Why did the power steering go out on my 2002–2006 MINI Cooper?

Short answer: First-generation MINIs use an electric pump to power the steering (an electro-hydraulic pump, or EHPS). It has its own small cooling fan. When that fan dies, the pump overheats and shuts off, often in hot weather or stop-and-go driving, and the steering suddenly gets very heavy. MINI recalled 2002–2005 cars (recall 15V660) for loss of steering assist and had earlier extended the warranty on the pump and fan. Check the fan and its fuse first.

Symptom: Steering that suddenly gets very heavy, often after driving in heat or traffic, assist that comes back after the car cools, a steering warning, or no assist at all.

What to check first

1. Run your VIN for recall 15V660 (2002–2005 Cooper and Cooper S, and 2005 Convertible). Dealers inspect the power steering system and replace parts and wiring as needed for free.
2. Check the power steering fan. Owners say it should run whenever the low-speed radiator fan runs. Warm the car up or turn on the A/C and look.
3. Check the 5-amp power steering fan fuse. On North American Motoring, an owner found it blown behind the left footwell panel.
4. Test the fan with 12 volts. If it spins on direct power but not in the car, check the connectors.
5. Have the steering column checked too. A frozen column can feel like a dead pump.

Likely causes

1. Failed power steering pump cooling fan. Without its fan, the pump overheats and shuts itself off.
2. Failed electro-hydraulic pump. The pump can fail outright. Owners say it draws a lot of current at full lock, so wiring and connectors matter.
3. Blown fuse or bad connector. A blown fan fuse or corroded plug can stop the fan.
4. Seized steering column. A longtime North American Motoring member said a frozen column is sometimes mistaken for a bad pump.

What it usually costs

The recall work is free if your car is included. The owners in these threads didn't post pump prices, so get a quote after the fan, fuse and column are checked.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Losing steering assist suddenly is a safety problem, especially at low speed or when parking, because the wheel gets very heavy. Drive gently until it's fixed and get the recall checked right away. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

Fan and fuse: DIY. Pump: skilled DIY or shop. Recall work: dealer.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recall 15V660 (2002–2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S, 2005 Convertible): the car may lose electro-hydraulic steering assist temporarily or permanently. Dealers inspect the system and replace components and wiring as needed. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• MINI warranty extension SI M01 01 13 (2002–2005 R50, R52, R53 built up to February 9, 2005): extended coverage on the power steering pump and its cooling fan to 13 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date. That time limit has now passed for every car it covered, but the recall above is separate.
• NHTSA complaints: 1,427 keyword-matched complaints for MINI Cooper 2002–2006 (of 2,591 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-19; keywords: power steering, steering pump, steering assist, hard to steer, heavy steering, steering (failed, failure, lost, loss)).

What owners report

• In How Do I Know If My PS Pump/Fan Has Failed? on North American Motoring, an R53 owner with very heavy steering asked how to tell if the pump or fan had died. Replies said to unplug the fan and power it with 12 volts, that the fan comes on with the first-stage cooling fan, that you can't turn the wheel at all if the pump fails, and to check for a frozen steering column.
• In Power Steering Pump Fan Operation, members explained the fan runs with the low-speed cooling fan, and an owner found a blown 5-amp fan fuse behind the left footwell panel.

My take

My advice as a former pre-purchase inspector: on a first-generation MINI, I warm it up, turn on the A/C, and look for the little power steering fan spinning. Then I do some full-lock turns in a parking lot. If the steering gets heavy when hot, I want the recall paperwork before I buy.

Vehicle focus: 2002–2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S hatchback (R50/R53), plus 2005–2008 Convertible (R52).

Safety / mechanic note

Sudden loss of steering assist makes the car hard to steer. Verify with a mechanic.