2004 MINI Cooper S Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 247 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2004 MINI Cooper S, 1% of the 247 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Unable to open the driver's door from the inside; immediate failure. At about 36,000 miles and again at 60,000 miles, the driver's door could only be opened by pulling on the inside door handle multiple times or opening the window & using the outside handle. The issue appears to be a cable that comes off a pulley in the opening mechanism. The dealer replaced the cable in its proper position; the fix lasted about 2 years before re-occurring causing the car to fail state safety inspection. This is a problem known to Mini/bmw and is reported in many online Mini cooper forums.”
NHTSA complaint #10412425, filed 2011-07, 60,000 miles“Door lock mechanism freezes and traps drive and occupants inside of the vehicle. Anytime the temperature is below freezing door locks freeze. Upon contacting Mini their response was that they get this complaint frequently but they do not have a method to correct the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10311282, filed 2010-02Related service bulletins
- 10043725Jan 1, 2012Mini: after drive-away locking activates, it is not possible to unlock the boot.
- 10026766Mar 1, 2009Mini: rear split door opening problems. One or both of the rear split doors intermittently have functional problems. The door(s) may not unlatch when the lever on the handle is…
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 MINI Cooper S
210 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 MINI Cooper S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology