2003 MINI Cooper Problems and Repair Histories
2003 MINI Cooper problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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MINI Cooper
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2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatch
supercharged 163hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| MINI Cooper in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2011 | 72000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2011 | 73000 | 450 | knock and other sensor replaced |
| MINI Cooper in Minnesota, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2007 | 876 | Power steering pump, and cooling fan need replacing. BMW parts quoted $876.00 for PARTS ONLY! found online for $450.00 replaced myself. | |
| MINI Cooper in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 116000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 123300 | 176 | Power steering pump |
| Sep | 2012 | 155000 | 250 | Burnt exhaust valve |
| Jan | 2013 | 165000 | 0 | Steering pump stopped working. |
| Apr | 2013 | 174000 | 110 | Heater core was leaking. |
| MINI Cooper in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2012 | 37000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2012 | 37000 | 0 | Power lock on driver side required new actuator |
| MINI Cooper in Hawaii, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2003 | 0 | Window inoperative. | |
| MINI Cooper in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2003 | 0 | Bonnet stripe application. | |
| Feb | 2004 | 0 | Dash trim and center console 'downtubes' rattling. Covered by warranty. | |
| Mar | 2005 | 0 | Replace one front pulse sender, and a steering angle sensor. Tail light bulb replacement. Replace crankcase breather line. Covered by warranty. | |
| Jun | 2005 | 0 | Front and rear brake pad replacement, Xenon headlight replacement, passenger side window motor replacement, sunroof shade re-attachment, ABS fluid repaclement. All covered by warranty. | |
| May | 2006 | 0 | End of warranty at 50k. Alignment, replace the clutch, steering rack, re-hang the driver's side door, driver and passenger side window motor replacement. All covered by warranty. | |
| Jul | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| MINI Cooper in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2010 | 123000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2010 | 124000 | 0 | driver's door would not open from inside the car |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| MINI Cooper in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2010 | 102000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2011 | 102000 | 325 | transmission failed at 35,000 miles. Dealer replaced entire transmission and clutch both front control arm bushing needed to be replaced I replaced them myself at 65000 miles left HID Headlight ballast, and HID Bulb needed to be replaced under original warranty, at 45,000 miles Right HID Headlight ballast, and HID Bulb needed to be replaced under extended warranty, at 65,000 miles CD player needed to be replaced with newer OEM model, 2003 version's LCD display would pixelize in temps under 20 degrees. Known issue when I brought it to dealer, and they replaced it with newer build date CD player Rear hatch license plate light socket disintegrated. Metal tabs for bulbs totally corroded away - had to replace entire rear hatch handle assembly, and have it painted, since it only comes primed. 90,000 miles |
| May | 2011 | 107000 | 2035 | Supercharger was out of internal oil. Mini USA states it is a wear item, and needs to be replaced once out of oil. normally 100,000 miles - part from dealer is $2600 for the part, + 7 hrs labor. I got mine rebuilt for $1200 plus 6 hrs labor water pump should be replaced when supercharger is replaced, otherwise it is 6 hours of labor thermostat housing cracked replaced it and thermostat crank seal leaking oil replaced alternator died |
| Jun | 2011 | 107000 | 115 | both O2 sensors needed replacing. was able to get non-OEM ones for $55 each from advanced suto, and just splicesd the connector on. |
| Nov | 2011 | 117500 | 1200 | CV joints starting clicking, and then went to a heavy vibration when on the gas. needed to replace both driver and passenger axle's and CV joints, and have the passenger side bearing pressed off the old axle, and pressed onto the new axle. |
| Mar | 2012 | 120000 | 1800 | OEM flywheel has internal grease in it. This grease was expelled from the flywheel, contaminating and ruining the clutch |
| Jun | 2012 | 123000 | 75 | MAP sensor died. When the Map sensor dies, it throws the EML light, and the car goes into limp mode. I could sometimes restart it, and it would be fine for a little while, then it would sputter, and go into limp mode again |
| Oct | 2012 | 125300 | 670 | power steering pump failed. $550 for a new one. replaced feed and return lines also, as they were leaking. |
| Dec | 2012 | 126000 | 358 | thermostat housing cracked again - replaced it Both wheel bearings are shot again. I drive the Dragon, and I drive the car hard all the time, wheelbearing replacements are normal maintenance for me :) |
| Feb | 2013 | 128500 | 1400 | the gears in the trans shattered. I got a fully re manufactured trans from the UK, $1270 shipped from http://www.minigearboxes.co.uk/. I also replaced my ebrake lines, one had rusted solid had a hole in the intercooler, which got replaced |
| Apr | 2013 | 129000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| MINI Cooper in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 29000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 29000 | 1900 | Electrical, other than above, repair |
| Sep | 2011 | 29000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| MINI Cooper in Connecticut, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2009 | 69000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2010 | 82000 | 0 | Rear rotors and pads needed replacing. Also replaced front rotors and pads at same time. |
| Dec | 2012 | 103000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| MINI Cooper in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 100000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2009 | 102000 | 479 | Rear brake pads worn, unevenly. Parking brake cables misaligned, causing uneven wear of the rear pads. |
| Oct | 2010 | 112000 | 180 | Noticed slight exhaust leak sound, couldn't find the source. After 1-2 weeks, the exh. manifold broke right at the 1st cat. Suspect it's too close to the cat to re-weld. Replaced entire mfld with used part. New was $1350 at discount dealer. |
| Dec | 2010 | 114000 | 21 | Cowl vent foam had deteriorated and almost completely disappeared over time. Replaced foam with pre-cut foam from Minifini. |
| Aug | 2011 | 118000 | 7 | Power steering fluid had been leaking from reservoir cap for months. I assumed it was due to overheated fluid spewing from the breather. Found out that a bad o-ring on the cap is a common problem. No evidence of leakage since the repair. |
| Mar | 2012 | 120000 | 153 | Engine cooling fan low speed stopped working; fan would stay off until the car got hot enough to engage high speed. Replaced cooling fan/shroud assembly with aftermarket part. Bumper & radiator support must be slid forward for access. Small oil leak from front of engine and oil pan area. Since radiator support was already pulled forward for fan replacement, decided to replace the oil pan gasket and re-seal the crank angle sensor, both common oil leak locations. Side marker bulb apparently overheated and melted the plastic at the socket. The socket broke off the lamp housing and was dangling by its harness. There were no signs of external damage. Replaced side marker lamp assembly. |
| Feb | 2013 | 127500 | 1 | Had to pull inner door handle 3-7x before the door would open. Cable had stretched and cable end had popped out of its holder. Reinstalled in holder, routed cable to take up slack, put a fastener in an unused hole to keep cable in place. |
| Mar | 2013 | 128000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatch
115-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
| MINI Cooper in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 89000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2013 | 90000 | 100 | Drivers Door Handle frozen and would not release when cold weather.. TSB said to R&R door handle. |
| MINI Cooper in Arizona, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 40000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2009 | 41000 | 0 | ignition switch |
| Jul | 2010 | 47000 | 730 | new starter |
| Mar | 2013 | 56000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| MINI Cooper in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2005 | 7500 | Transmission Broke. Had to replace whole new transmission. | |
| Apr | 2007 | 0 | Transmission replaced again because it would rev up too high before shifting into a higher gear at around 70 mph. Fortunately it was still covered under a two year warranty from the original repair in 12/05. | |
| Jul | 2007 | 500 | O2 sensor needed replacing. Left rear control bar was bent and also needed replacing. Dealer wanted $1500 for the job. Went somewhere else and have never returned to the dealer. | |
| Sep | 2008 | 850 | Power steering pump failed and needed replacing. | |
| Oct | 2009 | 225 | Power steering pump fan needed replacing. | |
| Nov | 2009 | 400 | Radiator leaked and needed replacing. | |
| MINI Cooper in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2010 | 55000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2011 | 59000 | 500 | 2 power steering hoses leaking. Parts ordered and replaced. Pump fine no problems. |
| Jun | 2012 | 72000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| MINI Cooper in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 50000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2009 | 50000 | 600 | The new service manager of MINI at Sterling of BMW & Sterling - saved my life - she got Mini of NA to pay half for the repair ref. good will because of on-going problems with the transmission. She was a fantastic advocate for my problem with my 03 Mini. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| MINI Cooper in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2005 | 0 | Stereo head unit replaced under warranty. | |
| Sep | 2009 | 52000 | 260 | Replaced radiator due to small crack in side of tank. |
| Nov | 2010 | 61500 | 2220 | Radiator fan assembly failed due to short. A/C compressor also failed and receiver dryer was leaking. Mechanic determined that the A/C compressor may have caused the short. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| MINI Cooper in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 29000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 46000 | 1001 | R & R electronic power steering pump. Design is prone to failure, and it was beginning to whine incessantly, "bump" on turns and I've read enough to know that this is a common failure on the BMW design. |
| Mar | 2013 | 50000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatch
115-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| MINI Cooper in South Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 0 | New owner of a used mini, right away power steering started malfunctioning & runs after car is shut off, other forums report this as widespread problem, planning to repair myself at cost of aprox $300 for rebuilt part. No other problems to report | |
| MINI Cooper in Minnesota, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2003 | 0 | warranty covered squeaky speaker grill in passenger door and loose lens on rpm gauge on dashboard | |
| MINI Cooper in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 44000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 58300 | 1300 | Replaced shocks had to replace exhaust Switch for raising and lowering windows is not working well...have to apply lots of pressure to the toggle. Was told the unit needed to be replaced. The cost was not worth it to me, as the issue is a minor nuissance. Praking brake needed to be tightened up. |
| Nov | 2012 | 61700 | 2300 | Hinge for hatchback broke. Check engine light wnet on, some sensor needed replacing. |
| Dec | 2012 | 62000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| MINI Cooper in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 64000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2009 | 65000 | 0 | Clutch pedal no longer engaged clutch. Could not drive. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| MINI Cooper in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 20000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2010 | 23000 | 5500 | rear wheel speed sensor replaced. Computer reset. Brake system flushed(preventative). |
| May | 2011 | 25000 | 823 | Replace leaking high pressure power steering hose. |
| Mar | 2013 | 30000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| MINI Cooper in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 11000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2009 | 12000 | 0 | Light indicated overheating went on during commute home. Coolant level very low. Radiator will need to be replaced. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| MINI Cooper in Alberta, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 21080 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 34100 | 400 | Engine light on, diagnosed as thermostat, replace same. Currently solved. |
| Apr | 2013 | 37200 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
Expert 2003 MINI Cooper Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2003 MINI Cooper
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