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SeatsPart report

2004 MINI Cooper S Seats Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
1%of 247 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the seats of the 2004 MINI Cooper S, 1% of the 247 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“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 miles

“On my way up driveway I noticed a sharp stinging sensation in the lumbar of my back. Felt sort of like an continuous electric shock . I immediately arched my back as a reaction to the sting and had to straighten my back in order to control the vehicle. When straightening my back I felt something hot, very hot this time like something that was on fire. I could not longer control the vehicle grabbed for the handle opened the door and rolled out onto the driveway while the vehicle was moving. The vehicle bucked and stalled out. …”

NHTSA complaint #10345159, filed 2010-07, 70,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper S. The contact was traveling 35 MPH when the steering became extremely tight. There was no warning prior to the failure. The contact stated that the failure had occurred before but not as extreme as the most current failure. The contact could barely maneuver the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the power steering cooling fan and electronic power steering pump were replaced. The dealer advised that the power steering failure was a known problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10369460, filed 2010-12, 4,053 miles

Seats: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201314%
201214%
201012%
200943%
200821%
200710%
2006158%
200583%
200431%
200310%
200234%

Other parts of the 2004 MINI Cooper S

Steering
210 complaints
Electrical system
19 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
Air bags
8 complaints
Engine cooling
3 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints
Engine
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Transmission 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 28, 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