2003 MINI COOPER S Electrical System Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE WARNING LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF BIRMINGHAM LOCATED AT 2001 TOM WILLIAMS WAY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35210, 205-267-4505. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,200. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE PART MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL JUNKYARD. THE MAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Mileage: 79,000

AFTER BATTERY WENT DEAD, REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY AND SHORTLY AFTER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HAD INDEPENDENT SHOP CLEAR CODE IN 2015 INSPECTED HARNESS FOUND NOTHING OUT OF ORDINARY. 3 DAYS LATER AIR BAG LIGHT RETURNED. NOW IN FEBRUARY 2018 HAD MINI OF TOWSON DIAGNOSE AIR BAG LIGHT THINKING THE DEALERSHIP CAN RESET AIR BAG LIGHT PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED UPGRADING WIRING HARNESS UNDER SEAT FOR 525 DOLLARS. I HAVE BEEN ON MULTIPLE FORUMS AND THIS AIR BAG LIGHT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 02-03 MINIS, INCLUDING 05-06, AND 12-15 YEAR MINIS. MY CONCERN IS THAT MINI KNOWS THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER BUT REFUSES TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT EVEN WHEN IT COULD AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE PURCHASER OF ITS VEHICLES. IN THE EVENT NHTSA RECEIVES ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO FORCE MINI TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, I WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED AS ANOTHER DISSATISFIED CONSUMER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, GARRETT

Mileage: 48,000

THE MANUAL TAILGATE RELEASE CABLE WAS NOT FITTED IN THIS AND OTHER EARLY PRODUCTION MINI COOPER S CARS, THOUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATES THAT THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS PART OF THE DESIGN. THE MANUAL TAILGATE RELEASE CABLE ALLOWS ACCESS TO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, WHICH IS IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A BATTERY FAILURE. WITHOUT THE MANUAL RELEASE CABLE, THE BATTERY IS INACCESSIBLE IN THE EVENT OF A FAILED BATTERY OR OTHER ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE BATTERY IN MY CAR FAILED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH NO CONVENIENT ACCESS TO REMOVE THE BATTERY. FURTHER, THE ABSENCE OF THIS MANUAL RELEASE CABLE MEANS THAT THE TAILGATE COULD NOT BE USED AS AN EGRESS FOR VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

Mileage: 90,000

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 USA BACK AND THEY ADVISED US TO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE, AS IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. CONTACTED MINI TO SET UP RECALLED PART (HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING), BUT THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER (120 MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE).

Mileage: 110,000

STEERING FLUID CONTINUOUSLY LEAKS - REPLACE HYDRAULIC HOSE TWICE - KNOWN DEFECT - MINI REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE ENGINE COOLING - FAN RUNS AFTER SHUTOFF CONTINUOUSLY - KNOWN DEFECT - MINI REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE ELECTRICAL - DOORS, WINDOWS, SUNROOF FIRE OFF ON THEIR OWN WHILE CAR IS MOVING AND WHEN IS PARKED. WILL DO THIS AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR WHEN SITTING OUTSIDE (RAIN OR SHINE) - CAR UNLOCKS ITSELF AND WINDOWS ALL OPEN UP -KNOWN DEFECT - KIND OF DISTRACTING AT HIGHWAY SPEED -MINI REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE. DEALERS WILL NOT FIX THESE ISSUES UNLESS YOU MAKE THEM RECALL VEHICLES WITH MULTIPLE SMALL PROBLEMS ( NOT JUST ONE BIG PROBLEM) - THIS MODEL HAS 73 TSBS THAT DEALERS CHARGE YOU TO FIX EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS ARE KNOWN AND DANGEROUS ISSUES. IN MY MIND, MANY SMALL PROBLEMS CAN BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN A FEW BIG ONES - STEERING, DOOR LOCKS, COOLING - NOT GOOD. THIS IS AN OLD CAR BUT THESE PROBLEMS ARE OLD TOO - KNOWN TSBS SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO WARRANTY TIME FRAMES, THEY ARE STILL DANGEROUS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. WHEN THESE CARS ARE ROUTINELY SERVICED, THESE KNOWN/DANGEROUS ISSUES NEED TO BE CORRECTED OR THE CARS SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. I USED THE DATE OF THE LAST INCIDENT, NOT THE FIRST ONE. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 71,500

DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, STEERING GOT REALLY HEAVY HARD TO TURN, THEN THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, STARTING SMELLING SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING, PULLED OVER OFF THE ROAD SHUT CAR OFF, SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD, OPEN IT, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF ENGINE. SMOKE SUBSIDED IN A FEW MINUTES, CALLED TOW TRUCK, TOW BACK TO WORK, OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP LOCKED UP AND FRIED IT, IT ALSO DRAW A LOT OF AMPERAGE THAT IT BLOW 100 AMP MAIN FUSE UNDER FUSE BLOCK, BURNT MAIN POWER WIRE TO POWER STEERING PUMP. REPLACED PUMP, WIRING AND FUSE. *TR

Mileage: 158,000

THE POWER STEERING PUMP DOESN'T SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR DOES. THE PUMP RAN UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED. *TR

Mileage: 113,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED SHE NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RELAY AND POWER STEERING PUMP BOTH FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000. .UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF THE CONTROL HARNESS AND POWER SUPPLY HARNESS CONNECTOR MELTED ON THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED.

Mileage: 41,000

2003 MINI COOPER S WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT. CAR RADIO TURNS ON WHEN CAR IS OFF AND NO KEY IS IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING BATTERY TO DRAIN. ONCE MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHEN I WAS LEAVING A PARKING AREA CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED DAMAGES. I HAVE HOWEVER REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO FAULTY WIRING IN APROX 2009. A FUSE THAT RUNS EVERYTHING FOR COOLING BLEW AND GAVE ME NO WARNING THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

2003 MINI COOPER S WITH 67,000K MILES, POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND CAUSED A SHORT CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A COMPLETE MELTDOWN. THE PUMP, HYDRAULIC LINES, COOLING FAN AND WIRING HARNESS WERE ALL BURNED OR MELTED. THERE WAS NO SYMPTOM OR INDICATION OF A FAILURE. CAR DROVE AND ACTED "NORMAL" PRIOR TO PARKING IT FOR THE DAY. WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, 8 HOURS LATER, NO POWER STEERING. IF IT HAD BEEN IN MY GARAGE WHEN THE SHORT/MELTDOWN OCCURRED, IT MAY HAVE CAUSED FIRE. MINIUSA BASICALLY SAID I WAS ON MY OWN DUE TO EXPIRATION OF MY WARRANTY. (60,000). *TR

Mileage: 67,000

I PURCHASED MY '03 MINI COPPER S WITH 49K FROM A HONDA IN MECHANICSBURG, PA DEALER IN AUGUST. IN DECEMBER, I PURCHASED TIRES AND THEN WENT TO A SELF-SERVICE CARWASH AFTERWARD. WHEN I GOT HOME AND BEFORE I PUT IT IN THE GARAGE, I TOOK OUT THE HOSE AND WASHED OFF THE WHEELS AND UNDER THE CAR. DURING THE PROCESS THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS STEAM FROM THE WATER HITTING THE MANIFOLD. I PUT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND LATER WHEN MY WIFE CAME HOME SHE COMMENTED ON THE SMOKE AND MIST IN THE GARAGE (IT WAS QUITE COLD THAT NIGHT.) THE NEXT DAY WHEN I PULLED THE CAR OUT, THE STEERING WAS VERY STIFF AND I ONLY DROVE IT OUT THE DRIVEWAY AND ON THE ROAD BEFORE I REALIZED THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY OUT. I DROVE IT ABOUT 15 MILES TO THE DEALER AFTER CHECKING FUSES AND DETERMINING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BEYOND MY MECHANICAL SKILLS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BATTERY (SHORTED OUT). INSURANCE ADJUSTERS FROM HONDACARE (EXTENDED WARRANTY), STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY (MY COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE) AND THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THEIR CONJECTURE WAS THAT I HAD PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH THE HOSE WHEN I SPRAYED UNDER THE CAR. HONDA CARE PAID $1999 FROM EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BATTERY, POWER STEERING HARNESS AND FAN. A TOTAL OF $2700 ADDITIONAL FROM STATE FARM COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE (HONDACARE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER HARNESS, TOWING AND DIAGNOSTIC WORK FROM THE MINI DEALER IN MARYLAND, ETC BECAUSE THEY WERE THE RESULT OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING PUMP FIRE); STATE FARM INSURANCE WAS EXCEPTIONAL AND COVERED THE DIFFERENCE WITH COMPREHENSIVE COVERED. THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE REPORTS INCLUDING PICTURES FROM ADJUSTERS AT HONDACARE AND FROM STATE FARM INSURANCE. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

2003 MINI COOPER S I DROVE TO WORK AS ON ANY OTHER DAY AND PULLED INTO MY USUAL PARKING SPOT. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER MY CAR ALARM WENT OFF. WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE TO CHECK, ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WERE GOING NUTS - DOOR LOCKS, LIGHTS, THE ALARM, ETC. I SAW A LITTLE BIT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I POPPED THE HOOD AND BOOT, PULLED OUT MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT DIDN'T SEE FLAMES. I SMELLED ELECTRICAL FIRE, AND SAW A WHISP OF SMOKE BUT THAT WAS IT. I EMPTIED THE BOOT AND TRIED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY (I HEARD SOMETHING 'WHIRRING' AND REALIZED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS OBVIOUSLY MALFUNCTIONING.) I COULDN'T DISCONNECT IT MANUALLY SO I LEFT IT AND CHECKED THE ENGINE BAY AGAIN. STILL NO FLAME, BUT MORE SMOKE. I RAN INSIDE AND ASKED A CO-WORKER TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEN GRABBED MY PHONE AND RAN BACK OUT. ANOTHER CO-WORKER CAME OUT WITH ME AND HELPED ME GET THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WORKING; NOW WE COULD SEE SOME SMALL FLAMES COMING FROM BELOW THE AIRBOX. I USED UP THE EXTINGUISHER BUT THERE WAS STILL A LITTLE FIRE. FORTUNATELY IT WORKED ITSELF OUT... THEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP. THEY DISCONNECTED MY BATTERY AND HAD A LOOK. THEY SAID THAT USING THE EXTINGUISHER DEFINITELY KEPT IT FROM SPREADING. THEY FILED A REPORT BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. THE DAMAGE STARTED WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP IGNITING. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH SOME WIRING HARNESSES AND A FEW OTHER ASSORTED PARTS. THE ENGINE BAY WAS DETAILED TO GET ALL THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER 'GOO' OUT OF IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW WITH THE NEW PARTS. MORE INFO HERE: HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=73527. *TR

Mileage: 61,000

COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE INTERNAL CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK, RESULTING IN BLOWN ELECTRONICS, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, DSC LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT. CAUSE WAS APPARENTLY A FAULTY RADIO. HOWEVER, A REPLACEMENT RADIO FAILED WHEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, BRINGING MORE CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK PROBLEMS.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW WOULD NOT OPEN FOR 18 HOURS. THIS OCCURRED AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM AND DID NOT CLEAR UNTIL AFTER A 20 MINUTE DRIVE THE FOLLOWING DAY. ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE WINDOW THE DAY AND EVENING OF THE FAILURE WHILE PARKED AND DRIVING ALL FAILED. *CB

Mileage: 7,975