NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2002 MINI Cooper; the most frequently affected component is exterior lighting — headlights. Owners filed 269 complaints, most often about steering. Among the 12 model years of this model in the database, 2002 ranks #1 for number of recalls.
Steering — Electric power assist systemCampaign 15V660000 · 15 Oct 2015
Problem: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior lighting — HeadlightsCampaign 09E025000 · 11 May 2009
Problem: 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.
Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on july 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Exterior lighting — HeadlightsCampaign 08E050000 · 11 Aug 2008
Problem: K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. 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."
Risk: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact k2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.
Equipment — LabelsCampaign 05V470000 · 12 Oct 2005
Problem: 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.
Risk: Too low or too high tire pressure can cause premature wear and/or tire damage, and could lead to unfavorable driving conditions.
Remedy: 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.
Problem: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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).
What owners complain about
Share of the 25 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Steering9 · 36%
Air bags6 · 24%
Power train5 · 20%
Structure2 · 8%
Seats2 · 8%
Electrical system2 · 8%
Service brakes1 · 4%
Wheels1 · 4%
When complaints were filed
20133
20146
20153
20166
20171
20181
20191
20211
20241
20252
From owner complaints
Power steering pump is very loud when turning the vehicle. Can be very hard to turn wheel at times and sometimes the power steering has cut out while driving. Mini has a recall but wont fix for me. *js
I have 2002 mini cooper original owner and i had windsheld, transmission replaced. Main issue i still have is streering loose power. I got a letter from mini said it extended warranty not a recall. Mini co. Never recall any issues. Call dealer for this streering problem but my 2002 mini is not under this campaign. I…
Unoccupied passenger side airbags; all front & backseat bags deployed after passenger side tires hit pothole on road. Pieces of interior, including decorative plastic, interior light covers were projected across cabin & hit me. I had no idea what had happened. Car shut off shortly after incident. It was night, I was…
Ever since buying this car used in january of 2012, the srs warning light has been on. The car store we bought the vehicle from did cancel the code when we discovered it was on after purchase. However, the code came back. We brought it to be fixed, and i believe someone eliminated the coupler under the passenger seat,…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.