2003 MINI Cooper S Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 129about this part
- Share
- 59%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,023miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 129 complaints about the steering of the 2003 MINI Cooper S, 59% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,023 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 14 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Occasionally the steering over my Mini Cooper S is becoming very hard. It seems like the power steering is failing. The car then can only be steered with a lot of difficulty. I can no longer risk to have my daughter or wife drive this car. I checked the steering fluid and it is at optimal levels. It usually happens at lower speed, but I have not driven it on the freeway since this issue started to appear.”
NHTSA complaint #11190112, filed 2019-03, 82,790 miles“Suddenly out of nowhere as soon as I started the car to back out of my driveway & go to work the steering was completely locked up, only having approximately an inch to inch and a half of mobility in either direction. I then turned the car off, let it sit off for about 5 mins then re-started it and the steering was still the same way.”
NHTSA complaint #10787346, filed 2015-10, 86,500 miles“I was changing lanes to prepare to exit off the interstate while on my way to work. As I made the lane change noticed steering was tighter. After exiting the interstate, the vehicle was very hard to steer at the top of the exit ramp. The turn made was very wide nearly missing oncoming traffic. Suspect power steering pump has failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10509343, filed 2013-04, 131,000 miles“While driving, it felt as though my power steering had gone out. I continued to drive to my location. Once in the parking lot, steering became near impossible, especially while going at very slow speeds. When I went to back out of my parking spot that evening, it was unable to be done, causing me to call a tow truck to tow my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10458184, filed 2012-05, 119,560 miles“Complete power steering failure, on surface road in castro valley, ca. The sudden loss of power steering caused me to continue straight, while trying to regain control of car, I continued into on coming traffic, if another car was in opposite direction a significant accident would have occurred. Prior to this failure this was no evidence of a repair needed.”
NHTSA complaint #10421086, filed 2011-08, 88,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V660000Oct 15, 2015BMW 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…Covers: MINI Cooper S 2002–2005, Cooper 2002–2005
Related service bulletins
- 10151228Mar 1, 2016This 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…
- 10148439Nov 1, 2014Electro-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…
- 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.
- 10148394Aug 1, 2014Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle. Supply shortage of left-hand drive steering spindles
- 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…
- 10052614Dec 1, 2013Mini: 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…
- 10150044Jul 1, 2013Electro-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…
- 10150086Jun 1, 2013Electro-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…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 1 | 20% |
| 2016 | 1 | 10% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 48 | 26% |
| 2005 | 212 | 68% |
| 2004 | 210 | 85% |
| 2003 | 129 | 59% |
| 2002 | 57 | 69% |
Other parts of the 2003 MINI Cooper S
33 complaintsElectrical system
14 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