2002 MINI Cooper S problems & reliability
83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 MINI Cooper S, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 57 | 69% |
| Air Bags | 13 | 16% |
| Electrical System | 9 | 11% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 6% |
| Seats | 3 | 4% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2% |
| Structure | 2 | 2% |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% |
| Engine | 1 | 1% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 75,415 miles (middle 50% between 51,000 and 94,000 miles), based on 73 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Steering · filed Jan 21, 2025
“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…”
Steering · filed Oct 22, 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…”
Engine · filed Aug 15, 2018
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Loss of power steering assist
Engineering Analysis EA11005 · opened May 4, 2011 · closed Jan 5, 2016 · led to recall 15V660000
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Engineering Analysis EA07011 · opened Aug 14, 2007 · closed Aug 13, 2008
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Preliminary Evaluation PE07022 · opened Apr 19, 2007 · closed Aug 15, 2007
Technical service bulletins
37 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2002 MINI Cooper S. The 10 most recent:
The bar code on the vehicle identificatio nnumber (VIN) label (aka Manufacturer Compliance Label ) cannot be read.
M510124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 2, 2024
Programming a Replacement EGS Module with ISTA/P. Programming a replacement electronic transmission control module (EGS) with ISTA/P requires the manual entry of the correct target basic and programmed part numbers…
M240112 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 12, 2019
NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
M650610 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2018
NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
M650610 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2018
This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. SUBJECT Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle is No Longer Required. Left-hand drive steering spindles…
M320214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2016
Mini: because of the dme software, and a damaged clutch, the drivetrain malfunction check message appear. *ma
12 06 15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2015
Mini: different faults activates engine malfunction and oil warning. *ma
11 06 15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2015
Mini: faulty software causes the check control and engine power reduced light to appear. *ma
12 07 15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2015
Mini: due to faulty dme software, the service engine lights comes on, including the check control message for motor force decrease. *ma
12 05 15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2015
Mini: a mechanical failure and dme software error of the vanos actuators cause the engine to run rough which activates the malfunction warning light. *ma
11 02 15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2015
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2002 MINI Cooper S has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2002 MINI Cooper S?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 75,415 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.