Body, doors & structure

2003 Mini Cooper Body problems

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2003 Mini Cooper's body, doors & structure with NHTSA - 2% of all its complaints, most recently on August 14, 2014. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Doors, hoods and latches, frame rust, sunroofs, leaks, trim and structural failures.

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Complaints: 11
Recalls: 0
Crashes: 0
Fires: 1
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

Body complaints

Electrical systemVisibility & wipersBody, doors & structureSeats & seat belts

Drain hose from sunroof drain running down a-pillar came dislodged through "normal wear and tear" causing massive flooding to the interior of my car. It was rendered unserviceable and totaled, on june 16, 2014, but uncovered by insurance. This was nothing that I was aware of that was an issue, nor were any recalls ever issued on this issue. I had it in to the dealership in 2012, 2 years ago, for electrical failure, and they thought it was merely the battery, so they replaced it and it seemed to be fine, but they...

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said to keep the battery as a back up "just in case" because it still appeared to be a good battery. Then later in 2013, I took it back to the mini dealer for general service and I said I noticed water in the boot (trunk) and for them to check the hatchback seal to see if there was any leaks, they said no, and no further investigation was done for either event. I believe that both these events were results of the faulty drain hose from the a-pillar being dislodged for so long. Today, the automobile left my possession, to an auction house. I wanted to file this complaint so that you, the nhtsa can perhaps have mini issue a recall to fix this issue and have them change their vehicle's sunroof drainage system so that someone else doesn't have a car totally ruined by flooding due to this defect in engineering and design. After viewing some mini forums, I am not the only person who has had this issue has happened to their mini cooper. I'm very sad, because I happened to really enjoy this car, and it was totally fun to drive. I was advised by a friend who is a motorcycle mechanic and my insurance agent to file this report with your organization, in hopes that something will be done about this. Too many people don't speak up, and I am not one to let something done wrong to me go without a fight! Do all you can to rectify this issue with mini! *Tr

Body, doors & structureEngine & coolingFire

On february 6, 2014 my mini cooper s was serviced at the dealership mini cooper of concord for a recall in the power steering pump. Shortly, after in march my car started to smoke from the engine and my car bursted into flames. The fire department came and turned down the fire, however my car is a complete loss. I called mini cooper of concord, however no one could provide help. I also emailed the head of the dealership and there was no response. I investigated online and noticed that many people had similar...

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problems with the water pump leaking and catching fire in the engine. I called mini usa and filed a case,and they promised to respond within 3 days. However, they did not only until I called various times and finally was able to reach a representative. James informed me that there was no way to evaluate the mini cooper was as at fault and only tried to sell me a new car. I am very disappointed with mini cooper's customer service and lack of support. My car is now a complete loss. *Tr

Body, doors & structure

The driver's side door latch does not open the door. I am unable to exit my car without unlocking the doors from the central panel, rolling down the driver's side window and opening the door from the outside. This is clearly not a best practice in an emergency situation. I have seen multiple complaints about this issue which I would like mini to recognize as dangerous. If it is just a cable inside the door that is needed, the total cost for repair will be $233.00 (The part is $17.00 The rest is for labor). *Tr

Body, doors & structure

Mini cooper doors cannot be opened using either the inside or outside door handles under certain freezing conditions. This has occurred multiple times during freezing weather, usually when snow or ice is present. The failure occurs intermittently on both the passenger and driver side doors. At times, it occurs after the vehicle has been parked for many hours when temperatures are below freezing. However, it can also occur after the door has been opened and the vehicle driven for 30 minutes or more. When the...

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failure occurs, neither the inside nor outside handles will open the door. The only recourse is to exit (or enter) the vehicle using the other door (so far there has not been an instance when both doors froze) and wait for the condition to rectify itself. *Tr

SteeringSuspensionEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBody, doors & structureSeats & seat belts

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. *Tr

Body, doors & structure

The upper right hinge on the rear hatchdoor of my 2003 mini sheared in half causing the door to spring off and almost hit me on the head. It also poses the risk of the rear hatch door flying off while the car is in motion posing a hazard to other drivers and pedestrians. Bmw charged me $700 dollars to replace the hinge and refused to admit responsibility for this defective design. When I checked on the internet it appears that this is a know hazardous defect. The following are emails exchanged by me with...

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bmw which quote some of the internet threads on this issue. See e.G. Http://www.Northamericanmotoring.Com/forums/stock-problems-issues/86679-please-lube-rear-hatch-hinges-2.Html and http://www.Minicooperforums.Com/forum/showthread.Php?T=2245. Moreover, the service manager for mini at the dealership admitted to me that this is a common problem. Email: the issue is not the life of a vehicle part but of a design defect and safety flaw. Hinges on the hatch lid should not break off endangering owners under normal conditions. The lid almost fell on my head. This seems to be a common problem and my dealer confirmed it. Are you going to wait for a lawsuit. Moreover, a $700 price tag to replace a $30 dollar hinge is outrageous. These hinges should not fail with normal use and that is all it has been subjected too. If you look on the internet you will see numerous complaints about this problem and my guess is that you have received them as well. This has completely ruined the mini experience for me and I will not be a repeat owner with that attitude. Please read them. As you can see you have a serious design flaw that you are ignoring and passing on to the customers. If I do not receive some satisfaction with this I will file a complaint with the nhtsa. On august 28, 2010. The rear hatch door of my mini fell off when being opened because the hinge broke in half. This could have been serious but fortunately no one was hurt. *Tr

SteeringSuspensionBrakesBody, doors & structure

My mini cooper s has less than 27,000 miles on it. It has been carefully driven and has sustained no crash damage. Had several warning lights come on the car and had failures with the abs, steering angle sensor, and front wheel sensor. In addition and most importantly, I was told that I had "mushrooming" and cracked front shock tower mounts on both sides of the car, and that alone would cost over $1,400 to repair. I was told that hitting potholes or other road hazards caused this. In addition, the dealer,...

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roadshow mini in memphis, tn, stated that the shock towers and front bushings were considered wear items, and that they could be redamaged immediately if the car came in contact with another pothole. Additionally, I was told by mini usa that no engineers or national representatives could be contacted, and that the dealer would handle all questions and concerns. I asked if there were any upgrades and fixes offered by mini and was told that there were none. However, this problem seems to be fairly common, and there are several aftermarket companies that address this issue,. The service manager at the dealership stated that he sees this problem on 3-4 cars in the shop every month. It appears that this is a design flaw, that there can be strut collapse or suspension failure while driving, and that mini should have addressed this problem with these cars. For normal driving conditions to have resulted in deformed and cracked strut towers is unacceptable and represents a hazardous situation. I have never owned an automobile that had strut tower failure under normal driving conditions. *Tr

Body, doors & structure

Seven months pregnant and locked inside of my 2003 mini cooper s because the cables inside the door froze. Husband had to pull me out of the car via the driver's window because there was no other way out. Able to initially get in and out of car but within a few minutes, the doors froze and I was stuck. Talked to mini usa and dealership and both said never heard of it even though numerous blogs and complaints exist for mini cooper s made before 04/2004. Very worried in case of emergency and me and my unborn child need to get out. Also have had my two and four year old girls in the car with me. Fortunately didn't happen when they were present. *Tr

Body, doors & structure

Rust is developing on the sheet metal on both the driver side and passenger side body frame covered by the rubber door seal. This rust is in an area that is unpainted (bare sheet metal). The rubber door seal traps moisture against the steel. *Nm

Body, doors & structure

Upon entering the vehicle doors froze. Once getting in the vehicle one cannot get out or once out cannot get in. Contacted the dealer. However, the problem recurred. *Ak

Visibility & wipersAirbagsBody, doors & structureEquipment & accessories

This car is less than a year old. So far the air bag indicator light malfunctioned, the radio was replaced, the passenger window motor was replaced, the navigation system display is about to be replaced, and two red marks on the takometer no longer light up.*Ak

Mini Cooper body complaints by year

'01 '02 11'03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '25 '26

Cooper body problems, every year

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked yesterday. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

2003 Mini Cooper Body problems

Body complaints

Mini Cooper body complaints by year

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