MYRModel Year Report

2004 Mini Cooper S

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Mini Cooper S
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
247
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

87% of complaints

Complaints per year

2002: 83 complaints 2003: 217 complaints 2004: 247 complaints 2004 247 2005: 314 complaints 2006: 186 complaints 2007: 249 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 119 complaints 2010: 59 complaints 2011: 31 complaints 2011 2012: 23 complaints 2013: 24 complaints 2014: 13 complaints 2014 2015: 18 complaints 2016: 9 complaints 2017: 6 complaints 2017 2019: 5 complaints 2020: 5 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaint 2024: 1 complaint 2025: 4 complaints 2025
2002: 83 complaints 2002 2003: 217 complaints 2004: 247 complaints 2004 247 2005: 314 complaints 2006: 186 complaints 2006 2007: 249 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 119 complaints 2010: 59 complaints 2010 2011: 31 complaints 2012: 23 complaints 2012 2013: 24 complaints 2014: 13 complaints 2014 2015: 18 complaints 2016: 9 complaints 2016 2017: 6 complaints 2019: 5 complaints 2019 2020: 5 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaint 2024: 1 complaint 2024 2025: 4 complaints
2002: 83 complaints 2002 2003: 217 complaints 2003 2004: 247 complaints 2004 247 2005: 314 complaints 2005 2006: 186 complaints 2006 2007: 249 complaints 2007 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 119 complaints 2009 2010: 59 complaints 2010 2011: 31 complaints 2011 2012: 23 complaints 2012 2013: 24 complaints 2013 2014: 13 complaints 2014 2015: 18 complaints 2015 2016: 9 complaints 2016 2017: 6 complaints 2017 2019: 5 complaints 2019 2020: 5 complaints 2020 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaint 2022 2024: 1 complaint 2024 2025: 4 complaints 2025

2004: 247 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
200283
2003217
2004247
2005314
2006186
2007249
2008168
2009119
201059
201131
201223
201324
201413
201518
20169
20176
20195
20205
20210
20221
20241
20254

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

87% · 215 reports

Most commonly citing pump and electric power assist system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Sudden loss of power steering, couldn't turn wheel ,hit curb.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-23

My power steering is failing. It causes myself or when my wife drives (With both my young children in the car) to come and go intermittently.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-15

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that the electrical power steering pump caught on fire, melting all of the wires. The fire department was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-09

Electrical system

8% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On my way up driveway I noticed a sharp stinging sensation in the lumbar of my back. Felt sort of like an "Continuous electric shock".

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-07-25

Also filed under Seats

Visibility

5% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and power window devices and controls.

Air bags

3% · 8 reports
Show complaint excerpts

All models from 2005 onward have been recalled, yet earlier models have the same problems with non functioning airbags.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-06-30

Airbag light comes on and stays illuminated. We are unsure if the system is working properly. We have not run diagnostic codes on the system.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-12

Engine and engine cooling

1% · 3 reports

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 247 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2004-10-13Tires04V348000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2010-09-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-05-10 Loss of Power Steering Assist
  4. I
    2011-05-04Engineering analysisClosed 2016-01-05 Loss of power steering assist
  5. R
    2016-03-04Steering15V660000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Mini Cooper S — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 215 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V348000 · Tires
  • Recall 15V660000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Mini Cooper S reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Mini Cooper S is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mini Cooper S?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 87% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mini Cooper S have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.