BMW Mini Recall R/2002/027: Front Suspension Outer Ball Joint May Become Detached, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Book soon
- How serious
- 4 Mar 2002
- Launched
- 1,416
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2002/027
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled Mini vehicles built between 1 September 2000 and 2 August 2001. Under extreme conditions of use the outer ball joint pins may become loose in the front suspension lower arms. The dealer will fit modified lower arms. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Under extreme conditions of use the outer ball joint pins may become loose in the front suspension lower arms. Under extreme conditions detachment could occur.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: FRONT SUSPENSION OUTER BALL JOINT MAY BECOME DETACHED Defect: Under extreme conditions of use the outer ball joint pins may become loose in the front suspension lower arms. Under extreme conditions detachment could occur. Remedy: Recall affected vehicles and fit modified lower arms.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: front suspension outer ball joint may become detached.
The Fix
The dealer will fit modified lower arms.
Are You Affected?
Mini built between 1 September 2000 and 2 August 2001 may be included. BMW estimates 1,416 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with BMW, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with BMW.
- Book with any franchised BMW dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2002/027. See how to get a BMW recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini, Mini 3 DR Hatch, Mini 5 DR Hatch, Mini ClubmanOn some diesel vehicles glycol leakage from the EGR-Cooler may occur. In very rare cases this could lead to the melting of the Intake manifold and in very rare cases result in a possible fire | Urgent | R/2023/174 | |
| MiniThe high-pressure fuel rail may not have been produced according to specifications | Urgent | R/2022/281 | |
| Mini, Mini Clubman, Mini CountrymanUndetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold | Urgent | R/2022/256 | |
| MiniStatic electricity may accumulate in the fuel filler tube | Low | R/2021/294 | |
| 1 Series, 2 Series, Mini, Mini Clubman and 2 moreThe exhaust gas recirculation module cooler could leak over time | Low | R/2020/179 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/2002/026 on 4 Mar 2002, for front suspension lower arm may detach. The one launched after it was R/2002/073 on 10 Jul 2002, for engine may cut out whilst the car is being driven. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2002 and suspension recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2002/027, launched 4 March 2002. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.