2002 Mini COOPER S: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
83 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
75,415 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 51 of 83 complaints (61.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 55 | 66.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 16.9% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 8.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 51 |
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 4 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 2 |
Steering: 51; Air Bags: 12; Electrical System: 7; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 4; Seats: 3; Air Bags:Side/Window: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 2; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 20 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 22 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 5; 2008: 6; 2009: 2; 2010: 17; 2011: 22; 2012: 7; 2013: 8; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 5; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 55 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10170940 · 2006-10-16 (October 16, 2006)
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED AT 48,000 MILES. VIEWING THE MINI OWNERS WEBSITE REVEALED MANY SIMILAR SITUATIONS WHERE THE PUMP REQUIRED REPLACEMENT ON MANY 2002-2004 MODELS. THIS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10170940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173701 · 2006-11-16 (November 16, 2006)
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON MY 2002 MINI COOPER S AUTO CRACKED SUDDENLY (WITH A POP) WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY, WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE--NO IMPACT SITE ON THE CRACK. THE CRACK ORIGINATES IN THE LOW/MIDDLE AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD, GOES UP ABOUT 2 INCHES, THEN SNEAKS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOUT 5 INCHES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10173701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184388 · 2007-03-06 (March 6, 2007)
OUR MINI BURNED TO THE GROUND. IT HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN 20 MILES AND WAS PARKED WHEN IT HAPPENED. AFTER A FORENSIC SPECIALIST WAS HIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ABS UNIT WAS AT FAULT. IN LATER MODELS, THE FUSE WAS CHANGED FROM A 30 AMP TO A 20 AMP. NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED AND BMW/MINI NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. SINCE THIS HAPPENED, AT LEAST 10-15 OTHER MINIS HAVE BURNED. OUR MINI WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184388 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10188190 · 2007-04-17 (April 17, 2007)
SEVERAL, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED MORE THEN TEN DIFFERENT TIMES, EACH TIME IT WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER (WESTCHESTER BMW/WESTCHESTER MINI) THE LAST FIX WAS AFTER THE NORMAL WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND REQUIRED MUCH FUSS TO GET IT REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE RADIATOR FAN WAS REPLACED TWO TIMES BY ME (CAR OUT OF WARRANTY) EVEN THOUGH I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL QUITE NEW ABOUT THE FREQUENCY OF THE FAN MOTOR'S STARTING AND STOPPING…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10188190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203000 · 2007-09-14 (September 14, 2007)
THE EXHAUST PIPE ON THE 2002 MINI COOPER S I HAVE IS CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE BACK OF THE BUMPER. THE CAR IS A HATCH BACK, AND I'VE RUINED A COUPLE PAIRS OF PANTS AND HAD MINOR BURNS FROM IT. I'M NOT TOO WORRIED ABOUT ME, BUT I HAVE SMALL KIDS AND I WORRY ABOUT THEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203000 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10204238 · 2007-09-27 (September 27, 2007)
TOOK MY CAR IN FOR WINDING SOUND COMING FROM MOTOR. DIAGNOSED AS THE ALTERNATOR...THEY REPLACED IT AND SOUND WAS STILL PRESENT ...MISDIAGNOSED AND WAS ACTUALLY THE SUPERCHARGER, BUT WHILE THEY WERE CHECKING IT OUT INITIALLY THE POWER STEERING PUMP STAYED ON...WHICH DIDN'T HAPPEN TO ME UNTIL THEY HAD IT. AFTER CHANGING THE ALTERNATOR POWER STEERING PUMP NO LONGER STAYED ON PER THE DEALER. HAD IT HOME 3 DAYS TO WAKE UP ONE MORNING HEARING THE PUMP ON AND I GO TO START MY CAR AND IN DRAINED MY BATTERY. HAD TO JUMP THE CAR AND THEN DISCONNECT T…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10205083 · 2007-10-05 (October 5, 2007)
SIGNIFICANT AND REPEATED ELECTRICAL FAILURES CAUSED THE CAR TO RANDOMLY SWITCH INTO EML MODE, REDUCING ENGINE OUTPUT CRITICALLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH POWER TO REMOVE THE CAR FROM THE ROAD SAFELY. AFTER SEVERAL INEFFECTUAL REPAIRS, THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CAR WAS PARKED, EMERGENCY BRAKE SET, MANUAL TRANSMISSION SET IN FIRST GEAR. UNATTENDED, TURNED OFF WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR MOVED ITSELF SEVERAL FEET, HITTING ANOTHER CAR, BURNING OUT THE STARTER AND DRAINING …
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215106 · 2008-01-16 (January 16, 2008)
WHEN ACCELERATING OUT OF A TOLL BOOTH, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER JUST AS I CHANGED LANES IN FRONT OF LARGE TRUCK. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS A PULL-OUT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. IF I HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO QUICKLY PULL OVER, THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE LIKELY COLLIDED WITH MY CAR. TURNING OF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT TEMPORARILY CLEARED THE PROBLEM. IT WOULD REOCCUR WHENEVER I USED FULL THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE HIT 5000 RPM. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BY A STICKY SUPER-CHARGER BYPASS VALVE. IT IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, SO MUCH SO THAT THE DEALER ALWAY…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215106 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V660000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2015-10-15 (October 15, 2015)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S Convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 10, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
NHTSA campaign record ↗