2003 Mini Cooper S
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Mini Cooper S is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 6 on record.
2003 Mini Cooper S at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2003 Mini Cooper S recalls 2
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.
Fix: 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. Owner…
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.
Fix: 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.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 8 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2003 Mini Cooper S MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2003 Mini Cooper S costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2003 Mini Cooper S. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2003 Mini Cooper S. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Steering
On certain vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering pump could fail temporarily or permanently due to problems with the electronics that control the function of the pump, a failure of the pump cooling fan, or a loss of power to the pump. A vehicle experiencing a loss of steering power assist would revert to a manual steering mode which would require greater driver effort,…
Transport Canada #2012029 · Jan 2012Suspension
On certain vehicles, the head of the screw securing the rear struts to the chassis may tear off. The remaining portion of the screw (stud, or shaft) will still hold the strut in place. However, if left unattended over a longer period of time, and depending on driving conditions, the stud/shaft may break. If this occurred, the chassis would lean directly on the tire, diminishing…
Transport Canada #2003055 · Mar 2003Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.