# 2006 MINI COOPER S — STEERING
> NHTSA complaint `816685` · 2010-09-26 · BMW of North America, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** MINI
- **Model:** COOPER S
- **Year:** 2006
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** STEERING
- **Miles at failure:** 50,000
## Narrative
AFTER PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND GOING INSIDE THE HOUSE FOR A FEW MINUTES - WE NOTICED A VERY CHEMICAL/PLASTIC SMELL.  WE QUICKLY FOUND IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE, ONLY TO FIND OUR 2006 MINI S SPEWING BLACK SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS A FIRE, FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN FAILING, AND CAUSING THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND START ON FIRE.  I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS BLOGS AND COMPLAINT PAGES ON THIS PROBLEM.  I HAVEN'T THE MONEY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AT THIS TIME, AND SO THE CAR STILL SITS.  THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR, EVEN AFTER WARRANTY.  "PREVENTIVELY REPLACING" THE PARTS IS ALSO A RIDICULOUS THING TO EXPECT VEHICLE OWNERS TO DO.    UPDATED 10/13/10*BF  PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED IVOQ 10/21/10*JB  *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*