2002 Mini Cooper: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 187 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (30% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 187 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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. Light flashes a few times and goes away but immediately appears on the speedometer gauge cluster. This would happen everytime. Wires are intact with no signs of damages to all 3 wire connectors under the seat.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2023
“Driverside headlight assembly flickers everytime when you turn the key to position 1 with selector on off or auto. Flickers multiple times but doesn'tturn on unless I cycle the key on off until headlight does. This annoyance would reoccur the very next morning. Passenger headlight assembly doesn't have any issues.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2023
“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 goes over the front passenger wheel and a significant ding and scratch.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. While driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact powered off and restarted the vehicle, and was able to drive normally. The contact, a certified mechanic, diagnosed that the steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. The contact stated that water was entering the vehicle from the sun roof, which caused the computer in the vehicle to get moist and not operate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the sun roof rubber connector needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. While driving 15 mph out of a parking lot, the vehicle made a left turn and the gear shifter failed. In addition, the gear shifter cable detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02v201000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2016
“ABS dash light and break light suddenly came on. In addition to the air bag light that suddenly came on, the dealer said the computer module for the ABS will cost $1,000 (in addition to the airbag module of $1.000). I see on internet blogs and NHTSA that this is a common incident total air bag and ABS cost will be $2,000”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2016
“At 140,000 mile: + air bag light came on. Dealer said that the airbag computer module will cost $1,000 to replace. I see on-line blogs and NHTSA have had numerous complaints on the air bag dash light coming on and NHTSA is still investigating.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“The dash low tire air light suddenly came on; it comes on after driving for about 5 minuets. I've checked all tires and they are in compliance. I see that on-line blogs this is a major issue”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. The contact stated that the transmission failed on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service and stated that the transmission was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving home, the transmission seized. The vehicle was then towed back to the dealer, who determined that the drive shift cable failed. The contact was informed of NHTSA campaign number: 02v201000 (power train). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 136,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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 TIRE SIZE AND MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE BE INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE'S TIRE INFORMATION LABEL. THIS RELATIONSHIP IS NOT PRESENT.
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, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MINI AT 1-866-275-6464.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
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 POSSIBLE FOR THE SHIFT CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE WHILE THE DRIVER IS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS. IF THE CABLE DETACHES FROM THE SHIFT LINKAGE, GEAR CHANGES WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL REMAIN IN THE LAST GEAR SELECTED.
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 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-ASK-MINI (1-866-275-6464).
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 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cooper by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Mini Cooper reliable?
NHTSA has 187 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Mini Cooper. The most complained-about area is steering (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Mini Cooper problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 58,500 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Mini Cooper have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:electric power assist system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.