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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Steering: electric power assist system
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Suspension: rear, shock absorber
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF LEFT UNATTENDED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, AND DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SCREW MAY BREAK. IF IT BROKE, THE CHASSIS WOULD LEAN DIRECTLY ON THE TIRE DIMINISHING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Canadian recalls (2)
Show 2 Canadian recalls
Steering
2012-01-30 · campaign 2012-029
On certain vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering pump could fail temporarily or permanently due to problems with the electronics that control the function of the pump, a failure of the pump cooling fan, or a loss of power to the pump. A vehicle experiencing a loss of steering power assist would revert to a manual steering mode which would require greater driver effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. Nevertheless, a loss of steering power assist could ultimately result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: The electro-hydraulic power steering pump, as well as the pump cooling fan, will be subject to special extended warranty coverage of 12 years or 200,000 km from first in-service date of the vehicle.
Suspension
2003-03-07 · campaign 2003-055 · 462 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the head of the screw securing the rear struts to the chassis may tear off. The remaining portion of the screw (stud, or shaft) will still hold the strut in place. However, if left unattended over a longer period of time, and depending on driving conditions, the stud/shaft may break. If this occurred, the chassis would lean directly on the tire, diminishing the driver's ability to control the vehicle. Depending on traffic conditions and the driver's reactions, this could lead to a crash. Correction: Dealer will replace the lower screw connection of the rear struts.
Owner complaints (320)
Owners filed 320 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 MINI Cooper (3 crashes, 27 fires, 3 injuries reported). Among 26 model years of this model, it ranks #2 for the most complaints (median 47).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Steering | 159 | |
| Power train | 89 | |
| Electrical system | 26 | |
| Visibility | 23 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | |
| Air bags | 10 | |
| Equipment | 7 | |
| Engine | 7 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 MINI Cooper.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 MINI Cooper w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 MINI Cooper version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Cooper 1.6 L Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 22 | 29 | 25 | $3,300 |
| Cooper 1.6 L Manual 5-spd | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,950 |
| Cooper S 1.6 L Manual 6-spd | 22 | 31 | 25 | $3,300 |
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Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.