10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 7
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 69,677 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The strewing wheel got stuck while driving on a city street. It is very difficult to turn the vehicle to the right, left or make a U-turn. While researching online, I discovered it is on recall but the North America MINIcompany customer service informed me to contact national highway institution to ask for a recall letter to be issued to the company.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2006 MINICooper. While driving 70 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to nick alexander MINI6201 alameda St, los angeles, ca 90001) where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump, alternator, and radiator cooling fan failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 80,054.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
I was pulling out of a parking spot at a low speed this morning when I lost the power steering in my 2006 MINICooper. The steering wheel was very rigid and it was hard to turn. I tried turning my vehicle off and off again. I also tried turning the steering wheel to loosen it up. Nothing helped the issue. I continued driving for another 30 minutes. At a low speed making sharp turns was very hard, if nearly impossible to stay in my lane. If someone would have been in the other lane I would have been in an accident because I could not make the turn due to the lack of power steering with my vehicle. The steering wheel was very hard to turn all the way. Even at higher speeds (30 to 40 mph) the steering wheel was hard to turn and make it around curves in the road. Starting from a dead stop it was very hard to turn the steering wheel turning left or right. I could barely park my vehicle in the parking spot in the parking lot because the steering wheel was so hard to turn my vehicle at such a low speed. This is the third time the issue has occurred in my vehicle during this month. But the other times the issue has gone away after restarting the vehicle twice. One time was two days ago in the morning. I was pulling out of a parking spot and the steering wheel was tight and hard to turn. The other time was over a week ago and the vehicle was this time restarting the vehicle did not fix the issue.
- Marriottsville, MD, USA
Power steering goes out while driving down the road, without any warning. Very stiff. Hard to control. Can't turn. Scary!!!
- Rineyville, KY, USA
I replaced my power steering pump fan 2-3 years ago then about a year and a half ago I had it replaced under warranty. Now my power steering is completely gone with no prior indication that it was failing and I have to pay a $1,400 to get it replaced by a certified shop.
- Tulsa, OK, USA
A extended warranty was issued for the Cooper S R53 till 2005 model year.... the R 53 was produced into the 2006 model year for the northamerican market.... have replaced to pump once around 40-50 K on the car, out of pocket, and pump has failed again around 95K. The warranty on models till 2005 was extended to 13 years and/or 150K..... why are the few remaining models of the 2006 runoff not covered.. first pump failed on the my Washington auto road..... not a good place to say the least..... the other on the Washington, D.C. beltway during the afternoon rush.... managed to keep safe but was not a good situation for anyone... steering pump would surge on and off-road causing inconsistent power assist in turns with a eventually no assist was much more dramatic the first time was only saved by recognizing the problem as it occurred the second time... when the first pump was replaced all lines, cooling fan and its duct work were replaced a well......
- Lovettsville, VA, USA
Stopped at gas station to fill up. Restarted car and began to drive...noticed extreme stiffness in steering and pulled over. Shut engine off and then restarted power steering returned. Later in the day...I was going for a drive and it occurred again. This time, it was after I had stopped at the gym for an hour, and was returning home. Again, I pulled over shut of engine and then restarted. Power steering returned.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
My '06 MINICooper S with about 87,000 miles is leaking power steering fluid and has been doing so for the last 3 years or 20,000 miles. I've been told I need to replace the electric power steering pump. I believe MINIshould have to repair/replace the power steering pump unit because is likely a failure similar to the power steering failure documented and covered by NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000. While the steering mechanism is still functioning, can a catastrophic power steering failure be far off?
- Frisco, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2006 MINICooper. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 mph, there was a loss of power steering. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the power steering pump was replaced however the failure recurred the next day. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic and unknown repairs were performed. In addition, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. On a separate occasion, the alternator failed and was not replaced. The contact mentioned that the engine cooling fan also failed to function, which caused the radiator to be replaced twice. The engine was replaced at a different time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
- North Miami Beach, FL, USA
Power steering randomly when out while in motion. Thankfully, I was on a local road going slowly when it happened. Pulled over to the side, turned off the car and turned it back on. Power steering came back.
- Santa Clara, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 MINICooper S. the contact stated that while in park, the vehicle failed to start. In addition, the contact stated that while reversing at a low speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. Once in park, the vehicle failed to turn off with the key in the off position. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering motor had failed and melted. The power steering motor, wires, battery, pump, fan, pressure hose and alternator were replaced. After repairs, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the vehicle using the diagnostic tool. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer who stated that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
- Decatur, GA, USA
Was driving to see my husband out of town and my steering wheel start getting hard, I stopped turn of the car and back on and it worked, but after that it cointinue to do it more and more often, took it to the mechanic and he said it was the power wheel pump,
- Eagle Pass, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2006 MINICooper S. while driving 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering line and pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000.(steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
- Clifton, VA, USA
Car had a burning smell then the power steering went complety off while driving. MINIhas an extended warranty for MINIR53 first generation 2002-2005 but the 2006 is also a first generation and the problem was not fixed.called MINIand and was told they couldnt help me and I believe they should warranty the 2006 model before a fire starts or someone gets hurt or worse
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
Bought veh. Used on 11/21/15 with 66,898 miles. On December 30, 2015 drove vehicle and parked, when veh. Was shut off I noticed a humming sound coming from under the hood, thought it was a fan. Returned to vehicle approx. 6 hrs. Later, battery was dead. Have veh. Jump started. Drove home, heard humming again coming from under the hood when veh. Was shut off. I disconnected battery and noticed smoke coming from behind the power steering fluid reservoir. Took veh. To my mechanic on 1/6/16 (veh. Had not been driven since 12/30/15) and he advised me that the steering pump needed replacing, veh. Was at 67,747 miles. Paid $1,154.17 for repairs. Mechanic advised me to do research as he has heard of this problem with other MINIowners. Researched on internet to find I was not the only 2006 MINIowner to experience this problems. Same problem that occurred to the MINIs that BMW has recalled and extended warranty. Please do what is necessary to have them include 2006 MINICoopers and fix the problem and/or reimburse those of us who have already paid for repairs. I have contacted MINIusa, but they claim my veh. Is not included in recall, though I feel it should be since the problem is the exact same thing as those veh.'s that were recalled.
- Murrieta, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 MINICooper S. while driving 55 mph, the steering became very difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,700. Update 01/15/16 MA;update 04/25/18 the consumer stated vehicle was repaired on Nov. 26, 2015 by the owner.
- Mount Kisco, NY, USA
Signs of the power steering pump failure. Whining noise randomly got louder. Fluids topped up, no leaks. There is a recall from BMW that covers 2002-2005 models. This pump only has 82,400 miles on it.
- Santa Clarita, CA, USA
My MINIcooper has a problem with the power steering pump that will eventually cause an accident. I noticed that 2002 through 2005 has been recalled because of this issue but not 2006" and now I have an issue with my power steering"
- Winslow, ME, USA
Power steering pump failure at <64K miles. This is ridiculous. Such a failure may result in an accident, injury or death. MINICooper has known about such issues for years! fix the problem MINIbefore someone gets killed.
- Portland, OR, USA
- Minneapolis, MN, USA