2003 MINI COOPER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
388
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
9
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2003 MINI COOPER
The 2003 MINI COOPER has received a total of 388 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steering (140 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (53 complaints), and Power Train (29 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 MINI COOPER
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2003 MINI COOPER, potentially affecting up to 135,589 vehicles.
Recall 15V660000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
| 86,018 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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...
View full details →Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 08E050000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 1,921 vehicles affected
Defect: 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."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 03V086000 — SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
| 5,110 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 MINI COOPER
388 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 MINI COOPER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel malfunctioned, making the steering wheel easy to turn, causing severe oversteer while making a turn in either direction. The contact stated that the failure was due to a faulty power steering pump, and installed as part of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (STEERING). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the power steering pump remained running, causing the battery to drain. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 230,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was firm, and the vehicle was difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but failed to confirm if the parts were available for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to call the service center directly. The failure mileage was unavailable. Parts distribution disconnect.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2003 MINI COOPER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 MINI COOPER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 MINI COOPER
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 MINI COOPER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
12 06 15 — ENGINE
MINI: BECAUSE OF THE DME SOFTWARE, AND A DAMAGED CLUTCH, THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION CHECK MESSAGE APPEAR. *MA
M010113 — EQUIPMENT
Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Limited Warranty Extension to 13 Years/150,000 Miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump can fail.
M320214 — STEERING
Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle. Supply shortage of left-hand drive steering spindles
M010514 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MINI CVT Replacement Parts Warranty Extension: Additional 12 Months with Up to 50,000 Accumulated Miles. A MINI vehicle's CVT assembly or component that was previously repaired and/or replaced by an authorized MINI dealer or BMW center may experience a subsequent failure.
SIM-12-02-11 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
BMW: A SOFTWARE ERROR IS CAUSING A HESITATION OR JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING UNDER HIGHER LOADS BETWEEN 3000 ¿ 4000 RPM. *RM
SIM-12-04-09 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
BMW: THE CRIMPING PROCESS OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR COULD LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE INSIDE THE SENSOR. THERE MAY BE A MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON WITH A FAULT CODE STORED. *RM
120104 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN 04E-A01 - REPROGRAM DME FOR TANK LEAKAGE DIAGNOSTICS. TANK LEAKAGE DIAGNOSTICS DOES NOT RUN CORRECTLY DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE DME SOFTWARE. AS A RESULT, THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL NOT BE ILLUMINATED IN CASE OF LEAKAGE IN THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM. *TT *SC
610602 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
DISABLING DOUBLE LOCK. VEHICLES BEFORE 9/02. *TT
610102 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 MINI COOPER
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2003 MINI COOPER.
Investigation EA07011 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Closed
Opened:
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Other Model Years of the MINI COOPER
- 2001 MINI COOPER — 7 complaints
- 2002 MINI COOPER — 220 complaints
- 2003 MINI COOPER (current)
- 2004 MINI COOPER — 330 complaints
- 2005 MINI COOPER — 440 complaints
- 2006 MINI COOPER — 247 complaints
- 2007 MINI COOPER — 155 complaints
- 2008 MINI COOPER — 155 complaints
Other MINI Models
- MINI COOPER S — 2,176 total complaints
- MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE — 212 total complaints
- MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE — 180 total complaints
- MINI COOPER CLUBMAN — 171 total complaints
- MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN — 161 total complaints
- MINI COUNTRYMAN — 145 total complaints
- MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN — 119 total complaints
- MINI CLUBMAN — 92 total complaints