As reported by hundreds of others to NHTSA and by thousands on the internet, the power steering pump in our 2005 MINICooper will simply stop working intermittently and unexpectedly. This is very dangerous as it becomes almost impossible to control the vehicle. There are thousands of other complaints about this on-line and will eventually lead to a death. It is my opinion that NHTSA must immediately move to escalate this from engineering analysis to require BMW of North America, llc issue a recall on all 2005 & 2006 model MINICoopers, if not earlier models as there are complaints on-line going back to 2002 when the model was first introduced to the us market. The cost to replace this unit is the better part of $900, but what''s the cost of a life? MINIshould have long since recalled this unit and they have known about this issue since 2002 but they have clearly ignored complaint after complaint instead claiming they ''work closely with NHTSA on all complaints'' (they''re required to do so by law so their statement doesn''t hold much weight). As the failure is intermittent an unpredictable how can I allow my wife or daughter who is preparing to learn to drive to drive either of our MINICoopers until it''s replaced? MINIshould be forced to do it. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Boone, NC, USA

Noticed level of power steering fluid was low. No apparent leak on ground. Noticed the boots on rack and pinion are pressurized and realized that is where the fluid is leaking into.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

The power assist for the steering fails intermittently. Often this occurs midway through a turn. Sometimes turning the car off and re-starting will resolve the problem, other times it does not. Reported the issue to the dealer service department and before I could finish the sentence the two service writers said there was not issue with the power steering pump! without the power assist the steering is very heavy. As a strong, experienced driver I knew what to do when the power assist failed, but this would be very dangerous for an older or less physical driver since the assist failure is sudden and without warning. As a driver you go from being able to casually steer with minimal input to instantly needing to forcefully turn the steering wheel to maintain control of the car!!!! the car currently has 40,011 miles and continues to have this problem intermittently.

- Roslindale, MA, USA

The failure in my power steering pump occurred at 70,000 miles while driving on the interstate highway at 75 mph. The steering wheel locked as I was driving while changing lanes. I could not turn the wheel without excessive force. I have also found that a pump, in the process of failing, causes another problem; the pump might randomly start working again, and possibly in the process of a turn. This actually happened to me and caused an over compensation when turning a corner (on 2 occasions) and potentially endangered the other motorists on the road, as well as myself! I found that it will cost me $1000+ to have this repaired. I am currently unemployed and cannot afford this expense. In the mean time, my beloved MINIsits in the garage until a recall or until I have enough money to pay for the repairs.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

I started to hear this winding or loud humming sound, did not know where it was coming from..it was examined by a mechanic, ,and it was the power steering pump failing, and the electric cooling fan failing. Read about many problems with this steering pump on 2005 MINIs. the cost was $1226 to replace. Even though I did not lost power steering, it could have happened at anytime.

- Cliffside Park, NJ, USA

Power steering would fail intermittently and then go out all together. Power steering pump replaced under warranty. Lasted a year. Failed again, and dealer replaced out of warranty but charged labor. Third pump failing.

- Chicago, IL, USA

My power steering pump on my 2005 MINICooper S failed at 45 mph in downtown los angeles. I have taken my vehicle in for a diagnoses in which they informed me the repair would be over $1K. I declined the repair as I have located a number of complaints regarding this issue, and am now taking it up with MINIhq.

- San Grabriel, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The contact mentioned that she was able to merge onto the shoulder but was not able to continue driving. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering pump was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 62,300 and the current mileage was 64,000. The power steering pump was replaced. Updated 10/18/11 updated evoq 11/01/11.

- San Francisco , CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper. The contact stated that while turning at approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was stopped and shut off. Upon restart, the vehicle operated as normal but the failure recurred on a daily basis. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

Power steering went out while driving on the freeway. Has been happening for several months, but usually when this happens I can turn the car off and when the car is turned on again it is fine for a while. I had power steering fluid topped up but apparently it didn't fix the problem. I was told it is a power steering pump that needs to be replaced and costs approximately $1,000- $1,2000. Today the power steering went out completely and would not return to normal after above said actions. I read that continuing to drive the car in this state can cause battery drainage/failure, fan problems, and/or electrical fires.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

Power steering stopped working near the end of a 15 mile drive to work. Power steering functioned normally on the drive home 9 hours later.

- Columbia, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper. While driving at any speed, the contact stated that the manual steering function would illuminate without activating intermittently. The dealer ordered the part that the contact needed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 130,000. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Intermittent loss of power steering, usually when making a turn - extremely dangerous in middle of intersection - have almost had two accidents when steering went out. It became progressively worse and as of may, 2011 the power steering was completely "out" - however as of August 22, 2011 it returned to full working order - and lasted for approx. 9 days and then started to pop in and out intermittently after starting and turning off the vehicle. As of approx. Sept. 8, 2011 the power steering is completely out.

- Carmel, IN, USA

Bought my dream car, an '05 MINICooper S Monday, labor day, and immediately started having problems with the steering randomly cutting in and out. Not awesome! each time, turning the car off and then back on has resolved the issue, however it would seem that it shouldn't be happening, like, at all, let along having to 'cycle' the engine each time.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Power steering turns on and off when you least expect it during turns or drivng on a straight highway.

- Plainfield , IN, USA

I was driving down the interstate last Thursday and upon exiting the power steering went. I was terrified. I am just lucky I have a straight exit from the interstate; if there had been a curve I would have been into the wall or off the road. My personal feeling is there should be a recall for the power steering pump as failure can be very dangerous. What are we waiting for, someone to be killed? I limped my MINIto the dealer and was told it will cost $1257 to replace the power steering pump and fan. I am now unable to drive my MINIas it is unsafe.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

Power steering pump failure, drained battery due to power steering fan continuing to run after vehicle is turned off.

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

Traveling back home to a short drive from a local store. When I went to make a right turn onto my street the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. Had my wife or daughter been driving the car, I think it may have resulted in an accident because they may not have been able to exert the necessary force to get the vehicle to turn.

- Brick, NJ, USA

Parked the vehicle after a short trip of approx. 10 miles. Left car for approx 5 to 7 minutes. Returned to find smoke billowing from under the hood. Immediately started to unhook the battery cable. Got the battery unhooked and smoke diminished. Tried restarting car, restarted fine, but no power steering. Assuming that the power steering pump went up in smoke. Fortunately, damage seems to be limited to ps pump... not sure yet if smoldering/smoke indicates any other damage under the hood or not.

- Zionsville, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper. While driving, the contact stated that the vehicle would loose power steering and the contact would see and smell smoke coming from underneath the hood. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 103,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Surprise, AZ, USA