2002 Mini Cooper S problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (50) · Air Bags (7) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mini Cooper S model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
73 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2015-10-15 · campaign 15V660000 · 86,018 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (37)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment 2024-02-02 · M510124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the bar code on the vehicle identificatio nnumber (vin) label (aka manufacturer compliance label ) cannot be read.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2019-07-12 · M240112 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
programming a replacement egs module with ista/p. programming a replacement electronic transmission control module (egs) with ista/p requires the manual entry of the correct target basic and programmed part numbers. programming concept.
Equipment 2018-06-01 · M650610 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
navigation system has missing or incorrect road map data: the route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-05-01 · M650610 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
navigation system has missing or incorrect road map data: the route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
Steering 2016-03-01 · M320214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin supersedes si 32 02 14 dated august 2014. subject installation of right-hand drive steering spindle in left-hand drive vehicle is no longer required. left-hand drive steering spindles are currently available.
Engine 2015-07-01 · 12 06 15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini: because of the dme software, and a damaged clutch, the drivetrain malfunction check message appear. *ma
Showing the 6 most recent of 37 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-01-21 · Steering · 43,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper s. the contact stated that while driving approximately 45-55 mph, the steering wheel seized. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. the contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving normally. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic…”
2018-10-22 · Steering · 40,000 mi“the vin # of my 2002 mini cooper s was not included in the recall for the electrohydraulic steering failure of 2002 - 2005 mini cooper s but i am experiencing the exact issue outlined in this recall. the steering is incredibly hard to turn when parked, as well as while driving. i noticed that the recall had about 339 complaints and roughly 85,000…”
2018-08-15 · Steering · 60,000 mi“purchased this car used with low miles. shortly after purchase i noticed the steering on my vehicle got a little harder to steer, didn't think to much about it. then the radiator fan would not turn off when the vehicle was off. took the car in to two different mechanics to find the problem. found out it was the power steering pump went out causi…”
2017-11-08 · Steering · 130,000 mi“power steering suddenly stopped working. making a whining noise when turning the wheel and the steering wheel itself is hard to turn. not leaking any fluids and the power steering fluid in the reservoir is full.…”
2017-08-02 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper s. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v660000 (steering); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer was contacted at 865-693-4553 and confirmed that the parts we…”
2016-07-29 · Steering · 85,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper s. after placing the vehicle in reverse, the contact switched gears into drive. when attempting to accelerate forward, the power steering failed. the contact added power steering fluid and made another attempt to steer the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. the…”
2016-03-14 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper s. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v660000 (steering) and the dealer scheduled a repair appointment. the dealer later canceled the appointment, stating that the part was not available. the contact had not been able to receive the recall repair remedy for months. the manufacturer …”
2016-02-01 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper s. the contact stated that when the steering wheel was turned to the right, there was an abnormal noise and it was difficult to make the turn. the contact later received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v660000 (steering). the dealer was notified of the failure and the manufacturer who indicated that …”
2016-02-01 · Steering · 94,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper s. the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. the contact mentioned that the steering wheel was on manual control and after the vehicle was warmed up, the steering wheel functioned as normal. the contact also stated that while driving at approximately 50 …”
2016-01-26 · Steering · 67,548 mi“tl* the contact owned a 2002 mini cooper s. while driving 30 mph, the power steering failed and caused extra effort to turn the steering wheel. the contact stated that the failure was intermittent. the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the electro-hydraulic power steering system and wiring needed to be r…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.