULT AND COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS 7,000+ THESE CARS ARE ROLLING DEATH TRAPS IN MY OPINION AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. A STRONG ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE WILL SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

MINI COOPER DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED USING EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES UNDER CERTAIN FREEZING CONDITIONS. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING FREEZING WEATHER, USUALLY WHEN SNOW OR ICE IS PRESENT. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS. AT TIMES, IT OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR MANY HOURS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING. HOWEVER, IT CAN ALSO OCCUR AFTER THE DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED AND THE VEHICLE DRIVEN FOR 30 MINUTES OR MORE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, NEITHER THE INSIDE NOR OUTSIDE HANDLES WILL OPEN THE DOOR. THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO EXIT (OR ENTER) THE VEHICLE USING THE OTHER DOOR (SO FAR THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INSTANCE WHEN BOTH DOORS FROZE) AND WAIT FOR THE CONDITION TO RECTIFY ITSELF. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S WITH LOW 70 THOUSAND MILES COUGH FIRE ON JANUARY 31 2011 AROUND 4 AM IN THE MORNING. IT WAS SEEN TO START ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER AIRBAG AND CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE THE FRONT END UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER PASSENGER DASH WAS TOLD FAILURE WAS ABS

WHEN I BOUGHT THE MINI BACK IN MARCH THE NIGHT I BROUGHT IT HOME THE STEERING SUDDENLY GOT REALLY STIFF. THEN WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS WORKING FINE, THEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO GOT STIFF AGAIN, WENT AWAY AND NOW IS COMPLETELY OUT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE MINI COOPER ON A BUSY ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT OR HIT A PEDESTRIAN. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE DESIGN. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER BE THAT HARD TO CONTROL EVEN WHEN THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THESE PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY OF MY FAMILY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THERE IS A CHANGE IN DESIGN TO THE PART. SIMPLY REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP WITH A NEW OR REFURBISHED PART WITH A SIMILAR DESIGN WILL NOT MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COPPER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE ON THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE. THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE LAST TIME THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO START IT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

MY 2003 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT WHILE ROUNDING A CORNER. BARELY GAINED CONTROL IN TIME TO STOP. I WHEN TO THE MINI DEALER AND THE MECHANIC SAID " THIS IS A COMMON FLAW IN MINIS FROM 2002-2005. I SEE IT ALL THE TIME". THEN I FIND OUT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THE DEFECT. SOME CARS HAVE EVEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. CAR ONLY HAS 63K IN IT. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE CAR WAS DRIVING. IT FRIED ONE BATTERY. PLACED SECOND BRAND NEW BATTERY IN TO CONFIRM THE FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP DEFECT. LEARNED FROM CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT POSTED ONLINE THAT BMW KNEW OF THE DEFECTIVE PROBLEM. BMW CLAIMED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM IN 2007 TO GET NHSTA TO STOP INVESTIGATION. HOWEVER, I WAS NEVER CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM BY BMW BETWEEN 2003 TO 2010. BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THEIR INVESTIGATION FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP THEREFORE NO RECALL! THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY PART OF REPAIR AFTER THEY TOLD ME TO TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALER. IF THE CAR FAILED DURING HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT. NO WARNING OF WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP WILL FAIL SO CONSUMERS WILL HAVE NO WARNING OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL IT HAPPENS. IF I DID NOT STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY, MY ENGINE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON FIRE.

HI THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY MINI COOPER LOSING POWER STEERING , I HAVE LOST THE POWER STEERING FEW TIMES THIS WEEK AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE BMW NEAR MY AREA THEY TOLD ME ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MINI CARS FROM 2001 TO 2005 AS THE PSP ( POWER STEERING PUMP ) ON THE MODELS HAVE A FAULT AND YOU MAY LOSE THE STEERING POWER AT ANY TIME . I ALMOST HAD 2 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS WEEK AND THEY ARE ASKING MY TO PAY 550 FOR A NEW PUMP . IF THEY HAVE A FAULTY PUMP AND THEY NOW IT CAN RISK LIVES THEY SHOULD RECALL IT OR OFFER TO FIX THIS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED . *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, CAUSING HARD TO CONTROL CONDITIONS IN VEHICLE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER S USED IN NOVEMBER 2007. IT HAD 30,000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT PROMPTLY, DEC. 2007. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE AGAIN, AT 79,000 MILES, 49,000 MILES ON A NEW PUMP. IT COMES AND GOES WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS WHILE TAKING CURVES. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED ABRUPTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY.

I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS 03 MINI COOPER S SINCE 5/09. I PURCHASED WITH 12,500 MILES. CURRENTLY, 32K MILES. THE XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT, DRIVERS SIDE, FREQUENTLY DOES NOT IGNITE. THE SELF LEVELING HEAD LIGHT SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE AIMING DISTANCE IS VERY POOR, LIGHT SHINES APPROX 20FT IN FRONT OF THE CAR. OTHER TIMES, THE LIGHT SHINES HIGH, BLINDING ON-COMERS. THE 1ST OWNER COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM TO A MINI DEALERSHIP IN 10/03 WITH 1,971 MILES. AGAIN, 5/08 WITH 9,000 MILES WITH CHECKS PERFORMED. THIS ESTABLISHED PROBLEM CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. BALLASTS AND BULBS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, MAKING IF DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE AT NIGHT. AFTER DOING OUR OWN RESEARCH AND SEEING HOW MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, IT IS TIME FOR MINI/BMW TO IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS THIS OVERDUE SAFETY HAZARD BY IMPLEMENTING A RECALL, OR A SERVICE BULLETIN TO ALL AFFECTED CONSUMERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WILL CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS HAD TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE (CVT TRANSMISSION) AT ONLY 46,129 MILES. FAILURE WAS TOTAL AND SUDDEN AND VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE WITHOUT NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER QUOTED ME A COST OF $10,055.44 (PARTS $6,943.28, LABOR $2,700 + TAX). THIS COST IS MORE THAT THE VEHICLES' CURRENT VALUE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ONLY A NEW CVT TRANSMISSION CAN REPLACE THE FAULTY ONE, AND EVEN THEN THAT TRANSMISSION MAY AGAIN FAIL AS THEY ARE SUCH TERRIBLE TRANSMISSIONS. THE CAR WILL NOT TAKE ANY OTHER TRANSMISSION OPTION. THE DEALER BASICALLY LAUGHED AND SAID, "I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU HAVE AN EXTRA $10,000 LAYING AROUND," WHEN HE TOLD ME THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN LOWERING THE COST, BUT BASICALLY SAID "TOUGH LUCK" AND TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR IS USELESS AND UNFIXABLE AT THIS COST. A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE AS CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN SOLD A FAILED TRANSMISSION, AND THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR'S TRANSMISSION IS TOTALLY FAULTY. *TR

THE SPARKPLUG HAS BLOWN COMPLETELY OUT THE HEAD OF MY 2003 MINI COOPER, I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AND HAD TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,651.

POWER STEERING PUMP, NOISE, BINDING, AND EVENTUAL FAILURE. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE SEVERAL TIMES, REPLACED TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL HARNESS, POWER STEERING PUMP, A/C HOSES AND A/C SERVICE, WHEEL BEARINGS, INJECTION PLUGS ETC....... I STILL CANNOT FIND THE REAL PROBLEM WHY IS CAUSING A SHORT, IT HAS ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE SEVERAL TIMES, THIS CAR HAS BEEN THE MOST DANGEROUS CAR I HAVE EVER OWN, I HAVE NEVER SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON TRYING TO FIX ANY VEHICLE, RIGHT NOW I'M ABOUT $11,500 IN COSTS OF REPAIRS, THIS IS A CRIME TO THE CONSUMER, I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT IS IN PROGRESS, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT WE GET JUSTICE FROM THE MAKER OF MINI. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM DROPPING MY CHILDREN OFF FROM SCHOOL AND THE STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. THIS WAS AS I WAS GOING AROUND A CORNER. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND NOT MY TEENAGE SON OR DAUGHTER AS THEY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE DONE SOME ONLINE RESEARCH ON MINI COOPER FORUMS AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO FAILURE OF A ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING PUMP. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER MINI OF MURRAY UTAH TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL IN FORCE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NONE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOW MINI COOPER ISSUE. THE SERVICE REP SAID THAT HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS OWN VEHICLE. THIS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD HAVE COST MY THE LIFE OF MY CHILDREN. THIS MUST BE RECALLED. *TR

IT STARTED WITH LOUD NOISES AND RPM JUMPS TO BETWEEN 5 AND 6 WHEN ACCELERATING. IT NOW MAKES UNBELIEVABLE SOUNDS WHEN TRYING TO GO BEYOND 50 MPH. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANICS AND HE TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. BMW DOES NOT SELL PARTS. IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT $5400 AT LEAST FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 55000 MILES.

WENT DOWN A DIRT RODE TO MEET A CLIENT. POWERSTEERING WAS WORKING. MET WITH CLIENT, GOT BACK IN THE CAR, AND THE POWERSTEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS CAR WHEN THERE IS NO POWERSTEERING. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE THAT ENDED UP IN FIRE. POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE BATTERY ICON LIGHT WENT ON, AFTERWARDS IT BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE BURNT, I STOPPED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND OPEN THE BONNET, EVERYTHING WAS COVERED ON AN ASHES LAYER. THE PUMP WIRES AND CONNECTIONS WERE ALL MELTED ALONG THE PUMP. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED HOW DIFFICULT IT HAD BECOME TO TURN THE WHEEL OF THE CAR WHEN COMPLETING A TURN. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION AT WHICH POINT I WAS ABLE TO PARK THE CAR SAFELY OUT OF TRAFFIC IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING VISUALLY WRONG, I.E., NOTHING BROKEN, LEAKING, EMPTY, ETC. I CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO CAME TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AT ANY TIME WHEN EITHER OF US DROVE THE CAR. MY HUSBAND DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE WHEEL WHEN DRIVING THE CAR HOME. HOWEVER, MY HUSBAND THEN DROVE THE CAR THE SAME DAY A FEW HOURS LATER AND ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD. IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL - THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. THIS DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE WHEEL HAPPENED IN DRIVE AS WELL AS REVERSE, WHETHER TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. VERY SCARY! *TR

DRIVING HOME YESTERDAY, MY 2003 MINI COOPER S SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AS I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE. I HAD TO MUSCLE THE CAR BACK INTO MY LANE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN THE LANE BESIDE ME. I WAS ABOUT HALF A MILE FROM HOME AND MADE IT THERE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT -- BUT TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS WAS DANGEROUSLY DIFFICULT. I CONTACTED THE MINI REPAIR SHOP THIS MORNING AND THEY SAID THAT THIS INTERMITTENT UNEXPECTED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL IS UNFORTUNATELY SOMEWHAT COMMON WITH MINIS. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER DIED AT 59,000 MILES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, SAME AS NUMEROUS OTHER MINI COOPER OWNERS HAVE, AT A COST OF ABOUT $7,000. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN THE 2003 MINI COOPERS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR IT. MINI COOPER HAS NOT RESPONDED TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY ITS CONSUMERS AND HAS NOT OFFERED TO HELP PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION COST. *TR