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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (3)
Steering: electric power assist system
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 and remedy
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.
Equipment: other, labels
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 and remedy
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.
Power train: manual transmission, floor shift assembly
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 and remedy
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).
Canadian recalls (4)
Show 4 Canadian recalls
Steering
2012-01-30 · campaign 2012-029
On certain vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering pump could fail temporarily or permanently due to problems with the electronics that control the function of the pump, a failure of the pump cooling fan, or a loss of power to the pump. A vehicle experiencing a loss of steering power assist would revert to a manual steering mode which would require greater driver effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. Nevertheless, a loss of steering power assist could ultimately result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: The electro-hydraulic power steering pump, as well as the pump cooling fan, will be subject to special extended warranty coverage of 12 years or 200,000 km from first in-service date of the vehicle.
Label
2005-10-20 · campaign 2005-324 · 141 vehicles
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 110 - Tire Information Label. Specifically, the relationship between tire size and maximum tire pressure is not present on the label. Tire pressure that is either too low or too high can cause premature wear and/or tire damage, and could lead to unfavourable driving conditions. Correction: Mini Canada will mail updated tire information labels to owners of affected vehicles.
Powertrain
2002-07-25 · campaign 2002-144 · 782 vehicles
On certain vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, the shift cable could detach from the transmission shift linkage while the driver is attempting to change gears. 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. Correction: 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.
Seats and restraints
2002-06-26 · campaign 2002-118 · 44 vehicles
On certain vehicles the tether anchor hardware for attaching a child seat upper mount may be missing. Thus, the vehicle may not comply with CMVSS 210.1. Correction : Dealers will replace any missing hardware.
Owner complaints (187)
Owners filed 187 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 MINI Cooper (4 crashes, 8 fires, 8 injuries reported). Among 26 model years of this model, it ranks #5 for the most complaints (median 47).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Steering | 61 | |
| Power train | 43 | |
| Visibility | 29 | |
| Air bags | 26 | |
| Electrical system | 13 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | |
| Seats | 4 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 MINI Cooper.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2002 MINI Cooper w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2002 MINI Cooper version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Cooper 1.6 L Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 22 | 29 | 25 | $3,300 |
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Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.