I am writing to complain about my 2004 MINICooper S power steering pump failure. I have done hours of research on the internet and have contacted half a dozen MINIdealerships to find out, this is a recurring problem (on 2001-2005 models) and can be very dangerous. There is no warning (check engine light) when this part goes defective, so basically while driving the power steering just shuts off leaving about 30lbs of pressure to turn the steering wheel. Good thing I am a strong male, because I was able to stop the car on the side of the road for assistance. By no means am I sexist, but believe me this car is really hard to maneuver without power steering assistance. The cost of repairs ranges from $1000-$1500 ($800 just for the pump), plus $200 for having the car towed to the nearest garage. I believe something should be done about this issue before there are some serious injuries or even deaths.

- Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 00, USA

While leaving a shopping center my power steering failed. I was about 15 miles from home and I very cautiously proceeded home. What concerns me is there is extensive evidence that this is a recurring problem with the 2003-2006 MINIcooper. Some have narrowly escaped injury.

- Oregon, WI, USA

I was driving on I-65 at 62 mph. Right as I approached the on ramp to I-265, the power steering failed. I almost did not get the wheel turned in time to make the curve. I had no warning.

- Lanesville, IN, USA

The power steering fails on the car. It has happened multiple times. It can happen when you first start the car, or it can happen afteryou have been driving for some time. All of the sudden you lose your power steering and it is very difficult to steer without the power steering. I am a female and I have to use both arms to get the car to turn without the power steering. I am afraid that the power steering is going to go out at a bad time and I won't be able to get the car to turn quick enough and I could cause an accident.

- Covington, WA, USA

Power steering failure.

- East Quogue, NY, USA

I have lost the power steering in my 2004 MINICooper S at least ten times within the last month. On each occasion the power steering was absent when the car was started. After shutting down the car and restarting, the power steering came back. I took the car to the dealership to get this fixed, and they said that the power steering was not getting enough electrical power and replaced my battery. However, after leaving the dealership and while parking, the power steering failed, again. After restarting the car two times, the power steering came back on. I will be returning to the dealership this evening.

- Parkton, MD, USA

Driving under normal daylight conditions when the power steering failed on my 2004 MINICooper.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

Power steering failed while driving car, causing vehicle to become much harder to steer, nearly causing accident.

- Westfield, IN, USA

Unexpected loss of power steering on 2004 MINICooper without any warning. Purchased the 2004 MINICooper being unaware of the power steering failures, and while I was driving in heavy traffic the power steering failed and I almost collided with another vehicle and almost got rear-ended while struggling to get the car off the road in heavy traffic. I hope they issue a recall because when I started researching how many people are having problems I find it extremely disturbing that MINIhasn't been forced to issue one yet. The power steering failure happens daily so took vehicle to mechanic and was informed that the power steering pump needs to be replaced. I have never experienced anything like this before in all of the cars I have purchased through out my adult life. What a safety hazard! I am so thankful my grandchild wasn't with me that day.

- Milwaukie, OR, USA

Powers steering pump failure, power steering pump cooling fan failure

- Cutchogue, NY, USA

The power steering failed while driving car. Happens at different times with no warning.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Power steering pump failure on 2004 MINICooper. Hard to steer while driving at all speeds. Ordered new part from dealership.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Failure of power steering system in 2004 MINICooper S. vehicle performed fine the night before, then the power steering wasn't working the next morning. This is the third instance of the problem I have encountered. The dealer said it was an electrical problem, and the best thing to do was restart the car and maybe the computer would reset itself. That worked the previous 2 times, but not this time. Now I'm out of the warranty period...

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper S. the contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering failed and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. Upon restart, the vehicle momentarily operated as normal before the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken home and parked. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 37,854.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

My 2004 MINIexperienced intermittent steering problems in Feb. Of 2011. Steering became difficult at times and then nearly all the time. Got new power steering pump. Mostly fixed but felt odd at times. Steering became permanently difficult in June 2011 and had pump replaced but didn't fix the problem. Advised to replace rack and pinion. Plan to do so. Steering bills at about $2,000.

- Springfield, IL, USA

Intermittent power steering failure. Power steering has gone out twice, both times this was noticeable shortly after starting the vehicle (backing out of driveway). In the first incident, power steering returned after driving about half a block. In the second incident (a couple months later), power steering did not return while driving (1 mile), but returned when car was started the following day. Dealership service center is currently unable to pinpoint issue through car's computer, but power steering pump is suspected. Car is under 30K miles.

- Seattle, WA, USA

Power steering fails. On multiple occasions the power steering has failed, both while driving as well as after just starting the car. The problem is intermittent and I see no pattern to it's occurrence. Typically it is remedied by turning off the car and re-starting. There has been a few occasions where it will sputter in and out before it goes out completely but the most common occurrence is when I start the car, there's is no power steering.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper. The contact was driving 70 mph when the power steering malfunctioned and the vehicle became difficult to control. The contact stated that the power steering pump was replaced several years ago by a local mechanic. The vehicle was taken back to the local mechanic for the most recent failure for a replacement to the power steering pump and the rack and pinion. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive and was concerned with the possibility of the failure causing a crash. The failure mileage was 96,000. Updated 06/24/11 updated 06/30/11.

- Topeka, KS, USA

Power steering failure while driving vehicle. Failure occurs without warning, requiring an extreme effort to turn steering wheel or maintain wheel position if failure occurs while maneuvering on a curved section of highway. Failures began as warranty expired, and is now permanent. BMW service representatives were familiar with problem, stating that the cause was failure of the electro-hydraulic power steering pump, a non-repairable part. BMW had the part in stock, and with installation, gave an estimate exceeding $600 to replace pump. Due to the cost, I have not had the repair done.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

Intermittent power steering failure causing unexpected loss of power steering while car is in motion.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA