MotorDeets

2002 MINI Cooper S: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2002 MINI Cooper S: 1 recall, 83 owner complaints.

1vehicle recalls
83owner complaints
3mention a crash
–best combined mpg
2002 MINI Cooper S
Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Steering Vehicle recall #15V660000 · 2015 · 86,018 vehicles

What's wrong: The affected vehicles May experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.

Why it matters: 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.

The 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.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Steering57
Airbags13
Electrical9
Engine & cooling5
Brakes (hydraulic)3
Seats3
Visibility (wipers, glass)2
Latches & locks2

What owners describe

The 2002 MINI Cooper S has 83 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 22 Cooper S model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 81). Complaints peaked in 2011 (22 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 9 years old, at a median of 75,415 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (217 complaints, 2 recalls).

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 MINI Cooper S.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2002 MINI Cooper S manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2002 MINI Cooper S manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2002 MINI Cooper S manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2002 MINI Cooper S manual

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FAQ

Does the 2002 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2002 MINI Cooper S. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2002 MINI Cooper S problems?

Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (57), airbags (13), electrical (9).

Where can I get a 2002 MINI Cooper S repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Cooper S years

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