2005 mini Cooper steering problems

severe 599 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700

Complaints

599

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$700

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 15V660000 15/10/2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S Convertible vehicles

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 10, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

What owners are reporting 15 most recent

steering · filed 12/30/2017

THE CAR STOPPED STEERING CORRECTLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEELS. THE POWER STEERING IS GONE. I STARTED NOTICING THE DIFFERENCE IN THE STEERING AND THEN THE STEERING PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK IF THERE SHOULD BE A CONCERN BECAUSE THE STEERING STARTED AFTER I HAD THE RECALL SERVICE ON THE SEAT WARMMER.

steering · filed 12/29/2012

INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. AFTER LONG DRIVE ~150 A LOUD BUZZING UNDER CAR CONTINUED AFTER CAR ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL MADE THE BUZZING CHANGE SOUNDS. STARTING AND SHUTTING THE CAR'S ENGINE DID NOT RESOLVE THE BUZZING. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO AVOID BATTERY FAILURE. *TR

steering · filed 12/29/2010

POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT WITHOUT NOTICE AT ALL SPEEDS. IT WILL RESET IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, HOWEVER THE INTERVAL TO THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE IS UNPREDICTABLE. IT OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME, AND THEN DIDN'T REOCCUR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THEN WHEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED IT DID THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS, THEN DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR ANOTHER MONTH. IT HAS NO BEEN A FAIRLY COMMO…

steering · filed 12/28/2010

THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER S AS I WAS ABOUT TO TURN RIGHT ONTO A HIGHWAY ON RAMP. I FELT THE LACK OF POWER AND CONTINUED STRAIGHT SO I COULD PULL INTO A SERVICE STATION UP AHEAD. THE POWER STEERING WAS INTERMITTENT FOR A BIT THEN TOTALLY OUT, LEAVING ME WITH A 45 MINUTE DRIVE DOWN THE MOUNTAINS TO HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF THE…

steering · filed 12/28/2010

2005 MINI COOPER S. INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF POWER STEERING UNDER VARIED DRIVING CONDITIONS. ALTHOUGH NHTSA HAS OPENED INVESTIGATION, BMW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL YET. LOCAL MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL CHANGE THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR AT ABOUT $1000, BUT IS UNAWARE OF THE REASON FOR THE FAILURES. *TR

steering · filed 12/27/2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND TRYING TO MAKE A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

steering · filed 12/26/2010

THE POWER STEERING FAILED DURING A LEFT TURN, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HEAD STRAIGHT INTO OPPOSING TRAFFIC WAITING AT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL OPPOSITE ME. I MANAGED TO PULL THE WHEEL HARD ENOUGH TO GET IT TO THE CURB. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS FINE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN MONTHS LATER ON A CANYON ROAD AND FINALLY ON A 2 HOUR ROAD TRIP WHERE I WAS FREEWAY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN I FELT THE WHE…

steering · filed 12/26/2010

2005 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN A TWO YEAR PERIOD THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE PUMP. THE RESULT IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND DEGRADATION OF THE BATTERY. *TR

steering · filed 12/26/2008

POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON MY WIFE'S 2005 MINI COOPER. NO WARNING, INDICATIONS, OR EVENTS LED UP TO FAILURE. *TR

steering · filed 12/23/2011

MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN TURNED OFF. SHE RE-STARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE AFTER THAT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS ALSO BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT LAST NIGHT. I AM AFRAID THIS COULD BECOME A BIG ISSUE IF THIS HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC THUS THE REPORT. FROM AN INTERNET SEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE H…

Common questions

How serious is the steering problem on the 2005 mini Cooper?

It's a meaningful issue. 599 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.

At what mileage does the steering typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to steering?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.