TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED WITH EXTREME FORCE AS SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE INITIATED IN THE STEERING PUMP COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.