2005 MINI Cooper problems
Owners have filed 440 complaints about the 2005 MINI Cooper with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 63.6% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of air bags at 9.3%.
Complaints440
Crashes13
Fires13
Injuries3
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Steering 63.6% · 280
Air bags 9.3% · 41
Electrical system 6.8% · 30
Power train 5.7% · 25
Unknown or other 2.5% · 11
Engine and engine cooling 1.8% · 8
Seats 1.6% · 7
Engine 1.4% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 13 describe a crash, 13 describe a fire and 3 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 10 model years of the MINI Cooper in this data, 2005 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 13 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2005 chrysler MINI Cooper. The contact was driving 10 mph and attempting to park the vehicle when the steering wheel became extremely stiff without warning. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer where the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and located the failure at the power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 100,000. Steering · reported at 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 bmw MINI Cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph the steering column malfunctioned causing the wiring harness and engine harness to ignite. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who informed the contact that there was a short in the steering pump which caused the fire. . The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,209. The vin was unavailable. Steering · reported at 30,209 miles
Steering is difficult and requires exertion when I turn the wheel. I believe my car should be included in the recall recall 15v-xxx: electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) system m32 02 15 it is not included in this recall but because my car exhibits the same issue that is recalled on cars made in that year, I feel that the limits should be expanded to include my car and other cars manufactured when mine was. Steering · reported at 100,612 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…