92 of the 216 complaints filed about the Mini Cooper Convertible are about the steering — 43% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2005.
92
Complaints
43%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
4
Fires
STEERING
Power steering pump grinding. This was a recall on the 2002-2005 model but not the 2006. The same issue is happening with this car that happened with the recall vehicles and I would expect bmw to fix this problem. Thanks
NHTSA complaint #11613786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that she noticed a leak coming from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a power of steering hose leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #11510859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Power steering pump went out while driving the car. Car was extremely hard to steer. Almost hit a guard rail. Had the car towed home and then to a garage. This is a known problem with Mini Coopers from year 2002 to 2006. Websites and Mini Cooper Forums are loaded with Power Steering Pumps failing. No warning. Pump was confirmed to be the problem by an independent garage that only services high end german cars. Power Steering Pump was diagnosed to be bad on 8/04/2022. Car has a little over 60,000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11480699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
1.Electronic power steering gearbox. Connections almost caught on fire. And yes it is available for inspection upon request. 2. If it would’ve caught on fire. the whole vehicle would’ve torched. I noticed there’s a lot of Mini Cooper engine fires. 3. No it has not been confirmed by dealer. 4. No it has not been inspected by the manufacturer. I didn’t feel it was safe to drive the vehicle. I did make them aware of it and ask him how much a New power steering gearbox would be. they said $2200 just for the part. Will also need the connecting wiring also.. so that will ensure more cost. 5. There was no warning lamps messages or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Not sure exactly when it first appeared. But there are several Mini Cooper‘s that have electrical fires and I just think I caught mine before it went to that level.
NHTSA complaint #11462900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
My son drives this car and the power steering went out twice on him while driving. I need to get the pump replaced via the recall, but the nearest location is 200 miles from me. It is not safe to drive this car that far and I would have to drop it off and make another trip to pick it up. Towing that far would cost a small fortune. I called every number and was transferred to several people to help with this issue. They say they can not and won't help me till I get the car to a dealership to fix it. One person from Mini told me I might be able to go to a certified mechanic but when I asked the next person they said it had to be a dealership. I spent two days on the phone with several people from Mini and no one was willing to offer a solution. I drive this car to get the recall fixed and something happens and the car wrecks, or worse someone is killed, who would it be on then? No happy about this at all.
NHTSA complaint #11444553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering). The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed. The dealer was made aware of the recall but informed the contact that they do not service recall repairs. The nearest dealer that was able to service the recall repair was located 177 miles away. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11444173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING TURNING IN A CITY STREET
NHTSA complaint #11414376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AFTER EXITING HIS DRIVEWAY, HE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, WALKED BACK TO HIS HOME AND TOOK A NAP. AN HOUR LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS AWOKEN BY A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WHO ASKED HIM QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INCIDENT WITH HIS VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT FILED AND THE CONTACT LATER WENT TO A DOCTOR WHERE HE WAS TREATED FOR INJURIES FOR HIS LOWER BACK WHICH INCLUDING A SLIPPED DISC AND A BRUISED VERTEBRAE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 ( STEERING) WHICH HE LINKED TO HIS VEHICLE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT THE MANUFACTURER WHERE HE WAS ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS VEHICLE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REFUSED TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND DECIDED TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11404624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I DROVE THE CAR EARLIER AND IT WAS FINE. I RETURNED HOME AND THEN HOURS LATER TRIED TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO FIND I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN IT WENT OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. APPARENTLY AFTER READING ONLINE QUITE A BIT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO RECALL OR EVEN A CAMPAIGN OR BULLETIN. THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE ALONE I'M FRANKLY SHOCKED. APPARENTLY BMW DEALERS ARE CLEANING UP DUE TO THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIR. I'M LOOKING AT A MINIMUM OF $1500. APPORX 60% OF VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11375864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THE CAR STOPPED STEERING CORRECTLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEELS. THE POWER STEERING IS GONE. I STARTED NOTICING THE DIFFERENCE IN THE STEERING AND THEN THE STEERING PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK IF THERE SHOULD BE A CONCERN BECAUSE THE STEERING STARTED AFTER I HAD THE RECALL SERVICE ON THE SEAT WARMMER.
NHTSA complaint #11057515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. VERY STIFF. HARD TO CONTROL. CAN'T TURN. SCARY!!!
NHTSA complaint #10959726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP GOES OUT FROM TIME TO TIME, BROUGHT IT TO MINI DEALERSHIPS ONCE AND WAS WORKING FINE WHEN WE BROUGHT IT IN, AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND WAS SENT ON OUR WAY. NOW HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY TO REPLACE A PART, AND WHEN RECONNECTING THE BATTERY, POWER STEERING PUMPS RUNS AND WONT SHUT OFF. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. PLEASE HEP, AND THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10949672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING ISSUES: MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2005. THE FIRST EVIDENCE OF MY PROBLEM WAS WHEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED TO BE FAULTY. I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, AND THAT FIXED THE CAR FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. AT THAT POINT, I NOTICED A FAN RUNNING A LOT, AND THEN FOUND THE BATTERY DEAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. FINALLY, I FIGURED OUT THAT A FAN WAS CONTINUING TO RUN--AND I TRACED THE NOISE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, AND THEN DROVE TO THE SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. THIS WEEKEND, I PARALLEL PARKED IN A TIGHT SPACE WITH A SLIGHT DIP. I REALIZED WHILE PARKING THAT I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER STEERING, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE WAY I PARKED. IT DID NOT GET BETTER AS I LEFT. I MUSCLED THE CAR OUT OF THE SPACE, AND DROVE IT TO MY LOCAL SHOP, WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FAN STILL WORKED, THAT THE FUSES STILL WORKED, BUT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. HAD ALREADY READ EXTENSIVELY ABOUT POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE ISSUES WHEN I HEARD THE FAN RUNNING IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT... I THOUGHT AFTER A FEW MONTHS THAT I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID THE PUMP FAILURE--IN CATCHING THE FAN FIRST-- BUT IT SEEMS THAT MANY HERE HAVE DESCRIBED. EXACTLY THE SAME TRAJECTORY. I CALLED MINIUSA AND A LOCAL DEALER, AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP, BECAUSE MY CAR'S MANUFACTURE DATE IS A LITTLE UNDER TWO MONTHS PAST THE DATE INCLUDED IN THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE". THIS IS RIDICULOUS! IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, IN EVERY DETAIL, AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY I WAS NOT HURT BY IT. I FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT DIRECTLY WITH MINI USA. IF I FELT IT WERE FOR LACK OF MAINTENANCE, OR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, I COULD ACCEPT THAT, BUT THIS CAR HAS METICULOUS MAINTENANCE, AND RECORDS TO BACK IT UP.
NHTSA complaint #10927322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED DIRECTLY AFTER DRIVING IT SIX MILES, SAVED BY FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND FIRE DEPARTMENT. CAUSE DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY POWER STEERING MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10918035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING UNIT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAN AND STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000. ...UPDATED 01/05/17 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10909728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING RANDOMLY WHEN OUT WHILE IN MOTION. THANKFULLY, I WAS ON A LOCAL ROAD GOING SLOWLY WHEN IT HAPPENED. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON. POWER STEERING CAME BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10864428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
MOVING MY MINI INTO THE GARAGE A FIRE CAUGHT UNDER THE HOOD AND THE STEERING WENT OUT, AFTER INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND TO BE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER THE COST AS IT IS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE PREVIOUS MODELS BEING RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AS WELL AS CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS. I BELIEVE MY MINI MAY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT BMW SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THESE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10855576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE MINI COOPER AND THE STEERING STOPPED WORKING, HE HAD CALLED MINI WHEN HE GOT IT IN NOV 2015 ABOUT RECALLS AND THEY SAID THAT THE MINI WAS RECALLED FOR THE STEERING AND THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG. WHEN WE CALLED THE LOCAL MINI DEALER THEY SAID ONLY THE AIR BAG. I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH A CASSANDRA FROM MINI AND SHE SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING FOR MINIS MADE BETWEEN MARCH 2005 AND FEBRUARY 2005 AND HIS CAR WAS ON THE TAIL END OF IT AND THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY IT TO BE FIXED. I BELIEVE THAT THESE CAR DEALERS KNOW ABOUT SAFETY PROBLEMS BUT DON'T WANT TO FIX THEM PROPERLY. MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF NOT FOR THE FACT THAT IT CAME BACK LONG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO GET THE CAR STOPPED. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN GET THIS RESOLVED SO THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE
NHTSA complaint #10854463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TAKATA RECALL.I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST MY POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER BUT THE SLOWER I GOT THE HARDER IT WAS TO STEER THE CAR. I HAD TO BUY A NEW STEERING PUMP AND HAVE IT INSTALLED. MY STEERING FAILED FOR THE EXACT REASON MINI ISSUED THE RECALL BUT THEY WON'T REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS NOT WITHIN THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE. MINI INSTALLED THE DEFECTIVE STEERING PUMP BUT WON'T DO THE PROPER THING AND LET ME RECOVER MY COSTS OF $795.00. AGAIN MY STEERING PUMP FAILED FOR THE EXACT REASON MINI APPROVED THE RECALL. I HAD 103,383 MILES ON THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED AND ONLY RECENTLY DID MINI FINALLY APPROVE A RECALL ON THE PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10845963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
BATTERY DIED AND REPLACED. DROVE 2 DAYS AND BATTERY DIED AND AGAIN REPLACED. DROVE AND STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF. CHECKED FLUIDS AND NO POWER STEERING FLUID. HAPPENED AGAIN WITH BOTH BATTERY AND P/S FLUID. BECAME AWARE OF RECALL IN 04 AND 05 MINI COOPER'S AND TOOK TO DEALER. BAD POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN AS WELL AS 2 HOSES. WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL BECAUSE THE BUILD DATE IS MAY. WAS QUOTED $1300+ FOR REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10837247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.