The R50/R53 generation of MINIs have been acclaimed from day one for their performance. But build quality and mechanical issues continue to plague the cars. This latest recall is dealing with a particularly well known issue involving the steering pump. As most longtime first gen owners will tell you, the steering pump is one of the most fragile mechanical bits on the car.

MINI USA previously extended the warranty on the pump from 4 years / 50,000 miles to an extraordinary 13 years or 150,000 miles. This full-on recall promises to finally fix the problem entirely.

Read on for the full official release.

Report Receipt Date: OCT 15, 2015

– NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000
– Component(s): STEERING
– Potential Number of Units Affected: 86,018
– Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

SUMMARY:

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.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially iincreasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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. The recall is expected to begin December 1, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.