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

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.
What owners describe
- Steering (57): the most common themes are steering problems (54).
- Airbags (13): the most common themes are warning light on (8).
- Electrical (9): the most common themes are electrical failure (9), fire / smoke (4).
- Engine & cooling (5): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
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.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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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.