KnownCarProblems2003 Mini Cooper S Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mini Cooper S, most often about the steering (59% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is 4th of 21 Cooper S model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Mini Cooper S problems
Steering
129 complaints · 59%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system, electric power assist system.
2003 Mini Cooper S just had a power steering system failure resulting in at least $600.00 in repair cost. Car only has 80,000 miles on it and when the system failed, steering went to manual effort, no assist, no warning. Fortunately I was driving and not my wife as she would have had difficulty completing the turn. I…
The contacts owns a 2003 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated the power steering failed intermittently. He confirmed that when shutting off the engine for a few moments the power steering would reset itself once it restarted. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer was contacted to report the failure. The VIN was not…
Visibility and wipers
33 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, power window devices and controls.
Consumer called complaining about the windshield. Also, stated that this will be the third windshield. Manufacturer was contacted, and stated that rocks were hitting the vehicle and that was the reason why there were cracks on the windshield.
2003 Mini Cooper S purchased new; at approx 4500 miles 6-inch crack appeared overnight in lower right corner of windshield. Vehicle was parked at the time and there was no visible damage anywhere on windshield. Since then, crack has progressed nearly to center of windshield. Took vehicle to dealer and was told that…
Engine
15 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
While driving the car to the dealership for service I heard a loud noise and felt a shutter, then a loss of power and smoke to the rear of the car. I turned motor off and coasted to the side of the road to make sure everything was ok. Once stopped, I tried to restart the car. Saw more smoke and sparks from the tail…
Steering fluid continuously leaks - replace hydraulic hose twice - known defect - Mini refused to fix for free engine cooling - fan runs after shutoff continuously - known defect - Mini refused to fix for free electrical - doors, windows, sunroof fire off on their own while car is moving and when is parked. Will do…
Electrical
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
Steering fluid continuously leaks - replace hydraulic hose twice - known defect - Mini refused to fix for free engine cooling - fan runs after shutoff continuously - known defect - Mini refused to fix for free electrical - doors, windows, sunroof fire off on their own while car is moving and when is parked. Will do…
2003 Mini Cooper S with 67,000k miles, power steering pump failed and caused a short circuit resulting in a complete meltdown. The pump, hydraulic lines, cooling fan and wiring harness were all burned or melted. There was no symptom or indication of a failure. Car drove and acted "normal" prior to parking it for the…
Transmission
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline.
One morning driving about 100 MPH going up to ct I pay a toll take off the car hesitates in first gear then goes ok about a 2 miles from the toll I am doing about 100 MPH and switch to the right lane and the car just stop giving me power so I go to change to 5th gear no luck so I let the car roll to the shoulder call…
Failure of 2003 Mini cooper manual transmission. My car has been under regular maintenance. I first noticed the car losing power going uphill, then it became difficult to put the car in gear. Next morning I was unable to get into reverse, was extremely difficult to shift and some gears could not be engaged. At a stop…
Brakes
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 28,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper S. While the contact's wife was driving 60 MPH, the wheel and tire detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and has not been diagnosed at this time. The contact was informed that the cost for the repair would range from $3,000 - $5,000. The affected components…
1) grinding noise was heard from right rear corner of the car while braking. 2) upon inspection, it was found that the right rear brake pads had worn down completely although the left rear brake pads have approximately 1/2 pad remaining. I had the vehicle towed to the nearest dealer for warranty service. 3) vehicle is…
Suspension
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
On 1/26/06 I took my car into tuffy auto to have the tires rotated, at the time the mechanic told me that the right rear lower control arm had a crack in it. At that time I called Mini and told them that my right rear lower control arm was damaged. I was told by the service manager at Mini that my driving was the…
While pulling into the parking garage at work, the rear of my Mini Cooper S made a noise. The control arm on the right, rear suspension broke. When looking under the rear, the control arm was in two pieces, broken in the middle. The vehicle is at the dealer and I will be requesting the part back.
Air bags
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, sensor.
After battery went dead, replaced with new battery and shortly after air bag light illuminated. Had independent shop clear code in 2015 inspected harness found nothing out of ordinary. 3 days later air bag light returned. Now in february 2018 had Mini of towson diagnose air bag light thinking the dealership can reset…
The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that on three occasions, the mat occupancy sensor on the front passenger's seat was replaced due to the warning light being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Mini of birmingham located at 2001 tom williams way, birmingham, al 35210, [phone]. The contact was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Mini Cooper S recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: shock absorber
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of power steering assist
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (my) 2004 and 2005 mini cooper as preliminary evaluation pe10-038.the investigation was upgraded to engineering analysis ea11-005 in may, 2011.during ea11-005 the scope was expanded to include my 2002 and 2003 vehicles that use the same steering system.the subject vehicles now include my 2002, the first year bmw sold mini in the u.s., through mid-my 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.the subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure to a conventional rack-and-pinion steering gear.a pump, the electric motor, and an electronic c
Engine compartment fire
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) analyzed consumer complaints to bmw of north america, llc (bmw)and to odi that alleged failures of the electrohydraulic power steering (ehps) used in model year 2002 through 2003 mini cooper vehicles.the analysis determined that 43 of the 52 (83%) reports were related to allegations of power steering loss and 9 (17%) were related to allegations of engine compartment fires. Although some of the reports alleging fires note small flames were visible in the engine compartment, analysis of the damage caused by these failures indicates that even the most severe incidents were limited to localized thermal damage to the ehps electrical connections and wiring
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), bmw stated that the cause of the alleged defect is an insufficient seal of the ground cable of the power steering pump at its attachment to the chassis.water ingress can occur and the water can travel along the power steering pump power cable and come in contact with the power steering pump power cable connector.the connector can then corrode and a high thermal load condition can occur.according to bmw, this ultimately could result in a localized smoldering condition that does not propagate. To correct the water ingress issue, bmw implemented changes to the wire routing, the power steeringpum
Air bag warning lamp illumination
Summary
In march 2006, bmw reissued a service bulletin first issued in september 2003, to mini dealers regarding the repair procedure for improper wire crimps in approximately 31,500 model year 2002 and 2003 mini cooper vehicles produced up to january 2003.the new service bulletin states that the warranty coverage for the issue (I.e., air bag warning lamp illumination with fault code for high resistance in side air bag/seat belt pretensioner circuit) is extended to 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first.bmw plans to send letters to owners during march 2006.the subject wire crimps are located under the front seats and are part of the main wiring harness that interface with the under-seat w
Air bag warning lamp illumination
Summary
Odi has granted the petition and has opened a preliminary evaluation (pe05-053) on illumination of air bag warning lamp on model year 2002 and 2003 mini cooper vehicles.
Questions about the 2003 Mini Cooper S
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mini Cooper S?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (129 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); visibility and wipers (33 complaints, typically around 8,000 miles); engine (15 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Mini Cooper S have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 15, 2015 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Mini Cooper S?
- It is 4th of 21 Cooper S model years by number of complaints, with 217 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.