MYRModel Year Report

2004 Mini Cooper

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Mini Cooper
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mini Cooper Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 2001: 6 complaints 2001 2002: 187 complaints 2003: 320 complaints 2004: 282 complaints 2004 2005: 372 complaints 2005 2006: 200 complaints 2007: 115 complaints 2008: 115 complaints 2009: 150 complaints 2009 2010: 92 complaints 2011: 82 complaints 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 47 complaints 2013 2014: 34 complaints 2015: 54 complaints 2016: 28 complaints 2017: 28 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 7 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 6 complaints 2023: 7 complaints 2024: 1 complaints 2025: 1 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaints 2026
2004: 282 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20016
2002187
2003320
2004282
2005372
2006200
2007115
2008115
2009150
201092
201182
201265
201347
201434
201554
201628
201728
20188
201912
20207
20217
20226
20237
20241
20251
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 81%

81% of complaints: steering — 229 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220426

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK MY STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME HARD TO TURN I HIT THE CURB AND BLEW TWO TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130524

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120523

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120523

POWER TRAIN 4%

4% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
POWER TRAIN 4%

4% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 2%

2% of complaints: steering — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 282
R 20041013 — tires

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 RELATIONS

Campaign 04V348000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100924 — PE (closed 20110510)

Loss of Power Steering Assist

I 20110504 — EA (closed 20160105)

Loss of power steering assist

R 20160304 — steering

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.

Campaign 15V660000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Mini Cooper — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (229 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V348000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V660000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2014 ▲ 2013 ▲ 2015

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2003 ◆ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Mini Cooper reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Mini Cooper is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mini Cooper?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 81% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Mini Cooper have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.