2002 MINI Cooper vs 2003 MINI Cooper
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 MINI Cooper | 2003 MINI Cooper |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 187 | 320 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 45 | 46 |
| Investigations | 5 | 5 |
| Crash reports | 4 | 3 |
| Fire reports | 8 | 27 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 25 | 25–28 |
| Median reported mileage | 58,500 mi | 74,826 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | MINI Cooper | MINI Cooper |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 61 | 159 |
| Power Train | 43 | 89 |
| Visibility | 29 | 23 |
| Electrical System | 13 | 26 |
| Air Bags | 26 | 10 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 22 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 3 |
| Equipment | 2 | 7 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Steering problems | 20 | 47 |
| Airbag warning light | 19 | 0 |
| Stalling | 16 | 23 |
| Loss of power | 8 | 18 |
| Electrical failures | 7 | 13 |
| Overheating | 0 | 5 |
2002 MINI Cooper
2003 MINI Cooper
Compare all MINI Cooper vs MINI Cooper years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.