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. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.
Safety risk
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE LOWER SCREW CONNECTION OF THE REAR STRUTS TO THE CHASSIS MAY FAIL. THE HEAD (TOP) OF THE SCREW SECURING THIS CONNECTION MAY BREAK. THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SCREW WILL STILL HOLD THE STRUT IN PLACE.
Safety risk
IF LEFT UNATTENDED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, AND DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SCREW MAY BREAK. IF IT BROKE, THE CHASSIS WOULD LEAN DIRECTLY ON THE TIRE DIMINISHING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SCREW CONNECTION OF THE REAR STRUTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Steering
121
83,000 mi
Visibility: windshield
29
5,500 mi
Electrical system
13
71,500 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump
6
56,000 mi
Air bags
5
48,000 mi
Engine
5
72,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
5
52,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
5
8 mi
Power train: manual transmission
5
41,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
5
28,639 mi
Vehicle speed control
5
7 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
4
75,400 mi
Tires: tread/belt
4
5,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
3
—
Structure: body
3
23,000 mi
Suspension: rear
3
37,282 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls
3
73,500 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)
2
—
Equipment
2
4,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system
2
58,750 mi
Structure: body: door
2
59,000 mi
Suspension
2
30,000 mi
Suspension: front
2
26,799 mi
Tires
2
30,000 mi
Unknown or other
2
58,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
1
3,300 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
1
79,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
1
61,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
70,111 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
1
34,000 mi
Exterior lighting
1
1,971 mi
Fuel system, other
1
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
130,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
1
59,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
1
4,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly
1
—
Power train: driveline
1
67,000 mi
Seat belts
1
48,000 mi
Seats
1
79,000 mi
Structure: frame and members
1
26,799 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber
1
—
Visibility
1
60,000 mi
Wheels
1
30,000 mi
The 2002 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.