2002 MINI Cooper S Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 69%of 83 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the steering of the 2002 MINI Cooper S, 69% of the 83 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 complaints and roughly 85,000 vehicles were recalled, so maybe at the time no one with a similar VIN as me complained.”
NHTSA complaint #11141804, filed 2018-10, 40,000 miles“Power steering failed in the middle of driving nearly hit the outer barrier because of the amount of force required to move the steering wheel. I feel if my wife had been driving it would have been a major wreck. I did some research and found that this is a very prevalent problem with the Mini cooper. From my understanding canada has issued a recall on the power steering pumps. Would like to log a complaint to see if we can get Mini USA to take some action.”
NHTSA complaint #10500694, filed 2013-02, 135,000 miles“I was exiting the freeway when my battery indicator light went on; I lost power steering and saw a large amount of smoke coming from under the hood. The Mini dealership has determined that the power steering module failed, and subsequently burned the wiring harness. There have been several reports of faulty manufacturing in regard to this part from bbc in uk, as well as on many forums, in particular north american motoring.”
NHTSA complaint #10432363, filed 2011-10, 82,000 miles“I bought a 2002 Mini Cooper S almost a month ago and lost the power to steer my car in a turn at almost 50 MPH. If toyota would have had this problem I'm sure some one would be in jail or maybe you would here it on the news. This is my third Mini in 6 years and I never heard a peep about this scarey problem. I would like to thank are government for making the roads so safe. At least they are taking the effort to stop those pesky kids and there texting. Thanks again!”
NHTSA complaint #10432698, filed 2011-10, 86,000 miles“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 steering pump went out causing the coolant reservoir to go out. This could cause extreme safety hazards when driving on the freeway and the steering freezes!! I contacted bmw after hearing there was a recall for this same problem. I was told we missed the recall time frame. …”
NHTSA complaint #11120225, filed 2018-08, 60,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V660000Oct 15, 2015BMW 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…Covers: MINI Cooper S 2002–2005, Cooper 2002–2005
Related service bulletins
- 10151228Mar 1, 2016This 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…
- 10148439Nov 1, 2014Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Limited Warranty Extension to 13 Years/150,000 Miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power…
- 10057710Nov 1, 2014Mini: models r50, r52, and r53 with the electro-hydraulic power-assist steering pump and cooling fans will have an limited warranty extension to 13 years/150,000 miles.
- 10148394Aug 1, 2014Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle. Supply shortage of left-hand drive steering spindles
- 10055137Apr 15, 2014Mini: warranty coverage extension/repair expense reimbursement for the electro hydraulic power (assist) steering (ehps) pump, which has its own cooling fan, on some vehicles and…
- 10052614Dec 1, 2013Mini: see document search button for owner letter. A warranty extension for certain vehicles with potential problem with cooling fan and the durability of electro hydraulic power…
- 10150044Jul 1, 2013Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering…
- 10150086Jun 1, 2013Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 1 | 20% |
| 2016 | 1 | 10% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 48 | 26% |
| 2005 | 212 | 68% |
| 2004 | 210 | 85% |
| 2003 | 129 | 59% |
| 2002 | 57 | 69% |
Other parts of the 2002 MINI Cooper S
13 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 27, 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