MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mini Cooper

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Mini Cooper
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mini Cooper Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 2001: 6 complaints 2001 2002: 187 complaints 2003: 320 complaints 2003 2004: 282 complaints 2005: 372 complaints 2005 2006: 200 complaints 2007: 115 complaints 2008: 115 complaints 2009: 150 complaints 2009 2010: 92 complaints 2011: 82 complaints 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 47 complaints 2013 2014: 34 complaints 2015: 54 complaints 2016: 28 complaints 2017: 28 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 7 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 6 complaints 2023: 7 complaints 2024: 1 complaints 2025: 1 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaints 2026
2003: 320 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20016
2002187
2003320
2004282
2005372
2006200
2007115
2008115
2009150
201092
201182
201265
201347
201434
201554
201628
201728
20188
201912
20207
20217
20226
20237
20241
20251
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 44%

44% of complaints: steering — 140 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120403

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH WAY SPEED CAR LOST STEERING ASSIST, INTERMITTENTLY CAME BAD THEN FAILED, I THEN SLOWED DOWN STEERING DID NOT CAME BACK, ONCE STOPPED LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD THE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL BURNING, EVEN WITH KEY...

NHTSA ODI report, 20120312

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231231

POWER TRAIN 17%

17% of complaints: power train — 53 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 29 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE IN MOTION, CAR BEGAN TO BECOME JERKY WHILE EXCELERATING, THAN THE TRANSMISSION DISINGAGED. NO GEAR WOULD WORK THEREAFTER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171105

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231231

VISIBILITY 5%

5% of complaints: visibility — 15 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 320
R 20030404 — suspension

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 ST

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 AN

Campaign 03V086000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050919 — DP (closed 20051006)

AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION

I 20050927 — PE (closed 20060301)

AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION

I 20070419 — PE (closed 20070815)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

I 20070814 — EA (closed 20080813)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110504 — EA (closed 20160105)

Loss of power steering assist

R 20160304 — steering

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.

Campaign 15V660000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Mini Cooper — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (140 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (53 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V086000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V660000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2014 ▲ 2013 ▲ 2015

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2004 ◆ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Mini Cooper reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mini Cooper is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mini Cooper?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Mini Cooper have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.