2003 Mini Hardtop Mini Hardtop 2003

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2003 Mini Hardtop repairs by problem area

Engine (33%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (23%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (21%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (4%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Mini Hardtop problem?

Chart based on 168 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Mini Hardtop.

2003 Mini Hardtop electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (9%)

$500 - $999 (6%)

$100 - $499 (32%)

< $100 (53%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 34 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

supercharged 163hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD

113000 mi Got back from a week long trip and the AC compressor would no longer run 
65100 mi

C $500
Alternator seized, replaced it as well as supercharger oil, thermostat, belt and idler pulley. 
70680 mi

C $150
Replaced battery 
100700 mi

US $115
AC compressor pulley clutch 
84000 mi

US $180
Battery was down to five functioning cells. Replaced battery to fix. 
35869 mi Front and rear brake pad replacement, Xenon headlight replacement, passenger side window motor replacement, sunroof shade re-attachment, ABS fluid repaclement. All covered by warranty. 
29000 mi

US $1900
Electrical, other than above, repair 
Window inoperative. 
69700 mi

US $80
Airbag control unit had a hardware failure, replaced it with a used one. Found out I can't use a used control unit if the VIN from the donor car is too far from my own. Now need to purchase a new OEM part. 
62000 mi

US $400
Short in the starter which caused the car to start repeatedly while running 
117300 mi Leaking battery, checked regulator and all is ok. 
122000 mi

US $335
"Lifetime" Xenon headlight bulb replaced, passenger side only. 
120000 mi

US $153
Side marker bulb apparently overheated and melted the plastic at the socket. The socket broke off the lamp housing and was dangling by its harness. There were no signs of external damage. Replaced side marker lamp assembly. 
102000 mi

US $235
left HID Headlight ballast, and HID Bulb needed to be replaced under original warranty, at 45,000 miles Right HID Headlight ballast, and HID Bulb needed to be replaced under extended warranty, at 65,000 miles CD player needed to be replaced with newer OEM model, 2003 version's LCD display would pixelize in temps under 20 degrees. Known issue when I brought it to dealer, and they replaced it with newer build date CD player Rear hatch license plate light socket disintegrated. Metal tabs for bulbs totally corroded away - had to replace entire rear hatch handle assembly, and have it painted, since it only comes primed. 90,000 miles 
107000 mi

US $235
alternator died 
37000 mi Power lock on driver side required new actuator 

Return to top

2003 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

115-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD

16868 mi Stereo head unit replaced under warranty. 
61200 mi

US $2220
Radiator fan assembly failed due to short. A/C compressor also failed and receiver dryer was leaking. Mechanic determined that the A/C compressor may have caused the short. 
47000 mi

US $730
new starter 
90300 mi Passenger Side window .. Motor drive broke.. second time.. The Window lift cables and the regulators jamed the window after it was down. 
103900 mi

US $270
Starter Failed 

Return to top

2003 Mini Hardtop 2dr Hatch

115-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD

40300 mi

C $160
Battery died, replaced. Battery was original from 2003. 
2000 mi warranty covered squeaky speaker grill in passenger door and loose lens on rpm gauge on dashboard 
59200 mi Driver door lock no longer controlled by key fob 
65000 mi Driver door lock no longer controlled by key fob 
136000 mi Compressor failure 
58200 mi

US $1300
Switch for raising and lowering windows is not working well...have to apply lots of pressure to the toggle. Was told the unit needed to be replaced. The cost was not worth it to me, as the issue is a minor nuissance. 
94600 mi

US $250
Driver's side window motor died. Replaced rotor. 
82000 mi

US $17
Headlight replaced. 
89000 mi

US $17
Twice, I've had to replace the same headlight! Also one lower "custom light" is out but haven't replaced it yet. 
107000 mi

US $45
Third time in 2 1/2 yrs that I've had to replace low beam headlight. Attempted to replace it myself but it still wouldn't work. Took it to a shop and discovered I was sold a burned out bulb! Still, it's worth noting frequency of this repair. 
115804 mi

US $423
Replaced AC compressor, expansion valve. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Mini models.

2003 Mini Hardtop Electrical Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 Mini Hardtop problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.