2002 MINI Cooper: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 MINI Cooper: 3 recalls, 187 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #02V201000 · 2002 · 3,531 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If shift cable detachment occurs and the transmission remains in any forward gear, the vehicle can still be driven in that gear only. However, if the transmission moves into neutral and remains there, the ability to accelerate or maintain speed will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #05V470000 · 2005 · 960 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Too low or too high tire pressure can cause premature wear and/or tire damage, and could lead to unfavorable driving conditions.
The fix: 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.
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.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #08E050000 · 2008 · 1,921 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility May be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 8 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (61): the most common themes are steering problems (57).
- Transmission & drivetrain (43): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (16), stalls / loses power (10), noise or vibration (6).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (29): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5).
- Airbags (26): the most common themes are warning light on (13), fails to deploy (4).
The 2002 MINI Cooper has 187 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 26 Cooper model years for complaints (2.2× the average Cooper year). Complaints peaked in 2003 (38 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 58,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (6 complaints, 0 recalls), 2003 (320 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Premium |
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.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 MINI Cooper have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2002 MINI Cooper, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. 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 problems?
Owners have filed 187 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (61), transmission & drivetrain (43), visibility (wipers, glass) (29).
What gas mileage does the 2002 MINI Cooper get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 MINI Cooper 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.