2003 MINI Cooper Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 8%of 320 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,100miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 MINI Cooper, 8% of the 320 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,100 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Drain hose from sunroof drain running down a-pillar came dislodged through normal wear and tear causing massive flooding to the interior of my car. It was rendered unserviceable and totaled, on june 16, 2014, but uncovered by insurance. This was nothing that I was aware of that was an issue, nor were any recalls ever issued on this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10622422, filed 2014-08, 68,000 miles“This Mini Cooper a 2003 w/130k miles driven by a young female. She had no idea her wheel was going to fall off the driver side front. She had called for a check engine light on and intermittent battery failure. It was ask that I drive the car and listen to a pop coming from the wheel section. The pop was the entire wheel assembly moving forwards and back bumping the wheel wells as the car went forward. Needless to say I didn't drive far nor did I accelerate faster than 10 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #10664125, filed 2014-12, 130,000 miles“Our 2003 Mini Cooper was driven in october 2015 in first and second gear, in bumper to bumper slow traffic, uphill for about a mile. When we shut the car off and got out of it, a fan in the engine compartment continued to run. We went back into the car, started it again, then shut if off for a second time, and the fan continued to run. The fan ran about 5 to 10 minutes while the car was parked. We have been told that the stage 1 cooling fan has failed and that the stage 2 cooling fan was running to cool down the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10826080, filed 2016-02, 79,000 miles“While I was driving Mini 2003 (odo: 74k) on I-90 highway at 70mph, suddenly the power steering wheel stopped working on june 28, 2012. I barely made to exit from the highway, and got home. Next day, the car was sent to the bmw-Mini dealership, and assessed the failure of power steering pump. They know this happens frequently with Mini, but it was not covered by manufacturers. The only option was to replace the part. The part was replaced and the cost was $1,200.”
NHTSA complaint #10463634, filed 2012-06, 74,100 miles“While traveling north on us 221 from bent mountain, va to roanoke va my hydralic steering totally failed. As I travelled a short distance my brake light warning lights, ABS light, other brake system light, battery light and air bag warning light came on. I looked at the engine temperature guage and the temp was normal. I pulled into a parking lot, raised the hood, checked the fluids in the engine compartment and reentered the car. While sitting in the drivers seat I heard a loud explosion, looked forward and noted thick steam coming from the engine compartment. …”
NHTSA complaint #10865773, filed 2016-05, 102,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10059114Jul 1, 2015Mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature is high outside, and more obvious if the tank is only partly filled.
- 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…
- 10040855Jul 1, 2011Bmw: a software error is causing a hesitation or jerking when accelerating under higher loads between 3000 ¿ 4000 rpm.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 14% |
| 2021 | 3 | 43% |
| 2020 | 2 | 29% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 2 | 25% |
| 2017 | 5 | 18% |
| 2016 | 8 | 29% |
| 2015 | 10 | 18% |
| 2014 | 8 | 24% |
| 2013 | 19 | 40% |
| 2012 | 28 | 42% |
| 2011 | 37 | 45% |
| 2010 | 29 | 32% |
| 2009 | 25 | 17% |
| 2008 | 11 | 9% |
| 2007 | 27 | 23% |
| 2006 | 10 | 5% |
| 2005 | 30 | 8% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 26 | 8% |
| 2002 | 13 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 MINI Cooper
159 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
89 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsTires
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 MINI Cooper
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