Power Steering Pump Failure

[Lunchmaster]

Folks:

I just had my 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 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 unexpectantly goes out while you are driving you have a severe control problem.

I have lodged a report with the National Highway Transportation 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/

This is such a significant issue that a number of enterprising companys 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.

[Lunchmaster]

FYI

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


2005 BMW Z4.


CAPTION

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."

It is important to give the NHTSA information to work with if you experience problems that relate to safety.

[Lunchmaster]

FYI:

U.S. examining Mini Cooper steering


By BRAD CONSTANT

The government says there have been 54
consumer complaints about the steering in
the Mini Cooper.

　　
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is investigating
Mini Coopers for unexpected loss of power steering.
NHTSA has launched an investigation of 2004-model Coopers after receiving
54 consumer complaints and a confidential number of field reports, the
administration stated on its Web site. The reports state that it is hard to
control the vehicle when the power steering fails.
The reports also say that the loss of power steering may be linked to the
failure of the power steering pump.
The company will provide information sought by the safety agency, a
spokesman for BMW, Mini's parent company, said.