What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Mini Cooper S

Typical pattern

11.4% of complaints about the 2003 Mini Cooper S came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.6 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (133 complaints), typically at 8.8 yr or about 80,023 miles.

Complaints
254
Median age at failure
7.6 yr
Median mileage
70,000 n=210
Crash / fire / tow
17.3% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
133 reports · 80,023 mi
8.8 yr
15.8%
Visibility
32 reports · 8,200 mi
1.3 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

15V660000 2015-10-15
Steering:electric power assist system

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S Convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

03V086000 2003-03-10
Suspension:rear:shock absorber

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE LOWER SCREW CONNECTION OF THE REAR STRUTS TO THE CHASSIS MAY FAIL. THE HEAD (TOP) OF THE SCREW SECURING THIS CONNECTION MAY BREAK. THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SCREW WILL STILL HOLD THE STRUT IN PLACE.

IF LEFT UNATTENDED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, AND DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SCREW MAY BREAK. IF IT BROKE, THE CHASSIS WOULD LEAN DIRECTLY ON THE TIRE DIMINISHING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Visibility 4,267 mi 10 mo in service
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT 3 MONTHS USAGE AND 4,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I KNOW THIS TO BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE COOPER AND COOPER S AS I HAVE MONITORED THE MINI COOPER MESSAGE BOARD FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW AND HAVE SEEN MANY FAILURES POSTED(MANY OF THEM MULTIPLE FAILURES). DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET THE COMPANY TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS IT MONITORS THE MESSAGE BOARD CONTINUOUSLY BUT HAS YET TO OFFER OWNERS ANY OPTIONS FOR THE POOR QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE GLASS.*AK
Visibility 800 mi 10 mo in service
NUMEROUS WINDSHEILD CHIPS IN LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH A WINDSHIELD THAT CHIPS SO EASILY. THE SMALLEST OF DEBRIS WILL RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT CHIP. THE WINDSHEILD HAS TO BE TOO WEAK. HOW CAN THE WINDSHIELD PROTECT YOU WHEN IT IS SO WEAK. THE FIRST CHIP HAPPENED AT ABOUT 800 MILES ANOTHER AT ABOUT 8000 MILES AND THE LAST AT 11000 MILES. THE FIRST ONE WAS "REPAIRED" THE NEXT MORNING. BUT IT IS NOW SPIDERING.
Visibility mileage not reported 3 mo in service
I HAVE A MINI COPPER S AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS VERY EASY. I HAVE TALKED TO MINI USA, AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. BUT THIS HAS HAPPEN TO SO MANY MINI OWNER, I THINK THAT IT IS A MINI USA PROBLEM. CAUSE WHY WOULD SO MANY MINI WINDSHIELDS CRACK ALL THE TIME. *AK
Steering 58,750 mi 4.7 yr in service
POWER STEERING FAILURE AND SOON AFTER ELECTRICAL SMELLING SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP SOME OF THE WIRES HAD MELTED AND THE POWER STERRING MOTOR WAS BURNT OUT.

Other Cooper S model years

2011201020092008200720062005200420032002

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