2005 MINI Cooper S Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that a software update was performed on the back over prevention camera. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 175,830.

NHTSA ID

11655045

Incident

Feb 15, 2025

Mileage

175,830 mi

The contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact also stated that he was advised by the dealer that he had to pay out of pocket for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11458164

Incident

Mar 22, 2022

BATTERY LIGHT FLASHING, POWER STEERING CUTTING OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. ALTERNATOR AND SERPINTINE BELT REPLACED BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SEEMS TO BE DRAINING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID

11362085

Incident

Sep 26, 2020

Mileage

172,450 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE POWER STEERING CEASED WITHOUT WARNING UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) AS POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. MINI OF DES MOINES LOCATED AT (9900 HICKMAN RD, DES MOINES, IA 50325) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11317775

Incident

Aug 13, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, MINI OF MARIN (5880 PARADISE DR, CORTE MADERA, CA 94925, (415) 887-2194) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11243771

Incident

Jun 10, 2019

POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKS.

NHTSA ID

11242896

Incident

Feb 22, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR MINI COOPER S VEHICLES (15V-XXX SAFETY RECALL) INVOLVING THE ELECTRIC-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE RECALL INCLUDES 2002-2005 MODELS, AND EXTENDS THE WARRANTY UP TO 13 YEARS OR UP TO 150,000 MILES. OUR VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THOSE REQUIREMENTS, AND IS A 2005 MODEL AND HAS 69,751 MILES, YET WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO EXISTING RECALLS FOR OUR VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH WE SUSPECT THAT THE INCIDENT WE HAD INVOLVES THE HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID

11230307

Incident

Jul 4, 2019

Mileage

69,751 mi

WHEN ADJUSTING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I CONDUCTED TROUBLESHOOTING. I VERIFIED THAT THE WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS FOR THE AIRBAG SENSORS UNDER BOTH SEATS HAD COME LOOSE, AND CERTAIN WIRES DE-PINNED. THE CAR WAS RUNNING, AND PARKED WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID

11186059

Incident

Mar 9, 2019

Mileage

62,527 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILURE WORSENED SINCE DECEMBER OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ID

11171823

Incident

Jan 24, 2019

Mileage

63,000 mi

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND LOST POWER. I PULLED TO SHOULDER AND BLACK SMOKE CAME THRU AIR VENTS. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS FIRE. MY CAR COMPLETELY BURNED UP. I NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE BELIEVED THE FIRE STARTED UNDER MY CAR.

NHTSA ID

11163802

Incident

Dec 11, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

WENT TO DINNER AND CAME OUT AND STARTED MY CAR AND IT WAS SUPER HARD TO STEER

NHTSA ID

11162607

Incident

Dec 19, 2018

2005 MINI COOPER S WAS TRAVELING 50MPH WHEN IT HIT ICY BRIDGE SPUN AROUND AND ROLLED 3 TIMES DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND PASSENGER WAS NOT AND GOT EJECTED AND DIED.NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HWY 299.*DT *JS

NHTSA ID

11155233

Incident

Nov 11, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL. DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE ME $1000 TO FIX THIS AIRBAG. STEERING ALSO STIFF AND AT TIME UNRESPONSIVE. NUMBER THREE MISFIRE IS A DESIGN FLAW. HORN DOES NOT WORK. LENS ON HEADLIGHTS MAKE LIGHT VERY DIM.

NHTSA ID

11152518

Incident

May 18, 2010

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT WAS REPLACED BY RECALL ON 10/28/2016. ON 10/2018 I NOTICED THAT WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WITH THEIR SEAT BELT ON THE AIR BAG WAS OFF, IN 1 WEEKS TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE AIR BAG IS OFF ALL THE TIME WITH OR WITHOUT SOMEONE OCCUPING THE SEAT. REGUARDLESS IF THE CAR IS IDILING OR GOING DOWN THE RODE. AT LEAST BEFORE THE RECALLED MAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED THE SEAT MAT SENSOR WORKED MOST OF THE TIME. NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TESTED THE OC3 MAT (PASSENGER SIDE MAT SENSOR) AND SAID THERE ARE MULTIPLE CODES FOR THE OC3 MAT AND THEY FOUND INTERNAL FAULTS AND IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT AGAIN. THEY SAID THIS RECALL IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY AND I NEED TO PAY OVER 1500.00 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME TO HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY CAR IF WE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT THEIR AIRBAG WOULD NOT BE ON, THERE FOR THEY WOULD HAVE NO AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY TO TRY AND PROTECT THEM. HOW IS THIS MY FAULT? THEY REPLACED MY MAT SENSOR WITH ANOTHER FAULTY ONE THAT IS WORSE THEN THE FIRST ONE. HOW LONG ARE THE WARRENTIES FOR RECALLS AND THE PARTS REPLACED? I HAVE THE PAPERS FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATING WHAT I JUST REPORTED TO YOU.

NHTSA ID

11151353

Incident

Nov 9, 2018

Mileage

116,000 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. DEALERSHIP REPORTS $1200 TO REPLACE SENSOR FOR PASSENGER SEAT AND MAY IMPACT ALL AIRBAGS IF NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11150010

Incident

Nov 7, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (IRVINE MINI, 9829 RESEARCH DR, IRVINE, CA 92618, (888) 238-7585), BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE POWER STEERING DUE TO A DISCREPANCY IN THE PART NUMBERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11120108

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

Mileage

170,000 mi

I GOT HOME FROM WORK PARKED CAR AND HEARD A WHINING NOISE UNDER HOOD I COULD SEE SMOKE AND BURING SMELL COMING FROM STEERING COOLING FAN THE FAN STAYED ON AND WENT INTO EXTREME HIGH SPEED AND CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND WIRING BURNING ,I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY WHICH STOPPED FAN AND ELECTRICAL BURNING I HAVE CAR PARKED IN DRIVE WAY AND CONTACTED MY INSURANCE TO FILE A CLAIM ,I AM AFRAID TO START CAR AND NEED TO HAVE CAR REPAIRED

NHTSA ID

11053788

Incident

Dec 9, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MAG MINI DUBLIN IN COLUMBUS (5825 VENTURE DR, DUBLIN, OH 43017, (614) 389-6854) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID

11043855

Incident

Oct 30, 2017

Mileage

103,000 mi

I AM A PROUD OWNER OF A 2005 MINI COOPER S WITH 108K MILES. RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED THE INFAMOUS EHPS PUMP FAILURE THAT THE PUMP WILL CONTINUE RUNNING AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE CAR. IT DRAINS THE BATTERY COMPLETELY SO I HOOKED UP MY BATTERY CHARGER TO IT OVERNIGHT. AFTER PERFORMING SOME GOOGLE RESEARCHING ON THIS SUBJECT MATTER, I REALIZED MINI HAD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE EHPS SYSTEM IN 2013 AND LATER SUPERSEDED BY THE RECALL 15V-660. UNFORTUNATELY MY PRODUCTION DATE (AUGUST OF 05) DOES NOT FALL IN THE RANGE OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL COVERS PRODUCTION BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2001 TO FEBRUARY 2005. FURTHER READING ON THIS ISSUE, MANY OWNERS EXPRESSED THAT THEY HAVE SUCCESS ON CLEANING THE DUST INSIDE THE PUMP TO SOLVE THE SHORTING ISSUE WITHIN THE PUMP. SO I DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, REMOVED THE PUMP FROM THE CAR AND START TAKING THE PUMP APART. AFTER REMOVING THE COVER, I REALIZED THE SHORT HAD ALREADY MELTED DOWN ONE OF THE BRUSH (THE GOLD COLOR PIECE IN IMG_9730) AND SOME OTHER COMPONENTS INSIDE THE PUMP. MY RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THIS PUMP IS THE EXACT SAME ONE THAT WAS USED AS THE RECALL ONE, BMW PART NUMBER 6769961-02 (IMG_9733). LATER ON THE PART NUMBER CHANGED TO 6769961-03. SO I WONDERED WHY MY CAR ISN'T PART OF THE US RECALL. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE TRANSPORT CANADA RECALL #2012029 DOES PROVIDE EXTENDED WARRANTY (12 YEARS / 200K KM) ON THE PUMP AND PUMP COOLING FAN FOR ALL 2002-2005 COOPER AND COOPER S IN CANADA. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD ISSUE FOR ALL AFFECTED PRODUCTION UNITS THAT IS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ALL MINI OWNERS AND PASSENGERS THAT UTILIZE THIS EHPS PUMP.

NHTSA ID

11013841

Incident

Aug 8, 2017

Mileage

108,000 mi

I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S WITH LESS THAN 85K MILES IT. THE POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT. BEFORE IT WENT OUT COMPLETELY, IT WOULD STOP OCCASIONALLY WITH OUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE PRIMARY IMPACT IS AS LOW SPEEDS, PARKING OR TURNING FOR EXAMPLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS RUN FLAT TIRES MAKING STEERING AN EVEN BIGGER CHALLENGE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND DUE TO THE HIGH COST TO REPLACE THIS FUNCTION AND SAFETY HAZARD IT IMPOSES,, THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR OVER A YEAR. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS SPECIFIC YEAR & MODEL OF VEHICLE FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE- HOWEVER IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY PARTICULAR VIN. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN ISSUE OF EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS AND WOULD ASK THAT THIS BE LOOKED INTO IF POSSIBLE. THE MINI COOPER S IS A GREAT LITTLE CAR, HOWEVER STEERING IS A VITAL AND A REQUIRED SAFETY MEASURE THAT I FEEL MINI/BMW SHOULD GLADLY COVER IN ALL VIN'S DURING THIS TIME FRAME.

NHTSA ID

11001338

Incident

Feb 9, 2016

Mileage

84,000 mi

ABOUT A MONTH AGO VEHICLE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. VEHICLE HAS 117,650 MILES ON IT. DRIVING IS VERY DIFFICULT AS STEERING IS VERY HEAVY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10939071

Incident

Dec 6, 2016

Mileage

117,634 mi

I HAVE HAD THE STEERING PUMP FAIL TWICE IN MY 2005 R53 MINI, THE 1ST TIME THE POWER STEERING WOULD CUT OUT AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING AND THE PUMP WOULD CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF (HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY FOR IT TO STOP). THIS WAS REPLACED IN 2013 AT A MINI DEALERSHIP UNDER AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" AT THE EXPENSE OF MINI. NOW 3 YEARS LATER I AM HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT ON WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN THE PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED THE CAR OFF (HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY). THE NEXT DAY THE STEERING PUMP ACTUALLY BURNT ITSELF OUT (SMOKED) WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY. I UNDERSTAND MINI HAS ISSUED A MORE EXTENSIVE RECALL HOWEVER SINCE MINE WAS "FIXED" ALREADY I AM NOT COVERED - IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE JUST AS FAULTY AS THOSE THEY HAVE REPLACED AND WILL MOST LIKELY EXPERIENCE THE SAME DANGEROUS FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10917500

Incident

Oct 18, 2016

Mileage

120,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN AUTOMATIC. SPENT $5,600 TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. STILL HAVING INTERMITTENT ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

10910754

Incident

Jan 2, 2015

Mileage

58,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

NHTSA ID

10899455

Incident

Jul 1, 2016

Mileage

178,000 mi

OVER THE PAST 9 MONTHS MY POWER STEERING WILL STOP WORKING, I WILL USUALLY NOTICE THIS WHEN I START MY CAR AND GO TO MOVE I AM ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, IF I TURN OFF MY CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON OCCASIONALLY IT WILL START MY POWER STEERING BACK UP THIS IS NOT A CONSTANT THING BUT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING FOR THE MINI COOPER BUT MY VIN NUMBER ISNT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I NEED HELP PLEASE

NHTSA ID

10883763

Incident

Oct 1, 2015

Mileage

145,000 mi