The 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.
The 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.
The 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 A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| MINI Cooper | 2003 |
| MINI Cooper S | 2003 |
Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINI Cooper | 2003 | 320 | 2 |
| MINI Cooper S | 2003 | 217 | 2 |
Other suspension recalls in 2003
25 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the suspension; BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE filed 145 campaigns in all.
| 03V460000 10 Nov 2003 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 03V436000 4 Nov 2003 | RHODES TRAILERS |
| 03V411000 22 Oct 2003 | MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC |
| 03V371000 6 Oct 2003 | FINN CORPORATION |
| 03V369000 3 Oct 2003 | NEWMAR CORPORATION |
| 03V341000 15 Sept 2003 | TRAVEL SUPREME, INC. |
| 03V328000 12 Sept 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V342000 12 Sept 2003 | COACHMEN RV COMPANY, LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003