Owners have filed 279 complaints
about the 2004 Mini Cooper S with NHTSA between 2004 and 2020.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 15 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 97
Against the median year of the Mini Cooper S. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 33
6.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 14
8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Windshield
828.6%
Pump
621.4%
Electric Power Assist System
414.3%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
310.7%
Hydraulic Power Assist System
310.7%
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
27.1%
Seat Heater/Cooler
13.6%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
13.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
72.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
72.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
3513.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
8131.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
5922.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
5621.6%
150,000+ miles
145.4%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2004 MINI Cooper S w/SAB
—
—
—
—
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2004peak 14Jul 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 2004 Mini Cooper S
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA11005Opened 4 May 2011Closed 5 Jan 2016STEERING
Loss of power steering assist
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include MY 2002 and 2003 vehicles that use the same steering system.The subject vehicles now include MY 2002, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pres...
PE10038Opened 24 Sep 2010Closed 10 May 2011STEERING
Loss of Power Steering Assist
ODI has received 339 complaints alleging an unexpected loss of power steering assist while driving the vehicle.When the power steering assist stops working, drivers experienced difficulty in steering and/or controlling the vehicle.According to BMW drivers may experience either a temporary or permanent loss of power steering assist.BMW further advised that a temporary loss of power steering assist may be due to a malfunctioning cooling fan or an under-voltage condition in the power steering system.A permanent loss of power steering assist may be due to an error in the internal electronics, and...
Recalls on the 2004 Mini Cooper S
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
15V660000
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
04V348000
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLAT TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT TIRE, AN AUDIBLE SIGNAL WILL NOT SOUND TO ALERT THE DRIVER TO A FLAT TIRE.
Risk: DUE TO THE LACK OF AN AUDIBLE SIGNAL, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF A FLAT TIRE, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20120299,254 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering pump could fail temporarily or permanently due to problems with the electronics that control the function of the pump, a failure of the pump cooling fan, or a loss of power to the pump. A vehicle experiencing a loss of steering power assist would revert to a manual steering mode which would require greater driver effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. Nevertheless, a loss of steering power assist could ultimately result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: The electro-hydraulic power steering pump, as well as the pump cooling fan, will be subject to special extended warranty coverage of 12 years or 200,000 km from first in-service date of the vehicle.
Recall 2004243167 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, the flat tire monitoring system's programming could contain a defect. Specifically, an audible signal (single gong) that is used, in part, to alert the driver to a flat tire, has not been correctly programmed. In the event of a flat tire, the audible signal will not sound. Also, the system's indicator lamp will illuminate, but contrary to the description in the Owner's Manual will not flash. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 165,000 milesDavenport, FLFire
STEERING
THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR HOME, DID NOT SEE FLAMES, PARKED CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY SWITCHED CARS AND LEFT. RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT MY MINI WAS ON FIRE AND I NEEDED TO RETURN TO MY HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #11015001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesDavenport, FLFire
ENGINE
THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR HOME, DID NOT SEE FLAMES, PARKED CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY SWITCHED CARS AND LEFT. RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT MY MINI WAS ON FIRE AND I NEEDED TO RETURN TO MY HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #11015001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesDavenport, FLFire
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR HOME, DID NOT SEE FLAMES, PARKED CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY SWITCHED CARS AND LEFT. RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT MY MINI WAS ON FIRE AND I NEEDED TO RETURN TO MY HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #11015001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,849 milesFrankenmuth, MIFire
STEERING
STEERING FAILURE WHILST ON HIGHWAY, HEADED TO THE GRASS CURB, SMOKE IN CABIN (SMELT OF BURNING WIRE INSULATION). DID MANAGE TO RELEASE THE HOOD AND OPEN TO SEE IF I COULD EXTINGUISH, FIRE WAS FOCUSED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE ENGINE UNDER EXHAUST MANIFOLD. NOTHING TO DUE BUT WAIT FOR THE FIRE TRUCK, CAR COMPLETELY BURNED FRONT TO BACK, NOTHING LEFT TO SALVAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10594103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,000 milesCoraopolis, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRAVELING EAST ON 376 APPROX. ONE MILE FROM THE SQUIREL HILL TUNNELS, A WOMEN IN ANOTHER VEHICLE ALERTED ME, TRYING TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PULLED UP THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE. I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE COMPANY CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. GOOGLED THE INTERENET AND FOUND THERE WAS APPROX 200,000 CASES OF FIRE WITHOUT THE MANUFACTURE RECALLING ALL VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10568443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,004 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash2 injured
STEERING
FIRST INCIDENT: VEHICLE MILEAGE 37004 (12/31/2009): 2004 MINI COOPER S WAS BEING DRIVEN ON SURFACE STREETS AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST WITHOUT WARNING MAKING THE VEHICLE EXQUISITELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. UPON ARRIVAL AT A MECHANIC, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY AND BOTH THE PUMP AND FAN WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS INJURY. SECOND INCIDENT: VEHICLE MILEAGE ~55,000 (1/19/2013): SAME VEHICLE AS ABOVE WAS BEING DRIVEN ONTO A SHARP RIGHT BANKING ON RAMP TO THE I-10E FREEWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR WAS OCCUPIED BY A DRIVER AND A PASSENGER. DESPITE THE DRIVER'S QUICK REACTIONS, THE CAR HIT THE CURVES OUTER CONCRETE RETAINING WALL NEARLY HEAD ON. THE WALL COULD NOT BE AVOIDED BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF WARNING OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE, AS WELL AS THE MINIMAL SPACE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE CURVE, ESTIMATED BY THE DRIVER AS LESS THAN A CAR WIDTH WIDE. THE DRIVER WAS ESTIMATED BY A POLICE OFFICER TO BE DRIVING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. THE DRIVER RECEIVED CHEMICAL BURNS TO HIS UPPER EXTREMITY FROM THE AIRBAG, THE PASSENGER WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR THREE DAYS WITH A PNEUMOTHORAX AND REQUIRED A CHEST TUBE TO BE PLACED. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM BEING INJURED, BUT A RECALL WILL. UPDATED 06/12/13*LJ UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10515511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 116,543 milesGreentown, PA
STEERING
WAS DRIVING CAR ON 18 JULY 2020 AND POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING AND MADE STEERING DIFFICULT, ALSO COOLANT FAN,LOW SPEED AND HIGH SPEED STOPPED WORKING SAME TIME AS POWER STEERING QUIT. THE ASC LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WILL NOT TURN OFF. NO BLOWN FUSES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR BY DRIVERS KICK PANEL. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A STATE ROAD WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #11340300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,543 milesGreentown, PA
ENGINE
WAS DRIVING CAR ON 18 JULY 2020 AND POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING AND MADE STEERING DIFFICULT, ALSO COOLANT FAN,LOW SPEED AND HIGH SPEED STOPPED WORKING SAME TIME AS POWER STEERING QUIT. THE ASC LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WILL NOT TURN OFF. NO BLOWN FUSES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR BY DRIVERS KICK PANEL. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A STATE ROAD WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #11340300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,543 milesGreentown, PA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WAS DRIVING CAR ON 18 JULY 2020 AND POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING AND MADE STEERING DIFFICULT, ALSO COOLANT FAN,LOW SPEED AND HIGH SPEED STOPPED WORKING SAME TIME AS POWER STEERING QUIT. THE ASC LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WILL NOT TURN OFF. NO BLOWN FUSES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR BY DRIVERS KICK PANEL. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A STATE ROAD WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #11340300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK PRESENT. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF STEVENS CREEK LOCATED AT (4201 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CA 95051), AND DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #11319854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corpus Christi, TX
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING IS VERY STIFF TO DRIVE AND CANNOT DRIVE MY COOPER BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER STEER THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11302434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corpus Christi, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE POWER STEERING IS VERY STIFF TO DRIVE AND CANNOT DRIVE MY COOPER BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER STEER THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11302434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
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.
NHTSA complaint #11282548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Punta Gorda, FL
AIR BAGS
ALL MODELS FROM 2005 ONWARD HAVE BEEN RECALLED, YET EARLIER MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NON FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONTINUALLY, AND THERE ARE KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH WIRING, PRESSURE MATS AND CONNECTORS IN THESE VEHICLES. BMW IS INTENTIONALLY IGNORING THESE ISSUE. MY OWN PERSONAL VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM AND AS A GOVERNMENT MANDATED SAFETY DEVICE I BELIEVE THAT EARLIER MODELS OF MINI COOPERS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL!
NHTSA complaint #11228472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,348 milesPunta Gorda, FL
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ILLUMINATED. WE ARE UNSURE IF THE SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY. WE HAVE NOT RUN DIAGNOSTIC CODES ON THE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #11101430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesDavenport, FLFire
STEERING
THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR HOME, DID NOT SEE FLAMES, PARKED CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY SWITCHED CARS AND LEFT. RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT MY MINI WAS ON FIRE AND I NEEDED TO RETURN TO MY HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #11015001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesDavenport, FLFire
ENGINE
THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR HOME, DID NOT SEE FLAMES, PARKED CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY SWITCHED CARS AND LEFT. RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT MY MINI WAS ON FIRE AND I NEEDED TO RETURN TO MY HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #11015001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesDavenport, FLFire
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR HOME, DID NOT SEE FLAMES, PARKED CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY SWITCHED CARS AND LEFT. RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT MY MINI WAS ON FIRE AND I NEEDED TO RETURN TO MY HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #11015001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesArlington, MA
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2004 MINI COOPER S FAILED LAST MONTH, PROMPTING ME TO RESEARCH WAYS TO FIX THE VEHICLE ONLINE. I FOUND THAT MINI USA HAD ISSUED A RECALL ON MY CAR, BUT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN MINI THAT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT FALL AMONG THOSE VEHICLES RECALLED. I'M WONDERING WHETHER MINI APPROPRIATELY LIMITED THEIR RECALL CONSIDERING MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT PROMPTED THE RECALL, AND FALLS WITHIN THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR RANGE. I THINK THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD INVESTIGATE WHETHER TO EXPANDING THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11012888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,000 milesSelma, OR
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE PRESSURE MAT BUT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATES THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR CAR EVEN THOUGH MANY CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM WERE RECALLED. SCAN TOOL INDICATES PASSENGER SIDE PRESSURE MAT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS MODEL WAS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALLED VINS. WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD WORK OR NOT IF IT WERE NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10925000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesColumbia, MO
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.
NHTSA complaint #10811656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesBoynton Beach, FL
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, THE WHEEL GOT SO TIGHT AND I HIT THE CURB. THANK GOD I WAS IN A SCHOOL ZONE AND THEREFORE I WAS DRIVING SLOW. AFTER THAT, I NOTICED THAT SAME DAY THAT MY BATTERY WAS DRAINED WHEN I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK. I GOT A JUMP BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I STOPPED FOR GROCERIES. I FIGURED SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG WITH THE BATTERY (WHICH IS FAIRLY NEW) OR THE ALTERNATOR. I TOOK MY CAR TO A SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS FINE. BUT THEY ALSO SAID THERE WAS A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM MY POWER STEERING PUMP. I BOUGHT POWER STEERING FLUID THINKING THAT WAS THE REASON, BUT AFTER I POURED SOME ITS STILL THE SAME. I STARTED RESEARCHING AND I FOUND OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND ITS A DEFECTIVE ISSUE FOR THIS MINI GENERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10691952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesBoynton Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, THE WHEEL GOT SO TIGHT AND I HIT THE CURB. THANK GOD I WAS IN A SCHOOL ZONE AND THEREFORE I WAS DRIVING SLOW. AFTER THAT, I NOTICED THAT SAME DAY THAT MY BATTERY WAS DRAINED WHEN I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK. I GOT A JUMP BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I STOPPED FOR GROCERIES. I FIGURED SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG WITH THE BATTERY (WHICH IS FAIRLY NEW) OR THE ALTERNATOR. I TOOK MY CAR TO A SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS FINE. BUT THEY ALSO SAID THERE WAS A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM MY POWER STEERING PUMP. I BOUGHT POWER STEERING FLUID THINKING THAT WAS THE REASON, BUT AFTER I POURED SOME ITS STILL THE SAME. I STARTED RESEARCHING AND I FOUND OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND ITS A DEFECTIVE ISSUE FOR THIS MINI GENERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10691952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,200 milesDonaldsonville, LA
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10664307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,200 milesDonaldsonville, LA
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.
NHTSA complaint #10664307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,250 milesTrenton, GA
STEERING
WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY CAR AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE STEERING BEGAN FEELING TIGHT. IT SEEMS THAT ALL ASSISTANCE WITH THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST. UPON INVESTIGATION OVER THE INTERNET IT SEEMS THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS BLOWN. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST,BUT THIS CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL FATAL INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10652175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, ME
STEERING
3 MONTHS AGO I BECAME AWARE OF A FAULT IN MY MINI COOPER 2004 REGARDING THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN. STEERING HAD BECOME OVERLY DIFFICULT, AND AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO MY USUAL MECHANIC AND THEN BMW, THIS WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. I THEN DISCOVERED THE ISSUE HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF AN UNOFFICIAL RECALL BY MINI USA (BMW), AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, IN BEVERLY, MA, A ROUND TRIP OF 200 MILES, TO HAVE THE ITEM FIXED. AFTER THIS, THE CAR BECAME HARD TO CONTROL ON CURVES. IT APPEARS THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN PUT UNDUE STRAIN ON THE STEERING KNUCKLE, AND AT 80,000 THIS HAS BECOME PREMATURELY WORN. CONSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO HANDLE PROPERLY ON TURNS, AND IS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE. FOR THREE MONTHS MY MECHANIC HAS BEEN TRYING TO SECURE THIS PART FROM MINI USA TO NO AVAIL. MEANWHILE MY CAR IS BECOMING MORE UNDRIVABLE BY THE DAY. THIS PART IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE PETITIONED BMW FOR AN ANSWER, AND AFTER TWO WEEKS OF PEOPLE AVOIDING THE ISSUE, IT SEEMS THE PART REMAINS UNAVAILABLE. MINI USA(BMW)'S BEST RESPONSE WAS TO ASK ME TO DRIVE BACK TO MA TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT, WHICH POINT THEY MAY OFFER ME A LOANER. BUT THIS IS BESIDE THE POINT: ASIDE FROM NOT PROVIDING AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT THAT AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WANT ME TO WASTE A DAY DRIVING TO MA, THEN PAY THE DEALER'S OVER-INFLATED SERVICE CHARGES, BECAUSE THEY MADE IT CLEAR ON THE PHONE THEY WILL NOT SELL THIS PART TO NON-MINI REPAIR FACILITIES WHEN IT FINALLY DOES ARRIVE (THERE IS STILL NO DATE FOR THIS, BY THE WAY). ESSENTIALLY THEY ARE COVERING UP AN ISSUE BY KEEPING THE MATTER IN-HOUSE, FAILING TO PROVIDE A COMPONENT, AND FORCING CUSTOMERS TO DRIVE HUNDREDS OF MILES AND USE ONLY THEIR FACILITIES. CLEARLY THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND ILLEGAL. ANY ASSISTANCE FROM YOUR OFFICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10626797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesPortland, ME
STEERING
THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON MY CAR HAS BECOME PREMATURELY WORN FOLLOWING A STEERING PUMP FAILURE, AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE STEERING HAS BECOME IMPRECISE AND THE CAR HARD TO CONTROL AROUND CURVES. I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DESIGN DEFECT (DOCUMENTED BY DOT) OF THE STEERING PUMP UNTIL I RESEARCHED THE STEERING ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS AN 'UNOFFICIAL' RECALL TO FIX THE PUMP. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FOR TWO MONTHS, BMW USA STILL HAS THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON BACK ORDER. MEANWHILE MY VEHICLE IS BECOMING HARDER TO DRIVE AND WILL SOON BE A SAFETY CONCERN. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT DOT FORCE BMW USA TO MAKE THIS PART AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE IT IS A CRUCIAL COMPONENT IN THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10619208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,800 milesGoodyear, AZ
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING MAKING THE CAR VERY HARD TO TURN. IT WAS NOT NOTICEABLE DRIVING STRAIGHT, BUT WHEN TAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN YOU ALMOST CANNOT MAKE THE TURN UNLESS YOU REALLY CRANK ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT NO WARNING. IN ORDER TO GET THE POWER STEERING BACK, THE IGNITION HAS TO BE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, AND THEN RESTARTED.
NHTSA complaint #10616584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,800 milesGoodyear, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING MAKING THE CAR VERY HARD TO TURN. IT WAS NOT NOTICEABLE DRIVING STRAIGHT, BUT WHEN TAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN YOU ALMOST CANNOT MAKE THE TURN UNLESS YOU REALLY CRANK ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT NO WARNING. IN ORDER TO GET THE POWER STEERING BACK, THE IGNITION HAS TO BE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, AND THEN RESTARTED.
NHTSA complaint #10616584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,500 milesGlendale, CO
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED AND BOTH FRONT WINDOWS HESITATED TO ROLL UP AND DOWN. ALSO, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE BUCKLED OR UNBUCKLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A POSITIVE CABLE IN THE FUSE BOX THAT MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD DESTROY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSE A FIRE, AND KEEP THE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING IN A CRASH. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE CABLE WAS BEING STRETCHED AND THE CENTER SWITCH PACK CASE WAS SEPARATED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,500.
NHTSA complaint #10615824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.