10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,945 miles

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problem #106

Jun 152019

Cooper

  • 75,000 miles
So I bought a 2002 MINICooper 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.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #105

Oct 132018

Cooper

  • 40,000 miles
The VIN # of my 2002 MINICooper S was not included in the recall for the electrohydraulic steering failure of 2002 - 2005 MINICooper S but I am experiencing the exact issue outlined in this recall. The steering is incredibly hard to turn when parked, as well as while driving. I noticed that the recall had about 339 complaints and roughly 85,000 vehicles were recalled, so maybe at the time no one with a similar VIN as me complained.

- Boston, MA, USA

problem #104

Jul 302018

Cooper

  • 60,000 miles
Purchased this car used with low miles. Shortly after purchase I noticed the steering on my vehicle got a little harder to steer, didn't think to much about it. Then the radiator fan would not turn off when the vehicle was off. Took the car in to two different mechanics to find the problem. Found out it was the power steering pump went out causing the coolant reservoir to go out. This could cause extreme safety hazards when driving on the freeway and the steering freezes!! I contacted BMW after hearing there was a recall for this same problem. I was told we missed the recall time frame. I have low miles, 60,000. The recall expired in 2017. Well, my care was not having the issues. I don't feel comfortable selling the car and handing the problem to another consumer. This recall should be extended as it could be an unpleasant result.

- Orinda, CA, USA

problem #103

Jan 172018

Cooper

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper. While driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact powered off and restarted the vehicle, and was able to drive normally. The contact, a certified mechanic, diagnosed that the steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Springdale, AR, USA

problem #102

Nov 052017

Cooper

  • 130,000 miles
Power steering suddenly stopped working. Making a whining noise when turning the wheel and the steering wheel itself is hard to turn. Not leaking any fluids and the power steering fluid in the reservoir is full.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #101

Oct 122015

Cooper

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper S. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (steering); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted at 865-693-4553 and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Sommerset, KY, USA

problem #100

Jul 252016

Cooper

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper S. after placing the vehicle in reverse, the contact switched gears into drive. When attempting to accelerate forward, the power steering failed. The contact added power steering fluid and made another attempt to steer the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the power steering was no longer covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Green Cove Springs, FL, USA

problem #99

Jan 022006

Cooper

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering would suddenly malfunction causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering pump had over heated causing the power steering fluid to evaporate. The contact indicated that since 2012 the power steering pump had been replaced five separate times and recently with the new redesign pump but the vehicle continued to have the same failure occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

- Portsmouth, NH, USA

problem #98

Dec 182015

Cooper

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper S. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (steering) and the dealer scheduled a repair appointment. The dealer later canceled the appointment, stating that the part was not available. The contact had not been able to receive the recall repair remedy for months. The manufacturer was unable to provide a date that the part would be supplied to the dealer. The contact was not experiencing a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available....updated 04/12/16

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #97

Oct 052015

Cooper

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper S. the contact stated that when the steering wheel was turned to the right, there was an abnormal noise and it was difficult to make the turn. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and the manufacturer who indicated that the contact would need to wait for a second notification letter to determine when the parts would become available. The contact was waiting for months as the failure progressed and was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was unable to provide a time frame for the parts to become available. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Fair Oaks, CA, USA

problem #96

Feb 092015

Cooper

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper S. the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel was on manual control and after the vehicle was warmed up, the steering wheel functioned as normal. The contact also stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, a clanking nose was coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle and the power steering failed. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V66000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who informed that a remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000. VIN tools confirms parts unavailable.

- Guilford, CT, USA

problem #95

Dec 062011

Cooper

  • 67,548 miles
The contact owned a 2002 MINICooper S. while driving 30 mph, the power steering failed and caused extra effort to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electro-hydraulic power steering system and wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,548.

- Sudbury, MA, USA

problem #94

Nov 202015

Cooper

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper S. while driving at 60 mph and attempting to avoid hitting an animal, the steering wheel seized without warning and the vehicle struck the animal. The air bags did not deploy; however, the air bag warning light illuminated. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Garden City, KS, USA

problem #93

Aug 122015

Cooper

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper S. the contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph and making a turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the power steering pump would need to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V66000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #92

Jul 272012

Cooper

  • 126,000 miles
Driving car normally when power steering went out causing a great deal of loss of vehicle control, making turning very difficult. Ended up swerving into other lane, fortunately no cars were in the lane at the time. Had to re-start vehicle to gain steering back. Has happened numerous times since this date. MINIusa keep dodging the issue for a full on recall, instead extending the warranty, but my vehicle missed the warranty by 3 months so they will not replace without a hefty amount of money involved.

- Lemon Grove, CA, USA

problem #91

Nov 102014

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 80,346 miles
Power steering pump is very loud when turning the vehicle. Can be very hard to turn wheel at times and sometimes the power steering has cut out while driving. MINIhas a recall but wont fix for me.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #90

May 292014

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
While driving East on sheridan dr. In the town of tonawanda, I experienced a complete failure of the power steering. I wrestled with the car for the rest of the day, and when I got home, I heard that the power steering cooling fan was running continuously, even though the car was shut off in the driveway. I assumed it would stop eventually, but was wrong and returned to a totally dead battery. I called the dealer, towne MINIin williamsville, NY, and was told they were booked to June 17th, but that I could bring it in. Midway between my home and towne, while on the 290, my power steering returned. When I got to towne, they as much as called me a liar, and refused to replace the pump and fan. They did however, find $1300 worth of other work that "needed" to be done to pass nys inspection.

- Tonawanda , NY, USA

problem #89

Apr 082014

Cooper

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 MINICooper. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the power steering assist failed and caused the vehicle to become difficult to operate. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure and current mileage was 107,000.

- Newburgh, NY, USA

problem #88

Sep 012005

Cooper 4-cyl

  • miles
I have 2002 MINICooper original owner and I had windsheld, transmission replaced. Main issue I still have is streering loose power. I got a letter from MINIsaid it extended warranty not a recall. MINIco. Never recall any issues. Call dealer for this streering problem but my 2002 MINIis not under this campaign. I have that streering loose power middle of driving but this is not even recall? I have to pay for diagnose fee for extension warranty per dealer. MINIBMW will not recall this issue until drivers get seriously hurt.

- Brea, CA, USA

problem #87

Aug 262013

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
The power steering pump failed in my 2002 MINICooper 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.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

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