IllustrationRIGHT REAR LOWER TRAILING ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WITH ANY OBJECT, IT BROKE ON ITS OWN. *TR
2005 Mini Cooper
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cooper years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Mini Cooper are substantially higher than the model-year median of 40.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cooper years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
5925–50K
11050–75K
9375–100K
52100–150K
11150K+
347 reports with mileage · 25 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 276 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports10 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
372 reportsTHE POWER STEERING FAILED DURING DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO ACCESS HOW MUCH CONTROL I STILL HAD. THE CAR CONTINUED TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER BUT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. *JS
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MINI, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ONCE THE VEHICLE COOLS OFF, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. *TR I HAVE CONTACTED THE MINI DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO SEE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS ISSUED, WHICH THERE HAVE …
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MINI, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ONCE THE VEHICLE COOLS OFF, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. *TR I HAVE CONTACTED THE MINI DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO SEE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS ISSUED, WHICH THERE HAVE NOT. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED IT AS WELL. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY A "RECALL" HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED?
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENT. GENERALLY, IT WILL GO OUT AFTER DRIVING 20-30 MINUTES, HOWEVER, IT HAS FAILED TO TURN ON WHEN STARTING IN THE MORNING ON OCCASION. IN BOTH CASES, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING BRINGS THE POWER STEERING BACK ON. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS RELATED TO INVESTIGATION EA11005. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. IT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE, WHERE I WILL BE DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MILES WITH THE POWER STEERING INTACT, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES OUT MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO TURN AND CONTROL. LATER THE POWER STEERING RETURNS. I HAD THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY THE MINI DEAL…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. IT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE, WHERE I WILL BE DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MILES WITH THE POWER STEERING INTACT, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES OUT MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO TURN AND CONTROL. LATER THE POWER STEERING RETURNS. I HAD THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY THE MINI DEALER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY MECHANIC, AND MY PERSONAL MECHANIC. NONE OF THEM WERE ABLE TO NOTICE ANY DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING. THE FLUID LEVEL IS INTACT AS WELL AS THE PUMP. THE MINI DEALER STATED THAT THEY'VE "SEEN A LOT OF THIS" ISSUE, BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR OPEN CAMPAIGNS. THE DEALER BELIEVES THE ISSUE IS DUE TO AN INTERNAL ELECTRONICS FAILURE AND WILL NOT AGREE TO FIX IT IN GOOD FAITH. IN CALLING MINI USA, THERE ARE NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS OR RECALLS FOR THE ISSUE EITHER, DESPITE OVER ~50,000 CARS OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR REPORTEDLY HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND FRUSTRATING SITUATION WITH THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO AN UNPREDICTABLE LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER STEERING FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER STEERING FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,774.
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN THAN A CAR THAT HAS NO POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT WAS WORKING ONE MOMENT, THEN AFTER A SHORT DRIVING FOR A SHOR…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN THAN A CAR THAT HAS NO POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT WAS WORKING ONE MOMENT, THEN AFTER A SHORT DRIVING FOR A SHORT PERIOD IT JUST CEASED TO WORK. CHECKED POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE FLUID LEVEL WAS OK. AFTER RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE POWER STEERING WILL JUST QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING. YOU ARE GIVEN NO WARNING THAT IT IS NO LONGER WORKING, UNTIL YOU ATTEMPT TO TURN AND THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND. *JS
HAVE BEEN NOTICING MY MINI'S FAN HAS BEEN SOUNDING LOUDER THAN NORMAL THOUGHT MAYBE A COOLING ISSUE GOING ON HOWEVER LAST WEEK THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY WENT OUT IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND TRIED TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT, POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. I THOUGHT IT WAS A WEIRD FLUKE AND …
Read full complaint
HAVE BEEN NOTICING MY MINI'S FAN HAS BEEN SOUNDING LOUDER THAN NORMAL THOUGHT MAYBE A COOLING ISSUE GOING ON HOWEVER LAST WEEK THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY WENT OUT IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND TRIED TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT, POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. I THOUGHT IT WAS A WEIRD FLUKE AND CHECKED ALL MY ENGINE FLUID LEVELS WHEN I GOT HOME. ALL FLUIDS WERE AT NORMAL LEVEL AND THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. TODAY AGAIN POWER STEERING QUIT THIS TIME EARLY IN THE MORNING AS I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR WORK (CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE PREVIOUS NIGHT). I HAD TO DRIVE INTO WORK WITH NO POWER STEERING AS I COULD NOT CALL OUT AND SAME THING DRIVING HOME TODAY POWER STEERING WAS STILL OUT. I STARTED SEARCHING ONLINE AND SAW THERE HAD BEEN SUPPOSEDLY A "SAFETY RECALL" ON 2005 MINI COOPER'S FOR "CAMPAIGN - POWER STEERING FAN RELAY WIRING MODIFICATION -NOTES :SI M32 03 04" STATING: "SERVICE ACTION: CORRECT THE WIRING FOR THE POWER STEERING FAN RELAY". I JUST CALLED MY LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP (BOSTON) GAVE THEM THE LAST 7 OF MY VIN FOR THEM TO LOOK UP IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR, THEY STATED MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST DESPITE THIS RECALL WAS SUPPOSEDLY ON MODELS R50 AND R53 (MY MODEL IS R50). I CANNOT DRIVE THIS CAR NOW WITHOUT PERFORMING THIS REPAIR, MY CAR HAS JUST TURNED 60,000 MILES (STILL CONSIDERABLY LOW I THINK FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS). IN MY SEARCHING I HAVE FOUND THERE ARE 14 OTHER COMPLAINTS LITERALLY JUST LIKE MINE SINCE JUST JANUARY OF THIS YEAR!!! HOW IS THIS NOT ON A RECALL LIST ? I LOVED MY CAR UP UNTIL NOW, I FEEL LIKE MINI HAS A HUGE PROBLEM THEY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT AND ARE STICKING THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH PAYING A BILL FOR SOMETHING THEY PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGED AS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THEIR CARS. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGE ON THE REAR HATCH FRACTURED AND THE ENTIRE REAR HATCH WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT CLOSE DUE TO THE BROKEN HINGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN A…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGE ON THE REAR HATCH FRACTURED AND THE ENTIRE REAR HATCH WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT CLOSE DUE TO THE BROKEN HINGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER FAILED AND I HAD TROUBLE TURNING THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE CONTINUED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I LET THE CAR TO COOL DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR BEFORE RESTARTING IT AND THE POWER STEERING WORKE…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER FAILED AND I HAD TROUBLE TURNING THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE CONTINUED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I LET THE CAR TO COOL DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR BEFORE RESTARTING IT AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE THE REST OF THE TRIP HOME. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME I EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE, BUT DID NOT RECORD THE DATE, ETC. OF THE FIRST INCIDENT SO AM UNABLE TO ACCURATELY REPORT THAT. BOTH TIMES THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED, IT WAS ONLY DUE TO MY DRIVING VIGILANCE AND ARM STRENGTH THAT I WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE LOCAL MINI DEALER CANNOT LOOK AT MY CAR FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR FEARING ANOTHER FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING. *TR
Official recalls
215V660000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Oct 15, 2015
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 10, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
15V205000 · Air Bags:frontal
Apr 6, 2015
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA11005 · Loss Of Power Steering Assist
Opened May 4, 2011 · Closed Jan 5, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump
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, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure to a conventional rack-and-pinion steering gear.A pump, the electric motor, and an electronic control unit (ECU) are housed in a single component BMW calls a Power Pack.The investigation focused on contaminant-induced failure of the ECU resulting in a loss of assist without warning.When assist is lost mechanical steering is retained however increased steering effort is required to keep the vehicle on an intended path.Some consumers reported that restarting the vehicle (cycling the ignition switch) would often reinstate the steering assist.Additionally, and by design, assist can also reinstate during the drive cycle in limited circumstances.The unexpected loss of assist, and/or possibly the reinstatement of assist while driving, may contribute to a loss of vehicle control in certain driving situations.During MY 2005 production BMW introduced a revised Power Pack design (the ECU incorporated a conformal coating of the circuit board) which resulted in a significant reduction in failures.ODI identified 20 reports describing crashes consistent with a loss of power assist event possibly caused by a failure of the Power Pack.Two reports alleged an injury however both were minor in nature and did not require emergency treatment (a subsequent doctor's visit occurred in one case).Ten of these reports described low speed crashes with minimal, or in most cases no property or vehicle damage (e.g., striking a movable barrier in a parking lot).Additionally 27 other reports alleged or indicated that a crash occurred due to a Power Pack failure however in reviewing these reports, ODI either 1) was unable to confirm that a crash actually occurred (8 reports), or 2) determined that the crash circumstances (e.g., adverse road/weather conditions) or cause (e.g., the crash was caused by steering linkage failure) were not attributable to a Power Pack failure (19 reports).Throughout the investigation BMW maintained that loss of assist in the subject vehicles did not constitute a safety related defect, noting that the subject vehicles are smaller, light weight vehicles that can be reasonably controlled when assist is lost.In May 2013 BMW launched a 13 year/150,000 mile extended warranty coverage utilizing the redesigned Power Pack as a replacement part.ODI continued its investigation.In July 2014 BMW provided ODI a status of the ongoing extended warranty program, and in May 2015 ODI requested an update of complaint data.Following a review of the provided data, ODI informed BMW of its assessment that loss of steering assist failures were not adequately resolved by an extended warranty program.On October 12, 2015 BMW notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall (15V-660) on approximately 86,000 subject vehicles not previously remedied with the new design Power Pack through regular or extended warranty programs.The recall covers MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper, MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper S, and MY 2005 MINI Cooper/Cooper S convertibles manufactured through Feb 9, 2005.Vehicles produced after this date are not included si
Additional source detail variants (4)
Steering
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, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure to a conventional rack-and-pinion steering gear.A pump, the electric motor, and an electronic control unit (ECU) are housed in a single component BMW calls a Power Pack.The investigation focused on contaminant-induced failure of the ECU resulting in a loss of assist without warning.When assist is lost mechanical steering is retained however increased steering effort is required to keep the vehicle on an intended path.Some consumers reported that restarting the vehicle (cycling the ignition switch) would often reinstate the steering assist.Additionally, and by design, assist can also reinstate during the drive cycle in limited circumstances.The unexpected loss of assist, and/or possibly the reinstatement of assist while driving, may contribute to a loss of vehicle control in certain driving situations.During MY 2005 production BMW introduced a revised Power Pack design (the ECU incorporated a conformal coating of the circuit board) which resulted in a significant reduction in failures.ODI identified 20 reports describing crashes consistent with a loss of power assist event possibly caused by a failure of the Power Pack.Two reports alleged an injury however both were minor in nature and did not require emergency treatment (a subsequent doctor's visit occurred in one case).Ten of these reports described low speed crashes with minimal, or in most cases no property or vehicle damage (e.g., striking a movable barrier in a parking lot).Additionally 27 other reports alleged or indicated that a crash occurred due to a Power Pack failure however in reviewing these reports, ODI either 1) was unable to confirm that a crash actually occurred (8 reports), or 2) determined that the crash circumstances (e.g., adverse road/weather conditions) or cause (e.g., the crash was caused by steering linkage failure) were not attributable to a Power Pack failure (19 reports).Throughout the investigation BMW maintained that loss of assist in the subject vehicles did not constitute a safety related defect, noting that the subject vehicles are smaller, light weight vehicles that can be reasonably controlled when assist is lost.In May 2013 BMW launched a 13 year/150,000 mile extended warranty coverage utilizing the redesigned Power Pack as a replacement part.ODI continued its investigation.In July 2014 BMW provided ODI a status of the ongoing extended warranty program, and in May 2015 ODI requested an update of complaint data.Following a review of the provided data, ODI informed BMW of its assessment that loss of steering assist failures were not adequately resolved by an extended warranty program.On October 12, 2015 BMW notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall (15V-660) on approximately 86,000 subject vehicles not previously remedied with the new design Power Pack through regular or extended warranty programs.The recall covers MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper, MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper S, and MY 2005 MINI Cooper/Cooper S convertibles manufactured through Feb 9, 2005.Vehicles produced after this date are not included si
Steering:electric Power Assist System
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, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure to a conventional rack-and-pinion steering gear.A pump, the electric motor, and an electronic control unit (ECU) are housed in a single component BMW calls a Power Pack.The investigation focused on contaminant-induced failure of the ECU resulting in a loss of assist without warning.When assist is lost mechanical steering is retained however increased steering effort is required to keep the vehicle on an intended path.Some consumers reported that restarting the vehicle (cycling the ignition switch) would often reinstate the steering assist.Additionally, and by design, assist can also reinstate during the drive cycle in limited circumstances.The unexpected loss of assist, and/or possibly the reinstatement of assist while driving, may contribute to a loss of vehicle control in certain driving situations.During MY 2005 production BMW introduced a revised Power Pack design (the ECU incorporated a conformal coating of the circuit board) which resulted in a significant reduction in failures.ODI identified 20 reports describing crashes consistent with a loss of power assist event possibly caused by a failure of the Power Pack.Two reports alleged an injury however both were minor in nature and did not require emergency treatment (a subsequent doctor's visit occurred in one case).Ten of these reports described low speed crashes with minimal, or in most cases no property or vehicle damage (e.g., striking a movable barrier in a parking lot).Additionally 27 other reports alleged or indicated that a crash occurred due to a Power Pack failure however in reviewing these reports, ODI either 1) was unable to confirm that a crash actually occurred (8 reports), or 2) determined that the crash circumstances (e.g., adverse road/weather conditions) or cause (e.g., the crash was caused by steering linkage failure) were not attributable to a Power Pack failure (19 reports).Throughout the investigation BMW maintained that loss of assist in the subject vehicles did not constitute a safety related defect, noting that the subject vehicles are smaller, light weight vehicles that can be reasonably controlled when assist is lost.In May 2013 BMW launched a 13 year/150,000 mile extended warranty coverage utilizing the redesigned Power Pack as a replacement part.ODI continued its investigation.In July 2014 BMW provided ODI a status of the ongoing extended warranty program, and in May 2015 ODI requested an update of complaint data.Following a review of the provided data, ODI informed BMW of its assessment that loss of steering assist failures were not adequately resolved by an extended warranty program.On October 12, 2015 BMW notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall (15V-660) on approximately 86,000 subject vehicles not previously remedied with the new design Power Pack through regular or extended warranty programs.The recall covers MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper, MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper S, and MY 2005 MINI Cooper/Cooper S convertibles manufactured through Feb 9, 2005.Vehicles produced after this date are not included si
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump
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, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure to a conventional rack-and-pinion steering gear.A pump, the electric motor, and an electronic control unit (ECU) are housed in a single component BMW calls a Power Pack.The investigation focused on contaminant-induced failure of the ECU resulting in a loss of assist without warning.When assist is lost mechanical steering is retained however increased steering effort is required to keep the vehicle on an intended path.Some consumers reported that restarting the vehicle (cycling the ignition switch) would often reinstate the steering assist.Additionally, and by design, assist can also reinstate during the drive cycle in limited circumstances.The unexpected loss of assist, and/or possibly the reinstatement of assist while driving, may contribute to a loss of vehicle control in certain driving situations.During MY 2005 production BMW introduced a revised Power Pack design (the ECU incorporated a conformal coating of the circuit board) which resulted in a significant reduction in failures.ODI identified 20 reports describing crashes consistent with a loss of power assist event possibly caused by a failure of the Power Pack.Two reports alleged an injury however both were minor in nature and did not require emergency treatment (a subsequent doctor's visit occurred in one case).Ten of these reports described low speed crashes with minimal, or in most cases no property or vehicle damage (e.g., striking a movable barrier in a parking lot).Additionally 27 other reports alleged or indicated that a crash occurred due to a Power Pack failure however in reviewing these reports, ODI either 1) was unable to confirm that a crash actually occurred (8 reports), or 2) determined that the crash circumstances (e.g., adverse road/weather conditions) or cause (e.g., the crash was caused by steering linkage failure) were not attributable to a Power Pack failure (19 reports).Throughout the investigation BMW maintained that loss of assist in the subject vehicles did not constitute a safety related defect, noting that the subject vehicles are smaller, light weight vehicles that can be reasonably controlled when assist is lost.In May 2013 BMW launched a 13 year/150,000 mile extended warranty coverage utilizing the redesigned Power Pack as a replacement part.ODI continued its investigation.In July 2014 BMW provided ODI a status of the ongoing extended warranty program, and in May 2015 ODI requested an update of complaint data.Following a review of the provided data, ODI informed BMW of its assessment that loss of steering assist failures were not adequately resolved by an extended warranty program.On October 12, 2015 BMW notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall (15V-660) on approximately 86,000 subject vehicles not previously remedied with the new design Power Pack through regular or extended warranty programs.The recall covers MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper, MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper S, and MY 2005 MINI Cooper/Cooper S convertibles manufactured through Feb 9, 2005.Vehicles produced after this date are not included si
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
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, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure to a conventional rack-and-pinion steering gear.A pump, the electric motor, and an electronic control unit (ECU) are housed in a single component BMW calls a Power Pack.The investigation focused on contaminant-induced failure of the ECU resulting in a loss of assist without warning.When assist is lost mechanical steering is retained however increased steering effort is required to keep the vehicle on an intended path.Some consumers reported that restarting the vehicle (cycling the ignition switch) would often reinstate the steering assist.Additionally, and by design, assist can also reinstate during the drive cycle in limited circumstances.The unexpected loss of assist, and/or possibly the reinstatement of assist while driving, may contribute to a loss of vehicle control in certain driving situations.During MY 2005 production BMW introduced a revised Power Pack design (the ECU incorporated a conformal coating of the circuit board) which resulted in a significant reduction in failures.ODI identified 20 reports describing crashes consistent with a loss of power assist event possibly caused by a failure of the Power Pack.Two reports alleged an injury however both were minor in nature and did not require emergency treatment (a subsequent doctor's visit occurred in one case).Ten of these reports described low speed crashes with minimal, or in most cases no property or vehicle damage (e.g., striking a movable barrier in a parking lot).Additionally 27 other reports alleged or indicated that a crash occurred due to a Power Pack failure however in reviewing these reports, ODI either 1) was unable to confirm that a crash actually occurred (8 reports), or 2) determined that the crash circumstances (e.g., adverse road/weather conditions) or cause (e.g., the crash was caused by steering linkage failure) were not attributable to a Power Pack failure (19 reports).Throughout the investigation BMW maintained that loss of assist in the subject vehicles did not constitute a safety related defect, noting that the subject vehicles are smaller, light weight vehicles that can be reasonably controlled when assist is lost.In May 2013 BMW launched a 13 year/150,000 mile extended warranty coverage utilizing the redesigned Power Pack as a replacement part.ODI continued its investigation.In July 2014 BMW provided ODI a status of the ongoing extended warranty program, and in May 2015 ODI requested an update of complaint data.Following a review of the provided data, ODI informed BMW of its assessment that loss of steering assist failures were not adequately resolved by an extended warranty program.On October 12, 2015 BMW notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall (15V-660) on approximately 86,000 subject vehicles not previously remedied with the new design Power Pack through regular or extended warranty programs.The recall covers MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper, MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper S, and MY 2005 MINI Cooper/Cooper S convertibles manufactured through Feb 9, 2005.Vehicles produced after this date are not included si
PE10038 · Loss Of Power Steering Assist
Opened Sep 24, 2010 · Closed May 10, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump
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 malfunctioning cooling fan or an under-voltage condition in the power steering system.A permanent loss of power steering assist may be due to an error in the internal electronics, and may also result in the continuous running of the power steering pump.The VOQ complaints allege 5 minor crashes and 3 fires.The crashes are described as hit the curb.The fires are described as melted wires. There were no property damage claims.ODI has received similar complaints for other model year Mini.Additional information is required to evaluate the frequency, consequence, and scope of this issue.Accordingly the investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (see EA11-005).
Additional source detail variants (4)
Steering
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 malfunctioning cooling fan or an under-voltage condition in the power steering system.A permanent loss of power steering assist may be due to an error in the internal electronics, and may also result in the continuous running of the power steering pump.The VOQ complaints allege 5 minor crashes and 3 fires.The crashes are described as hit the curb.The fires are described as melted wires. There were no property damage claims.ODI has received similar complaints for other model year Mini.Additional information is required to evaluate the frequency, consequence, and scope of this issue.Accordingly the investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (see EA11-005).
Steering:electric Power Assist System
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 malfunctioning cooling fan or an under-voltage condition in the power steering system.A permanent loss of power steering assist may be due to an error in the internal electronics, and may also result in the continuous running of the power steering pump.The VOQ complaints allege 5 minor crashes and 3 fires.The crashes are described as hit the curb.The fires are described as melted wires. There were no property damage claims.ODI has received similar complaints for other model year Mini.Additional information is required to evaluate the frequency, consequence, and scope of this issue.Accordingly the investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (see EA11-005).
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump
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 malfunctioning cooling fan or an under-voltage condition in the power steering system.A permanent loss of power steering assist may be due to an error in the internal electronics, and may also result in the continuous running of the power steering pump.The VOQ complaints allege 5 minor crashes and 3 fires.The crashes are described as hit the curb.The fires are described as melted wires. There were no property damage claims.ODI has received similar complaints for other model year Mini.Additional information is required to evaluate the frequency, consequence, and scope of this issue.Accordingly the investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (see EA11-005).
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
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 malfunctioning cooling fan or an under-voltage condition in the power steering system.A permanent loss of power steering assist may be due to an error in the internal electronics, and may also result in the continuous running of the power steering pump.The VOQ complaints allege 5 minor crashes and 3 fires.The crashes are described as hit the curb.The fires are described as melted wires. There were no property damage claims.ODI has received similar complaints for other model year Mini.Additional information is required to evaluate the frequency, consequence, and scope of this issue.Accordingly the investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (see EA11-005).