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MINI CooperModel year report

2004 MINI Cooper Problems

Complaints
282filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
72,841miles, 252 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 33 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 MINI Cooper (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the power steering losing assist, sometimes intermittently and sometimes for good, leaving the wheel very hard to turn. The loss is frequently tied to engine or pump temperature, with assistance returning after the car cools or is restarted. Other reports involve CVT transmission problems and cracked windshields.

  1. Steering

    Power steering assist cuts out (hard to steer)

    • 228 complaints (81%)
    • median 74,500 mi at 7.8 yrs old (205 state mileage)
    • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,075 (median of 22 quotes)
    • filed 2007–2025

    Complaints describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming very stiff, sometimes during turns, highway merges or parking, and requiring heavy effort to move. Many owners say the assist returns after the engine cools or the car is restarted, only to drop out again later. Several had the power steering pump or its cooling fan replaced, and some report the pump stayed energized with the engine off. A number of owners mention being told the problem was known but that replacement was not offered until the pump failed completely. Reported from roughly 20,000 to 177,500 miles, with many under 100,000 miles, often in cold weather or after the engine warms up.

    Recall 15V6600008 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the power steering pump and its cooling fan have been replaced, and confirm whether recall 15V660000 was actually completed rather than merely opened. During a test drive, turn the wheel at low speed and again once the car is fully warm to see if assist drops out.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Power steering pump fan got lower in tone, harder to turn but hasn't failed yet. Looking up the issue on several sites, this is a common issue with this part failing. I contacted the local dealer which I originally bought it from and no recalls were shown for it - for the us. Canada however got a recall and they are fixing the problem there free of charge.”

    NHTSA complaint #10470139, filed 2012-08, 177,500 miles

    “My 2004 Mini Cooper intermittently loses it's power steering and is extremely difficult to control. This usually happens when the engine is not yet warmed but sometimes happens randomly. It is very difficult to maintain control when turning and today I just missed a pedestrian turning a corner in a crowded downtown area.”

    NHTSA complaint #10468053, filed 2012-07, 58,000 miles
  2. Transmission and drivetrain

    CVT transmission failure and high revs

    • 24 complaints (9%)
    • median 61,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (22 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $6,500 (median of 9 quotes)
    • filed 2004–2018

    Owners describe the continuously variable transmission failing without much warning, sometimes leaving the car unable to move, and quote replacement costs in the thousands. Others report engine speed rising sharply between roughly 50 and 65 mph without a matching increase in road speed. Complaints note the unit has no dipstick or service interval for fluid changes, and several owners said the dealer declined to help once warranty coverage ended. Mostly reported between about 57,000 and 90,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check for shuddering, delayed engagement or rev flare on a steady 50-65 mph cruise, and ask whether the CVT has been repaired or replaced and under what coverage.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My 2004 Mini coopers transmission failed at 80k miles with no warning. Luckily I was in a parking lot and not on the highway, where I could have been killed. The cost of replacing the tranny was $7,000. Mini USA was useless when I pleaded with them to help me. After reading about all of the other complaints with the CVT trans, I can't believe there was no recall. I will never buy a Mini again. I still owe $11,000 on the car and cannot afford another.”

    NHTSA complaint #10299826, filed 2010-01, 80,000 miles

    “On my 2004 Mini Cooper, base, with CVT, it the rpms jump to ~3800 between 50-65 MPH. When I accelerate to above 65, the rpms return to the normal range. Upon slowing down, the rpms then jump again between 50-65.”

    NHTSA complaint #10676500, filed 2015-01, 68,000 miles

Buying note. The steering complaints dominate this model year, so confirm the power steering pump, its cooling fan and recall 15V660000 are all settled before purchase. A pre-purchase inspection covering the steering, CVT behaviour, battery area and glass is worth the cost on this car.

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 282 consumer complaints for the 2004 MINI Cooper. 252 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,841 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 9 a fire, 1 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 40 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.

Also reported: Electronic stability control (2), Fuel system (2), Tires (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Wheels (2), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “I own a 2004 Mini Cooper. I was driving and lost all power steering almost causing a accident. There is a open recall on this issue. I contacted Mini and they informed me that my vehicle was not included with the recall. I explained that my car was experiencing all the issues addressed in the recall, but they still would not help me out.”

NHTSA complaint #11096473, filed 2018-05, 148,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “2004 Mini Cooper purchased new aprox 62 miles on it and the CVT transmission is gone & there was a class action lawsuit for the replacement of this, I was never notified and want this fixed at no cost to me. At aprox. 50 to 60 MPH the car engines goes way beyond the proper RPM.”

NHTSA complaint #11153472, filed 2018-11, 62,000 miles

Electrical system: “Driving down honda parkway I heard pop sound. Tpms light started flashing and smoke started coming out from under hood. I pulled off of road into a gas station. At that time I didn't have any power brakes.the car was fully engulfed in flames in about 10 mins. The fire dept put out fire.”

NHTSA complaint #10874841, filed 2016-06, 135,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “While driving normally a very very small pebble size stone hits underneath the windshield wiper on the passenger's side. The windshield immideiatly spiders all over the window. I've been told all the problems with the bmw windshields were corrected, but I've heard from over 20 fellow Mini owners of random cracking and failures within the first 2000 miles!!! This is totally unacceptable, and it isnt covered under warranty becuase it was the result of an impact.”

NHTSA complaint #10114092, filed 2005-03, 850 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

18% of the 252 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,729 and 95,300 miles.

2%0–103%10–2513%25–5035%50–7525%75–10019%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (252 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 72,841 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’06’0966’12’15’18’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 MINI Cooper. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Cooper · coupe not rated4 / 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 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cooper FWD1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manual253328$2,950
Cooper FWD1.6L 4-cylCVT222925$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

Recall details for the 2004 MINI Cooper → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 40 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 40 bulletins →

Other model years of the MINI Cooper

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202375000—31—Too new
202268,0250—31—Not enough data
20217—2—30—Not enough data
20207—2—31—Not enough data
201912702—30—Not enough data
201883,5000—28—Not enough data
2017287,9723—3049 · TypicalRising
20162870,43014290 · FewerRising
20155623,500642978 · MoreFalling
2014349,000743082 · MoreRising
20134737,0001—300 · FewerRising
20126653,5001—3028 · FewerRising
20118365,0001—3140 · TypicalRising
20109251,0002—3163 · TypicalRising
200915165,0001—3262 · TypicalRising
200811660,0001—3251 · TypicalStable
200711764,8451—31Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200620069,0001—28Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200537270,0002—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200428272,8412—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200332074,6512—28Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200218758,0003—25Not compared (before 2008)Rising
2001670,5620———Not enough data

All MINI Cooper model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 MINI Cooper?

Owners of this model year most often describe the power steering losing assist, sometimes intermittently and sometimes for good, leaving the wheel very hard to turn. The issues reported most often: Power steering assist cuts out (hard to steer); CVT transmission failure and high revs.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 MINI Cooper have?

NHTSA recorded 282 consumer complaints for the 2004 MINI Cooper as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 MINI Cooper is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 238 complaints (84% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 26.

Has the 2004 MINI Cooper 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 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 MINI Cooper (Cooper, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 MINI Cooper reported?

Among the 252 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,841 miles and the middle half falls between 54,729 and 95,300 miles; 18% 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.