2006 MINI Cooper Steering Problems

Electronic power steering pump issue/failure. The steering wheel was so stiff when I tried to go right that I physically could not turn the wheel. This is extremely dangerous & it happens without warning. No lights come on. You are left in a moving vehicle, without much of a way to control the direction you need it to travel in. From what I have learned, it seems an extended warranty was initially offered, & then a forced recall was issued on the, 1st Gen, 2002-2005 Mini Coopers. Only part of the vehicles with these issues were included in the recall. I have the same size 1.6 engine, & the exact same electronic power steering pump that comes with the issues & failures that I have in my 06. I have seen it on vehicles up to 08. This is absolutely unacceptable. This is a documented manufacturing defect & design flaw that has been continually allowed to endanger people’s lives. I am unsure how BMW managed to only recall part of the vehicles with these electronic power steering pump issues. I contacted BMW who told me there were no extended warranties or recalls on my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11640971

Incident

Feb 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

NHTSA ID

11563551

Incident

Dec 5, 2023

Mileage

139,000 mi

Power Steering pump leaking failure

NHTSA ID

11493125

Incident

Nov 9, 2014

It is very difficult to turn my steering wheel. It takes more energy than any other car I have ever driven

NHTSA ID

11436050

Incident

Jun 20, 2020

The electro-hydraulic power steering system stopped working on my 2005 Mini Cooper. The was a recall for 2002 to 2005 mini power steering pump failures but the problem continued thru 2011 because the fix that mini Cooper came up with was inadequate. The essentially put a band-aid on the problem and left car owners holding the bag. I, in fact, had the auxiliary pump that mini came up with replaced and the power steering problem continued because their fix was no good. I have an appointment with the Mini Cooper dealership to look at my car in about 2 weeks. They've told me that I'm not covered by the recall even though they ordered a recall of 86,000 cars for the problem in 2015. Not having power steering in any vehicle is very dangerous. The problem first occurred and remains after 2 years. The problem was reproduced by an independent repair service that I have used for years.

NHTSA ID

11423628

Incident

Jul 6, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, FLAMES WERE PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE NEIGHBOR ASSISTED IN EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

NHTSA ID

11363558

Incident

Oct 8, 2020

Mileage

186,000 mi

THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD STOPPED BLOWING COOL AIR. THEN WHEN I WAS PARKED, AND IDLED, MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE TRYING TO BACK OUT. AFTER WRESTLING WITH THE WHEEL FOR A MINUTE TO GET OUT OF A PARKING LOT AREA, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. THE MECHANIC SAID ONE OF MY COOLANT FANS DOES NOT WORK. THIS MAY BE PART OF A RECALL THAT AFFECT 2005 MINIS WITH COOLANT FAN/POWER STEERING, HOWEVER MY CAR WAS MADE JUST A FEW MONTHS PAST THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11337932

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

68,000 mi

INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILIURE DURING DRIVING, STIFF STEERING WHEEL CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID

11254162

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

119,500 mi

POWER STEERING PUMP PROBLEM FOR MINI COOPER R50 BOUGHT MY R50 PRE-OWNED 125000 KMS ON THE ODO FROM A DEALERSHIP(NOT A MINI DEALERSHIP) AS A PRESENT FOR MY DAUGHTER IN MARCH 2019. I ALREADY KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. OBSERVED A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. DEALER SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING SOME HOSES. AFTER A MONTH, I TRIED STARTING THE CAR UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS LUCKY TO STILL BE AT HOME THAT TIME. RECHARGED THE BATTERY AND STARTED THE CAR. TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND NOTICED A SOUND. TRACED THE SOUND TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP NOT TURNING OFF EVEN IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY SO IT WILL NOT DO A FULL DISCHARGE. BOUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE PS PUMP. DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A COMMON ISSUE RELATED TO THIS PUMP ALREADY AND BMW HAS OFFERED EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE PUMP AND PERIPHERALS LIKE HOSES AND RESERVOIR COVERING 2003 TO 2005 MODELS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC ISSUES A FAILED PUMP CAN BRING. I ASKED THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER IF I COULD AVAIL BUT THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE COVERAGE. I NEEDED THE CAR TO WORK AND I WANTED IT DONE RIGHT SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE PUMP. THIS COSTED ME 1500 CAD++ I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD STILL BE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME AND THAT THE PUMP IS CONFIRMED TO BE AN ORIGINAL BY THE MINI SERVICE AND MAY VERY WELL STILL BE THE SAME ONE FROM THE PREVIOUS MODELS AND BMW SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS.

NHTSA ID

11207325

Incident

Apr 29, 2019

Mileage

78,603 mi

THE STEERING FEELS VERY STIFF. THIS IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN I START IN THE MORNING. IT IS EXTREMELY STIFF TO TURN.

NHTSA ID

11173616

Incident

Jan 15, 2019

Mileage

65,000 mi

GOOD MORNING, I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER AND THE POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED. I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HEAVY (POWER STEERING FLUID WAS OK) THE UNIT JUST GAVE OUT. I READ THAT THE NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING UNIT FOR 2002 TO 2005 COOPERS RECALL 15V660000 (THE 2002 THRU 2006 ARE ALL FIRST GENERATION MODELS). MY QUESTION IS WHY WAS THE 2006 COOPER NOT INCLUDED SINCE IT IS ALSO FIRST GENERATION MODEL, AND IT IS THE SAME POWER STEERING UNIT USED FROM 2002 THRU 2006 ATLEAST ON THE BASE MODELS - NOT SURE ON THE COOPER S MODEL. COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE ADDED TO THE RECALL SINCE IT AFFECTS MY CAR ALSO,, IT HAPPENED AT 110K MILES FOR ME, I DONT DRIVE TOO MUCH THUS THE LOW MILEAGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NHTSA ID

11092178

Incident

May 1, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi

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 MINI COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMED ME TO CONTACT NATIONAL HIGHWAY INSTITUTION TO ASK FOR A RECALL LETTER TO BE ISSUED TO THE COMPANY.

NHTSA ID

11010223

Incident

Oct 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NICK ALEXANDER MINI (6201 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.

NHTSA ID

11000470

Incident

Jun 17, 2017

Mileage

80,054 mi

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT A LOW SPEED THIS MORNING WHEN I LOST THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2006 MINI COOPER. 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.

NHTSA ID

10971858

Incident

Apr 11, 2017

Mileage

94,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10928680

Incident

Nov 23, 2016

Mileage

111,000 mi

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 ......

NHTSA ID

10888667

Incident

Jul 15, 2016

Mileage

95,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10881729

Incident

Jun 29, 2016

Mileage

160,000 mi

MY '06 MINI COOPER 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 MINI SHOULD 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?

NHTSA ID

10872801

Incident

Jun 6, 2016

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. 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.

NHTSA ID

10871032

Incident

Mar 20, 2016

Mileage

118,000 mi

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,

NHTSA ID

10861870

Incident

Apr 1, 2016

CAR HAD A BURNING SMELL THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETY OFF WHILE DRIVING . MINI HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MINI R53 FIRST GENERATION 2002-2005 BUT THE 2006 IS ALSO A FIRST GENERATION AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED .CALLED MINI AND 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

NHTSA ID

10840187

Incident

Mar 1, 2016

Mileage

76,204 mi

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 MINI OWNERS. RESEARCHED ON INTERNET TO FIND I WAS NOT THE ONLY 2006 MINI OWNER TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEMS. SAME PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED TO THE MINI'S THAT BMW HAS RECALLED AND EXTENDED WARRANTY. PLEASE DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE THEM INCLUDE 2006 MINI COOPERS AND FIX THE PROBLEM AND/OR REIMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE CONTACTED MINI USA, 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.

NHTSA ID

10820546

Incident

Dec 30, 2015

Mileage

67,747 mi

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AT <64K MILES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. SUCH A FAILURE MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. MINI COOPER HAS KNOWN ABOUT SUCH ISSUES FOR YEARS! FIX THE PROBLEM MINI BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

NHTSA ID

10731963

Incident

Jul 3, 2015

Mileage

63,800 mi

PARKED MY CAR WITH A VALET. RETURNED IN AN HOUR. IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS A SMELL AS IF SOMETHING HAD BURNED. THEY JUMP STARTED MY CAR. AS I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT TO MY CAR REPAIR SHOP. BY THE TIME THAT I HAD TRAVELED THE 2 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS HEAVILY SMOKING. MY CAR REPAIR SHOP SAYS THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP ELECTRICALLY MALFUNCTIONED - INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP.

NHTSA ID

10715685

Incident

May 4, 2015

Mileage

16,000 mi

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED, MELTING THE POWER STEERING HARNESS AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE INCIDENT WENT LIKE THIS: WHEN WE RETURNED FROM AN EXTENDED VACATION, THE CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF A DEAD BATTERY. WE JUMPED STARTED IT USING JUMPER CABLES. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE AWAY, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD "MELTED INTO THE PUMP." BECAUSE OF THE "KNOWN DEFECT" IN SIMILAR MINI MODELS AND THE CAR'S LOW MILEAGE, MINI USA AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE POWER STEERING KIT AND THE BATTERY FOR NO CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10701645

Incident

Mar 2, 2015

Mileage

35,477 mi