2002 Mini Cooper S Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Hydraulic power assist › Pump
  4
• Hydraulic power assist system
  2
• Column
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  12%
• 25k–50k
  612%
• 50k–75k
  1427%
• 75k–100k
  1733%
• 100k–150k
  1224%
• 150k+
  12%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Mini Cooper S owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-55 MPH, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving normally. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (STEERING). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 43,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper s. While driving at 60 MPH and attempting to avoid hitting an animal, the steering wheel seized without warning and the vehicle struck the animal. The air bags did not deploy; however, the air bag warning light illuminated. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. The VIN was unavailable.

A fire was caused by the failure of the power steering cooling fan. At some point the day of the incident the fan seized and the resulting electrical resistance in the main wiring harness caused the wiring harness to heat to a point of melting some of the plastic wire insulation allowing for direct wire to wire contact and resulted in an electrical fire between the engine and the passenger compartment. The resulting fire completely disabled the vehicle's electrical system and requires at minimum the replacement of the entire main wiring harness. Event description after a short drive (less than 2 miles on a cold engine) the vehicle was parked. After the engine was turned off smoke was seen rising from the vehicle engine compartment. Upon raising the hood, flames were seen between the engine and the passenger compartment reflecting off both fire walls. …

Purchased this car used with low miles. Shortly after purchase I noticed the steering on my vehicle got a little harder to steer, didn't think to much about it. Then the radiator fan would not turn off when the vehicle was off. Took the car in to two different mechanics to find the problem. Found out it was the power steering pump went out causing the coolant reservoir to go out. This could cause extreme safety hazards when driving on the freeway and the steering freezes!! I contacted BMW after hearing there was a recall for this same problem. I was told we missed the recall time frame. I have low miles, 60,000. The recall expired in 2017. Well, my care was not having the issues. I don't feel comfortable selling the car and handing the problem to another consumer. This recall should be extended as it could be an unpleasant result.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper s. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel was on manual control and after the vehicle was warmed up, the steering wheel functioned as normal. The contact also stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, a clanking nose was coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle and the power steering failed. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v66000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who informed that a remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000. VIN tools confirms parts unavailable.

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Mini Cooper s. While driving 30 MPH, the power steering failed and caused extra effort to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electro-hydraulic power steering system and wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,548.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper s. After placing the vehicle in reverse, the contact switched gears into drive. When attempting to accelerate forward, the power steering failed. The contact added power steering fluid and made another attempt to steer the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the power steering was no longer covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper s. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the power steering pump would need to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v66000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

The VIN # of my 2002 Mini Cooper s was not included in the recall for the electrohydraulic steering failure of 2002 - 2005 Mini Cooper s but I am experiencing the exact issue outlined in this recall. The steering is incredibly hard to turn when parked, as well as while driving. I noticed that the recall had about 339 complaints and roughly 85,000 vehicles were recalled, so maybe at the time no one with a similar VIN as me complained.

I was exiting the freeway when my battery indicator light went on; I lost power steering and saw a large amount of smoke coming from under the hood. The Mini dealership has determined that the power steering module failed, and subsequently burned the wiring harness. There have been several reports of faulty manufacturing in regard to this part from bbc in uk, as well as on many forums, in particular north American motoring.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other Cooper S years