Mini Power Steering Problem

[ka3oxi]

Folks:

I just had the Power Steering in my 2004 Cooper S fail at 42000 miles. After some research it has become obvious that this is a significant issue with a lot of owners. It seems that at as few as 20000 miles and characteristically at 40000 miles the fans quit overheating the pumps which subsequently fail. In my case, I had installed early on a metal pan under the car to protect the fan as it had been advised to protect the fan from debris so it was not an issue of that nature. It is not only an expensive repair that Mini will not give relief unless under the period of the warranty but most importantly it is definitely a safety issue. The steering goes absolutely hard when the pumps quit and though they may return function, at some point they die completely. If it unexpectedly goes out while you are driving you have a severe control problem.

I have lodged a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through their online Technical Information Service (TIS). I urge you to do the same in order to get Mini to recognize they have a serious problem. Here is the website: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/trd/ (http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/trd/)

This is such a significant issue that a number of enterprising companies are overhauling the pumps and want the cores in return. There has also been an upgraded pump made available OEM as there has been some recognition of a problem.

Please report your experiences here as well as to the NHTSA.

Best regards.

[SilverBeam]

Power steering loss is only a significant problem when you are making tight turns, i.e. a parking lot. I'm not going to sit here and say that MINI's power steering fan is perfect, because we know it is not, but I would not classify it as a severe problem if it is lost while you are driving. Before ~1980 cars didnt' even have power steering, and I have driven a car with a failed pump before without issue. It's a shame they fail, but I think if the owners replace the fan as preventative maintenance they can save themselves a lot of headaches in the long run.

Does anyone know if the second gen MINI has a stronger power steering system?

[GreenBMW325is]

well for starters, there is an updated power steering fan. second be suprised yours didn't catch fire. and the newer r56 model mini cooper have completly electric power steering no fluid at all.

[ka3oxi]

To clear the air on this issue, the Mini was designed to have fairly quick steering (which we all enjoy), 2.5 turns lock to lock. As compared to, say a Honda Ridgeline, which I also own, it has a steering ratio of 3.5 turns lock to lock and quite a larger turning radius. That's more turns to move the wheels less steering angle. A greater mechanical advantage. What this really means is the amount of turn angle necessary requires less movement of the steering wheel in the Mini but a greater effort. Without the benefit of power assist, this is not only in my judgment but the judgment of the individuals in England making the case for a recall there, the difficulty in steering is significantly greater than one might expect in different car where the turn ratio was not so close.

If Mini tells us that replacing the fan is a requirement every 20000 miles, I would be very concerned that this car does not meet the Industry Standards of power steering as we know it.

Regardless, my research shows this is a significant occurence and am only asking people to report their experiences if they have a failure to the NHTSA. They will make a finding as to whether this is a safety of operations issue and how prevalent this problem is.

I have owned Minis since 1966 and still do own a classic as well as the BMW version. I full well know its limitations. We also race an E-36 ITR. I am also a mechanic with over 40 years of experience twisting wrenches both on cars and aircraft.

I would never slough off the issue of steering compromise or, for that matter, brake compromise as a less than significant issue.

I hope this clarifies my interest and concern.

[robbo mcs]

Power steering loss is only a significant problem when you are making tight turns, i.e. a parking lot.

Hi,

Actually you are not completely correct. I was racing in my mini on a racetrack. At the end of the main straight I passed a car at 200kmh (125mph) and was turning into a high speed corner at 160kmh (100mph) when my power steering failed. I could not turn into the corner, despite my best efforts, and went off track at high speed.

The car becomes virtually undrivable at speed without the power steering.

Having said that, I do not believe there is a major design fault with the car (now they have fixed the cooling fan issue).

Robbo

[GreenBMW325is]

not every 20k you need a power steering fan. one because the new one has a built in resistor pack to the fan itself. two if the fan doesn't go its the power steering pump itself getting to hott and shuting down, cooiling off then turning back on and keeps cycling. or last you feel power steering here and there while turning and its the universal joints on the steering shaft on the steering column binding up. and your comparing a mini to a truck yes it will have quicker steering, its a smaller car and the turning radius will be smaller also in the mini cause its a smaller car.

[ka3oxi]

As our writer Robbo indicated "The car becomes virtually undrivable at speed without the power steering." If you have had it happen to you, then and only then can you make a judgment of the safety issue involved. I don't care if the new fan has solved the problem per se, though I have ordered and received the update fan and pump which theoretically mitigates future problems. The issue remains there are thousands of these things in 2001 through 2007 (I believe) Minis that are driving around waiting for a POSSIBLE dangerous situation to occur. What is it you don't seem to understand that it may be in the interest of peoples lives that this issue get studied? That is all I am saying and subsequently for the amount of money required to fix this problem, which is not a characteristic problem in any other car I know, why can't Mini step up on this one?

I will take criticism on many fronts but safety is not one of them.

Regards.

[SilverBeam]

No I haven't driven a MINI with a failed power steering pump but I have driven a 17-foot-long 740il with a failed power steering pump and that is what I'm using as a basis for my comment that it is not dangerous at speed. I understand that the MINI's electric power steering and the E38's hydralic power steering are fundamentally different, but a lack of power steering is a lack of power steering, correct?

Having it fail on the track is unfortunate but definitely a rare and unique experience, talk about bad luck and I hope you and the car were fine. Most people will experience failure on the street, at normal speeds. It would be nice if there was a bulletin or recall to fix it, but there probably isn't because it isn't a significant risk. That is how they figure whether or not to recall something or not.

[GreenBMW325is]

honestly if your gonna track the mini, then look into the radiator cooling fan, stage 1 typically goes and leaves you with stage 2 but the more the use of stage 2 more coolant gets comsumed, yes the old mini comsume coolant, no idea where it goes. but the only way your gonna get nhtsa concerned about this with no racing involved is that they have to fail more in a daily driven basis, which usually the early r50,52,53 are more prone to it. 06- last of the r52 late 09 rarly have issues with the power steering.

[beken]

I believe the power steering fan assembly was updated in the 2004 model year. You don't hear too much about 2005 or 2006 cars having the power steering issue. But it could because I haven't been looking for it.

One of our club members in a 2002 MINI had his car overheat due to his power steering fan failing while on a club drive. He pulled over, let the car cool down and completed the drive.

[ka3oxi]

FYI

The government is opening investigations into possible power steering problems in Mazda3 passenger cars and BMW Z4 sports cars.

http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/drive-on/2010/07/02/2005%20z4x-inset-community.jpg (http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/drive-on/2010/07/02/2005%20z4x-large.jpg) 2005 BMW Z4.


CAPTION (javascript:void(0))

By Edmunds.com



The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened investigations of possible loss of power steering in more than 290,000 Mazda3 sedans from the 2007-2009 model years and nearly 50,000 BMW Z4 sports cars from the 2003-2005 model years.
NHTSA said it has 33 steering complaints for the Mazda3's and reports of three crashes tied to the problem. It has received 107 complaints for the Z4 and one crash report.
Depending on the findings, NHTSA probes may or may not lead to recalls.