Model year
2003 MINI Cooper
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 320 complaints for the 2003 MINI Cooper (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 217 complaints under COOPER S. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are STEERING (140), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (53), POWER TRAIN (29). NHTSA lists 5 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 25–28 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,950–$3,300, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2002 187 complaints
- 2003 320 complaints
- 2004 282 complaints
- 2005 372 complaints
- 2006 200 complaints
- 2007 117 complaints
- 2008 116 complaints
- 2009 151 complaints
- 2010 92 complaints
- 2011 83 complaints
- 2012 66 complaints
- 2013 47 complaints
- 2014 34 complaints
- 2015 56 complaints
- 2016 28 complaints
- 2017 28 complaints
- 2018 8 complaints
- 2019 12 complaints
- 2020 7 complaints
- 2021 7 complaints
- 2022 6 complaints
- 2023 7 complaints
- 2024 1 complaints
- 2025 1 complaints
- 2026 2 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
15V660000 · Oct 15, 2015
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.
03V086000 · Mar 10, 2003
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.
Complaints
320 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 27, injury field 3, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| COOPER S | 2 | 217 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP05006 | AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION · AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | Sep 19, 2005 | Oct 6, 2005 |
| PE05053 | AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION · AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | Sep 27, 2005 | Mar 1, 2006 |
| PE07022 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS;… | Apr 19, 2007 | Aug 15, 2007 |
| EA07011 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS;… | Aug 14, 2007 | Aug 13, 2008 |
| EA11005 | Loss of power steering assist · STEERING; STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST… | May 4, 2011 | Jan 5, 2016 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper S · 1.6L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 22 | 31 | 25 | — | — | $3,300 |
| Cooper · 1.6L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 22 | 29 | 25 | — | — | $3,300 |
| Cooper · 1.6L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 25 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,950 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 MINI Cooper at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.