2004 MINI Cooper S Problems
- Complaints
- 247filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 74,000miles, 231 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 31 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 MINI Cooper S (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2004 MINI Cooper S most often describe intermittent loss of power steering assist, with the wheel becoming very hard to turn at low speed, in corners, or shortly after starting. Many also mention a cooling fan that continues running after shutdown and drains the battery, and a smaller group reports windshield cracking, airbag/seat-belt warning lights, and cooling fan failures.
- Steering
Intermittent loss of power steering assist
- 190 complaints (77%)
- median 75,607 mi at 7.5 yrs old (180 state mileage)
- 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 16 quotes)
- filed 2006–2020
Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming very heavy, often while cornering, exiting a highway, or just after start-up, and sometimes returning after the car is shut off and restarted. Complaints say the electro-hydraulic steering pump and its cooling fan were replaced at the owner's expense, and that in some cases the problem returned after replacement. Several owners report that dealers first described the behavior as normal or found no fault when the pump tested fine at the time of inspection. Reported across a wide range, from about 20,000 to over 170,000 miles, with many complaints in the 50,000-110,000 mile range.
Recall 15V6600008 related service bulletins
What to check: Check whether the steering pump and its cooling fan have been replaced, and ask for service records. At a test drive, turn the wheel at low speed and after a cold start, and listen for a whine from the pump.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Power steering stopped working, 1st time whilst at a traffic light, 2nd time whilst pulling out of a parking spot. Steering becomes very heavy, almost unmanageable. I haven't used the car in the last three months as I have been out of the country, I need to look into replacing the steering pump, fan and a cover.”
NHTSA complaint #10441261, filed 2011-12, 59,995 miles“I want to report problem with steering components in my 2004 Mini Cooper S (based on article in USA today). In july of this year, 2010, my steering suddenly became almost impossible to turn. I stopped, called my dealership, had the car towed in. They replaced the power steering motor. This week, sept. 2010, I heard a strange sound. Took it back in, they replaced the power steering fan.”
NHTSA complaint #10358376, filed 2010-09, 74,271 miles - Steering
Steering pump fan runs on and drains battery
- 25 complaints (10%)
- median 80,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (25 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2006–2015
Owners report that after the car is switched off, a fan or pump keeps running, sometimes until the battery is flat, and in some accounts it builds heat under the bonnet. Complaints describe the pump sticking on, repeated jump-starts, and the fix being replacement of the pump and/or fan assembly. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 130,000 miles.
Recall 15V6600005 related service bulletins
What to check: After shutting the engine off, listen near the front of the car for a fan that keeps running; ask whether the battery has needed repeated jump-starts.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Lost power steering intermittently last month while driving and now the fan stays on and runs the engine till the battery is dead. I need to have it jumped everytime I want to drive it. Mini stated they will not replace it for free they don't care if there is an investigation, unit were ordered to fix it the cost is on the customer”
NHTSA complaint #10397480, filed 2011-04, 150,000 miles“I was driving my daughter to school when it first happened, the wheel got so tight and I hit the curb. Thank god I was in a school zone and therefore I was driving slow. After that, I noticed that same day that my battery was drained when I was leaving from work. I got a jump but then it happened again when I stopped for groceries. I figured something must be wrong with the battery (which is fairly new) or the alternator. I took my car to a shop and they diagnosed the battery and the alternator was fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10691952, filed 2015-03, 114,000 miles
Buying note. The steering assist and its cooling fan are the points owners raise most, so a service history covering pump and fan replacement matters more than mileage alone. Check the windshield, airbag warning lights, and cooling fan behavior during a test drive before deciding.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 247 consumer complaints for the 2004 MINI Cooper S. 231 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 74,000 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 41 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering210 85%
- Electrical system19 7.7%
- Air bags8 3.2%
- Engine cooling3 1.2%
- Seat belts3 1.2%
- Seats3 1.2%
- Engine2 0.8%
- Fuel system2 0.8%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (2), Tires (2), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Wheels (2), Brakes (1), Other or unknown (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “The vehicle was hard to steer and smoke was coming from the engine. Took the car home, did not see flames, parked car in the driveway switched cars and left. Received a call from the fire department that my Mini was on fire and I needed to return to my house.”
NHTSA complaint #11015001, filed 2017-08, 165,000 milesElectrical system: “Traveling east on 376 approx. One mile from the squirel hill tunnels, a women in another vehicle alerted me, trying to tell me my car was on fire. I pulled off the highway to the side of the road, pulled up the hood and saw fire. I called 911 and the fire company came and put out the fire. Googled the interenet and found there was approx 200,000 cases of fire without the manufacture recalling all vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10568443, filed 2014-02, 137,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The passenger side window motor has failed on my 04 Mini Cooper S. Upon researching the problem on the internet, I've found that thousands of other Mini cooper owners have the san=me recurrent issue. Mini cooper needs to correct the problem with a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10241220, filed 2008-09, 51,000 milesAir bags: “My 2004 Mini Cooper S has a passenger seat belt/air bag light that is illuminated at all times. Originally, it was sporadic, and connecting the seat belt would cause the light to go off. Now it is lit all the time, whether there is a passenger in the seat or not. I was told today that the sensor is bad and will cost $1600 to fix, which includes completely replacing the entire passenger seat. My mechanic says that the air bag will not deploy in the event of an accident. This is most concerning. Obviously, the default should be for the airbag to deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10594986, filed 2014-05, 80,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
20% of the 231 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 98,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 MINI Cooper S. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper S · coupe | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2004 MINI Cooper S version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper S FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 22 | 31 | 25 | $3,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 15V660000Oct 15, 2015Steering › Electric power assist systemCovers: MINI Cooper S 2002–2005, Cooper 2002–2005
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…
- 04V348000Jul 12, 2004Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systemsCovers: MINI Cooper S 2004, Cooper 2004
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.
Recall details for the 2004 MINI Cooper S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 41 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10244507Oct 25, 2023Electrical system. MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result, the demand on the batteries has increased. Breakdowns due to an empty battery or problems in the vehicles…
- 10162443Jul 12, 2019Transmission and drivetrain, Engine, Electrical system. Programming a Replacement EGS Module with ISTA/P. Programming a replacement electronic transmission control module (EGS) with ISTA/P requires the manual entry of the correct target basic and…
- 10145311Jun 1, 2018Equipment. NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
- 10143579May 1, 2018Electrical system, Equipment. NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
- 10151228Mar 1, 2016Steering. This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. SUBJECT Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle is No Longer Required. Left-hand…
- 10059112Jul 1, 2015Engine, Electrical system. Mini: because of the dme software, and a damaged clutch, the drivetrain malfunction check message appear.
- 10059098Jul 1, 2015Engine, Electrical system. Mini: different faults activates engine malfunction and oil warning.
- 10059113Jun 1, 2015Electrical system, Engine. Mini: faulty software causes the check control and engine power reduced light to appear.
- 10059111Jun 1, 2015Engine, Electrical system. Mini: due to faulty dme software, the service engine lights comes on, including the check control message for motor force decrease.
- 10059094Jun 1, 2015Engine. Mini: a mechanical failure and dme software error of the vanos actuators cause the engine to run rough which activates the malfunction warning light.
Other model years of the MINI Cooper S
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 4,714 | 2 | — | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 5 | 40,830 | 1 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 6 | 17,200 | 3 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 10 | 42,000 | 3 | 4 | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 18 | 33,810 | 4 | 4 | 28 | — | Rising |
| 2014 | 13 | 25,000 | 4 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 24 | 49,400 | 1 | — | 29 | — | Rising |
| 2012 | 23 | 86,000 | 2 | — | 30 | — | Rising |
| 2011 | 31 | 65,008 | 3 | — | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2010 | 59 | 62,635 | 4 | — | 29 | 47 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 119 | 52,062 | 3 | — | 29 | 53 · Typical | Rising |
| 2008 | 168 | 53,600 | 4 | — | 29 | 72 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 249 | 52,000 | 4 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 186 | 55,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 314 | 66,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 247 | 74,000 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 217 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 83 | 75,415 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
All MINI Cooper S model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 MINI Cooper S?
Owners of the 2004 MINI Cooper S most often describe intermittent loss of power steering assist, with the wheel becoming very hard to turn at low speed, in corners, or shortly after starting. The issues reported most often: Intermittent loss of power steering assist; Steering pump fan runs on and drains battery.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 MINI Cooper S have?
NHTSA recorded 247 consumer complaints for the 2004 MINI Cooper S as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 MINI Cooper S is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 210 complaints (85% of the total), followed by electrical system with 19.
Has the 2004 MINI Cooper S been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 MINI Cooper S get?
The EPA rates the 2004 MINI Cooper S (Cooper S, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 MINI Cooper S reported?
Among the 231 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 74,000 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 98,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.