Three problems related to electric power assist steering system have been reported for the 2003 Mini Cooper. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Mini Cooper based on all problems reported for the 2003 Cooper.
I am the owner of a 2003 Minicooper. The power steering pump has failed on my Mini in addition to the cooling fan and the wiring harness to the pump. This is a consistent problem with all Mini Coopers made between 2002 and 2006. It is a poor design that results in an expensive repair that will only repeat itself because the repair does not solve the issue of placement of the pump right over the catalytic converter. It I has also on numerous occasions resulted in fires in the engine compartment.
Without notice, the battery died. Upon install of a new battery, a fan started running before the vehicle was turned on. An independent mechanic and the dealer confirmed that the electrical steering pump and steering pump fan had failed and needed replacing. The dealer where I purchased it said I needed to take the vehicle to the dealer where I last had it serviced. I contacted corporate services who informed me that I was eligible for a goodwill warranty extension provided I took to the vehicle for inspection at the dealer where I last had it serviced. The service dealer, and corporate relations, would not provide a goodwill extension because they maintained that my mechanic caused the steering pump to fail. The dealer offered to repair the parts for about $1900 for a new pump and $140 for a new fan. After some research, including information the dealer told my mechanic, this failure is a regular problem with the earlier Mini models and the dealers keep additional parts in stock to repair vehicles as they come in. Additionally, I read that Mini subsequently changed the design of this component to rectify the problem but never informed prior owners of this change. Moreover, I also read that this problem has been happening with Mini during the initial 50,000 miles of ownership, and in some cases the failure of the pump fan has caused engine fires while the vehicle is in operation.
The wiring harness to the electrical power steering pump and the pump itself failed without warning. This caused an unsafe condition. Phone interview update (3/23/07): mr. Kirk started his vehicle and found there was no power steering. He checked and found white smoke was coming from the power steering unit. The dealer mechanic told him the power steering harness was corroded and shorted as seen in other Mini Cooper that they serviced, and that mr. Kirk was lucky that his vehicle didn't catch fire.