2002 MINI Cooper S Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 16%of 83 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 MINI Cooper S, 16% of the 83 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2002 Mini Cooper S model. Airbag light stays on. Has been repaired many times and still stays on, deactivating safety features of the restraint system. This appears to be a very common problem with the Mini. Bmw needs to issue a recall I feel for our safety...”
NHTSA complaint #10235446, filed 2008-07, 62,000 miles“While on a short vacation out of town, close to 230 miles from my home, my Cooper S' power steering failed and almost cause me an accident. I immediately checked the fluid and saw that there were no visible leaks present. After making arrangements for a rental vehicle, I noticed that the power steering started working correctly again. Because of that I proceeded to return home and the steering did not fail for the remainder of the trip. During march of 2012, the power steering failed again, during a commute home from work on friday, may 3rd. …”
NHTSA complaint #10451071, filed 2012-03, 82,000 miles“The airbag sensor in the seat cushion has failed and a warning light now permanently shows on the instrument panel. The passenger airbag may not function as designed. Updated 11/25/15 updated 2/5/2016 updated 11/07/2017”
NHTSA complaint #10732348, filed 2015-07, 90,000 miles“Airbag light on. Continuously on. See NHTSA action pe05053 same issues as pe05053, but different cables and connectors in the same circuit are causing the same problem. Bmw is not covering these failures under warranty at this time. Entire circuit needs to be evaluated.”
NHTSA complaint #10328765, filed 2010-05, 119,000 miles“The airbag sensor in the seat cushion has failed and a warning light now permanently shows on the instrument panel. The passenger airbag may not function as designed.”
NHTSA complaint #10604882, filed 2014-06, 120,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 17% |
| 2015 | 2 | 11% |
| 2014 | 2 | 15% |
| 2013 | 4 | 17% |
| 2012 | 1 | 4% |
| 2011 | 3 | 10% |
| 2010 | 6 | 10% |
| 2009 | 17 | 14% |
| 2008 | 30 | 18% |
| 2007 | 28 | 11% |
| 2006 | 67 | 36% |
| 2005 | 71 | 23% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 13 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2002 MINI Cooper S
57 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 MINI Cooper S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology