The power steering failed. Searching, this appears to be a very common problem.

- Hillsboro, VA, USA

I was driving on straight road then into curve...noticed the steering was hard to turn....went in & out for a day then totally out...no power steering...have replaced this and now it's out again!!!!

- Woodruff, SC, USA

While driving on a 2 lane 2 way (1 per direction) rural road very windy on my daily commute into my office I lost power steering. I was on a straightaway and luckily not in a curve because the steering instantly became tight and at low speeds is almost unable to steer. I say almost because I I am able to drive with great effort and attention however any evasive movement for an emergency may cause me to be involved in an accident. I have seen mimi had a recall for the exact issue in Canada but has not had a recall in the usa while we are having the exact problems. MINIalso changed the steering pump/fan/wiring in the 2006 models which is the last year of production on the exact model I own. Obviously they (MINIis aware and tried to fix the issue on their end without a recall.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

During the first incident I was driving in town, suddenly the steering had a hard resistant making it difficult to do a right turn. I had to muscle the wheel in order to keep from veering into oncoming traffic. When I pulled the vehicle over to do an under the hood inspection and check the steering fluid level, I saw nothing that indicate damage. Once I restart the vehicle, it seem to correct itself. I though was it was maybe a fluke. Later on, my wife indicated she heard a whining noise that came from under the hood, and ask me to look into it. After looking it over, I add some belt dressing, because I thought could have been the problem. In the meantime I made several calls to the MINIdealership in tempe, AZ. The service manager stated this noise could be several indicators, such as an aging steering pump, a mixture of non-recommended fluid in the reservoir or the pump could be going out. I dismissed the mix fluid indicator, because the levels were always within range and to my knowledge was never tampered with or topped off. As several months went by, the vehicle continue to operate without incident, other than the whining noise, which was heard when the vehicle was started for the first time of the day, or while the vehicle was running in idle. Recently, my wife call me from work and indicated while she was driving to work for the 2nd time, the steering seem to lock and was difficult to steer. She manage to drive home without injury to herself or others. That same day, when I looked over the vehicle for leaks, damage or fluid levels and the vehicle steering again locked in place. After a little research, I found this has been a major safety issue with the 2004 and 2005 MINIcoopers, which has been acknowledged by MINIof Canada who issued a recall. On the flip side, MINICorp in the us and local dealers do not. Please advise with a reply.

- Sierra Vista, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the steering became extremely difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred as the contact was driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the power steering pump would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

- Seattle, WA, USA

Intermittently on cold start the power steering is inoperative. Turning the car off and then back on again will usually result in the power steering becoming operative again. Dealership says pump needs to be replaced.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

The power steering in my car has failed continuously. We had the entire rack replaced in 2011 - the steering fluid constantly leaks, or burns dry - for the last few months, the power steering pump does not stop running when the vehicle is parked - requiring for the battery to be disconnected at every stop, or risk a dead battery.

- Lol, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, he attempted a right turn and the steering wheel failed. The contact stated that the amount of energy needed to turn the wheel increased. The contact powered off and restarted the vehicle as it resumed normal operation. The vehicle function properly until the failure recurred the following day. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 18,600. Returned by usps on 4/8/2013. 2nd attempt on 4/9/2013.

- Sidney, OH, USA

Intermittent power steering failures while car is in motion. One minute power steering functions, next minute, no ps at all. Power steering pump continues to run even when engine is off and key out of ignition. After returning to vehicle, battery is dead as a result of continuously running pump or fan.

- Manhattan Beach, CA, USA

I made a left turn at a light and the power steering quit working in the middle of the turn. The steering became very heavy and I thought I had a flat tire. I pulled over and checked the fluid and the level was correct. I continued driving and the steering was fine.

- Cottonwood Heights, UT, USA

-my dependent daughter was driving approximately 50 mph during in normal conditions when power steering assist turned off. Steering became very difficult and dangerous. Follow-on occurrences were regularly repeated after approximately 10 - 15 miles. Due to safety concerns driving the vehicle was ceased until repairs made therefore was unable to commute to / from school of higher education. Vehicle brought to local repair station and a faulty power steering motor was determined to be the cause. Subsequent repairs totally $934 usd appear to have fixed problem. The fact that the manufacturer had prior knowledge of this potentially catastrophic condition, and chose to put my daughter at risk or harms way is shameful.

- Modena, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel began to shake and became difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred numerous times intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the power steering pump would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 118,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and then towed to the contact's residence. The failure occurred five times. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

- Buzzards Bay , MA, USA

While turning into a shopping plaza parking lot the steering wheel locked up and I was not able to control or complete the turn. Thank god I was driving at a slow speed and pedistrians were not near by. I experienced the same thing when I was leaving to return home and two more times after that. Something needs to be done, innocent lives are at risk.

- Buzzards Bay, MA, USA

After driving at highway speed, I slowed down to turn into a parking lot when the power steering failed. The car could still be turned, but only with great effort and had there been any need to avoid another vehicle or pedestrian, it would have been impossible. After turning off the vehicle and restrarting, the power steering resumed working. The same failure has occurred on several other occasions but is only intermittent.

- Saint Johns , FL, USA

The power steering has been going in and out for the last three weeks. When it first happened I was driving on the highway at 50 mph and the steering became very difficult. Turning took a large amount of effort. After arriving at home and taking it out the next day it worked fine and then went out again while going 35 mph and trying to make a curve in the road. We took the car in for repairs and was told the power steering pump and fan worked fine but the power steering was intermittent when driven. A power connector for the pump was repaired and the next day the car starting losing the power steering again. If this happened at highway speed it could easily cause an accident and/or injuries. I've read too many stories online for this to be a fault with the design.

- Union, KY, USA

After driving around town for 15 minutes power steering stopped working and had to struggle to turn a corner. Had to make a wide turn. If another vehicle had been approaching, there would have been a collision. Very difficult to control this vehicle when power steering fails. This loss of power steering has happened four times within last two weeks. Research on internet shows this to be more than a common problem; it seems to be widespread. This much I do know: It scared the hell out of me and is dangerous. If BMW doesn't voluntarily fix the problem, then the government should force a recall on all affected vehicles before someone is seriously injured or dies.

- Newburyport, MA, USA

The MINIcooper was sitting in the garage. My family noticed a distinct burning smell. We did not know where is was coming from. The burning smell was traced to the garage, but still did not identify the source. The next day when the vehicle was driven, there was no power steering. Upon inspection and removal of the power steering pump, all the electrical connections to the unit were melted. The power steering unit and the wiring harness leading to the unit are damaged and must be replaced. In conclusion the unit drew power while the car was off and fried the electrical connections.

- Fresno, CA, USA

The power steering pump suddenly went out on my 2005 MINICooper S. fortunately for me (although this easily could have been tragically unfortunate for someone else) this happened in a school zone, which means I was driving very slowly. But with little children around this could have been extremely dangerous. In doing some research I find this sudden power steering failure is a common problem on early MINIcoopers. The pump has been recalled in Canada, but why not in the U.S.a" can you tell me why this is not a recall item here"

- Heber, UT, USA

Power steering failed as I was making a right hand turn from one street to another. While 1/2 way into the turn the steering no longer responded and started to go straight into oncoming opposing traffic. It took quite a bit of effort to yank the steering wheel and avoid a crash (much more effort than steering my 54 Chevy pick up truck). Had car towed to BMW/MINIdealer - diagnosed as "power steering pump shorting". cost of repairs to replace power steering pump (including new P/S hoses): $1977.62.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA