RecallRepo

2003 MINI Cooper S Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 MINI Cooper S has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 91,128 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 258 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STEERING 15V660000 2015-10-15 86,018 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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…

SUSPENSION 03V086000 2003-03-10 5,110 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Complaints by component

STEERING
121
8crashes11fires7injuries
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13
2crashes3fires
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
6
2fires
AIR BAGS
5
1crashes2injuries
ENGINE
5
2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5
2crashes2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
5
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
5
1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
5
1crashes1fires
Total complaints258

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owns a 2003 mini cooper s equipped with falken tires, tire line: sincera sn250 a/s, tire size: 235/45r17, dot number: fmhr3120. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, he noticed that a bubble had developed on the front driver’s side tire. The contact was concerned for his…”

TIRES · reported 2023-08-25

“I was starting my vehicle and it made a bad knocking noise then it was like crunching noise so I stopped turn it off and waited for a while went back to the car still making a strange noise but once I put it in the drive it stopped making noise drove down the road a bit and talking about…”

STEERING · reported 2020-07-01

“I was starting my vehicle and it made a bad knocking noise then it was like crunching noise so I stopped turn it off and waited for a while went back to the car still making a strange noise but once I put it in the drive it stopped making noise drove down the road a bit and talking about…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2020-07-01

“Occasionally the steering over my mini cooper s is becoming very hard. It seems like the power steering is failing. The car then can only be steered with a lot of difficulty. I can no longer risk to have my daughter or wife drive this car. I checked the steering fluid and it is at optimal levels.…”

STEERING · reported 2019-03-08

“Power steering pump failed while driving”

STEERING · reported 2019-02-20

“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper s. The contact noticed fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact checked under the hood and discovered that the fuel filter had a leak. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2018-05-17

“We know of twice that our car's power steering pump failed while in motion. After bmw was finally forced into a recall for the power steering pump failure and we received a notification, we took our car to century bmw in greenville, sc. The service department checked our work regarding replacement…”

STEERING · reported 2017-12-13

“Power steering went out without warning, causing loss of control while vehicle was in motion; mini usa advised it was still driveable, but to be cautious due to lack of control/power steering; when parked, smoke began to plume from under hood where a fire was noticed in back of engine. Called mini…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2017-07-10

Defect investigations

Investigation DP05006 Opened 2005-09-19 · closed 2005-10-06

AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION

ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND HAS OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-053) ON ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 MINI COOPER VEHICLES.

Investigation DP05006 Opened 2005-09-19 · closed 2005-10-06

AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION

ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND HAS OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-053) ON ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 MINI COOPER VEHICLES.

Investigation EA07011 Opened 2007-08-14 · closed 2008-08-13

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) ANALYZED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC (BMW)AND TO ODI THAT ALLEGED FAILURES OF THE ELECTROHYDRAULIC POWER STEERING (EHPS) USED IN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2003 MINI COOPER VEHICLES.THE ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 43 OF THE 52 (83%) REPORTS WERE RELATED TO…

Investigation EA07011 Opened 2007-08-14 · closed 2008-08-13

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) ANALYZED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC (BMW)AND TO ODI THAT ALLEGED FAILURES OF THE ELECTROHYDRAULIC POWER STEERING (EHPS) USED IN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2003 MINI COOPER VEHICLES.THE ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 43 OF THE 52 (83%) REPORTS WERE RELATED TO…

Investigation EA07011 Opened 2007-08-14 · closed 2008-08-13

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) ANALYZED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC (BMW)AND TO ODI THAT ALLEGED FAILURES OF THE ELECTROHYDRAULIC POWER STEERING (EHPS) USED IN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2003 MINI COOPER VEHICLES.THE ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 43 OF THE 52 (83%) REPORTS WERE RELATED TO…

Investigation EA07011 Opened 2007-08-14 · closed 2008-08-13

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) ANALYZED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC (BMW)AND TO ODI THAT ALLEGED FAILURES OF THE ELECTROHYDRAULIC POWER STEERING (EHPS) USED IN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2003 MINI COOPER VEHICLES.THE ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 43 OF THE 52 (83%) REPORTS WERE RELATED TO…

Investigation EA11005 Opened 2011-05-04 · closed 2016-01-05

Loss of power steering assist

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include…

Investigation EA11005 Opened 2011-05-04 · closed 2016-01-05

Loss of power steering assist

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include…

Investigation EA11005 Opened 2011-05-04 · closed 2016-01-05

Loss of power steering assist

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include…

Investigation EA11005 Opened 2011-05-04 · closed 2016-01-05

Loss of power steering assist

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include…

Investigation PE05053 Opened 2005-09-27 · closed 2006-03-01

AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION

IN MARCH 2006, BMW REISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FIRST ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER 2003, TO MINI DEALERS REGARDING THE REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR IMPROPER WIRE CRIMPS IN APPROXIMATELY 31,500 MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 MINI COOPER VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO JANUARY 2003.THE NEW SERVICE BULLETIN STATES THAT THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE…

Investigation PE05053 Opened 2005-09-27 · closed 2006-03-01

AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION

IN MARCH 2006, BMW REISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FIRST ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER 2003, TO MINI DEALERS REGARDING THE REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR IMPROPER WIRE CRIMPS IN APPROXIMATELY 31,500 MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 MINI COOPER VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO JANUARY 2003.THE NEW SERVICE BULLETIN STATES THAT THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE…

Investigation PE07022 Opened 2007-04-19 · closed 2007-08-15

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), BMW STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS AN INSUFFICIENT SEAL OF THE GROUND CABLE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE CHASSIS.WATER INGRESS CAN OCCUR AND THE WATER CAN TRAVEL ALONG THE POWER…

Investigation PE07022 Opened 2007-04-19 · closed 2007-08-15

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), BMW STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS AN INSUFFICIENT SEAL OF THE GROUND CABLE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE CHASSIS.WATER INGRESS CAN OCCUR AND THE WATER CAN TRAVEL ALONG THE POWER…

Investigation PE07022 Opened 2007-04-19 · closed 2007-08-15

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), BMW STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS AN INSUFFICIENT SEAL OF THE GROUND CABLE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE CHASSIS.WATER INGRESS CAN OCCUR AND THE WATER CAN TRAVEL ALONG THE POWER…

Investigation PE07022 Opened 2007-04-19 · closed 2007-08-15

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), BMW STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS AN INSUFFICIENT SEAL OF THE GROUND CABLE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE CHASSIS.WATER INGRESS CAN OCCUR AND THE WATER CAN TRAVEL ALONG THE POWER…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 MINI Cooper S as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.