2003 MINI Cooper S Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 6%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 MINI Cooper S, 6% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased my '03 Mini copper s with 49k from a honda in mechanicsburg, pa dealer in august. In december, I purchased tires and then went to a self-service carwash afterward. When I got home and before I put it in the garage, I took out the hose and washed off the wheels and under the car. During the process there was white smoke, which I thought was steam from the water hitting the manifold. …”
NHTSA complaint #10259432, filed 2009-02, 52,000 miles“2003 Mini Cooper S with power steering failure. Power steering goes in and out. Car radio turns on when car is off and no key is in the engine, causing battery to drain. Once my power steering went out when I was leaving a parking area causing me to hit the car in front of me. I have not repaired damages. I have however replaced the engine due to faulty wiring in aprox 2009. A fuse that runs everything for cooling blew and gave me no warning the engine was overheating.”
NHTSA complaint #10384391, filed 2011-02, 80,000 miles“2003 Mini Cooper S I drove to work as on any other day and pulled into my usual parking spot. About 10 minutes later my car alarm went off. When I went outside to check, all the electrical systems were going nuts - door locks, lights, the alarm, etc. I saw a little bit of smoke coming from under the hood. I popped the hood and boot, pulled out my fire extinguisher, but didn't see flames. I smelled electrical fire, and saw a whisp of smoke but that was it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10188934, filed 2007-04, 61,000 miles“2003 Mini Cooper S with 67,000k miles, power steering pump failed and caused a short circuit resulting in a complete meltdown. The pump, hydraulic lines, cooling fan and wiring harness were all burned or melted. There was no symptom or indication of a failure. Car drove and acted normal prior to parking it for the day. When I got back in the car, 8 hours later, no power steering. If it had been in my garage when the short/meltdown occurred, it may have caused fire. Miniusa basically said I was on my own due to expiration of my warranty. (60,000).”
NHTSA complaint #10358335, filed 2010-09, 67,000 miles“The manual tailgate release cable was not fitted in this and other early production Mini Cooper S cars, though the owner's manual indicates that this safety feature is part of the design. The manual tailgate release cable allows access to the battery compartment, which is in the trunk of the vehicle, when there is an electrical malfunction such as a battery failure. Without the manual release cable, the battery is inaccessible in the event of a failed battery or other electrical malfunction. …”
NHTSA complaint #11010679, filed 2017-07, 90,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10162443Jul 12, 2019Programming a Replacement EGS Module with ISTA/P. Programming a replacement electronic transmission control module (EGS) with ISTA/P requires the manual entry of the correct…
- 10143579May 1, 2018NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain…
- 10059112Jul 1, 2015Mini: because of the dme software, and a damaged clutch, the drivetrain malfunction check message appear.
- 10059098Jul 1, 2015Mini: different faults activates engine malfunction and oil warning.
- 10059113Jun 1, 2015Mini: faulty software causes the check control and engine power reduced light to appear.
- 10059111Jun 1, 2015Mini: due to faulty dme software, the service engine lights comes on, including the check control message for motor force decrease.
- 10057710Nov 1, 2014Mini: 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.
- 10055137Apr 15, 2014Mini: 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 2 | 40% |
| 2017 | 1 | 17% |
| 2016 | 2 | 20% |
| 2015 | 2 | 11% |
| 2013 | 9 | 38% |
| 2012 | 13 | 57% |
| 2011 | 16 | 52% |
| 2010 | 4 | 7% |
| 2009 | 13 | 11% |
| 2008 | 8 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 | 23 | 12% |
| 2005 | 23 | 7% |
| 2004 | 19 | 8% |
| 2003 | 14 | 6% |
| 2002 | 9 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 MINI Cooper S
129 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 MINI Cooper S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology