MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mini Cooper S

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Mini Cooper S
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
217
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

61% of complaints

Complaints per year

2002: 83 complaints 2003: 217 complaints 2003 217 2004: 247 complaints 2005: 314 complaints 2006: 186 complaints 2007: 249 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 119 complaints 2010: 59 complaints 2011: 31 complaints 2011 2012: 23 complaints 2013: 24 complaints 2014: 13 complaints 2014 2015: 18 complaints 2016: 9 complaints 2017: 6 complaints 2017 2019: 5 complaints 2020: 5 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaint 2024: 1 complaint 2025: 4 complaints 2025
2002: 83 complaints 2003: 217 complaints 2003 217 2004: 247 complaints 2005: 314 complaints 2006: 186 complaints 2006 2007: 249 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 119 complaints 2010: 59 complaints 2010 2011: 31 complaints 2012: 23 complaints 2012 2013: 24 complaints 2014: 13 complaints 2014 2015: 18 complaints 2016: 9 complaints 2016 2017: 6 complaints 2019: 5 complaints 2019 2020: 5 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaint 2024: 1 complaint 2024 2025: 4 complaints
2002: 83 complaints 2002 2003: 217 complaints 2003 217 2004: 247 complaints 2004 2005: 314 complaints 2005 2006: 186 complaints 2006 2007: 249 complaints 2007 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 119 complaints 2009 2010: 59 complaints 2010 2011: 31 complaints 2011 2012: 23 complaints 2012 2013: 24 complaints 2013 2014: 13 complaints 2014 2015: 18 complaints 2015 2016: 9 complaints 2016 2017: 6 complaints 2017 2019: 5 complaints 2019 2020: 5 complaints 2020 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaint 2022 2024: 1 complaint 2024 2025: 4 complaints 2025

2003: 217 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
200283
2003217
2004247
2005314
2006186
2007249
2008168
2009119
201059
201131
201223
201324
201413
201518
20169
20176
20195
20205
20210
20221
20241
20254

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

61% · 133 reports

Most commonly citing pump and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Power steering pump failed while driving

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-07-28

I was approaching a corner on a back road and half way through the power steering failed which caused the car to go off the road rolling two and a half times landing on the roof.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-15

Was stopped in parking lot, fire started in engine bay. Power steering has been intermittent for awhile. Shop indicated that the fan failed and caused the pump/wiring to completely melt. This issue is widely known and found on Mini Cooper forums.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-30

Visibility

15% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and power window devices and controls.

Electrical system

6% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIRE

Engine and engine cooling

5% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing engine.

CRASHFIRE

Service brakes

4% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 217 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-04-04Suspension03V086000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2005-09-19Defect petitionClosed 2005-10-06 Air bag warning lamp illumination
  4. I
    2005-09-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-03-01 Air bag warning lamp illumination
  5. I
    2007-04-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-08-15 Engine compartment fire
  6. I
    2007-08-14Engineering analysisClosed 2008-08-13 Engine compartment fire
  7. I
    2011-05-04Engineering analysisClosed 2016-01-05 Loss of power steering assist
  8. R
    2016-03-04Steering15V660000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Mini Cooper S — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 133 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 33 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 14 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V086000 · Suspension
  • Recall 15V660000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Mini Cooper S reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mini Cooper S is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mini Cooper S?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 61% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Mini Cooper S have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.