The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper. The contact stated that when she got in the vehicle and started it, there was no power steering. She pulled out of the parking spot and turned the vehicle off and restarted it. However, the power steering was still non-functional. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the power steering pump was defective. The current and failure mileages were approximately 100,000.

- Troy , NY, USA

I want to report problem with steering components in my 2004 MINICooper S (based on article in usa today). In July of this year, 2010, my steering suddenly became almost impossible to turn. I stopped, called my dealership, had the car towed in. They replaced the power steering motor. This week, Sept. 2010, I heard a strange sound. Took it back in, they replaced the power steering fan.

- Charleston, SC, USA

I have a 2004 MINICooper and I too have had my power steering fail on curves while driving this happens a lot when I turn the wheel on sharp curves and park. It costs about 850 dollars to replace the power steering pump at the dealer and I am unemployed at the moment and cannot afford this cost.

- Aspinwall, PA, USA

Temporary loss of steering.

- Travelers Rest, SC, USA

Power steering pump failed on MINICooper S with approximately 71,000 miles last week.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

While driving my 2004 MINICooper, the power steering assistance suddenly disappeared. The loss of power steering made the vehicle difficult to steer/control at slow speeds. The problem was solved by replacing the power steering pump.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Temporary loss of power steering. Happens probably once or twice a month. I have been told by the dealer that I have a power steering leak - but not bad enough to cause a problem. I have never lost a quantity of fluid that required refilling. Car has approximately 70K miles - seems odd to have a power steering leak at that mileage. Leak first showed up at about 50K miles.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

Power steering stopped working, repair cost app. $ 2.000.-, no help from MINIusa.

- Jenkintown, PA, USA

Loss of power steering assist while driving.

- Northglenn, CO, USA

2004 MINIcooper: Power steering just went out on my way home from work. Made a right hand turn and than it was just gone. On Sunday 9-26-10 started the car and the power steering worked fine, until I was driving down the road at 70mph and it went out again for good.. done nothing yet to fix it.

- Fenton, MI, USA

My 04 MINIS just hit 90K and runs great until I was on the freeway overpass the other day. The power steering pump went out suddenly on a 55 mph turn and almost ran me right into the shoulder barrier which happens to be 50 feet above the lower freeway. Thank god I was able to maintain control. MINIcooper is a great car, but this power steering issue is a well know issue amongst the community of owners and MINIneeds to acknowledge this issue and help owners who are out of warranty. Once you turn the car off and restart it the steering comes back to normal. When its hot out the steering seems to fail and is almost impossible to control the car once this happens which was the result in my above experience. This power steering failure is well know and has many many accounts of failures on popular MINIforums. The part to replace this issue a single power steering unit which can be bought for about $450 and the average mechanic can replace it within and hour or so.

- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA

I was driving along a street about to negotiate a turn when the power steering failed. Had it happened a few seconds later, I probably would not have been able to negotiate the turn and may have crashed.

- Miami, FL, USA

Electric/hydraulic power steering pump failed after only 43,000 miles on the car. It stuck in the "on" position even when key removed from the car, draining my battery and causing a heat buildup under the bonnet. 2004 MINICooper S.

- Bothell, WA, USA

I own a 2004 MINICooper. I started the car last week and the power steering pump was making a very high pitched squealing noise. I decided to drive another car that day because I did not have enough time to bring it to a mechanic. The next day I started the car and the pump came up to speed very slowly and then stopped making noise altogether. The power steering no longer works. I don't think I can safely drive it to the mechanic and the car has sat in the driveway since. The car is out of its warranty period so I would be looking at the expense of towing and parts and labor before I can use it again. I just saw the report on cnbc and was wondering if this is a common problem before I contact a garage. Thank you.

- Weedsport, NY, USA

My 2004 MINICooper S, of which I am the second owner has developed progressively worsening steering characteristics. Most times the steering is hard and typically its hardest at low speed. The steering under acceleration is notably of great concern as I have experienced erratic and unpredictable sudden pulls to the left and right without any driver input. The service history for this vehicle is consistent with the suggested service intervals. This is a major safety concern for me.

- West Hollywood, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper S. the contact stated on numerous occasions while driving 40 mph, the power steering would malfunction which almost led to a crash. The contact took the vehicle to an authorized dealer to have the power steering motor and the cooling fan replaced. Since the repairs, the contact had not noticed any power steering issues. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Reno, NV, USA

The contact owns a 2004 MINIcooper type S. the contact stated that while traveling at any speed, the power steering would suddenly stop functioning without warning; the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The failure was 8,000 and the current mileage is approximately 143,000. Updated 01/04/11 updated 01/10/11

- Mankato, MN, USA

Dear NHTSA, our complaint matches the NHTSA investigation being conducted regarding the intermittent power-loss of the power steering pump of the 2004-5 MINICooper we own a 2004 MINICooper. Our power steering loss began Feb '10 and described as unexpected and intermittently-occurring total loss-of-assist to steering. This was rectified by a purchase of a new power steering pump from MINICooper (elmsford, NY) and purchase of labor (installation) from straub auto repair (hastings on hudson, NY) during that month.

- Hastings On Hudson, NY, USA

2004 MINICooper. Power steering pump failed at high speed while driving on windy road at night. Was able to over correct and slow vehicle safely. Had it been my daughter driving she may have crashed. Pump failed without warning and no engine lights. After looking into this issue it seems that a lot of similar incidents have occurred with new model cars with less than 50K miles. Should be a recall to BMW for this!!!!

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

2004 MINICooper S power steering failure after <50,000 miles very hard to steer. Had to replace the pump.

- Atlanta, GA, USA