Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Mini Cooper owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Mini Cooper. While the vehicle was parked in the parking lot, the neighbors noticed that it caught fire and called the fire department. The police arrived and filed a report. The fire department extinguished the fire. The police informed the contact that the fire originated from the engine. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
While traveling north on us 221 from bent mountain, va to roanoke va my hydralic steering totally failed. As I travelled a short distance my brake light warning lights, ABS light, other brake system light, battery light and air bag warning light came on. I looked at the engine temperature guage and the temp was normal. I pulled into a parking lot, raised the hood, checked the fluids in the engine compartment and reentered the car. While sitting in the drivers seat I heard a loud explosion, looked forward and noted thick steam coming from the engine compartment. I turned the engine off, exited the car and when the steam dissipated I noted that the cooling system filling/overflow tank was split in half damaging a protecting cover on the firewall and sprayed a building wall and window with engine coolant 10 feet away in front of the vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact was traveling 55 MPH when gray smoke emitted from the under the hood of the vehicle as the power steering failed. The check engine warning light illuminated during the failure and the vehicle over heated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the harmonic damper had detached from the engine. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 79,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper s. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact noticed smoke emitting from under the hood. The contact stopped the vehicle and found a fire had erupted in the engine area and under the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not inspected for the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
My Mini Cooper July 2003 build has what is referred to as either a "stumble" or a "hiccup". Basically what happens is that the engine momentarily cuts out when accelerating from a stop, causing a pause and than resumiing with a jolt. This problem is being complained about by numerous Mini owners for over 1 year (see numerous complaints on this subject at http://www.minicooperonline.com/mod...opic&topic=9951 and also at mini2.com yet the Mini dealers claim ignorance about the problem, or say they have heard of a few complaints on the s but not on the Cooper. Some Mini USA reps (1-866-ask-Mini) admit it is a known issue on both the Cooper and the Cooper s. Othes claim ignorance. …
I have owned the vehicle since its purchase brand new in March, 2003. When the engine is warm and starting it up after having been shut down for up to two hours there has always been a minor, intermittent problem with a rough and surging idle that oscillates between 1050 RPM down to 400 RPM then back up then down which lasts for about 30 seconds before settling down. As the vehicle has aged the problem has intensified to the point that the engine sometimes stalls. The symptoms are similar to those as noted in NHTSA item #10009756, service bulletin #110104 (rough idle, stalling). Lately it has now even begun to occur when stopping quickly causing the engine to almost stall. If it were an emergency situation there would not be enough immediate power to accelerate. The dealer has been shown the problem but has failed to rectify. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. When the contact would turn off the vehicle, she could still hear the motor fan running. She took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the power steering hose and fan needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired because the warranty expired, and the contact would be responsible for the repair costs. Also, all of the windows on her vehicle would spontaneously open. She took the vehicle to the dealer and a technician deactivated the convenience power system for the power windows. After the repair, the failures continued. The contact called the manufacturer, but they did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 73,000.
While driving on the freeway, on a slight incline is when I noticed the RPM was high and the speed reducing. (along with some crackling, rough noises from the front end of the car) I let off the gas pedal (lowered the rpms), tried to accelerate but the car wouldn't regain speed the car eventually reduced driving speed to 30mph with RPM at 5. I moved over to the shoulder of the freeway and waited for help. With a child in car. Transmissions should not fail on a vehicle at 50,000miles. Very scary situation. I hope this issue with this make/model/year vehicle is addressed. That issue could seriously harm alot of people I have read too many similar stories online.
While driving on a low speed, stop and go traffic in the freeway the car suddenly stalled and I was stopped in the first lane of the freeway. I tried to re-start the engine several times with no sucess, after waiting a few minutes the engine started. I was very lucky that the SUV driving behind was able to stop but not before hitting my bumper. This is the second time it happened, the first time it happened I was in the middle of the street and had the car towed but the engine started as soon as I got to the dealer and they told me that they could only check when the the cars is stalled. I have 2 little kids and I am scared to drive with the car.
My 2003 Mini Cooper has almost caught on fire several times, replaced transmission, electrical harness, power steering pump, A/C hoses and A/C service, wheel bearings, injection plugs etc....... I still cannot find the real problem why is causing a short, it has almost caught on fire several times, this car has been the most dangerous car I have ever own, I have never spend so much money on trying to fix any vehicle, right now I'm about $11,500 in costs of repairs, this is a crime to the consumer, I have been reading about a class action lawsuit that is in progress, I hope and pray that we get justice from the maker of Mini.
Engine complaints in other Cooper years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Mini Cooper?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Mini Cooper, 9% of the model year's 320 complaints. The component named most often is engine (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mini Cooper engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2003 Mini Cooper, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Mini Cooper engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.