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The Recalls Continue for MINI: 86,018 Cars Recalled for Steering Issue

After recalling a couple thousand cars for a possible issue with the passenger airbag, MINI is now raising the stakes, and calling 86,018 models back to their dealerships for an issue with the steering. Yes, this is one of the biggest recalls the British brand ever put out.
2004 MINI Cooper 1 photo
Photo: MINI
According to BMW USA (BMW owns MINI in case you didn’t know), the cars will be checked out due to a steering glitch that has come to their attention. The US regulators also asked for this recall to take place, after their own tests indicated a possible issue.

The cars covered by this bulletin are 2002 to 2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S Hardtops, as well as 2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S Convertibles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

According to the same governing body, the power steering can fail in these cars, leaving you to handle the front wheels all by yourself, a scenario that will ask for an increased effort and put you in danger.

“This may increase the potential loss of vehicle control,” BMW said in a document.

The worst part about it is that the MINI community apparently knows about this issue. Most of the cars on the road today have what they call the “steering issue” where the pump starts making a buzzing noise that most drivers just live with.

The steering doesn’t show any different behavior and most services and dealerships claim that there’s nothing wrong with it. However, as BMW claims today, over 20 accidents and five injuries related to this issue have been reported so far, so there are reasons to wonder whether they’ve been honest with their customers.

Furthermore, it looks like it took an NHTSA investigation to prompt this recall after 339 complaints were filed. The authority claims that they even know about three fires started by this malfunction.

As usual, recall notices will be sent to the owners starting this December and the fix will be applied, if needed, after careful inspections of the vehicle. No word on such a recall outside the US has been offered.
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