2003 MINI Cooper: engine overheating

6 of the 320 complaints about the 2003 MINI Cooper describe engine overheating.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 65,525
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 14 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

2015
2
2014
1
2013
1
2012
5
2011
2
2010
2
2009
4
2008
1
2007
5
2006
1
2005
7
2004
3
2003
6
2002
4

What owners say

Filed Aug 18, 2014 · Steering · 101,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the power steering failed without warning causing the contact to nearly loose control of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the power steering motor remained activated although the vehicle was shut off. As a result, the contact had to eject the battery out of the vehicle every time the vehicle was shut off because the vehicle overheated and could potentially cause a fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Dec 6, 2011 · Steering · 65,525 miles · CA · fire

The incident occurred back in june 27, 2007. I parked my car and then noticed there was smoke coming from the front of the car. Opened the bonnet and there were flames coming from the underside of the engine. The first attempt at using a fire extinguisher temporarily put out the fire, but it re-ignited and at this point called the fire department to put it out safely. The bmw dealer kept saying there was never a fire, just smoldering. The "smoldering" was the cause of a steering pump failure which overheats, which in turn damaged the loom (harness, or main wiring for the vehicle), which also ruined the battery. The cost was over $1000 to repair the "smoldering" damages. Prior to the steering pump failure, there was no indication that there were steering problems, nor any possible electrical problems. Car mileage was at 65,525 at the time of the incident.

Filed Oct 8, 2010 · Steering · 82,000 miles · TX

Intermittent power steering (ps) failure. Approximately 20 minutes into a drive, power steering would fail (at any speed), making car extremely difficult and unsafe to drive. Took all my strength to turn the wheel; a frail person could kill someone. Turning the ignition off and on again would reset power steering assist. Had to replace ps pump fan and ps pump (damaged by overheating), at great expense (>$1100), to drive safely again.

Filed May 2, 2008 · Steering · 23,000 miles · WA · fire

Overheating of power steering pump.

Filed Jun 30, 2007 · Electrical, Steering · 65,525 miles · CA · fire

My car was brought into the dealership for an oil change and rear brake repair on tuesday (june 26, 2007). Wednesday evening (june 27, 2007) the car was driven 15 minutes, parked for almost an hour, then driven a mere 30 seconds to change to a different parking spot. Walked away for a minute and noticed smoke coming from the front of the car. Upon opening the bonnet, there was flames coming from the underside of the engine. The first attempt at using a fire extinguisher temporarily put out the fire, then it re-ignited which the fire department was then called to put it out safely. The car was brought the next morning (june 28, 2007) to the dealership and was not looked at until the next day (june 29, 2009). The diagnosis was the steering pump failed, upon which it overheats causing the fire. The fire then damaged the loom (harness, or main wiring for the vehicle), which also ruined the battery. Prior to the fire, there were no signs that the steering was failing, nor any indication that there was any other possible electrical problems. Car mileage was at 65,500 at the time it was brought to the dealer, and about 65,525 miles at the time of the incident. Nothing will be done until the insurance agents from both the consumer and dealership assess the damages.

Filed Apr 26, 2007 · Steering · 55,000 miles · CA · fire

Driving normally, noticed that the power steering was not working. The car was very difficult to steer. Parked car and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. Looked under hood, noticed smoke getting worse, so I drove the car up to street level from garage. Looked under hood and there was a small fire starting at the lower rear of the engine. I was able to use fire extinguishers to put out the fire just as the fire department arrived. Had car towed to the dealer. The initial diagnosis was that there was a stuck relay in the power steering unit, causing it to overheat. A wiring harness on or near the power steering unit was damaged by the heat and shorted some wiring, causing the fire. The fire was localized to the engine compartment. Car is currently being repaired at the dealer.