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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.
My car is up for Recall Campaign No. 15V-660: Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS) System
My local dealer made a prompt appointment and provided me with a loaner vehicle to perform this recall repair. I appreciate that.
They have informed me that in order to perform the recall on my car, the following charges are necessary:
Nearly $200 for power steering flush
Nearly $600 for power steering hoses
I am told that there are two hoses that are leaking that are not part of the recall, as well as the fluid flush.
The recall bulletin specifically states that "If your MINI dealer is unable to remedy the defect without charge or within a reasonable period of time, you may notify the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration....."
Can a dealer require payment to fix something that would be related to components in a recall? (this seems iffy.... and the bulletin language seems very clearcut)
Can the dealer force a charge of a fluid flush for a recall? (I'm pretty sure this is a big fat NO)
If hoses are bad....yes you need them....but a new system needing a flush?! Sounds like a bit of an issue...
Yes...it sounds like the prices ARE inflated a bit...lots actually.
Yeah... I expect to pay a premium going to the dealer, but this seems like a bald-faced ripoff.
I'm going to contact mini HQ and see what their take on the situation is and go from there. It is an interesting issue, the recall notice states pretty clearly that recall work must be done free of charge, and leaves no room for necessary repairs outside the scope of the recall. Certainly not for a mandatory fluid flush (since they're replacing the parts... what are they flushing?!).
I was seriously considering getting this car fixed up respectably, selling it and getting an all4, I may yet, but definitely not from this place...
You can do that work yourself or at another mechanic and then go back for the recall. Makes sense that they aren't going to do a recall repair if you have leaks.
Or you can do what one person did and harass the hell out of the dealer and Mini until you get the work done for free. Might not work for everyone though.
Screw the flush, no way you should have to pay for new fluid.
My dealer charged me about $430 to redo the hoses associated with the recall
and pump replacement (after quoting me $300 beforehand). They didn't charge specifically for a fluid flush, though.
when i went in for my PS recall they also quoted about the same for the hoses replacement (i argued because seemed high since they already had the car apart) i declined and they just re-connected the hoses. keep in mind that one of the reasons the hoses 'fail' is that the clamps go bad, so just by replacing the ps pump they have to replace the clamps and that might fix your issue.
i see two options: if they insist that they cannot do the recall without replacing the hoses, then fire back at them that it sounds like that should be included since the recall is supposed to cover everything it takes to fix it. likely this will get them to back off and they will have you sign something that says you declined the hoses and you'll need to keep an eye on it and possibly get it replaced aftermarket.
as far as charging for the ps flush, don't they have to take the fluid out to replace the pump? sounds like it should be included to me.
When MINI did my pump replacement, they also did the fan and the fluid - no charge to me. They didn't mention any leaky hoses, though they did mention other wear items that needed replacing so I know they checked around. At least one of my hoses is now leaking (based on what another Mini mechanic said) so I'm changing them both out when I drop my sub-frame this weekend. Odd that the dealer would overlook an opportunity to replace the P/S hoses if they could.
Anyway, yeah the fluid should be part of the repair. Sounds like a ripoff to me.
I'd like to see one of these so-called "leaking" hoses.
I have a feeling it's just the O rings in the connections, which have to be removed anyway to change the pump.
When my PS recall was done, I had the same story - "If we don't change the hose, the new pump warranty will be void". It seems to me that if the hose was really leaking, it would contribute to the pump failure. In my case the hose was certainly "damp", but no loss of fluid or drips on the garage floor after 2 years. I wish I'd thought of this at the time & saved $350.
I think it's a way for the dealer to get paid twice for the same job - once by Mini for the recall pump & fan & again by the customer for the "hose".
