Transport Canada has issued the need for an extended warranty for all 2002-2005 MINI steering pumps. It’s a common problem that has plagued R50, R52 and R53 MINIs for years. Here’s the official description:

>On certain vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering pump could fail temporarily or permanently due to problems with the electronics that control the function of the pump, a failure of the pump cooling fan, or a loss of power to the pump. A vehicle experiencing a loss of steering power assist would revert to a manual steering mode which would require greater driver effort, especially at low vehicle speeds.

>Nevertheless, a loss of steering power assist could ultimately result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: The electro-hydraulic power steering pump, as well as the pump cooling fan, will be subject to special extended warranty coverage of 12 years or 200,000 km from first in-service date of the vehicle.

So what about the US? As we’ve reported, the NHTSA is investigating the issue and will likely make a decision whether or not to announce an action of their own later this year.