2002 Mini Cooper S reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2002 Mini Cooper S — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 105
- 1 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- STEERING
- 51 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 1
- see below
- Reported harm
- 4 reported crashes · 2 injuries · 10 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#4,030
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Mini median
-115
median 220 across 19 Mini records
Vs 2000-2004
-148
median 253 complaints in 771 records
Top component share
52%
Steering: 55 complaints
What owners report fails — 2002 Mini Cooper S
- STEERING 51
- AIR BAGS 12
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7
- STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP 4
- SEATS 3
1 recall on record for the 2002 Mini Cooper S
- NHTSA 15V660000 · 2016 · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, pote
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2002 Mini Cooper S
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2002 Mini Cooper S units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Mini Cooper S reliable?
NHTSA has 105 consumer complaints on record for the 2002 Mini Cooper S and 1 recall. The most-reported problem area is steering (51 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2002 Mini Cooper S units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mini Cooper S?
Owners most often report problems with: steering (51), air bags (12), electrical system (7), steering:hydraulic power assist:pump (4). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2002 Mini Cooper S?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.