2002 Mini Cooper
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 187
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 5
- Top problem
- Steering
Campaigns on file for 2002
Opened by NHTSA
34% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 187 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 187 |
| 2003 | 320 |
| 2004 | 282 |
| 2005 | 372 |
| 2006 | 200 |
| 2007 | 118 |
| 2008 | 116 |
| 2009 | 151 |
| 2010 | 92 |
| 2011 | 83 |
| 2012 | 66 |
| 2013 | 47 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 56 |
| 2016 | 28 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Steering
34% · 63 reportsMost commonly citing pump and hydraulic power assist system.
Show complaint excerpts
After a short trip, I had just parked the Mini. Fortunately, it was outdoors and within 50FT of my tool chest. On turning off the ignition and removing the key, I noticed an unusual noise; the [electric] power steering pump continued to run.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-26
Also filed under Electrical system
I was driving the car in lacey wa. Smoke started issuing from the car. I immediately pulled into a parking lot. I opened the hood and smoke was issuing forth. After 5 minutes, I spotted flames.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-12
So I bought a 2002 Mini Cooper less than a year ago and it currently has 74K miles and attempting to pull into a parking spot at the grocery my steering goes completely out while I was trying to turn into my spot and ripped off a black molding that...
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-06-26
Power train
24% · 45 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Visibility
16% · 29 reportsMost commonly citing windshield and power window devices and controls.
Air bags
14% · 26 reportsMost commonly citing sensor/control module and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
Unoccupied passenger side airbags; all front & backseat bags deployed after passenger side tires hit pothole on road. Pieces of interior, including decorative plastic, interior light covers were projected across cabin & hit me.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-16
Electrical system
7% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing wiring and instrument cluster/panel.
Show complaint excerpts
Went out to dinner with my parents - gone approximately 2 hours - came back to find the car completely burned. Fire department was called by a neighbor. There was no indication at all that there was anything wrong when we parked the car.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-01
I purchased the vehicle used with airbag light showing on the speedometer gauge cluster. Searched with vin for recalls but showed 0 unrepaired recalls. Tried clearing the light with my Launch CREADER BMW V2 scan tool.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-02-26
Also filed under Seats
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2002Complaint volume 187 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
2002-08-06Power train02V201000 On certain passenger vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, the transmission shift cable connects the gearshift lever in the vehicle interior to the shift linkage on the transmission. It is…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the shift cable and, if necessary, install a retaining clip over the end of the shift cable to prevent it from detaching from the transmission. Owner notification began August…
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I
2005-09-19Defect petitionClosed 2005-10-06 Air bag warning lamp illumination
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I
2005-09-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-03-01 Air bag warning lamp illumination
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R
2005-11-30Equipment05V470000 Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, 'tire selection and rims.' the standard requires that the relationship between the…
Remedy: Owners will be provided with new tire information placards and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can perform the installation for them. The recall began on November 30…
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I
2007-04-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-08-15 Engine compartment fire
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I
2007-08-14Engineering analysisClosed 2008-08-13 Engine compartment fire
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R
2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…
Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.
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R
2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
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I
2011-05-04Engineering analysisClosed 2016-01-05 Loss of power steering assist
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R
2016-03-04Steering15V660000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Mini Cooper — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Steering: 63 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 45 reports on file for this year.
- Visibility: 29 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V201000 · Power train
- Recall 05V470000 · Equipment
- Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 15V660000 · Steering
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2002 Mini Cooper reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Mini Cooper is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mini Cooper?
- The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Mini Cooper have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.