2002 MINI Cooper problems
Owners have filed 220 complaints about the 2002 MINI Cooper with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 28.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 20.5%.
Complaints220
Crashes7
Fires9
Injuries15
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Steering 28.6% · 63
Power train 20.5% · 45
Visibility 13.2% · 29
Air bags 11.8% · 26
Electrical system 5.9% · 13
Engine and engine cooling 5.0% · 11
Latches/locks/linkages 2.7% · 6
Seats 1.8% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 describe a crash, 9 describe a fire and 15 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 10 model years of the MINI Cooper in this data, 2002 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2005 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 7 in the last three years against 3 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 60,000 miles.
In owners' own words
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. Steering · reported at 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. Steering · reported at 59,957 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINI Cooper. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle became extremely difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but no cause for the failure was identified. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vin was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 130,000. Steering · reported at 130,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…