RecallMyCar

2003 MINI Cooper Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2003 MINI Cooper, and owners have filed 320 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
320
owner complaints to NHTSA
3 / 27
complaints citing a crash / fire
25–28
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2003 MINI Cooper

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Electric power assist system (steering)

    NHTSA 15V660000 Reported 86,018 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

    BMW 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. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.

    Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 10,…

  2. Shock absorber (suspension)

    NHTSA 03V086000 Reported 5,110 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    On certain vehicles, the lower screw connection of the rear struts to the chassis may fail. The head (top) of the screw securing this connection may break. The remaining portion of the screw will still hold the strut in place.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower screw connection of the rear struts. Owner notification began april 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…

320 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 MINI Cooper have filed 320 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 27 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 77,117 miles. Complaints peaked in 2011 with 45 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel malfu”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 14, 2025 · Steering

“68k miles on a 2003 mini cooper s and the power steering pump is whining. I feel as if this may be really early for it to be needing to be replaced.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 14, 2024 · Steering

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2003 MINI Cooper (Cooper S). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined25–28 mpg
City / Highway22–25 / 29–33
FuelPremium
EPA classMinicompact Cars
Engine4 cyl, 1.6 L
TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 5-spd; Manual 6-spd

Compare MINI Cooper model years

Recall and complaint counts for every MINI Cooper model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2001 MINI Cooper06
2002 MINI Cooper3187
2003 MINI Cooper2320
2004 MINI Cooper2282
2005 MINI Cooper2372
2006 MINI Cooper1200
2007 MINI Cooper1117
2008 MINI Cooper1115
2009 MINI Cooper1151
2010 MINI Cooper292
2011 MINI Cooper183
2012 MINI Cooper166
2013 MINI Cooper147
2014 MINI Cooper734
2015 MINI Cooper656
2016 MINI Cooper128
2017 MINI Cooper328
2018 MINI Cooper08
2019 MINI Cooper212
2020 MINI Cooper27
2021 MINI Cooper27
2022 MINI Cooper06
2023 MINI Cooper07
2024 MINI Cooper01
2025 MINI Cooper31
2026 MINI Cooper12

Checking a specific 2003 MINI Cooper

How do I know if my 2003 MINI Cooper has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2003 MINI Cooper; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised MINI dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V086000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other MINI models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.