2004 Mini COOPER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
282 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
73,725 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 254 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 229 of 282 complaints (81.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 238 | 84.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 28 | 9.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 7.4% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 5.7% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 229 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 10 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 6 |
| Steering:Electric Power Assist System | 5 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
Steering: 229; Electrical System: 15; Power Train: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 10; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 6; Steering:Electric Power Assist System: 5; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 5; Engine: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 33 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 87 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 63 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 49 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 33; 50,000 to 74,999: 87; 75,000 to 99,999: 63; 100,000 to 149,999: 49; 150,000 and above: 9
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (87). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 57 |
| 2011 | 66 |
| 2012 | 65 |
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 15; 2009: 9; 2010: 57; 2011: 66; 2012: 65; 2013: 31; 2014: 6; 2015: 5; 2016: 9; 2017: 1; 2018: 4; 2019: 3; 2022: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 238 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 28 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10120402 · 2005-04-29 (April 29, 2005)
COMPLAINT REGARDING THE POSITION OF THE HORN BUTTONS ON THE 2004 MINI COOPER S. *MR THE CONSUMER WOULD TRY TO HONK THE HORN BY PRESSING THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10202353 · 2007-09-10 (September 10, 2007)
DRIVING TO WORK AND POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS FAILURE CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR, BUT IT TOOK A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT. HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING, IT IS LIKELY THAT SHE WOULD LOST CONTROL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,515 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090897 · 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)
I WAS DRIVING NORMAL. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) THE CAR MOVE A LITTLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLED. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS HONKING AND I QUICKLY SHIFT TO N AND TRIED STARTING AND THE CAR STARTED. MY CAR HAS ONLY 1650 MILES. I CALLED MINI THE NEXT DAY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALLS OR ISSUES KNOWN TO MINI AT THIS TIME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10210217 · 2007-11-28 (November 28, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OVER THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,402.
Owner-reported narrative. 78,402 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222033 · 2008-03-22 (March 22, 2008)
VENT FAN IN MOTOR COMPARTMENT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO VARIOUS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND SMOKE DAMAGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10225910 · 2008-04-28 (April 28, 2008)
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 T…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10225910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10358223 · 2010-09-29 (September 29, 2010)
TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HAPPENS PROBABLY ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT I HAVE A POWER STEERING LEAK - BUT NOT BAD ENOUGH TO CAUSE A PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER LOST A QUANTITY OF FLUID THAT REQUIRED REFILLING. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 70K MILES - SEEMS ODD TO HAVE A POWER STEERING LEAK AT THAT MILEAGE. LEAK FIRST SHOWED UP AT ABOUT 50K MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10358223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166011 · 2006-08-19 (August 19, 2006)
BRAKE FAILURE - WHILE COASTING IN "BRAKE AND RELEASE TRAFFIC", THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT CATCH. LOOKING DOWN AT MY FOOT, I WATCHED MY FOOT FLOOR THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FELT NO BRAKE PEDAL CATCH. LOOKING UP, MY CAR CONTINUED ROLLING FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR SUSTAINED OVER $2000 DAMAGE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT AND THE OTHER CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED. A MONTH PRIOR, THE MINI DEALERSHIP HAD DONE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE BRAKE WORK ON MY MINI. BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT, I ASKED MINI IF IT COULD HAVE BEEN AN AIR BUBBLE OR SOMETHING E…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10444751 · 2012-01-21 (January 21, 2012)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10444751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10320616 · 2010-03-18 (March 18, 2010)
MY 2004 MINI COOPER HAD A BAD FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL THAT SITS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL INJECTORS. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT TO WORK WHEN SHE WAS ALL MOST OVERCOME BY GAS FUMES. WHEN SHE GOT TO WORK SHE NOTICED THAT SHE HAD LOST A HALF A TANK OF GAS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO VISTA MOTORS IN POMPANO BCH. FL. ON SAMPLE ROAD AND THE MINI SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. WHEN I ASKED HIM IF THE PART WAS GOING TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MINI WHY THE PART STARTED LEAKING AND COULD OF EASILY CAUSED A…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,366 miles reported. Look up ODI 10320616 at NHTSA ↗