KnownCarProblems2002 Mini Cooper Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 187 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mini Cooper, most often about the steering (33% of complaints, typically around 74,000 miles). It is 5th of 26 Cooper model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Mini Cooper problems
Steering
61 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system.
Complete loss of power steering while in oncoming traffic lane during overtaking on two lane road. Steering required an extreme amount of effort. Barely managed to move back to right hand land before getting dangerously close to oncoming traffic. Power steering did not recover for another 2.5 mins of driving. Pulled…
Recent news reports alerted me about the investigation into Mini power steering failures in 2004-05 Mini coopers. I am writing to report that a few years ago, I experienced intermittent power steering failure in my 2002 Mini Cooper (at about 70k) making steering very difficult. Because the problem would come and go…
Transmission
43 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly.
Back in feb 2008 the steering on my 2002 Mini Cooper just went out with no warning. I was left without power steering in the middle of the 101 freeway, which is very dangerous! I fixed the problem, which was very expensive as it was the entire steering system that failed and filed a complaint with Mini, I never heard…
Purchased a used 2002 Mini Cooper about 3 1/2 yrs ago w/ about 12k miles. At around 15-17k miles the transmission basically exploded while I was on the highway. I was told that there was a crack in the transmission. Mini replaced it with I'm guessing a rebuilt transmission. At the time of the repair I asked them if…
Visibility and wipers
29 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 16,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer.
The windshield of my 2002 Mini Cooper s cracked while sitting in a parking lot. It was fine in the morning but there was an 8" crack when I hopped in for the drive home. I'm guessing the heat (90 degrees f, windows up, sun reflector on dash) caused a contaminant within the window to cause stress, which in turn became…
I am writing to complain about thin/weak windshields in my Mini Cooper s. I am on my third windshield in less than a year. The glass is incredibly thin and cracks with the slightest impact. I consider this unsafe. In addition I know of many people who are having the same problem.
Air bags
26 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
This is a follow-on to investigation pe05053 originally opened on 09/27/2005. I too have experienced intermittent illumination of the air bag warning lamp on my my 2002 Mini Cooper. The incidents of intermittent airbag warning lamp illumination started on 12 feb 06 and have continued since that time. The lamp…
2002 Mini Cooper s has had a second airbag system failure. When electronics associated with the airbag system detect a failure, the airbag system is disabled until taken to the dealer to have fixed. Looking under the seats to see what the issue could be, discovered the "fix" performed by the dealer to fix the problem…
Electrical
13 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel.
Went out to dinner with my parents - gone approximately 2 hours - came back to find the car completely burned. Fire department was called by a neighbor. There was no indication at all that there was anything wrong when we parked the car. Have found other cases (via the internet) in the uk that this has happened.
Purchased a used 2002 Mini Cooper about 3 1/2 yrs ago w/ about 12k miles. At around 15-17k miles the transmission basically exploded while I was on the highway. I was told that there was a crack in the transmission. Mini replaced it with I'm guessing a rebuilt transmission. At the time of the repair I asked them if…
Engine
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Dt: caller burned very badly her leg because the tail pipe stuck out too far. Tail pipe did not have a guard over it. They were located in the middle of the vehicle in the back instead on the side of the back. Dealer said to call manufacturer, and the manufacturer was not very nice . Manufacturer said there was…
-stalling when changing from reverse to drive. Has also stalled once on the interstate. -RPM's keep revving between 3000 & 5000 when I hit 55-60 MPH. Once I pass 60 MPH the RPM's decrease to a reasonable level. This happens everyday without fail.
Doors and locks
6 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: doors.
1. Interior door latch mechanism inoperable in freezing conditions - will not release (unable to exit car) - was able to enter car - closed door - could not exit. Bad situation as power windows were also frozen shut. 2. Windshield cracks (2nd windshield - see other threads on this known failure) - occurred while…
- the contact owns a 2002 Mini Cooper. The driver and passenger doors would not open if the vehicle was locked with the remote. The dealer was called and an estimate for the repair was given over the phone. The component that needed to be replaced was unknown. The current and failure mileage were 18,500.
Brakes
4 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc.
Constant grinding noise coming front my front brakes. Had sensors replaced, front and rear brakes replaced and the master cylinder replaced as well. Still making the noise and causing extended braking distance. Feels extremely unsafe.
I have a 2002 Mini Cooper with 52k miles, the transmission has went out twice in the past 2 years the first time at 31k miles. The clutch has also went out as well as the sunroof motor, left front brake caliper, windshield wiper motor with a host of sensors, gauges etc... Parts are impossible to get and service on a…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Mini Cooper recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: 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.
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. Owners may contact mini customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 mini cooper and cooper s vehicles and 2005 cooper and cooper s convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.
Equipment: labels
Risk: Too low or too high tire pressure can cause premature wear and/or tire damage, and could lead to unfavorable driving conditions.
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. Owners may contact mini at 1-866-275-6464.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: floor shift assembly
Risk: 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.
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. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-866-ask-mini (1-866-275-6464).
Full defect summary
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 transmission will remain in the last gear selected.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of power steering assist
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (my) 2004 and 2005 mini cooper as preliminary evaluation pe10-038.the investigation was upgraded to engineering analysis ea11-005 in may, 2011.during ea11-005 the scope was expanded to include my 2002 and 2003 vehicles that use the same steering system.the subject vehicles now include my 2002, the first year bmw sold mini in the u.s., through mid-my 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.the subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure to a conventional rack-and-pinion steering gear.a pump, the electric motor, and an electronic c
Engine compartment fire
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) analyzed consumer complaints to bmw of north america, llc (bmw)and to odi that alleged failures of the electrohydraulic power steering (ehps) used in model year 2002 through 2003 mini cooper vehicles.the analysis determined that 43 of the 52 (83%) reports were related to allegations of power steering loss and 9 (17%) were related to allegations of engine compartment fires. Although some of the reports alleging fires note small flames were visible in the engine compartment, analysis of the damage caused by these failures indicates that even the most severe incidents were limited to localized thermal damage to the ehps electrical connections and wiring
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), bmw stated that the cause of the alleged defect is an insufficient seal of the ground cable of the power steering pump at its attachment to the chassis.water ingress can occur and the water can travel along the power steering pump power cable and come in contact with the power steering pump power cable connector.the connector can then corrode and a high thermal load condition can occur.according to bmw, this ultimately could result in a localized smoldering condition that does not propagate. To correct the water ingress issue, bmw implemented changes to the wire routing, the power steeringpum
Air bag warning lamp illumination
Summary
In march 2006, bmw reissued a service bulletin first issued in september 2003, to mini dealers regarding the repair procedure for improper wire crimps in approximately 31,500 model year 2002 and 2003 mini cooper vehicles produced up to january 2003.the new service bulletin states that the warranty coverage for the issue (I.e., air bag warning lamp illumination with fault code for high resistance in side air bag/seat belt pretensioner circuit) is extended to 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first.bmw plans to send letters to owners during march 2006.the subject wire crimps are located under the front seats and are part of the main wiring harness that interface with the under-seat w
Air bag warning lamp illumination
Summary
Odi has granted the petition and has opened a preliminary evaluation (pe05-053) on illumination of air bag warning lamp on model year 2002 and 2003 mini cooper vehicles.
Questions about the 2002 Mini Cooper
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mini Cooper?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (61 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles); transmission (43 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); visibility and wipers (29 complaints, typically around 16,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Mini Cooper have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 15, 2015 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Mini Cooper?
- It is 5th of 26 Cooper model years by number of complaints, with 187 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.