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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.' THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TIRE SIZE AND MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE BE INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE'S TIRE INFORMATION LABEL. THIS RELATIONSHIP IS NOT PRESENT.
Safety risk
TOO LOW OR TOO HIGH TIRE PRESSURE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR AND/OR TIRE DAMAGE, AND COULD LEAD TO UNFAVORABLE DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW TIRE INFORMATION PLACARDS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN PERFORM THE INSTALLATION FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MINI AT 1-866-275-6464.
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
3,531
Reported to NHTSA
2002-07-25
Owners notified
2002-08-06
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CONNECTS THE GEARSHIFT LEVER IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR TO THE SHIFT LINKAGE ON THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE SHIFT CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE WHILE THE DRIVER IS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS. IF THE CABLE DETACHES FROM THE SHIFT LINKAGE, GEAR CHANGES WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL REMAIN IN THE LAST GEAR SELECTED.
Safety risk
IF SHIFT CABLE DETACHMENT OCCURS AND THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN ANY FORWARD GEAR, THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE DRIVEN IN THAT GEAR ONLY. HOWEVER, IF THE TRANSMISSION MOVES INTO NEUTRAL AND REMAINS THERE, THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP OVER THE END OF THE SHIFT CABLE TO PREVENT IT FROM DETACHING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 6, 2002. 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 1-866-ASK-MINI (1-866-275-6464).
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Steering
56
73,000 mi
Visibility: windshield
25
15,000 mi
Air bags
23
65,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
16
59,000 mi
Electrical system
13
60,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission
11
60,000 mi
Power train
10
118,457 mi
Engine and engine cooling
5
12,950 mi
Seats
5
135,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
4
5,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump
4
84,426 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
3
60,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
3
18,500 mi
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly
3
48,750 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
3
62,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls
3
65,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module
2
18,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
48,000 mi
Exterior lighting
2
—
Power train: clutch assembly
2
56,344 mi
Structure: body
2
118,000 mi
Unknown or other
2
—
Vehicle speed control
2
3,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
1
8,000 mi
Air bags: side/window
1
8,700 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
1
56,344 mi
Electrical system: wiring
1
61,000 mi
Engine
1
118,457 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
1
18,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
1
15,201 mi
Equipment
1
7,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
1
5,950 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
1
20,000 mi
Interior lighting
1
—
Parking brake
1
62,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)
1
5,125 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
1
9,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly
1
—
Service brakes
1
140,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper
1
56,344 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
110,000 mi
Suspension: rear
1
68,000 mi
Tires
1
47,160 mi
Unknown
1
—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
1
10,280 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
1
56,800 mi
Wheels
1
140,000 mi
The 2001 model has 32 times as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has about half as many 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.