Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Steering (43.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Steering complaints here are 7.6× the median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 140 · 43.8% | Recalled | Recall 15V660000 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 53 · 16.6% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 29 · 9.1% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 24 · 7.5% | No official action | — |
| Visibility:windshield | 15 · 4.7% | No official action | — |
| Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump | 12 · 3.8% | Recalled | Recall 15V660000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 320 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 15V660000 · 2015 · reported 10/15/2015
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08E050000 · 2008 · reported 08/11/2008
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V086000 · 2003 · reported 03/10/2003
IF LEFT UNATTENDED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, AND DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SCREW MAY BREAK. IF IT BROKE, THE CHASSIS WOULD LEAN DIRECTLY ON THE TIRE DIMINISHING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“2003 MINI COOPER. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. IT WORKS, THEN STOPS. . CUTS OUT MOSTLY DURING TURNS. DANGEROUS! TOLD BY MINI DEALER THAT NO RECALL…”NHTSA complaint 10307195 — filed 02/07/2010 · STEERING
“THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RELATED PARTS IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2006 AND AGAIN IN 2009. THERE WAS NO…”NHTSA complaint 10303148 — filed 01/29/2010 · STEERING
“THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY MINI COOPER CAUGHT ON FIRE.”NHTSA complaint 10236640 — filed 08/01/2008 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 140 of 320 NHTSA complaints (43.8%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (53), power train (29), electrical system (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
320 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 3 involved a crash, 27 involved a fire, and 3 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V660000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
