NHTSA — Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist System Problems

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CarComplaints.com Notes: Power steering problems are a major issue with the 2004 Mini Cooper, with hundreds of owners reporting complaints to the NHTSA about their power steering suddenly failing while driving.

Some power steering failures have caused crashes & injuries. Average mileage at failure is well under 100,000 miles & the repair cost is over $1,000. Not good.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,917 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Mini Cooper steering problems

steering problem

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2004 Mini Cooper Owner Comments

problem #8

Nov 042011

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 46,995 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper. The contact stated that while traveling 35 mph, the power steering completely failed and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer for assistance. The dealer replaced the entire power steering system because the electronic power assist pump could not be replaced by itself. The failure mileage was 46,995 and the current mileage was 48,000. Updated 03/14/12 also, the auxiliary cooling fan was replaced. Updated 04/18/12

- San Fransico, CA, USA

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problem #7

Nov 252011

Cooper 4-cyl

  • miles
While driving in a 35mph zone, smoke started coming out from under the hood (bonnet). Driver noticed odd steering response shortly before smoke appeared. Repair shop noted power steering pump failure causing wiring loom fire. Research has found numerous power steering pump failures on MINICoopers. When power steering fails, driving is next to impossible given size of steering wheel and power assist design.

- Winston, OR, USA

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problem #6

Aug 272011

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
I was just driving home from work and the power steering just went out, I did safely make it home and got the car in the garage. It has been parked since it seems the power steering comes and goes. I don't know what the problem may be for sure, but I have already had the fan assembly replaced due to it would not cut off, and killed my battery, so of course I had to replace the battery. I am taking the car in for a estimate for the steering, but it seems this is a common problem and it needs to be recalled. It cause someone to get hurt or even killed.

- Sevierville, TN, USA

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problem #5

Jun 012011

Cooper 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 MINICooper. Consumer states problem with power steering the consumer has spent over $4800 in repairs over the last two years.

- Mineola, NY, USA

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problem #4

Apr 132010

(reported on)

Cooper

  • miles
2004 MINICooper. Consumer states while driving power steering malfunctioned.

- University Place, WA, USA

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problem #3

Nov 252007

Cooper 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 33,542 miles
Complete and instantaneous power steering failure. There is plenty of fluid in the reservoir and there are no blown fuses.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

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problem #2

Aug 242007

Cooper

  • 58,000 miles
1) no significant event leading up to failure 2) power steering pump failure, no steering ability in vehicle 3) no correction known for sudden loss of steering. Parts to be repaired believed to be steering pump and potential steering rack.

- San Jose, CA, USA

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problem #1

Nov 212006

Cooper

  • 83,800 miles
The steering failed on my 2004 MINICooper S with 84K mile. The power steering fan failed causing the power steering pump to burn out. This problem occurred without warning. The vehicle was nto drivable as a result of the failure fortunately the failure occured after the vehicle reached it destination and was parked.

- Olympia, WA, USA

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