2002 MINI Cooper Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 61about this part
- Share
- 33%of 187 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 61 complaints about the steering of the 2002 MINI Cooper, 33% of the 187 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles. 4 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.
“So I bought a 2002 Mini Cooper less than a year ago and it currently has 74k miles and attempting to pull into a parking spot at the grocery my steering goes completely out while I was trying to turn into my spot and ripped off a black molding that goes over the front passenger wheel and a significant ding and scratch.”
NHTSA complaint #11222671, filed 2019-06, 75,000 miles“The power steering pump failed in my 2002 Mini Cooper for the second time. First time it happened was in 2011 and I got a new pump and had it professionally installed. Today, 08/26/2013 my second power steering pump failed. This is a known issue with this vehicle and there has not been a recall. I do not have the time or the money to keep replacing a part that should have been recalled years ago.”
NHTSA complaint #10537376, filed 2013-08, 106,000 miles“I bought a 2002 Mini Cooper and while driving the power sterering quit working. I contacted a Mini repair shop and found that the power steering pump is electric and it's relay or or one for it's cooling fan might have failed. They told me that it is very common and would cost over $1000. To fix it. Had I been in the wrong mode of driving this failure could have killed me.”
NHTSA complaint #10389918, filed 2011-03, 59,957 miles“I was driving along and lost the power steering. It was very difficult to steer. I got home parked the car and let it go. The next morning it was fine. However, this morning, 6/8/2012, it happened again as I was turning in an intersection. Fortunately for me there weren't many cars on the road, as it was very difficult to turn. If this had happened in even a semi-busy intersection, I would have been in trouble.”
NHTSA complaint #10461020, filed 2012-06, 89,000 miles“I was trying to get onto an off ramp and when I was into the turn I almost ran into a concrete barrier because the whole steering wheel locked up. The steering wheel always locks up sometimes it with a few miles and others it is good until it locks up. Very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10504874, filed 2013-03, 123,000 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 2002–2005, Cooper S 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 4 | 33% |
| 2017 | 1 | 4% |
| 2016 | 1 | 4% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 2 | 6% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 53 | 27% |
| 2005 | 276 | 74% |
| 2004 | 238 | 84% |
| 2003 | 159 | 50% |
| 2002 | 61 | 33% |
Other parts of the 2002 MINI Cooper
43 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
29 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 MINI Cooper
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