Windshield problems of the 2003 Mini Cooper

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.

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.

2003 Mini Cooper windshield failure. Spontaneous crack although dealer insists it was a pin hole sized hole that caused it. Refused to cover under warranty. 2nd time it's happened and was covered first time under warranty. Apparently happens very regularly to Mini and at $1078. Complete. . . This just isn't right.

The windshield cracked in several places and needed to be replaced. Vehicle was taken to dealer for check up, and consumer was informed that the windshield had certain spots that could not tolerate road conditions. This could be dangerous if the windshield breaks while the vehicle was being driven.

Spontaneous crack forming in Mini Cooper windshield. Overnight, a crack appeared in my windshiled staring at the bottem center of the windshield, moving directly upward about 5 inches then angling 90 degrees towards the driver's side ofr several inches. This is the 2nd time in 6 months that the same fracture has appearer overnight. First windshield was replaced.

While driving my 2003 Mini Cooper, I noticed a crack in the bottom middle of the windshield. The crack began under the trim, moved up, turned a few inches up, and then spread toward the passenger side. Two weeks later, I brought the car in for it's first scheduled oil service, where I asked the service advisor, peter wark of Mini of the main line in bala cynwyd, PA, about the windshield. He proceeded to take the point of a small screwdriver and run it along the crack. About a quarter of an inch above the trim, and in a place where it would be almost impossible for a rock to hit, the screwdriver caught a small nick in the glass, about the size of a grain of sand. He informed me that that nick was caused by a rock, which caused the crack, which would not be covered under the warranty. He then told me about how the process they use of glueing the glass on causes the entire bottom few inches of glass to become very weak, and that anything hitting the glass in that area, even a tiny rock, would crack the glass. I found this to be unacceptable, so I called the Mini customer service line at 1-866-ask-Mini. I spoke to a "marty" who merely repeated over and over that he was "sorry they made that determination, but a rock chip is not covered under warranty. " after receiving no help from the company, I had the dealer replace the glass. I feel that the repair should be covered because the way they manufacture and attach the glass causes weakness, and that could be considered a manufacturer's defect, which is the primary reason for supplying a customer with a warranty. I have video and photos of the crack and nick, as well as receipts for the repair. The crack was first noticed and spread August 12, 2004 and my service appointment was August 24, 2004.

Windshield cracked on my Mini Cooper from debris on the highway. This is a common problem with Mini Coopers. . Read more...

The slightest pebble causes stars, chips, and cracks in my Mini Cooper windshield. I'm on my third one and it already has 2 stars and a chip. I'm tired of replacing it, but it's a structural safety item.

The Minis windshiel being soft and weak which leaves is more prone to pitting, chipping and to cracking.

Mini Cooper windshield is thin and week. There is no aftermarket glass for it either so repalceing gets pricy.

Windshield: cracking because of frame stress, maybe induced by pin six rock strike.

The windshield on my 2003 Mini suffered a 5 inch crack after being hit by a small pebble. The whole windshield had to be replaced because it wasn't repairable due 1-1/2 inches of it being subsurface. On my other cars, a 1993 Lexus ls400 and a 1993 isuzu rodeo 4wd, neither car has ever suffered a cracked windshield due to a pebble hit. What's worse is the 2003 Mini windshield cracked just 11 days after owning the car. The replacement was not covered by my aaa insurance.

Windshields on Mini Coopers cracking,chipping easy and frequently. I have had four windshields replaces in the last 8 months. 2 covered under warrantee for stress related cracks and two due to small rock strikes. I have neve been thru windshields like this before and feel that the construction and design of the Mini windshield makes it substandard in protection.

Stress crack on winshield of my Mini Cooper, which is apparently happening quite often.

Cracked windshield that quickly grew to span across the entire windshield.