2003 Mini Cooper: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 320 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (47% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 320 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“68k miles on a 2003 mini cooper s and the power steering pump is whining. I feel as if this may be really early for it to be needing to be replaced.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2024
“No air or blower or heat to defog windshield. Water in driver-side foot well. Power steering intermittent fault. Engine continues running and panel gauge lights remain on with ignition off and key removed.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2023
“My 2003 Mini Cooper was affected by the 2015 electrohydraulic steering assistance recall. Mini did the repair at 79, 322 miles in 2016. In November 2021, at 98, 000 miles, the car began having intermittent power steering loss. The power steering might disappear for under a minute, or it might return for mere seconds. There is no warning when the power steering goes out, so you have to assume that it is not going to respond with the electrohydraulic steering assistance feature operating. As of today, it has been completely offline for 3 days (although it did come back on for about 5 seconds yesterday). Without this feature operating properly, the car can be extremely difficult to steer.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving on I-81 to NY state, I experienced serious tire vibration followed by tire loss of air. All tires were checked for proper tire inflation before trip. After pulling off to the side of the road, I witnessed a large hole with metal fiber sticking through the tire tread. I believe the tread separation was the cause.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2021
“While driving on I-81 to NY state, I experienced serious tire vibration followed by tire loss of air. All tires were checked for proper tire inflation before trip. The service center in which I ended up in said that the tire belts had separated and caused the rapid tire deflation.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2021
“In motion.. The power steering wheel feels to hard to turn operate;I check the VIN# number and appear (1) recall for power steering incomplete;we call at bmw of dallas and they setup an apoinment on january,15,2020...when I show up...they say my car don't have any recall;and I show im the official recall with my VIN#...bmw recall & NHTSA recall and they say the car warranty is expired,I said I just need fix the recall on my car and they wanna charge me $180 dlls just to get the vehicle inspected,if the car got something wrong they charge me the cost...I dont accept...my car got the recall and they make me drive 120 miles whit the car for nothing”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2020
“Bought this car for 16 yr old daughter. Steering was cutting out while driving took car to mini of dallas recall was done on harness, pump, cooling fan. Next week no steering again while driving took car back. Mini stated drive belt broke and was repaired for 260.00. 3 days later was called at a 11:30 at night my daughter stating the steering had cut out again. I don't want my daughter in this car or anyone else for that matter what should I do with this car.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2019
“Power steering failure - intermittent and during motion, mini dealership provided records that the claim was cleared with # and mileage, but this is false information if still covered by NHTSA # 15v660000. Original recall # that was entered in the "repair history" from mini that never occurred is m320215. Thank you”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2019
“Driving normally on city paved road started to make turn on side street and lost total steering control and went up on curb just missing a pedestrian on sidewalk.this vehicle has 79300 miles.the electric hydraulic pump completely failed.mini usa said this VIN is not part of the recall yet just about every mini inported to usa has complete steering lose 2002-2003-2004-2005 and I believe they are hiding this from you and the public who are still buying these used cars and not knowing the dangerous problem the mini has and flawed power steering pump design.thank you.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2018
“The warning for th epassenger airbag comes on, though apparently nothing is wromg with it. It seems to be a commmon problem that mini is aware off, puts people in danger, but doesnt do anything to fix the harness underneath the passenger seat, which they quote at 1200 to 1400 to repair their ill design and final product”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 10, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
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.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SCREW CONNECTION OF THE REAR STRUTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cooper by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Mini Cooper reliable?
NHTSA has 320 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Mini Cooper. The most complained-about area is steering (47% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Mini Cooper problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Mini Cooper have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:electric power assist system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.