VehicleVerdict

2004 Mini Cooper problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 330 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.6 times the median Cooper year — the 2004 model ranks #3 of 26 Cooper years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 1 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: steering issues account for 75% of all reports (247 of 330), far ahead of transmission at 27.

330

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

1

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Cooper years?

Cooper NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted440 complaints2001: 7 complaints2002: 220 complaints2003: 388 complaints2004: 330 complaints2005: 440 complaints2006: 247 complaints2007: 156 complaints2008: 155 complaints2009: 192 complaints2010: 142 complaints2011: 129 complaints2012: 96 complaints2013: 72 complaints2014: 45 complaints2015: 72 complaints2016: 43 complaints2017: 42 complaints2018: 10 complaints2019: 17 complaints2020: 11 complaints2021: 7 complaints2022: 7 complaints2023: 9 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 1 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Cooper NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cooper years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Mini Cooper problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering24775%
Transmission278%
Electrical System175%
Engine103%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Suspension41%
Tires & Wheels41%
Other41%
Body & Structure31%
Speed Control21%
Fuel System21%
Brakes21%
Lighting10%

Does the 2004 Mini Cooper have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V660000SteeringOctober 15, 2015 · 86,018 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

04V348000Tires & WheelsJuly 12, 2004 · 1,193 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLAT TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT TIRE, AN AUDIBLE SIGNAL WILL NOT SOUND TO ALERT THE DRIVER TO A FLAT TIRE.

Consequence

DUE TO THE LACK OF AN AUDIBLE SIGNAL, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF A FLAT TIRE, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S SOFTWARE IN ORDER TO ACTUATE THE FLAT TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM'S AUDIBLE SIGNAL. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT 1-866-275-6464.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“LOST POWER STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED DUE TO POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. SHORT CIRCUIT OR FIRE MELTED POWER STEERING PUMP WIRING HARNESS. DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO OTHER PORTIONS OF ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS BY FIRE, RESULTING IN BLOWN FUSES. UPON REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION AT ROADSIDE, ENGINE KEPT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 28, 2012 · fire

“VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MINI COOPER AND THE CORPORATION OF BMW ON HOW THEY HANDLED MY ISSUES WITH MY 2004 MINI. I CAME TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES IN RAMSEY, NEW JERSEY WITH THE REPAIRS THAT WERE RECALLED. I HAD PRINTED THE RECALLS AS EVIDENCE THAT THERE WERE IDENTICAL ISSUES AS THE REPAIRS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 10, 2011 · fire

“LOST POWER STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED DUE TO POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. SHORT CIRCUIT OR FIRE MELTED POWER STEERING PUMP WIRING HARNESS. DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO OTHER PORTIONS OF ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS BY FIRE, RESULTING IN BLOWN FUSES. UPON REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION AT ROADSIDE, ENGINE KEPT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 28, 2012 · fire

“VENT FAN IN MOTOR COMPARTMENT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO VARIOUS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND SMOKE DAMAGE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 28, 2008 · fire

“PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW CEASED OPERATION IN THE 'UP' POSITION. DUE TO THE VEHICLE DESIGN, THE TOP OF THE WINDOW GLASS CAN NOW POTENTIALLY CONTACT THE DOOR FRAME WHEN CLOSING, PRESENTING A BREAKAGE HAZARD. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE WINDOW BEGAN TO OPERATE, THEN FAILED AGAIN SEVERAL WEEKS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 15, 2007

2004 Mini Cooper — common questions

Is the 2004 Mini Cooper reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 330 complaints put the 2004 model at #3 of 26 Cooper years. It is one of the Cooper years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Cooper problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (247 complaints), transmission (27 complaints), electrical system (17 complaints).

Does the 2004 Mini Cooper have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Mini Cooper. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Mini Cooper under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mini Cooper years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cooper years to avoid are 2005, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2002, 2009, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012. The cleanest record among Cooper years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.