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

2003 Mini Cooper

Typical pattern

5.2% of complaints about the 2003 Mini Cooper 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 8.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (161 complaints), typically at 8.8 yr or about 80,100 miles.

Complaints
384
Median age at failure
8.1 yr
Median mileage
72,766 n=336
Crash / fire / tow
9.4% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
161 reports · 80,100 mi
8.8 yr
13.7%
Power train
89 reports · 70,000 mi
6.7 yr
0%
Electrical system
26 reports · 74,100 mi
9.5 yr
26.9%
Visibility
23 reports · 35,000 mi
1.9 yr
0%
Engine cooling
22 reports · 15,000 mi
1.2 yr
4.5%

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.

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

08E050000 2008-08-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN 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

Engine cooling 1,500 mi 8 mo in service
WHEN THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF FROM A STOP, AT TIMES THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. *JB. LOST OF THROTTLE CONTROL, ENGINE BRAKING EFFECT IN FIRST GEAR SLOWS CAR RAPIDLY WHILE TRAFFIC IS BEARING DOWN*TS *JB
Engine cooling mileage not reported 9 mo in service
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 55 MPH ENGINE IS LOSING POWER AND WON'T PASS THE 20 MPH. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK
Engine cooling mileage not reported 7 mo in service
ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN DRIVING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INSTANT DECELERATION BELOW 1500 RPMS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS A 2003 MINI-COOPER CVT.*AK *TS *JB
Electrical system mileage not reported 8 mo in service
MINI COOPER 2003 STOP DEAD AT THE THE INTERSECTION FOR THE THIRD TIME.THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

Other Cooper model years

201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002

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