2004 MINI Cooper S Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 210about this part
- Share
- 85%of 247 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 210 complaints about the steering of the 2004 MINI Cooper S, 85% of the 247 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Was about to park my car and all of sudden the steering began feeling tight. It seems that all assistance with the power steering was lost. Upon investigation over the internet it seems that the power steering pump is blown. Fortunately, I was not driving fast,but this can cause a potential fatal injury.”
NHTSA complaint #10652175, filed 2014-11, 100,250 miles“I was driving through atlantic city, and when I tried to make a left turn, the power steering assist on my minicooper failed. The steering wheel was rigid and needed to be forcibly turned using a great deal of strength. I almost ran into a fence surrounding a parking lot, but was able to apply the brakes, wrestle with the wheel , and edge into the parking lot.”
NHTSA complaint #10460907, filed 2012-06, 60,788 miles“Electric power steering pump failed while driving. I noticed it when I went to change lanes and the car resisted. I slowed for a corner and when attempting to turn, it became very apparent that there was no steering assist. This is a common failure on the first generation Mini coopers that is unacceptable and depending on the circumstances, potentially dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10444450, filed 2012-01, 90,000 miles“Power steering dropped out unexpectedly while I was making a left hand turn, traveling approximately 10-15 MPH. I was able to regain steering control before a collision, but power steering never came back on. I found out the power steering pump had failed, perhaps brought on by a power steering fan failure. Both the fan and pump were replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10434761, filed 2011-11, 73,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V660000Oct 15, 2015BMW 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…Covers: MINI Cooper S 2002–2005, Cooper 2002–2005
Related service bulletins
- 10151228Mar 1, 2016This 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…
- 10148439Nov 1, 2014Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Limited Warranty Extension to 13 Years/150,000 Miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power…
- 10057710Nov 1, 2014Mini: models r50, r52, and r53 with the electro-hydraulic power-assist steering pump and cooling fans will have an limited warranty extension to 13 years/150,000 miles.
- 10148394Aug 1, 2014Installation of Right-Hand Drive Steering Spindle in Left-Hand Drive Vehicle. Supply shortage of left-hand drive steering spindles
- 10055137Apr 15, 2014Mini: warranty coverage extension/repair expense reimbursement for the electro hydraulic power (assist) steering (ehps) pump, which has its own cooling fan, on some vehicles and…
- 10052614Dec 1, 2013Mini: see document search button for owner letter. A warranty extension for certain vehicles with potential problem with cooling fan and the durability of electro hydraulic power…
- 10150044Jul 1, 2013Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering…
- 10150086Jun 1, 2013Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assist Steering Pump (EHPS) and Cooling Fan: Warranty Extension to 13 years/150,000 miles. On affected vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 1 | 20% |
| 2016 | 1 | 10% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 48 | 26% |
| 2005 | 212 | 68% |
| 2004 | 210 | 85% |
| 2003 | 129 | 59% |
| 2002 | 57 | 69% |
Other parts of the 2004 MINI Cooper S
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 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
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 27, 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