8/13/2014- I was stopped at a stop sign in a mall parking lot and smoke started billowing out from under the right front side of the car and at the same time started coming through the vents into the cabin of the car. I tried to shut off the car, but it would not turn off. A bystander came running and opened the hood, smoke poured out, told me to call roadside assistance as he was opening hood and then told me to hang up and call 911 that my car was on fire. Flames were coming out of the engine area but there was too much smoke. The engine fan was still running. Another passerby had an commercial extinguisher and emptied it on my vehicle. The fire dept. Was pulling up as they were trying to push it aside, the car re-ignited and it took the fire department approx. 15 to make douse the fire without it re-igniting. All of these people looked my vehicle over and could find no reason for it to ignite. I purchased the car used about 4 weeks ago and have put about 3000 miles on it without any issues. My insurance company had it towed to a mechanic down the road and they are to contact me tomorrow to see if they can see why this occurred. Luckily, my daughter and I were able to exit the car and be in an area close to the fire department and good samaritans...updated 10/06/14 updated 7/15/2015

- Shelton, WA, USA

I was driving along the street to make a right turn and then all of the sudden, bam! my power steering went out and I could not steer. It was very scary and dangerous. Luckily I slowed down and made the corner slowly. When I arrived home, I turned the care off, checked the power steering fluid, and turned it back on. Now the power steering works again. This is the second time this has happened. Not sure why it intermittently goes out but it should be replaced.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

I was exiting an expressway and while on the ramp coming off, the steering became very unresponsive and heavy. In doing some research on the internet it sounds like my power steering pump has failed.

- Granger, IN, USA

I was driving down the street and was going to make a right to turn, slowed down to say hi to my roommate who was leaving and went out of gear when I went back in my steering was extremely stiff and I could barely move the wheel.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Was approaching airport parking lot (driving way too fast, because I was late!) when the power steering suddenly "failed"! it was really frightening to have no control, as the car pulled to the left. Luckily, there were no cars coming from behind. Just before the car came to a complete stop, the power steering mysteriously "returned". if this were to happen whilst driving at high speed on the interstate, it would surely end with fatalities. (this problem has occurred only once, however, I've owned the car for only 8 1/2 months!).

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Driving highway speeds, steering got really heavy hard to turn, then the battery light came on, starting smelling something electrical burning, pulled over off the road shut car off, smoke coming from the hood, open it, smoke was coming from the back of engine. Smoke subsided in a few minutes, called tow truck, tow back to work, over the next couple of days found that the power steering pump locked up and fried it, it also draw a lot of amperage that it blow 100 amp main fuse under fuse block, burnt main power wire to power steering pump. Replaced pump, wiring and fuse.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

I have a problem with my 2003 MINICooper power steering its leaking power steering fluids all over the bottom of the vehicle and sometime I smell burning.

- Brooklyn , NY, USA

For the second time in the life of this car (first in 2011), the steering pump stopped working while I was driving. The first time I was lucky and at low speed hit a concrete piling in a parking garage. The second time I was actually in traffic in an intersection. I was lucky not to hit the college students in the cross walk, again because I was not going very fast, but it's a huge safety issue. And had I not known what was going on due to the first time the steering pump blew out, I would not have known to break and re-start the car to resolve the issue. Honestly, the car cannot be steered when the pump stops functioning. And MINIhas known for years that this is an issue. I had to wait 8 weeks for the fan to come in and they didn't want to do any work until they had both parts. The pumps need to be re-designed.

- Boston, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 MINIcopper S. the contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the power steering assist failed without warning. The vehicle was maneuvered into a parking space where the contact shut off and restarted the engine. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's place of residence but had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

- Lancaster, SC, USA

I have an 03 MINICooper base model that had the impending power steering failure. It happened suddenly and without any indication. Last June I received the reimbursement letter, so I sent in my information and receipt for the replacement. As time passed and no response from MINII decided to contact costumer relations, needless to say they had nothing on file and said it should take another month to receive my info. Another month passed, keep in mind we are in August now, no response. Called them up and was told my information is still not there. So I sent two emails with my receipt in hopes that it might speed up the process. About three months later I called and they had said they received my information and that they had sent it to their reimbursing division. Two days ago I called and they gave me the run around again. This is just outrageous, if your going to send a letter say you'll reimburse everyone do it in a timely professional manner. Just before all this happened I had no problem with MINII was actually thinking about buying a 4door version of the MINIAfter this incident I will not be purchasing a MINIor BMW for that matter. In addition I will influence people into not purchasing any of their products. I understand they had a lot of people send in letters for reimbursements but it is not ok to lie to people. I also know I am not the only one who has had this issue. I am trying to contact as much people as I can about this matter in hopes that this doesn't happen to anyone else. Nobody should have to deal with this.

- Tulare, CA, USA

Back in may of 2013 the power steering pump starting being very loud and making noises. The steering wheel is also quite hard to turn since then. This could end up badly when completely fails when I'm mid-turn or something. This needs to be fixed asap.

- Media, PA, USA

Accelerating after being stopped at a red light, lost power steering, smoke came out of hood, engine temperature redlined, and battery light came on.

- Pelham, AL, USA

We bought 2 2003 MINICoopers in 2003. Both vehicles had electric power steering pump failures, one in March 09 at 143060 and the other MINIin July 2010 at 133380. We received the eps extended warranty letter and sent in our claim, usps documented delivery to MINIusa on June 29, 2013. I have called MINIcustomer service" on August 8, August 29, and today September 26. No one there can tell you anything and they do nothing except apologizing for not knowing anything. They say responses are taking 12 weeks which is where I am on the calendar. My repair costs were in excess of $2000. Today I am sending a hand written complaint letter with copies of all receipts to jim mcdowell vp MINIusa. NHTSA needs to followup on this. The extended warranty was intended to head off a recall but they are not handling it in a proper manner. Turn up the heat!

- San Antonio, TX, USA

My power steering pump had been losing fluid, randomly continuing to run after shutting the car off and finally gave out two or three times while driving. I received a letter in the mail and that stated the pump had an extended warranty on the item. When I contacted the dealer to have work performed, I was told to continue adding fluid since this was not a formal recall item. I advised them the pump had failed twice (at that time) and they still insisted I refill the fluid and I would be fine. This seems like a cheap way to avoid a recall and they're not actually fixing the issue. This needs to be reviewed again and BMW/MINIneeds to fix these issues before a catastrophic event happens that costs more than a stressful situation.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Power steering pump failed. Once it came back on it doesn't shut off running the battery dead.

- Lake Wylie, SC, USA

Ehps extended warranty coverage 4/11, I purchased a 2003 MINICooper with 88327 miles. 7/2011 the power steering pump began malfunctioning, working intermittently. I filed a complaint with the NHTSA. 5/24/13 I received a letter from MINIusa offering to reimburse the cost of steering pump repairs. They also stated that it would take 4 ' 6 weeks for reimbursement. The only other item in the envelope was a change of address card. I called the toll free number and followed the instructions. 5/25/13 I mailed copies of the letter and the receipt for the power steering pump. I called their customer service department on 7/16/13, was put on hold several times, then told they didn't have my receipt. But they had the email address I had hand written on the receipt (corrected, as the email on the receipt had changed.) when I pointed that out, he put me on hold again, then claimed they didn't have my VIN #. how, since they located me from the VIN #? he insisted I send in the information again, this time with the VIN# noted. I asked why I hadn't received any kind of letter saying my documentation was not complete. He told me the letter was sent the day before my call. 6 weeks after that call, I still have not received any letter from them. 7/16/13 I re- sent all the documentation. On 7/26/13 I again spoke with customer relations. I was told they had received my complete paperwork and all of it was in their system as of 7/24/2013. On 8/23/13 I again called customer relations. After verifying my name, address, email, and VIN # he put me on hold. When he returned, at first tried to say my information was not all in yet. I told him I had spoken with [xxx] who had confirmed the information was all in their system as of July 24th. He gave me further run-around, would not give any indication of when I might expect payment and in general stone walled me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Elkview, WV, USA

Luckily, I was pulling out of a parking space (low speed, high manageability) and my power steering completely went out. It is very difficult to make turns. I stopped at a mechanic shop - fluids and belts were fine. It's the fan/pump that has suddenly quit working.

- Waterford, MI, USA

Re: ehps extended warranty coverage I received a letter for extended warranty coverage for a power-assist steering issue which I had already repaired at my own expense. When I called to inquire, was told claims for reimbursement would be processed in 6-8 weeks. I submitted my claim June 12, 2013. Yesterday, August 9, 2013, I called to inquire about the status of my claim and was told that, due to "overwhelming" response, claims for reimbursement were taking much longer and that my claim had no status (meaning nothing had been done with it). At MINIs recommendation, I resubmitted a request for reimbursement by email today. I would like the NHTSA to be aware of the delayed processing as I am surely not the only person affected. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Salem, MA, USA

The power steering pump, fan, hydraulic fluid pump chf 1 core charge) and hose clamp were replaced by the dealer 5 days earlier. MINICooper/BMW sent me a letter for voluntary replacement because my MINIcopper 2003 had too many complaints with this issue. The car was running ok except for the power steering after the replacement I only drove about 70 miles because I was off from my school. The incident happened on July 15, 2013 approximately at 3:45 pm. I drove about 30 miles back from work. Parked the car in front of rite aid in rancho palos verdes. When I returned to the car it wouldn't start. Used jump cables for several minutes without success. Went to my mechanic close by. My mechanic came to look at the car, he was able to start the car. I drove back home about 6 miles. When I parked the car the car was very hot and most of the lights in the panel were lighten. I must mention that my car has a new battery and new starter (both were replaced 9 months ago). It seems that the problem is directly related to the electrical system and to the replacement of the part on 7/17/2013.

- San Pedro, CA, USA

One time last year I loss power steering while going around a corner, I was caught off guard and almost had a collision. I pulled over, turned off my vehicle, and upon re-starting the problem was gone. Now, a couple days ago my power steering went out while I was on the freeway. I pulled over and re-started and still no power steering. Later that day it randomly came back and now I am experiencing intermittent power steering loss, that usually goes out once a trip.

- Burien , WA, USA