Recall 15V660 affects 86,018 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles for power steering assist loss. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
MINI is recalling 86,018 2002-2005 Cooper and Cooper S vehicles because the electro-hydraulic steering assist can stop working temporarily or permanently. Extra steering effort at lower speeds can increase the risk of a crash, and MINI dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S use an electro-hydraulic power steering assist system. In plain terms, an electric motor drives a hydraulic pump, and that pump adds pressure to help turn the front wheels when you move the steering wheel. The system does not steer the car for you; it reduces the effort your arms need.
On affected vehicles, that steering assist can drop out for a short time or stop working altogether. When the assist is gone, the steering wheel still turns the front wheels, but the driver has to supply much more force, especially during parking, tight turns, or low-speed maneuvers. The recall materials do not name a single broken subpart, so the owner-facing issue is the loss of assist itself.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices can be a steering wheel that suddenly feels heavy or harder to turn.
Who's affected?
Covers both Cooper and Cooper S across the 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 model years, all tied to the power steering system.
| 2005 MINI Cooper | power steering system |
|---|---|
| 2002 MINI Cooper | power steering system |
| 2003 MINI Cooper | power steering system |
| 2002 MINI Cooper S | power steering system |
| 2003 MINI Cooper S | power steering system |
| 2004 MINI Cooper | power steering system |
| 2004 MINI Cooper S | power steering system |
| 2005 MINI Cooper S | power steering system |
| Units affected | 86,018 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
A loss of power steering assist makes the wheel harder to turn at lower speeds and increases crash risk. If the steering suddenly feels heavy, slow down, avoid tight maneuvers, and schedule the recall inspection promptly. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2002-2005 MINI Cooper or Cooper S is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised MINI dealer to schedule the free electro-hydraulic power-steering inspection and repair for loss of steering assist.
- Bring the recall notice if MINI mailed one, and reference recall number 15V660 when you call.
- Use extra care at low speeds until the repair is complete because steering effort increases when power assist is lost.
- Call MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a MINI technician inspects the electro-hydraulic power steering system. If the inspection shows affected parts, the technician replaces the needed steering components and wiring. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Because the reimbursement plan is not listed in the source record, this section does not add a reimbursement claim. Ask the service desk to confirm that campaign 15V660 is open for your VIN before the appointment.
Timeline
| October 13, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| October 15, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| December 1, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 4, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V660?
Recall 15V660 covers 86,018 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles with an electro-hydraulic power steering defect tied to temporary or permanent loss of steering assistance. If assist is lost, steering takes extra effort at lower speeds and crash risk increases. MINI dealers inspect the system and replace parts or wiring for free.
What should I do if my 2002-2005 MINI Cooper or Cooper S is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V660. If it is, contact a franchised MINI dealer to schedule the power steering inspection and repair. Reference recall number 15V660 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. MINI dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system and replace the affected components or wiring free of charge at any franchised MINI dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V660?
The risk is harder steering at lower speeds if power steering assist is lost. The vehicle still has manual steering, but the extra steering effort increases crash risk, especially during low-speed turns or parking maneuvers. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my MINI Cooper or Cooper S used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific MINI is included, then contact a franchised MINI dealer and reference recall number 15V660 when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V660000 |
|---|---|
| MINI customer service | 1-866-825-1525 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V660 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V660000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →