2005 MINI Cooper Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 276about this part
- Share
- 74%of 372 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 276 complaints about the steering of the 2005 MINI Cooper, 74% of the 372 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While turning into a shopping plaza parking lot the steering wheel locked up and I was not able to control or complete the turn. Thank god I was driving at a slow speed and pedistrians were not near by. I experienced the same thing when I was leaving to return home and two more times after that. Something needs to be done ,innocent lives are at risk.”
NHTSA complaint #10500827, filed 2013-02, 65,000 miles“Power steering pump failure. This is a known design defect of this model and year, however, Mini states that my VIN is not covered (possibly because I purchased the vehicle while stationed with the army in germany). This is a dangerous situation and I am not happy with miniusa's response to date.”
NHTSA complaint #10631924, filed 2014-09, 77,000 miles“The first time I had a problem, I was driving and maintaining speed when suddenly the power-steering failed. I jerked the steering wheel and turned it with force, and then the power-steering returned. Another time, the power-steering failed while I was driving and remained off until I turned off the ignition and then turned the ignition back on.”
NHTSA complaint #10384932, filed 2011-02, 61,500 miles“Intermediate power steering failure , ran off the road hit a fence to avoid on coming car,thank god I was not hurt ,was on my way to work, after 8 hrs at work got in it steering was workin almost to my drive went out again never know when this will happen but happens quite often lately come drive it will scare your pants off.”
NHTSA complaint #10464224, filed 2012-07, 76,000 miles“Traveling back home to a short drive from a local store. When I went to make a right turn onto my street the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. Had my wife or daughter been driving the car, I think it may have resulted in an accident because they may not have been able to exert the necessary force to get the vehicle to turn.”
NHTSA complaint #10423144, filed 2011-09, 91,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V660000Oct 15, 2015BMW 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…Covers: MINI Cooper 2002–2005, Cooper S 2002–2005
Related service bulletins
- 10151228Mar 1, 2016This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. SUBJECT Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle is No Longer…
- 10148439Nov 1, 2014Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Limited Warranty Extension to 13 Years/150,000 Miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power…
- 10057710Nov 1, 2014Mini: models r50, r52, and r53 with the electro-hydraulic power-assist steering pump and cooling fans will have an limited warranty extension to 13 years/150,000 miles.
- 10148394Aug 1, 2014Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle. Supply shortage of left-hand drive steering spindles
- 10055137Apr 15, 2014Mini: warranty coverage extension/repair expense reimbursement for the electro hydraulic power (assist) steering (ehps) pump, which has its own cooling fan, on some vehicles and…
- 10052614Dec 1, 2013Mini: see document search button for owner letter. A warranty extension for certain vehicles with potential problem with cooling fan and the durability of electro hydraulic power…
- 10150044Jul 1, 2013Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering…
- 10150086Jun 1, 2013Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 4 | 33% |
| 2017 | 1 | 4% |
| 2016 | 1 | 4% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 2 | 6% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 53 | 27% |
| 2005 | 276 | 74% |
| 2004 | 238 | 84% |
| 2003 | 159 | 50% |
| 2002 | 61 | 33% |
Other parts of the 2005 MINI Cooper
41 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 MINI Cooper
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology