2004 MINI Cooper problems
Owners have filed 330 complaints about the 2004 MINI Cooper with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 74.8% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of power train at 8.2%.
Complaints330
Crashes5
Fires17
Injuries1
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Steering 74.8% · 247
Power train 8.2% · 27
Electrical system 4.5% · 15
Visibility 2.1% · 7
Engine and engine cooling 1.8% · 6
Engine 1.2% · 4
Suspension 1.2% · 4
Unknown or other 0.9% · 3
Severity
Of those complaints, 5 describe a crash, 17 describe a fire, 1 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 10 model years of the MINI Cooper in this data, 2004 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2005 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 18 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 71,331 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2004 MINI Cooper. The contact was driving 35 mph when the power steering failed. The vehicle was turned off and restarted yet the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the power steering pump and power steering cooling fan were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The current and failure mileage was approximately 85,500. Updated 09/07/11 *bf updated 10/31/11 Steering · reported at 85,500 miles
The contact owns a 2004 MINI Cooper. While driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact shut off the engine and after restarting, the vehicle regained power steering capabilities. The power steering continued to fail intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000. Steering · reported at 96,000 miles
2004 MINI Cooper occasionally would lose power steering once every couple months after a few years of owning it. Turning off car and starting it back up would always resolve it. While driving down highway at 60mph, lost power steering. Could not pull over immediately. Took exit ramp with a sharp curve, could barely make it around the curve, ended up on the shoulder. Easily could have been an accident, or worse. Steering · reported at 81,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…