2003 MINI Cooper S Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 5%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,639miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 MINI Cooper S, 5% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,639 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 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“Turning from a left hand turn lane on to a side street as I have done at least 4 times a day for over 10 years, I lost all power and the ability to control the vehicle. In the middle of the turn the loss of power, the loss of steering, and the loss of brakes caused me to run into the curb. This accident resulted in the right front wheel and assembly being replaced. Not long after getting my Mini Cooper S the hesitation of the accelerator when stating off in first gear began. I was told by the service rep at the Mini dealership that there was no fix for this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10445787, filed 2012-01, 28,639 miles“While driving the car to the dealership for service I heard a loud noise and felt a shutter, then a loss of power and smoke to the rear of the car. I turned motor off and coasted to the side of the road to make sure everything was ok. Once stopped, I tried to restart the car. Saw more smoke and sparks from the tail pipe. I then sat and started to call a tow truck, when I noticed flames coming from the hood scoop. I popped the hood and upon opening it, noticed a fire at the front of the motor, directly in front of the supercharger. …”
NHTSA complaint #10229170, filed 2008-05, 70,000 miles“Mini Cooper S has severe hesitation when starting from a standing start. The problem is unrelated to throttle or clutch pedal position. Car bogs for a few seconds (when making a left against traffic it feels like an eternity) when in first gear at approximately 1800 RPM then resumes accelerating. Service advisor at dealership told me it's a characteristic of the car. Representative at Mini USA told me they are aware of the problem and are working on a fix. The is no fix at the present time and no estimate as to when there will be one. …”
NHTSA complaint #10047336, filed 2003-11, 8 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10057570Dec 1, 2014Mini: 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…
- 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.
- 10150204Nov 1, 2013State 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…
- 10150304Oct 1, 2013State 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…
- 10040372May 1, 2011Bmw: the crimping process of the oxygen sensor could lead to an electrical failure inside the sensor. There may be a malfunction light on with a fault code stored.
- 10026767Mar 1, 2011Mini: turbocharger failure; oil supply line blockage. Loss of performance and turbocharger noise. *pe updated 8/16/11.
- 10037305Nov 1, 2010Bmw: description and specifications of crankcase ventilation system.
- 10030669Mar 1, 2009Mini: when replacing the cylinder head cover on a vehicle equipped with the new n14 engine, the cover will look different in appearance. The replacement cover is now equipped…
- 10026612Jul 1, 2008Mini: fuel odor from the engine compartment. The high pressure pump (hdp) and/or the low pressure supply hose connection can allow fuel seepage, resulting in the fuel odor.
- 10024513Jan 1, 2008Rattle noise from engine. From start of production up to april 11, 2007. With n14 engine.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 6 | 10% |
| 2009 | 15 | 13% |
| 2008 | 43 | 26% |
| 2007 | 79 | 32% |
| 2006 | 15 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 MINI Cooper S
129 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsElectrical system
14 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