Is This A Lemon?

Year · Make · Model

2003 Mini Cooper S

What the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration knows about this vehicle: every recall, every consumer complaint, every defect investigation, every NCAP crash test. Sourced directly from NHTSA data feeds.

2
Open recalls
217
NHTSA complaints
5
Defect investigations
43
Service bulletins

Consumer complaints

217 filed
11
Crashes
21
Fires
11
Injuries reported
1
Fatalities reported

What people complain about

  • Steering
    121
  • VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
    29
  • Electrical System
    13
  • STEERING:HYDRAULIC Power ASSIST:PUMP
    6
  • AIR Bags
    5
  • Vehicle Speed Control
    5
  • Service BRAKES, Hydraulic
    5
  • Engine
    5

Recalls

2 campaigns
15V660000·STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM2015-10-15

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.

RiskIf 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.

FixMINI 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.

03V086000·SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER2003-03-10

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.

RiskIF 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.

FixDEALERS 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.

NHTSA investigations

16 actions
EA11005·STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM2011-05-04 → 2016-01-05

Loss of power steering assist

Led to recall15V660000

EA11005·STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM2011-05-04 → 2016-01-05

Loss of power steering assist

Led to recall15V660000

EA11005·STEERING2011-05-04 → 2016-01-05

Loss of power steering assist

Led to recall15V660000

EA11005·STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP2011-05-04 → 2016-01-05

Loss of power steering assist

Led to recall15V660000

EA07011·STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM2007-08-14 → 2008-08-13

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

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