2002 MINI Cooper S recalls and problems

The 2002 MINI Cooper S has 1 safety recall and 83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any MINI dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

3 / 5

Injuries / deaths

2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 MINI Cooper S vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 MINI Cooper S recalls

Recall 15V-660: Steering

Reported Oct 15, 2015 · 86,018 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

2002 MINI Cooper S problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Steering	58
Air Bags	15
Electrical System	10
Engine and Engine Cooling	5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	3
Seats	3
Visibility	2
Latches/Locks/Linkages	2
Structure	2
Unknown or Other	1
Vehicle Speed Control	1
Power Train	1

Most reported parts

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump — 4
Air Bags › Side/Window — 2
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System — 2
Visibility › Windshield — 1
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers — 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan — 1
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 75,415 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 MINI Cooper S complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · at 43,000 miles · reported Jan 21, 2025

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. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (STEERING). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was…

Steering · at 40,000 miles · reported Oct 22, 2018

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 vehicles were recalled, so maybe at the time no one with a similar VIN as me complained.

Engine · at 60,000 miles · reported Aug 15, 2018

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 causing the coolant reservoir to go out. This could cause extreme safety hazards when driving on the freeway and the steering freezes!! I contacted bmw after hearing there was a recall for this same problem. I was told we missed the recall time frame. I have…

Steering · at 130,000 miles · reported Nov 8, 2017

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.

Steering · at 85,000 miles · reported Jul 29, 2016

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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the power steering was no longer covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Other MINI Cooper S years

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Compare all MINI Cooper S years · All MINI models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 MINI Cooper S: 15V-660 (steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 MINI Cooper S?

Owners report steering problems most often (58 reports), followed by air bags (15). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 75,415 miles.

Are MINI recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized MINI dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.