2003 MINI Cooper visibility problems

Filed Dec 31, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · WA

No air or blower or heat to defog windshield. Water in driver-side foot well. Power steering intermittent fault. Engine continues running and panel gauge lights remain on with ignition off and key removed.

Filed Nov 26, 2014 · Lights, Steering · 117,000 miles · CO

Night driving in colorado mtns. Lights began to flicker and power steering failed. Found safe place to pull over and turned off lights and engine. Restarted and turned lights back on to resume driving within a few minuets lights flickered and power steering failed again. Had to continue for several miles until it was safe to pull over again. Attempted to turn off head lights and use fog lights on county dirt road, still lights flickered/dimmed and power steering failed. Currently vehicle is parked and we are attempting to research recall matters with this malfunction. Superior driving skill is required to operate this vehicle with nonfunctional power steering. Average operators will have great difficulty maintaining safe operation of the automobile. This issue will lead to loss of life if not addressed. Nearest dealer for mini is 130 miles distant.

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 68,000 miles · OH

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 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 federal safety agency 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!

Filed Apr 15, 2013 · Visibility · 109,000 miles · MD

Got in car one morning and noticed windshield had cracked in center from top of windshield and from bottom of windshield, and I'm hoping the crack doesn't meet in the middle!

Filed Aug 19, 2009 · Visibility · 35,000 miles · CA

My 2003 mini cooper has a cracked windshield that resulted from structural problems. It is l-shaped and it started at the bottom middle of the windshield.

Filed Oct 31, 2008 · Visibility · 68,000 miles · CO

Both passenger and drivers side windows are stuttering when I try to roll them up or down. This is when I am even able to get them to work. Found that when the weather is hot, they won't work at all!! Meaning I am having to wait for it to cool down to roll the windows down if I am lucky and have on one occasion got stuck in my vehicle because the car door handle also would open the door from the inside and I couldn't open the window to open the door, which was very dangerous since I had a child with me. This has been occurring more and more frequently and just got my door repaired and still having issues with the windows making it impossible to do anything that requires a drive through, or at my previous apt you had to enter a code to get into the gated community and I had to get out of my car to do this, and I live in colorado, and it gets very cold. This should be a recall, due to many forums and other mini owners experiencing the same issues! From forums shows that even replacing the motor won't fix the issue, what a waste of money!! This needs to a recall once again, can't afford to keep getting this fixed and dishing out money, especially when I have a kid with me from time to time. Unacceptable.

Filed Oct 6, 2008 · Brakes, Engine · 10,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. Upon taking the vehicle in for an oil change, it was discovered that the driver side struts needed to be replaced. Approximately four months later, the passenger side strut needed to be replaced. The front and rear brakes were also replaced and the vehicle had an oil pan leak. The driver's and passenger side window motors failed and needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 12,900 and failure mileage was 10,000.

Filed May 9, 2008 · Engine, Steering · 60,000 miles · PA

Tl*the 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.

Filed Dec 6, 2007 · Steering, Transmission · 107,000 miles · CA

I will be installing what will be the third manual 5-speed transmission in my mini. Same problem, seems to be the final drive bearing is failing likely due to lack of lubrication. I have records of all service and check it regularly and it has never been low. The bearing is apparently not getting a proper supply of fluid. Problem number two, my power steering pump failed on me once. It exploded while I was driving. The hoses basically got too hot and blew up. I fortunately was able to limp it to a shop without any fire. On another occasion the power steering fan continued to run even when the ignition was shut off, needed to replace the entire pump this time which cost me $500 installed with a remanufactured pump. Third, I have had to put three windshields in the car. None of these repairs were warranted! Mini needs to suck it up and claim responsibility for these shoddily made cars, they have made their money and don't care to help with anything. I am a loyal bmw customer but I think I will stick with the older models now as they aren't impossible to work on and find parts for. God knows I will not pay 23 grand for this nightmare again.

Filed Sep 18, 2006 · Visibility · 55,000 miles · OH

The power windows fail to open. During the event of a crash where the window is the sole source of egress, the electric operated window may not open under its own power. Vehicle is out of warranty. Dealer will not fix.