2003 MINI Cooper Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 2%of 320 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,720miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the equipment of the 2003 MINI Cooper, 2% of the 320 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,720 miles. 1 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.
“2003 Mini Cooper windshield failure. Spontaneous crack although dealer insists it was a pin hole sized hole that caused it. Refused to cover under warranty. 2nd time it's happened and was covered first time under warranty. Apparently happens very regularly to Mini and at $1078. Complete...this just isn't right.”
NHTSA complaint #10161133, filed 2006-06, 35,720 miles“This car is less than a year old. So far the air bag indicator light malfunctioned, the radio was replaced, the passenger window motor was replaced, the navigation system display is about to be replaced, and two red marks on the takometer no longer light up.”
NHTSA complaint #10054554, filed 2004-01, 75 miles“My car was brought into the dealership for an oil change and rear brake repair on tuesday (june 26, 2007). Wednesday evening (june 27, 2007) the car was driven 15 minutes, parked for almost an hour, then driven a mere 30 seconds to change to a different parking spot. Walked away for a minute and noticed smoke coming from the front of the car. Upon opening the bonnet, there was flames coming from the underside of the engine. The first attempt at using a fire extinguisher temporarily put out the fire, then it re-ignited which the fire department was then called to put it out safely. …”
NHTSA complaint #10195023, filed 2007-06, 65,525 miles“Sudden unexpected failure. Cvt transmission (automatic) in 2003 Mini Cooper. First one was under warranty. The second time they told me they would sell me another car. The car sold for $22k new, transmission costs $8500 to replace. So that's $17000 worth of transmissions 4 years (its been sitting for the last year while I still have to make payments). I don't think their idea of buying another car to replace my transmission was a good idea.”
NHTSA complaint #10221420, filed 2008-03“Windshields on Mini coopers cracking,chipping easy and frequently. I have had four windshields replaces in the last 8 months. 2 covered under warrantee for stress related cracks and two due to small rock strikes. I have neve been thru windshields like this before and feel that the construction and design of the Mini windshield makes it substandard in protection.”
NHTSA complaint #10032831, filed 2003-08Related service bulletins
- 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…
- 10148394Aug 1, 2014Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle. Supply shortage of left-hand drive steering spindles
- 10056111Jun 1, 2014Mini: information on parts warranty extension applying to previous qualifying repairs and no immediate repair required unless currently experiencing problem with cvt assembly or…
- 10053604Aug 1, 2013Mini: there is a procedural error in the removing and installing or replacing high pressure pump current version that has been replaced with the corrected repair instruction…
- 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…
- 10026789Jun 1, 2008Mini: check svs function. On certain vehicles, the voice input system (svs sa 620) does not function. The svs was not installed in the vehicles.
- 10025844Jun 1, 2008Mini: driver footwell area becomes hot. The hearter core pipes are poorly insulated. Model r56.
Equipment: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 MINI Cooper
159 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
89 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsEngine
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