Power steering is loss is random, once steering is lost after turning off and car cools it works again. Leading me to believe that the cause of the problem is in the unit's design. Hesitant to spend upwards of $800 (in parts) to replace when it may not solve the problem. Manufacturer should investigate and issue recall due to tremendous complaints on similar failures and not solution is available.

- Herndon, VA, USA

Power steering has been going in and out for 3 years, getting worse.

- Forestdale, MA, USA

The power steering stopped operating as we were making a 90 degree turn at an intersection. We were able to pull over and turn off the engine. We checked the power steering fluid level, and found it was in the proper range. After a short wait we restarted the can and the power steering seemed to be operating.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

The vehicle had been acting strange for the last couple of months, the steering would become heavy at times, and on the other occasions would work just fine. A trip to the dealership revealed that the power steering pump had failed. This seems like a known issue with most of the 2004 MINICoopers, a defective part was put into the car while manufacting. MINIis not taking any responsibility of it, and the dealership is asking for $1200 to replace it. Due to the power pump failure, the temparature rises and may have caused damage to a few hoses around that area.

- Rockville, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper cv. The contact was driving 40 mph when the power steering failed, without warning, while making a turn. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 50,000.

- Hawthornwoods, IL, USA

Sudden loss of all steering assist at speed, resulting in alarming loss of control of vehicle.

- Abbeville, SC, USA

My MINIcooper intermittently, without warning becomes very difficult to steer. Power steering failed rounding a corner on the freeway, nearly resulting in a high speed crash.

- Los Gatos, CA, USA

I was on my way home from making some errands, went to turn left and I thought the car had cut off or something. Because it didn't want to turn right, but to my surprise it was running. So I manage to turn it before I hit the curb. When I got home I was able to see what was wrong. The power steering quit working. I let the car cool a little and got back in it and the power steering was working again. Come to find out the power steering works for about 10 minutes and goes out, until it cools off. I started looking on the internet and found out I'm not the only one with this problem. This is very dangerous and I mean dangerous. I called my MINIdealer to see if there were a recall on this problem and they said there wasn't. but I did see they had a MINIdealer notice for them to look out for this problem, but not fix for free. So we need a recall before someone gets killed or hurt, if it hasn't already happened. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lafayette, LA, USA

I was driving through atlantic city, and when I tried to make a left turn, the power steering assist on my minicooper failed. The steering wheel was rigid and needed to be forcibly turned using a great deal of strength. I almost ran into a fence surrounding a parking lot, but was able to apply the brakes, wrestle with the wheel, and edge into the parking lot.

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

Experienced total loss of power steering on several occasions with no warning lights. Occurred mostly after starting the car on hot days. The car is very difficult to steer at low speed with no power steering. Power steering sporadically came and went. Eventually, the power steering pump would remain on after turning off the car, causing the battery to go dead. Replaced power steering pump and fan in May 2012 at about 130,000 miles and haven't had any issues since.

- North Liberty, IA, USA

I was driving to a friend's house approx. 20 miles away. On a turn, the car steering was almost non responsive. I managed the turn and turned my car off. When I restarted it, the power steering was back but only for a short time. I had to stop and start my car a few more times to get to my destination. The problem occurred closer to my destination then my home so it was safer to go there. It easily could have been the cause of an accident, especially on that first turn off of a 65 mph road. I'm not that strong. It took everything I had not to go in the ditch. Luckily nothing was coming. I took my car in for service today. They replaced the power steering pump. There was no lead up to this incident. I had power steering and in a second, I didn't.

- Powell, OH, USA

Power steering intermittently goes out and steering becomes very difficult (I.e. hard to control the car). This problem has occurred several times without warning and after restart goes away. In February of 2012 there was a recall for this specific problem in Canada. This is a safety issue, please rectify it.

- Bayview, ID, USA

Lost power steering at highway speed due to power steering pump failure. Short circuit or fire melted power steering pump wiring harness. Damage was caused to other portions of electrical wiring harness by fire, resulting in blown fuses. Upon removing key from ignition at roadside, engine kept running until battery was disconnected.

- Oak Hill, VA, USA

Power steering is of great concern as it has periods where it seems that the power steering quits working. Also when adjusting the direction as I am backing up into my driveway steering is sort of lazy and it make a high pitch whining noise when I turn the steering wheel.

- Columbia , SC, USA

The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper S. while driving approximately 65 mph the steering wheel locked and became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

- Salom, OR, USA

The power steering is not working. I am a 280 pound man and I can barely turn. Also while driving at times it feels harder to turn, once again like power steering not working.

- Hermitage, TN, USA

Power steering pump failed while driving. Luckily incident happened at low speed.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Power steering pump failure at 127,000 miles.

- Louisville, KY, USA

I was merging onto highway I-25, taking a sharp turn at 50 mph when the power steering suddenly failed. I nearly missed the turn and almost crash down the on-ramp, which would've placed me heading perpendicular straight into highway traffic.

- Parker, CO, USA

While driving my 04 MINICooper at freeway speed, I suddenly lost power steering assist. I can still drive the vehicle, but it is very difficult to turn. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop and was told the new power steering pump alone will cost me over 600 dollars. This does not include the labor and other miscellaneous costs associated with replacing the unit. The repair will cost me in excess of 1000 dollars, which I can not afford at this moment. I understand that multiple complaints relating to the power steering system in the 04 MINICooper have been filed. However, I have not seen a recall regarding this issue. I would like to know if you foresee a recall for this issue, and would appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you for your time and consideration.

- Olathe, KS, USA