2003 MINI Cooper S Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,004miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 MINI Cooper S, 2% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,004 miles.
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.
“My 2003 Mini Cooper S stumbles and bogs down when starting in first gear. When starting from a dead start and letting clutch out, the cars power cuts off for a moment and then cuts back in. This was not a characteristic of the car prior to my dealer upgrading the software for the engine management system. I've contacted Mini USA (aka bmw) and they acknowledge the problem, but have no fix for it. I consider it a safety issue, especially when pulling into traffic and the car hesitates badly.”
NHTSA complaint #10033392, filed 2003-08, 4,000 miles“My april build 2003 Mini Cooper S experiences sudden momentary engine power losses, causing the car to violenty jerk during initial acceleration. Furthermore, the car will randomly and without warning, lose all forward momentum just when I need it most, as in pulling out into oncoming traffic. No matter how much throttle is engaged, the car barely crawls foward for up to 3 seconds, then finally roars to life and takes off. It feels very much like trying to accelerate a car from a dead stop in 3rd gear, though the car is in 1st gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10032883, filed 2003-08, 4,000 miles“Purchased new vehicle (delivery date below). Vehicle has serious lurch and power loss in 1st gear, particulary w/ AC running. This poses significant safety risk as normal acceleration is not available. Maufacturer has acknowledged probem stating it is in the computer software--claims no fix to date despite repeated complaints and requests for fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10038669, filed 2003-09, 7 miles“Engine power loss starting off in 1st gear. When stating from a complete stop in 1st gear the car will hesitate for aprox. 2-3 seconds before the rpms increase. There is no combination of clutch and throttle that will alleviate this situation. The combination of warm temperatures and running the A/C contribute heavily to the power loss. Colder weather does improve this power loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10045591, filed 2003-11, 1 miles“My 2003 Mini Cooper S, upon acceleration, experiences an excessive loss of power that has put me in the position of nearly being hit by oncoming traffic when pulling into traffic flow. I have had the vehicle in to the dealer in cincinnati 5 times, and though they claim the vehicle is repaired, and drives 'normally' it still nearly stalls when accelerating from a standstill.”
NHTSA complaint #10050670, filed 2003-12Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 20% |
| 2017 | 1 | 17% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2012 | 1 | 4% |
| 2011 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 MINI Cooper S
129 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
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 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 29, 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