2002 Mini Cooper: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Cooper years.
269 owner complaints, most about steering. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Cooper?The 2002 Mini Cooper has 269 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are steering and power train.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Mini Cooper vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Cooper years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the Cooper?
Across the 19 Cooper model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2022) to 1,058 (2004). With 269 complaints, the 2002 Cooper sits above the model's median of 127.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 Cooper
steering:electric power assist system
Campaign 15V660000BMW 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.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 08E050000K2 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."
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 09E025000DOPE, 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.
power train:manual transmission:floor shift assembly
Campaign 02V201000ON 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.
Show 1 more recall
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 05V470000CERTAIN 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.
What owners say across generations
\nSentiment is sharply divided by generation, with owner satisfaction heavily dependent on model year and powertrain.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Cooper. See the full Cooper owner picture and every model year.
Other Cooper model years
Compare every Cooper year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
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