Most common 2004 Mini Cooper problems
Share of the 282 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mini Cooper complaints by model year
Best Cooper years: 2018, 2020, 2024. Years to avoid: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2006, 2002. Compare all years →
2004 Mini Cooper recalls (2)
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
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.
Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
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 at 1-866-275-6464.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2004 Mini Cooper:
Loss of Power Steering Assist
ODI has received 339 complaints alleging an unexpected loss of power steering assist while driving the vehicle.When the power steering assist stops working, drivers experienced difficulty in steering and/or controlling the vehicle.According to BMW drivers may experience either a temporary or permanent loss of power steering assist.BMW further advised that a temporary loss of power steering assist may be due to a…
Loss of power steering assist
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include MY 2002 and 2003 vehicles that use the same steering system.The subject vehicles now include MY 2002,…
What 2004 Mini Cooper owners say
Steering all 238 →
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 recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and drive off the road. The exact cause of the failure was not determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160.000. Parts distribution disconnect.
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 totalled ! Still at tow place. I saw my life flash as cars were zooming by me. Someone should be held responsible for my car and almost my life. Called out of work can't move upper body that well.
Transmission & drivetrain all 26 →
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 needed to my car! The dealership ignored and refused to even look at the recalls on paper and to my dismay I was forced to pay out-of-my-own pocket! I had no choice because of my concern to drive a 'safe' vehicle. To my disappointment I had to return back to the dealership with the same and additional issues that were no repaired! The next day the manager assured me that all was taken care of and the car was finally safe! Wrong again! With additional calls to both the dealership and BMW I still did not have a solution nor a safe car! . …
I was driving around 40 miles per hour and the car abruptly slowed down then sped up without any warning, if another car was behind me, it would have caused some serious damage. Now my car wouldn't shift shift out of first gear. I was told by my mechanic that the CVT transmission is gone. After reaching out to Mini USA, they told me they haven't had any problem with this transmission and it's pass the warranty date. If the folks at Mini USA had been honest with me I could have made the deadline for a settlement pertaining to the same problem they claimed they had no idea about. This product need to be recalled! After doing extensive research the CVT transmission have had problems all along and the company have been settling claims for quite some time. Why are they allowed to run hard working folks into death because they know most of us can't and wouldn't pursue this matter. …
Electrical system
Driving down Honda parkway I heard pop sound. TPMS light started flashing and smoke started coming out from under hood. I pulled off of road into a gas station. At that time I didn't have any power brakes.the car was fully engulfed in flames in about 10 mins. The fire dept put out fire.
I had driven 2004 Mini for about 30 minute, then parked it in driveway. Within 15 minutes I looked over to see smoke coming from the engine. I opened the compartment and got help. We pushed it into a nearby field and called the fire dept. If it had stayed in the drive, it would have also ignited 2 cars, the house and a boat. Who know about people and animals. I almost got run over trying to stop the Mini as it was pushed. After the car was out, we had it towed to inskip auto in warwick ri. Jeof said at first it was a power steering hose that burst and got on the hot exhaust...igniting. After looking at it further and with metlife insurance agent, they thought it was the power steering fan and pump failure. This overheated the electrical harness, to start the electrical fire. Neither the insurance nor inskip felt it was covered by them. I am to pay $2,600. Today when it pick it up. …
2004 Mini Cooper engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 25 / 33 / 28 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl supercharged | 6-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 31 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Mini Cooper a good car?
Based on 282 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Cooper rates avoid: 4.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cooper at the same age. It is one of the Cooper years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Mini Cooper?
The steering — 238 complaints, 84% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist › pump. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (26) and electrical system (15).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mini Cooper have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2004 Mini Cooper, the most recent from October 15, 2015 (electric power assist system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mini Cooper?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2020 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2006 and 2002. See the full Mini Cooper years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Mini Cooper problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.