Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 33% | 0 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 4% | 2,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% | 150,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 6% | 8,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% | 37,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% | 36,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2009 | 5 | 3% | 83,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 5% | 85,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2006 | 63 | 28% | 78,000 miles |
| 2005 | 351 | 75% | 74,000 miles |
| 2004 | 238 | 84% | 75,000 miles |
| 2003 | 159 | 50% | 81,000 miles |
| 2002 | 61 | 33% | 75,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am writing regarding the failure of the steering column on my 2019 Mini Cooper Hardtop. The incident occurred on December 31, 2022. I drove my car to a residential location in Seattle, parked and locked the vehicle. When I returned to my car and started it up to move it, I realized I had no control of the car because the steering wheel was spinning uncontrollably. When the car was towed to Seattle Mini, the AAA tow truck driver and the dealership service department personnel receiving the car said they had seen nothing like this before. Seattle Mini takes the position that the steering column was forcibly broken due to an accident which is not the case. I'm very concerned about the safety of this vehicle and not comfortable with Seattle Mini's theory as to the cause of the failure since no accident or "great force" event occurred as described in the service department video. …
Car sent a message about vehicle stabilization initiation in the middle of the road. I could barely turn the steering wheel and change the lane. Authorized dealer service center tells me it's a click and drive wiring malfunction issue. I was on the way to the airport via toll road and highway. Continue to drive with the stabilization in progress could caused me an accident for not being able to move the wheel smoothly.
Dsc and brake light turned appeared on tachometer display in yellow and does not go out. Dsc button if pressed makes no changes to dcs/ABS lights on displays. Immediately the following symptoms/issues appeared: steering started to fault like unaligned, brake pedal slightly erratic, blinker turn signal does now not turn off after activating and making a turn. Vehicle has jcw sport brake kit, installed at 30,000 miles, 3 months ago. Vehicle was recently aligned about 2 months ago. Vehicle was scanned with to diagnose fault and fault code was that the switch unit steering column/dsc is faulty.no missing sensors, all are connected in place. No pinched or broken cables. Replaced part #61319253769 msp $550.00 and mechanic fee of $500.00 (removal of part, installation, vehicle ECU recoding, and recheck ECU diagnosis. No more error codes and steering, dcs and ABS back to normal. …
1.Electronic power steering gearbox. Connections almost caught on fire. And yes it is available for inspection upon request. 2. If it would've caught on fire. the whole vehicle would've torched. I noticed there's a lot of Mini Cooper engine fires. 3. No it has not been confirmed by dealer. 4. No it has not been inspected by the manufacturer. I didn't feel it was safe to drive the vehicle. I did make them aware of it and ask him how much a New power steering gearbox would be. they said $2200 just for the part. Will also need the connecting wiring also.. so that will ensure more cost. 5. There was no warning lamps messages or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Not sure exactly when it first appeared. But there are several Mini Cooper's that have electrical fires and I just think I caught mine before it went to that level.
Hello, yesterday afternoon I started my 2009 Mini Cooper and noted that my gauges suddenly failed. The tach dropped to zero. Suddenly I received a tire pressure warning light. I decided I would move the car to a more favorable location to look under the hood. As I placed the car in reverse I noted that my power steering had failed. I stopped the car immediately and popped the hood. I immediately noticed the smell of burning electrical equipment. I ran down to the basement to grab a wrench to disconnect the battery. When I returned I could hear pops and cracks and noted char on the hood interior. Though the keys were out I continued to hear pops and cracks and felt heat accumulating . I finally got the battery disconnected and the popping stopped. After some investigation I found that the wiring near the power steering module was completely burnt out. The car drove fine the day prior. …
Moving my Mini into the garage a fire caught under the hood and the steering went out, after inspection it was found to be the power steering pump. Insurance will not cover the cost as it is a mechanical failure. I have read about the previous models being recalled for this same problem as well as class action law suits. I believe my Mini May have had the same problem and that BMW should be paying for these repairs.
8;30 am three car intersection accident. Traffic light controlled 4 way intersection, auto traveling south bound ran red light and collided with two cars traveling east bound through intersection at approx 35 MPH.. 1st car impacted Toyota Mini van drivers side. Force of accident so severe that it forced Mini van into my auto. The Mini van impacted my Mini primarily into my drivers side door. All three vehicles had to be towed from scene of accident. My Mini coopers drivers side door demolished. Force of impact so great the it bent the frame underneath the drivers door 3-4 inches according to the repair facility it was towed to. Vip auto body. The window that was approx 1/3 open shattered the window. I sustained injuries to neck, back,shoulder and right side of head which hit the door panel upon impact. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mini Cooper. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,002. .. Updated 09/30/15
Related recalls (3)
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2019 X2 xDrive28i, MINI Cooper S Convertible, Countryman, and John Cooper Works Countryman vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the tie rods and ball joints as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019.
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one model year 2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door vehicle manufactured November 24, 2015, and one BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) manufactured October, 19 2015. The steering gearbox may have been manufactured with incorrect parts.
Remedy: BMW will replace the steering gearbox, free of charge. Affected vehicles are located in dealer inventory and will be remedied before customer retail. The recall began on December 28, 2015.
Steering › Electric power assist system
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S Convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fire
In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), BMW stated that the cause of the alleged defect is an insufficient seal of the ground cable of the power steering pump at its attachment to the chassis.water ingress can occur and the water can travel along the power steering pump power cable and come in contact with the power steering pump power cable connector.the…
Loss of power steering assist
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include MY 2002 and 2003 vehicles that use the same steering system.The subject vehicles now include MY 2002,…
Engine compartment fire
The office of defects investigation (odi) analyzed consumer complaints to BMW of north America, llc (BMW)and to odi that alleged failures of the electrohydraulic power steering (ehps) used in model year 2002 through 2003 Mini cooper vehicles.the analysis determined that 43 of the 52 (83%) reports were related to allegations of power steering loss and 9 (17%) were related to allegations of engine compartment fires.
Loss of Power Steering Assist
ODI has received 339 complaints alleging an unexpected loss of power steering assist while driving the vehicle.When the power steering assist stops working, drivers experienced difficulty in steering and/or controlling the vehicle.According to BMW drivers may experience either a temporary or permanent loss of power steering assist.BMW further advised that a temporary loss of power steering assist may be due to a…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mini Cooper years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (351), 2004 (238), 2003 (159), 2006 (63) and 2002 (61) model years. Steering complaints make up 75% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Mini Cooper steering problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 19V-601 (tie rod assembly, Aug 14, 2019); 15V-887 (gear box (other than rack and pinion), Dec 30, 2015); 15V-660 (electric power assist system, Oct 15, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mini Cooper steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 17% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist › pump (32 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (15).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.