One problem related to lose power steering has been reported for the 2002 Mini Cooper. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Mini Cooper based on all problems reported for the 2002 Cooper.
I was driving along and lost the power steering. It was very difficult to steer. I got home parked the car and let it go. The next morning it was fine. However, this morning, 6/8/2012, it happened again as I was turning in an intersection. Fortunately for me there weren't many cars on the road, as it was very difficult to turn. If this had happened in even a semi-busy intersection, I would have been in trouble.