2004 Mini Cooper problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (214) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (10) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mini Cooper model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
252 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2015-10-15 · campaign 15V660000 · 86,018 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S Convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 10, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Service bulletins (42)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2023-11-02 · M511616 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch trim and grille.
Electrical System 2023-10-25 · M610607 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. as a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles electrical system can have various causes, most of which are not due to the battery itself. for this rea
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control 2018-05-01 · M120817 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
w10 engine: ems2k - comprehensive component obd readiness monitor not completed: an affected vehicle fails to pass a state inspection and emission (i/m) test due to the òcomprehensive componentó obd readiness monitor status is ònot complete,ó or it fails complete after performing an applicable repai
Steering 2016-03-01 · M320214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin supersedes si 32 02 14 dated august 2014. subject installation of right-hand drive steering spindle in left-hand drive vehicle is no longer required. left-hand drive steering spindles are currently available.
Engine 2015-07-01 · 12 09 15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature is high outside, and more obvious if the tank is only partly filled. *ma
Engine 2015-07-01 · 12 06 15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mini: because of the dme software, and a damaged clutch, the drivetrain malfunction check message appear. *ma
Showing the 6 most recent of 42 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-05-14 · Steering · 160,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 mini cooper. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v660000(steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the r…”
2022-04-26 · Steering · 💥 crash“mini felt like it was getting pushed by the wind . realized wasn't wind mini loss of completely all functions of steering wheel. on super busy highway. devine intervention was in far left car went left to right lanes then hit median gaurd rail spun around finally got it to stop. never hitting and hurting anyone around me. nobody hit me. car is …”
2019-09-30 · Unknown Or Other · 135,000 mi · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“my wife was driving our 2004 mini cooper home traveling uphill on a steep paved mountain roadway traveling a maximum of 15 mph when for some unknown reason the vehicle left the roadway; struck a tree with its left front and burst into an exploding fire killing my wife who was not able to escape the burning vehicle. the nc state police are investiga…”
2019-05-24 · Steering · 201,000 mi“mainly while cold and at low speed's the wheel suddenly becomes very hard to turn and i was told by a mechanic but it's a faulty hydraulic power steering problem…”
2019-05-16 · Steering · 200,000 mi“very hard to turn steering wheel at times especially when moving slowly; coming to a turn at a light, backing out of a parking spot, etc.…”
2018-11-24 · Power Train · 62,000 mi“2004 mini cooper purchased new aprox 62 miles on it and the cvt transmission is gone & there was a class action lawsuit for the replacement of this, i was never notified and want this fixed at no cost to me. at aprox. 50 to 60 mph the car engines goes way beyond the proper rpm.…”
2018-10-18 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mini cooper. the contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. the electric power steering warning indicator was not illuminated. an unknown dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty, and was excluded from nhtsa campaign number: 15v660000 (steering) and nh…”
2018-09-17 · Steering · 20 mi“power steering has been an issue over a year or two. no total failures but it does not qualify as power steering. the cooling fan does not work. steering is not good....for powered steering that is. slow speed steering is horrendous and non existent.…”
2018-05-17 · Steering · 148,000 mi“i own a 2004 mini cooper. i was driving and lost all power steering almost causing a accident. there is a open recall on this issue. i contacted mini and they informed me that my vehicle was not included with the recall. i explained that my car was experiencing all the issues addressed in the recall, but they still would not help me out.…”
2017-06-13 · Steering · 130,051 mi · 🔥 fire“mini cooper power steering pump failure. vehicle was recently driven and was parked on the street. we started the vehicle and backed up to pull out of the parking spot. there was no power steering. we had to attempt to back up again to get off of the street and in to the parking spot. a burning smell and smoke started from under the hood. the…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.