2003 MINI Cooper Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 320 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,883miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 MINI Cooper, 1% of the 320 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,883 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.
“The xenon igniter component in the left headlamp has intermittent function, frequently causing the bulb not to light. The quoted repair cost by the dealer is in excess of $800 because the igniter part is not a replaceable component (the entire headlight assy is replaced). The original oem bulb in the affected left headlamp was replaced by Mini during its warranty period and this was not reported to me (the left and right bulbs did not match upon my examination of them when first observing this problem). …”
NHTSA complaint #10456305, filed 2012-04, 72,766 miles“Night driving in colorado mtns. Lights began to flicker and power steering failed. Found safe place to pull over and turned off lights and engine. Restarted and turned lights back on to resume driving within a few minuets lights flickered and power steering failed again. Had to continue for several miles until it was safe to pull over again. Attempted to turn off head lights and use fog lights on county dirt road, still lights flickered/dimmed and power steering failed. Currently vehicle is parked and we are attempting to research recall matters with this malfunction. …”
NHTSA complaint #10661056, filed 2014-11, 117,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 21% |
| 2016 | 8 | 29% |
| 2013 | 3 | 6% |
| 2012 | 5 | 8% |
| 2011 | 9 | 11% |
| 2010 | 11 | 12% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
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 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 MINI Cooper
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