Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 MINI Cooper, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Steering159
- Power train89
- Electrical system26
- Visibility23
- Engine and engine cooling22
- Air bags10
- Engine7
- Equipment7
- Suspension6
- Tires4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 12 2003 Cooper vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 10 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 MINI Cooper failed the safety check 2.27% of the time — 8% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 106,301 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2003 MINI Cooper cars on Dutch roads are the 1.6 petrol (85 kW, 114 hp) and 1.6 petrol (120 kW, 161 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 petrol | 85 kW 114 hp | 1,129 |
| 1.6 petrol | 120 kW 161 hp | 630 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
1,792 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 55% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €28,026.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen1,483
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde877
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld701
- Band onvoldoende profiel493
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt463
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm394
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af389
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk389
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
6,550 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 5,011 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 235 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 49% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 32.8% | 21.6% |
| Brakes | 21.3% | 13.9% |
| Suspension | 18.3% | 16.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 13.2% | 9.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.7% | 7.4% |
| Tyres | 7.7% | 6.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
186 of these cars first registered in 2003 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 221,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
291 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 32% arrived as used imports, 64% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 8.5–9.1 L/100 km (about 26–28 mpg US), CO₂ 196–209 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper · Minicompact · Premium gasoline | 9.6 | 7.1 | 8.5 |
| Cooper · Minicompact · Premium gasoline | 10.3 | 7.5 | 9.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 MINI Cooper.
| 2012029 30 Jan 2012 | Steering On certain vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering pump could fail temporarily or permanently due to problems with the electronics that control the funct… |
| 2003055 7 Mar 2003 | Suspension On certain vehicles, the head of the screw securing the rear struts to the chassis may tear off. The remaining portion of the screw (stud, or shaft) will still… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What MINI told its dealers about the 2003 MINI Cooper: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 600145 | CONDITIONS WITH SEALING AWNING ARM LOWER MOUNTING BRACKETS. *YC |
| 10245428 | Cavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch trim and grille. |
| 10151228 | This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. SUBJECT Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle is No Longer Required. Left-hand drive steering spindles are currently available. |
| 10150304 | State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails to Read 17-Character VIN. An affected vehicle may fail to pass a state-mandated Inspection and/or Emission (I/M) test due to a noncompliant 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) being read out and displayed on the state's required tester report printout. In accordance with the OBD regulation, all MY 2005 and newer vehicles are required to support the display of their compliant 17-character VINs. These vehicles were produced to be in compliance with this regulation. If the DME was reprogrammed using the previously available BMW service |
| 10150204 | State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails Due to an Invalid VIN Number. The affected vehicle may fail to pass a State Inspection and Emission (I/M) test due to a noncompliant 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) stored in the DME (Digital Motor Electronic). The VIN read-out displayed on the state test printout does not match the actual VIN of the vehicle. If the DME was reprogrammed using the previously available BMW service equipment (e.g., Progman, GT1), it was possible that only the last 7 of the VIN were entered into the DME, and positions 4 through 10 may only contain defaul |
| 10150086 | Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump can fail. |
| 10150044 | Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump can fail. |
| 10149392 | 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. |
| 10148439 | 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. |
| 10148394 | Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle. Supply shortage of left-hand drive steering spindles |
| 10148241 | 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. |
| 10143574 | W10 ENGINE: EMS2K - COMPREHENSIVE COMPONENT OBD READINESS MONITOR NOT COMPLETED: An affected vehicle fails to pass a state Inspection and Emission (I/M) test due to the Comprehensive Component OBD readiness monitor status is not complete, or it fails complete after performing an applicable repair. |
| 10059114 | MINI: FAULTY SOFTWARE FOR THE TANK VENTILATION CONTROL DISPLAYS ENGINE THROTTLE REACTION WHEN TEMPERATURE IS HIGH OUTSIDE, AND MORE OBVIOUS IF THE TANK IS ONLY PARTLY FILLED. *MA |
| 10059113 | MINI: FAULTY SOFTWARE CAUSES THE CHECK CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED LIGHT TO APPEAR. *MA |
| 10059112 | MINI: BECAUSE OF THE DME SOFTWARE, AND A DAMAGED CLUTCH, THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION CHECK MESSAGE APPEAR. *MA |
| 10059111 | MINI: DUE TO FAULTY DME SOFTWARE, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON, INCLUDING THE CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE FOR MOTOR FORCE DECREASE. *MA |
| 10059098 | MINI: DIFFERENT FAULTS ACTIVATES ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND OIL WARNING. *MA |
| 10059094 | MINI: A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND DME SOFTWARE ERROR OF THE VANOS ACTUATORS CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH WHICH ACTIVATES THE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT. *MA |
| 10057710 | MINI: MODELS R50, R52, AND R53 WITH THE ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER-ASSIST STEERING PUMP AND COOLING FANS WILL HAVE AN LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 13 YEARS/150,000 MILES. *TA |
| 10057570 | MINI: SOME VEHICLES HAVE TURBOCHARGER NOISE AND A LACK OR LOSS OF PERFORMANCE, DUE TO RESTRICTION OF TURBOCHARGER OIL SUPPLY, RESULTING IN OIL STARVATION AND SEIZING OF TURBOCHARGER ASSEMBLY. MODEL ALL. *PE |
| 10056114 | MINI: THERE IS A DISCONNECTION OR KINK, IN WNIDSHIELD WASHER HOSE, WHICH IS TOO SHORT, CAUSING WINDSHIELD FRONT WASHER JET TO FAIL. MODEL F56 (COOPER, COOPER S). *PE |
| 10056111 | MINI: INFORMATION ON PARTS WARRANTY EXTENSION APPLYING TO PREVIOUS QUALIFYING REPAIRS AND NO IMMEDIATE REPAIR REQUIRED UNLESS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH CVT ASSEMBLY OR COMPONENT. MODEL 2005-2008 COOPER, COOPER S. *PE |
| 10055137 | MINI: WARRANTY COVERAGE EXTENSION/REPAIR EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ELECTRO HYDRAULIC POWER (ASSIST) STEERING (EHPS) PUMP, WHICH HAS ITS OWN COOLING FAN, ON SOME VEHICLES AND NOT THE ELECTRIC POWER (ASSIST) STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM ON OTHER MINIS. MODELS 2002-2005 COOPER, COOPER S, CONVERTIBLE, CONVERTIBLE S. *PE |
| 10053604 | MINI: THERE IS A PROCEDURAL ERROR IN THE REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING HIGH PRESSURE PUMP CURRENT VERSION THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH THE CORRECTED REPAIR INSTRUCTION PORTION FOR THE N14 AND N18 ENGINE. MODELS R55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10052614 | MINI: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH COOLING FAN AND THE DURABILITY OF ELECTRO HYDRAULIC POWER (ASSIST) STEERING (EHPS) PUMP. MODELS 2002-2005 R50, R52, R3. *PE UPDATED ON 11/1/2013. *KB UPDATED 3/4/2014 *JS |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Loss of power steering assist
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION
AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation